80_FR_78168 80 FR 77928 - Fall 2015 Semiannual Agenda of Regulations

80 FR 77928 - Fall 2015 Semiannual Agenda of Regulations

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Office of the Secretary

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 240 (December 15, 2015)

Page Range77928-77946
FR Document2015-30613

In compliance with Executive Order 12866, entitled ``Regulatory Planning and Review,'' and the Regulatory Flexibility Act, as amended, the Department of Commerce (Commerce), in the spring and fall of each year, publishes in the Federal Register an agenda of regulations under development or review over the next 12 months. Rulemaking actions are grouped according to prerulemaking, proposed rules, final rules, long-term actions, and rulemaking actions completed since the spring 2015 agenda. The purpose of the agenda is to provide information to the public on regulations that are currently under review, being proposed, or issued by Commerce. The agenda is intended to facilitate comments and views by interested members of the public. Commerce's fall 2015 regulatory agenda includes regulatory activities that are expected to be conducted during the period October 1, 2015, through September 30, 2016.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 240 (Tuesday, December 15, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 240 (Tuesday, December 15, 2015)]
[Unknown Section]
[Pages 77928-77946]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-30613]



[[Page 77927]]

Vol. 80

Tuesday,

No. 240

December 15, 2015

Part IV





Department of Commerce





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

Federal Register / Vol. 80 , No. 240 / Tuesday, December 15, 2015 / 
Unified Agenda

[[Page 77928]]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Office of the Secretary

13 CFR Ch. III

15 CFR Subtitle A; Subtitle B, Chs. I, II, III, VII, VIII, IX, and 
XI

19 CFR Ch. III

37 CFR Chs. I, IV, and V

48 CFR Ch. 13

50 CFR Chs. II, III, IV, and VI


Fall 2015 Semiannual Agenda of Regulations

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Commerce.

ACTION: Semiannual regulatory agenda.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In compliance with Executive Order 12866, entitled 
``Regulatory Planning and Review,'' and the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 
as amended, the Department of Commerce (Commerce), in the spring and 
fall of each year, publishes in the Federal Register an agenda of 
regulations under development or review over the next 12 months. 
Rulemaking actions are grouped according to prerulemaking, proposed 
rules, final rules, long-term actions, and rulemaking actions completed 
since the spring 2015 agenda. The purpose of the agenda is to provide 
information to the public on regulations that are currently under 
review, being proposed, or issued by Commerce. The agenda is intended 
to facilitate comments and views by interested members of the public.
    Commerce's fall 2015 regulatory agenda includes regulatory 
activities that are expected to be conducted during the period October 
1, 2015, through September 30, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Specific: For additional information about specific regulatory 
actions listed in the agenda, contact the individual identified as the 
contact person.
    General: Comments or inquiries of a general nature about the agenda 
should be directed to Asha Mathew, Chief Counsel for Regulation, Office 
of the Assistant General Counsel for Legislation and Regulation, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230, telephone: 202-482-3151.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Commerce hereby publishes its fall 2015 
Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions pursuant 
to Executive Order 12866 and the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 
601 et seq. Executive Order 12866 requires agencies to publish an 
agenda of those regulations that are under consideration pursuant to 
this order. By memorandum of August 13, 2015, the Office of Management 
and Budget issued guidelines and procedures for the preparation and 
publication of the fall 2015 Unified Agenda. The Regulatory Flexibility 
Act requires agencies to publish, in the spring and fall of each year, 
a regulatory flexibility agenda that contains a brief description of 
the subject of any rule likely to have a significant economic impact on 
a substantial number of small entities, and a list that identifies 
those entries that have been selected for periodic review under section 
610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    In this edition of Commerce's regulatory agenda, a list of the most 
important significant regulatory actions and a Statement of Regulatory 
Priorities are included in the Regulatory Plan, which appears in both 
the online Unified Agenda and in part II of the issue of the Federal 
Register that includes the Unified Agenda.
    In addition, beginning with the fall 2007 edition, the Internet 
became the basic means for disseminating the Unified Agenda. The 
complete Unified Agenda is available online at www.reginfo.gov, in a 
format that offers users a greatly enhanced ability to obtain 
information from the Agenda database.
    Because publication in the Federal Register is mandated for the 
regulatory flexibility agendas required by the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act, Commerce's printed agenda entries include only:
    (1) Rules that are in the Agency's regulatory flexibility agenda, 
in accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act, because they are 
likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities; and
    (2) Rules that the Agency has identified for periodic review under 
section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    Printing of these entries is limited to fields that contain 
information required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act's Agenda 
requirements. Additional information on these entries is available in 
the Unified Agenda published on the Internet. In addition, for fall 
editions of the Agenda, Commerce's entire Regulatory Plan will continue 
to be printed in the Federal Register.
    Within Commerce, the Office of the Secretary and various operating 
units may issue regulations. These operating units, the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Bureau of Industry 
and Security, and the Patent and Trademark Office, issue the greatest 
share of Commerce's regulations.
    A large number of regulatory actions reported in the Agenda deal 
with fishery management programs of NOAA's National Marine Fisheries 
Service (NMFS). To avoid repetition of programs and definitions, as 
well as to provide some understanding of the technical and 
institutional elements of NMFS' programs, an ``Explanation of 
Information Contained in NMFS Regulatory Entries'' is provided below.

Explanation of Information Contained in NMFS Regulatory Entries

    The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 
U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) (the Act) governs the management of fisheries 
within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the United States (EEZ). The EEZ 
refers to those waters from the outer edge of the State boundaries, 
generally 3 nautical miles, to a distance of 200 nautical miles. 
Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) are to be prepared for fisheries that 
require conservation and management measures. Regulations implementing 
these FMPs regulate domestic fishing and foreign fishing where 
permitted. Foreign fishing may be conducted in a fishery in which there 
is no FMP only if a preliminary fishery management plan has been issued 
to govern that foreign fishing. Under the Act, eight Regional Fishery 
Management Councils (Councils) prepare FMPs or amendments to FMPs for 
fisheries within their respective areas. In the development of such 
plans or amendments and their implementing regulations, the Councils 
are required by law to conduct public hearings on the draft plans and 
to consider the use of alternative means of regulating.
    The Council process for developing FMPs and amendments makes it 
difficult for NMFS to determine the significance and timing of some 
regulatory actions under consideration by the Councils at the time the 
semiannual regulatory agenda is published.
    Commerce's fall 2015 regulatory agenda follows.

Kelly Welsh,
General Counsel.

[[Page 77929]]



          International Trade Administration--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
         Sequence No.                   Title            Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
170..........................  Antidumping                     0625-AA89
                                Methodologies: Market
                                Economy Inputs.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
         Sequence No.                   Title            Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
171..........................  Amendment 5b to the             0648-BD22
                                Highly Migratory
                                Species Fishery
                                Management Plan.
172..........................  Comprehensive Fishery           0648-BD32
                                Management Plan for
                                Puerto Rico.
173..........................  Comprehensive Fishery           0648-BD33
                                Management Plan for
                                St. Croix.
174..........................  Comprehensive Fishery           0648-BD34
                                Management Plan for
                                St. Thomas/St. John.
175..........................  Implementation of a             0648-BD59
                                Program for
                                Transshipments by
                                Large Scale Fishing
                                Vessels in the Eastern
                                Pacific Ocean.
176..........................  Amendment 28 to the             0648-BD68
                                Fishery Management
                                Plan for the Reef Fish
                                Resources of the Gulf
                                of Mexico (Section 610
                                Review).
177..........................  Amendment 7 to the FMP          0648-BD76
                                for the Dolphin Wahoo
                                Fishery of the
                                Atlantic and Amendment
                                33 to the FMP for the
                                Snapper-Grouper
                                Fishery of the South
                                Atlantic.
178..........................  Regulatory Amendment 16         0648-BD78
                                to the Fishery
                                Management Plan for
                                the Snapper-Grouper
                                Fishery of the South
                                Atlantic Region.
179..........................  Generic Accountability          0648-BE38
                                Measure and Dolphin
                                Allocation Amendment
                                for the South Atlantic
                                Region.
180..........................  Omnibus Acceptable              0648-BE65
                                Biological Catch
                                Framework Adjustment.
181..........................  Amendment 35 to the             0648-BE70
                                Fishery Management
                                Plan for the Snapper
                                Grouper Fishery of the
                                South Atlantic Region.
182..........................  Modification of the             0648-BE77
                                Temperature-Dependent
                                Component of the
                                Pacific Sardine
                                Harvest Guideline
                                Control Rule to
                                Incorporate New
                                Scientific Information.
183..........................  Amendment 44 to the             0648-BE98
                                Fishery Management
                                Plan for Bering Sea/
                                Aleutian Islands King
                                and Tanner Crabs to
                                Modify Right of First
                                Refusal Provisions of
                                the Crab
                                Rationalization
                                Program.
184..........................  Reductions in Fishing           0648-BF01
                                Capacity for Lobster
                                Management Areas 2 and
                                3.
185..........................  Amendment 109 to the            0648-BF05
                                Fishery Management
                                Plan for Groundfish of
                                the BSAI to Facilitate
                                Development of
                                Groundfish Fisheries
                                for Small Vessels in
                                the Western Alaska
                                Community Development
                                Quota Program.
186..........................  Magnuson-Stevens                0648-BF09
                                Fisheries Conservation
                                and Management Act;
                                Seafood Import
                                Monitoring Program.
187..........................  Pacific Coast                   0648-BF12
                                Groundfish Trawl
                                Rationalization
                                Program; Widow
                                Rockfish Reallocation
                                in the Individual
                                Fishing Quota Fishery.
188..........................  Framework Amendment 3           0648-BF14
                                to the Fishery
                                Management Plan for
                                the Coastal Migratory
                                Pelagic Resources of
                                the Gulf of Mexico and
                                Atlantic Region.
189..........................  Framework Amendment to          0648-BF21
                                the Fishery Management
                                Plan for the Reef Fish
                                Resources of the Gulf
                                of Mexico to Modify
                                Greater Amberjack
                                Allowable Harvest and
                                Management Measures.
190..........................  Implementation of               0648-BF25
                                Salmon Bycatch
                                Management Measures
                                for the Bering Sea
                                Pollock Fishery.
191..........................  Amendment 18 to the             0648-BF26
                                Northeast Multispecies
                                Fishery Management
                                Plan (Section 610
                                Review).
192..........................  Framework Amendment to          0648-BF33
                                the Fishery Management
                                Plan for the Reef Fish
                                Resources of the Gulf
                                of Mexico for Red
                                Snapper Commercial
                                Quota Retention for
                                2016.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
         Sequence No.                   Title            Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
193..........................  Fishery Management Plan         0648-AS65
                                for Regulating
                                Offshore Marine
                                Aquaculture in the
                                Gulf of Mexico.
194..........................  Atlantic Highly                 0648-BA17
                                Migratory Species;
                                Future of the Atlantic
                                Shark Fishery.
195..........................  Implement the 2010              0648-BB02
                                Shark Conservation Act
                                Provisions and Other
                                Regulations in the
                                Atlantic Smoothhound
                                Shark Fishery.
196..........................  Amendment 7 to the 2006         0648-BC09
                                Consolidated Highly
                                Migratory Species
                                Fishery Management
                                Plan.
197..........................  Implementation of the           0648-BD54
                                Inter-American
                                Tropical Tuna
                                Commission Resolution
                                to Establish a Vessel
                                Monitoring System
                                Program in the Eastern
                                Pacific Ocean.
198..........................  Amendment 8 to the              0648-BD81
                                Fishery Management
                                Plan for Coral, Coral
                                Reefs, and Live/Hard
                                Bottom Habitats of the
                                South Atlantic Region.
199..........................  Cost Recovery from              0648-BE05
                                Amendment 80,
                                Community Development
                                Quota Groundfish and
                                Halibut, American
                                Fisheries Act and
                                Aleutian Islands
                                Pollock, and the
                                Freezer Longline
                                Coalition Pacific Cod
                                Fisheries Man.
200..........................  International                   0648-BE84
                                Fisheries; Western and
                                Central Pacific
                                Fisheries for Highly
                                Migratory Species;
                                Fishing Effort and
                                Catch Limits and Other
                                Restrictions and
                                Requirements.
201..........................  Revision of Skate               0648-BE85
                                Maximum Retainable
                                Amounts in the Gulf of
                                Alaska Groundfish
                                Fishery.
202..........................  Pacific Coast                   0648-BE90
                                Groundfish Fishing
                                Capacity Reduction
                                Loan Refinance
                                (Section 610 Review).
203..........................  Process for Divestiture         0648-BF11
                                of Excess Quota Shares
                                (Section 610 Review).
204..........................  Designation of Critical         0648-AY54
                                Habitat for the North
                                Atlantic Right Whale.
205..........................  Endangered and                  0648-BB30
                                Threatened Species:
                                Designation of
                                Critical Habitat for
                                Threatened Lower
                                Columbia River Coho
                                Salmon and Puget Sound
                                Steelhead.
206..........................  Designation of Critical         0648-BC56
                                Habitat for the Arctic
                                Ringed Seal.
207..........................  Revisions to Hawaiian           0648-BD97
                                Islands Humpback Whale
                                National Marine
                                Sanctuary Regulations.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 77930]]


   National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Long-Term Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
         Sequence No.                   Title            Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
208..........................  Amendment 39 to the             0648-BD25
                                Fishery Management
                                Plan for the Reef Fish
                                Resources of the Gulf
                                of Mexico.
209..........................  Designate Critical              0648-BC45
                                Habitat for the
                                Hawaiian Insular False
                                Killer Whale Distinct
                                Population Segment.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


   National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
         Sequence No.                   Title            Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
210..........................  Amendment 22 to the             0648-BA53
                                Fishery Management
                                Plan for the Snapper
                                Grouper Fishery of the
                                South Atlantic Region.
211..........................  Amendment 31 to the             0648-BA61
                                Fishery Management
                                Plan for the Bering
                                Sea and Aleutian
                                Islands King and
                                Tanner Crabs.
212..........................  Amendment 43 to the FMP         0648-BC34
                                for BSAI King and
                                Tanner Crabs and
                                Amendment 103 to the
                                FMP for Groundfish of
                                the BSAI.
213..........................  Pacific Coast                   0648-BC84
                                Groundfish Trawl
                                Rationalization
                                Program Trailing
                                Action: Rule to Modify
                                Chafing Gear
                                Regulations for
                                Midwater Trawl Gear
                                Used in the Pacific
                                Coast Groundfish
                                Fishery.
214..........................  Fisheries Off West              0648-BC95
                                Coast States; West
                                Coast Salmon
                                Fisheries; Amendment
                                18; Essential Fish
                                Habitat Descriptions
                                for Pacific Salmon.
215..........................  Codifying the Initial           0648-BD02
                                Vessel Monitoring
                                System Type-Approval
                                Process and
                                Requirements, and the
                                Recertification and
                                Revocation Processes.
216..........................  Pacific Coast                   0648-BD30
                                Groundfish Trawl
                                Rationalization
                                Program Trailing
                                Actions: Permitting
                                Requirements for
                                Observer and Catch
                                Monitor Providers
                                (Section 610 Review).
217..........................  Establishment of                0648-BD42
                                Special Management
                                Zones for Delaware
                                Artificial Reefs.
218..........................  Amendment 97 to the             0648-BD48
                                Fishery Management
                                Plan for Groundfish of
                                the Gulf of Alaska to
                                Establish Chinook
                                Salmon Prohibited
                                Species Catch Limits
                                for the Non-Pollock
                                Trawl Fisheries.
219..........................  Amendment 45 to the             0648-BD61
                                Fishery Management
                                Plan for Bering Sea
                                and Aleutian Islands
                                King and Tanner Crab
                                Freezer Longline
                                Catcher/Processor
                                Pacific Cod Sideboard
                                Removal (Section 610
                                Review).
220..........................  Information Collection          0648-BD64
                                Program for Atlantic
                                Surfclam and Ocean
                                Quahog Fisheries.
221..........................  Amendment 100 to the            0648-BD98
                                FMP for Groundfish of
                                the BSAI Management
                                Area and Amendment 91
                                to the FMP for
                                Groundfish of the Gulf
                                of Alaska to add
                                Grenadiers to the
                                Ecosystem Component
                                Category.
222..........................  Implementation of a             0648-BE09
                                Gulf of Alaska Trawl
                                Fishery Economic Data
                                Collection Program.
223..........................  2015-2016 Pacific Coast         0648-BE27
                                Groundfish Harvest
                                Specifications and
                                Management Measures
                                and Amendment 24 to
                                the Pacific Coast
                                Groundfish FMP.
224..........................  Regulatory Amendment to         0648-BE41
                                Change the Definition
                                of Sport Fishing Guide
                                Services for Pacific
                                Halibut in
                                International Pacific
                                Halibut Commission
                                Area 2C and Area 3A.
225..........................  Framework Action to             0648-BE44
                                Revise Recreational
                                Accountability
                                Measures for Red
                                Snapper.
226..........................  Amendment 16 to the             0648-BE46
                                Fishery Management
                                Plan for the Shrimp
                                Fishery of the Gulf of
                                Mexico, U.S. Waters.
227..........................  2015-2017                       0648-BE49
                                Specifications and
                                Management Measures
                                for the Atlantic
                                Mackerel, Squid, and
                                Butterfish Fisheries.
228..........................  Framework Adjustment 26         0648-BE68
                                to the Atlantic Sea
                                Scallop Fishery
                                Management Plan
                                (Section 610 Review).
229..........................  Pacific Coast                   0648-BE72
                                Groundfish Trawl
                                Rationalization
                                Program--Midwater
                                Trawl Fishery Season
                                Date Change (Section
                                610 Review).
230..........................  Framework Adjustment 53         0648-BE75
                                to the Northeast
                                Multispecies Fishery
                                Management Plan
                                (Section 610 Review).
231..........................  2015-2016 Atlantic              0648-BE81
                                Bluefin Tuna Quotas.
232..........................  Revision of Hawaiian            0648-BA81
                                Monk Seal Critical
                                Habitat.
233..........................  2015 Annual                     0648-BE35
                                Determination to
                                Implement the Sea
                                Turtle Observer
                                Requirement.
234..........................  Amendment to the                0648-BE83
                                Atlantic Large Whale
                                Take Reduction Plan.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)

International Trade Administration (ITA)

Completed Actions

170.  Antidumping Methodologies: Market Economy Inputs

    Legal Authority: 19 U.S.C. 1202 note; 19 U.S.C. 1303 note; 19 
U.S.C. 1671 et seq.; 19 U.S.C. 3538; 5 U.S.C. 301
    Abstract: The Department of Commerce (Department) amends its 
regulations to modify its regulation which states that the Department 
normally will use the price that a nonmarket economy (NME) producer 
pays to a market economy supplier when a factor of production is 
purchased from a market economy supplier and paid for in market economy 
currency, in the calculation of normal value (NV) in antidumping 
proceedings involving NME countries. The rule, if adopted, would 
establish (1) a requirement that the input at issue be produced in one 
or more market economy countries, and (2) a revised threshold requiring 
that substantially all of an input be purchased from one or more market 
economy suppliers before the Department would use the purchase price 
paid to value the entire factor of production. Through this 
modification, the Department is announcing its definition of 
substantially all to be 85 percent of the total purchased volume of the 
particular input.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   06/28/12  77 FR 38553
NPRM Comment Period End.............   07/30/12
Final Action........................   08/02/13  78 FR 46799
Final Action Effective..............   09/03/13
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

[[Page 77931]]

    Agency Contact: Scott McBride, Department of Commerce, 
International Trade Administration, 14th & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20230, Phone: 202 482-6292, Fax: 202 482-4912, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0625-AA89

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Proposed Rule Stage
National Marine Fisheries Service

171. Amendment 5B to the Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management 
Plan

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.
    Abstract: This rulemaking would propose management measures for 
dusky sharks based on a recent stock assessment, taking into 
consideration comments received on the proposed rule and Amendment 5 to 
the 2006 Consolidated Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan. 
This rulemaking could consider a range of commercial and recreational 
management measures in both directed and incidental shark fisheries 
including, among other things, gear modifications, time/area closures, 
permitting, shark identification requirements, and reporting 
requirements. NMFS determined dusky sharks are still overfished and 
still experiencing overfishing and originally proposed management 
measures to end overfishing and rebuild dusky sharks in a proposed rule 
for Draft Amendment 5 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly 
Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan. That proposed rule also 
contained management measures for scalloped hammerhead, sandbar, 
blacknose and Gulf of Mexico blacktip sharks. NMFS decided to move 
forward with Draft Amendment 5's management measures for scalloped 
hammerhead, sandbar, blacknose and Gulf of Mexico blacktip sharks in a 
final rule and final amendment that will now be referred to as 
``Amendment 5a'' to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory 
Species Fishery Management Plan. Dusky shark management measures will 
be addressed in this separate, but related, action and will be referred 
to as ``Amendment 5b.''
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   03/00/16
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Alan Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable 
Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, Room 13362, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 
20910, Phone: 301 713-2334, Fax: 301 713-0596, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD22

172. Comprehensive Fishery Management Plan for Puerto Rico

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This comprehensive Puerto Rico Fishery Management Plan 
will incorporate, and modify as needed, federal fisheries management 
measures presently included in each of the existing species-based U.S. 
Caribbean Fishery Management Plans (Spiny Lobster, Reef Fish, Coral, 
and Queen Conch Fishery Management Plans) as those measures pertain to 
Puerto Rico exclusive economic zone waters. The goal of this action is 
to create a Fishery Management Plan tailored to the specific fishery 
management needs of Puerto Rico. If approved, this new Puerto Rico 
Fishery Management Plan, in conjunction with similar comprehensive 
Fishery Management Plans being developed for St. Croix and St. Thomas/
St. John, will replace the Spiny Lobster, Reef Fish, Coral and Queen 
Conch Fishery Management Plans presently governing the commercial and 
recreational harvest in U.S. Caribbean exclusive economic zone waters.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   09/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD32

173. Comprehensive Fishery Management Plan for St. Croix

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This comprehensive St. Croix Fishery Management Plan will 
incorporate, and modify as needed, federal fisheries management 
measures presently included in each of the existing species-based U.S. 
Caribbean Fishery Management Plans (Spiny Lobster, Reef Fish, Coral, 
and Queen Conch Fishery Management Plans) as those measures pertain to 
St. Croix exclusive economic zone waters. The goal of this action is to 
create a Fishery Management Plan tailored to the specific fishery 
management needs of St. Croix. If approved, this new St. Croix Fishery 
Management Plan, in conjunction with similar comprehensive Fishery 
Management Plans being developed for Puerto Rico and St. Thomas/St. 
John, will replace the Spiny Lobster, Reef Fish, Coral and Queen Conch 
Fishery Management Plans presently governing the commercial and 
recreational harvest in U.S. Caribbean exclusive economic zone waters.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   09/00/16
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD33

174. Comprehensive Fishery Management Plan for St. Thomas/St. John

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This comprehensive St. Thomas/St. John Fishery Management 
Plan will incorporate, and modify as needed, federal fisheries 
management measures presently included in each of the existing species-
based U.S. Caribbean Fishery Management Plans (Spiny Lobster, Reef 
Fish, Coral, and Queen Conch Fishery Management Plans) as those 
measures pertain to St. Thomas/St. John exclusive economic zone waters. 
The goal of this action is to create a Fishery Management Plan tailored 
to the specific fishery management needs of St. Thomas/St. John. If 
approved, this new St. Thomas/St. John Fishery Management Plan, in 
conjunction with similar comprehensive Fishery Management Plans being 
developed for St. Croix and Puerto Rico, will replace the Spiny 
Lobster, Reef Fish, Coral and Queen Conch Fishery Management Plans 
presently governing the commercial and recreational harvest in U.S. 
Caribbean exclusive economic zone waters.
    Timetable:

[[Page 77932]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   09/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD34

175. Implementation of a Program for Transshipments by Large Scale 
Fishing Vessels in the Eastern Pacific Ocean

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 951 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule would implement the Inter-American Tropical 
Tuna Commission program to monitor transshipments by large-scale tuna 
fishing vessels, and would govern transshipments by U.S. large-scale 
tuna fishing vessels and carrier, or receiving, vessels. The rule would 
establish: criteria for transshipping in port; criteria for 
transshipping at sea by longline vessels to an authorized carrier 
vessel with an Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission observer onboard 
and an operational vessel monitoring system; and require the Pacific 
Transshipment Declaration Form, which must be used to report 
transshipments in the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission 
Convention Area. The rule is neither applicable to troll and pole-and-
line vessels, nor to vessels that transship fresh fish at sea. The 
frequency of transshipments in the Eastern Pacific Ocean is uncertain, 
but only a few transshipments are expected annually. A similar rule was 
adopted in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean and the National 
Marine Fisheries Service calculated that an average of twenty-four at-
sea transshipments of fish caught by longline gear there have occurred 
annually from 1993 through 2009. Transshipments in the Eastern Pacific 
Ocean are likely to be much less than twenty-four per year. This rule 
is necessary for the United States to satisfy its international 
obligations under the 1949 Convention for the Establishment of an 
Inter-American Tropical Tuna, to which it is a Contracting Party.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   01/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: William Stelle Jr., Regional Administrator, West 
Coast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way Northeast, Building 1, Seattle, WA 
98115, Phone: 206 526-6150, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD59

176. Amendment 28 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish 
Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (Section 610 Review)

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: The current allocation of red snapper between the 
commercial and recreational sectors is 51:49 percent, respectively. The 
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) is considering a 
change in the allocation with the aim of increasing the net benefits 
from red snapper fishing and increasing the stability of the red 
snapper recreational component of the reef fish fishery. The rule will 
consider options that would increase the recreational sector's 
allocation above 49 percent.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD68

177. Amendment 7 to the FMP for the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery of the 
Atlantic and Amendment 33 to the FMP for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of 
the South Atlantic

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: The purpose of Amendment 7 to the Fishery Management Plan 
for the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic is to allow fishermen 
to bring dolphin and wahoo fillets from The Commonwealth of The Bahamas 
into the U.S. Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ). Regulations at 50 CFR 
622.186(b) currently allows fillets of snapper grouper species from The 
Bahamas to be brought into the U.S. EEZ. Additionally, regulations 
would be updated for snapper grouper species and dolphin and wahoo to 
require all fillets to have the skin intact; and consider an exemption 
from bag limits for dolphin and wahoo in the U.S. EEZ. The need for 
this action is to increase economic and social benefits to fishermen by 
removing unnecessary restrictions and implementing regulations for 
dolphin and wahoo that are consistent with snapper grouper species.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD76

178. Regulatory Amendment 16 to the Fishery Management Plan for the 
Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: Regulatory Amendment 16 contains an action to address the 
prohibition on the use of black sea bass pots annually from November 1 
through April 30 that was implemented through Regulatory Amendment 19. 
The prohibition was a precautionary measure to prevent interactions 
between black sea bass pot gear and whales listed under the Endangered 
Species Act during large whale migrations and the right whale calving 
season off the southeastern coast. The South Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council, through Regulatory Amendment 16, is considering 
removal of the closure, changing the length of the closure, and 
changing the area of the closure. The goal is to minimize adverse 
socio-economic impacts to black sea bass pot endorsement holders while 
maintaining protection for Endangered Species Act-listed whales in the 
South Atlantic region.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   02/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected].

[[Page 77933]]

    RIN: 0648-BD78

179. Generic Accountability Measure and Dolphin Allocation Amendment 
for the South Atlantic Region

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: The action would include Amendment 34 to the Fishery 
Management Plan (FMP) for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South 
Atlantic Region, Amendment 9 to the FMP for the Golden Crab Fishery of 
the South Atlantic Region, and Amendment 8 to the FMP for the Dolphin-
Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic. Currently, there are inconsistent 
accountability measures for federally-managed species in the South 
Atlantic, except for inseason closures of the commercial sector when a 
commercial annual catch limit is met or projected to be met. Therefore, 
Amendment 34 and Amendment 9 would propose modifications to 
accountability measures for snapper-grouper species and golden crab to 
create a more consistent regulatory environment while ensuring 
overfishing does not occur. Amendment 8 would consider alternatives to 
modify sector allocations for dolphin. The current method for 
determining allocations is based on a time series of data from 1999-
2008. Dolphin landings data starting from 1986 are available, and the 
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is reexamining the sector 
allocations based on this expanded times series of data.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice..............................   07/15/15  80 FR 41472
NPRM................................   11/00/15  .......................
Final Action........................   12/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE38

180. Omnibus Acceptable Biological Catch Framework Adjustment

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This action would make two administrative adjustments to 
the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) Omnibus Annual 
Catch Limit Amendment: (1) Adjust the Council's risk policy so that the 
Scientific and Statistical Committee may apply an average probability 
of overfishing when recommending multi-year Acceptable Biological 
Catches; and (2) make all of the Council's fishery management plans 
consistent in allowing new status determination criteria (overfishing 
definitions, etc.) to be accepted as the best available scientific 
information.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, Greater 
Atlantic Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930, Phone: 978 281-9287, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE65

181. Amendment 35 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper 
Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: Amendment 35 would consider removing black snapper, dog 
snapper, mahogany snapper, and schoolmaster from the Fishery Management 
Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region 
because these species have extremely low commercial landings in state 
and Federal waters. Almost all harvest (recreational and commercial) 
occurs in South Florida, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation 
Commission has agreed that if the four species are removed from the 
Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South 
Atlantic Region they will extend state regulations for those species 
into Federal waters. Additionally, the South Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council (Council) desires consistent regulations for 
snapper-grouper species caught primarily in South Florida. Removing the 
four subject species would establish a consistent regulatory 
environment in Federal and state waters off southern Florida where they 
are most frequently encountered. Amendment 35 would also clarify in 
accordance with the Council's intent regulations governing use of 
golden tilefish longline endorsements.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE70

182. Modification of the Temperature-Dependent Component of the Pacific 
Sardine Harvest Guideline Control Rule to Incorporate New Scientific 
Information

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: Pursuant to a recommendation of the Pacific Fishery 
Management Council (Council) under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the 
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is proposing to use a new 
temperature index to calculate the temperature parameter of the Pacific 
sardine harvest guideline control rule under the Fishery Management 
Plan. The harvest guideline control rule, in conjunction with the 
overfishing limit and acceptable biological catch control rules, is 
used to set annual harvest levels for Pacific sardine. The temperature 
parameter is calculated annually. NMFS determined that a new 
temperature index is more statistically sound and this action will 
adopt that index. This action also will revise the upper temperature 
limit to allow for additional sardine harvest where prior guidelines 
set catch unnecessarily low.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: William Stelle Jr., Regional Administrator, West 
Coast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way Northeast, Building 1, Seattle, WA 
98115, Phone: 206 526-6150, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE77

183. Amendment 44 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/
Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs To Modify Right of First Refusal 
Provisions of the Crab Rationalization Program

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1862 et seq.; Pub. L. 109-241; Pub. L. 
109-479
    Abstract: This rule would amend the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
Crab Rationalization Program through two actions intended to benefit 
eligible crab

[[Page 77934]]

communities by enhancing opportunities to retain community historical 
processing interests in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands crab 
fisheries. The action would modify the right of first refusal 
provisions that provide eligible crab community entities with the 
opportunity to purchase processor quota shares and other associated 
assets proposed for sale. The first action would affect about 21 
processor quota shareholders. The rule would require all persons 
holding processor quota share to provide annual notification to NMFS 
regarding the status of the right of first refusal for all processor 
quota share holdings. The second action would amend regulations to 
separate the combined individual fishing quota/individual processor 
quota application into two applications, and revise reporting 
requirements for crab cooperatives.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: James Balsiger, Regional Administrator, Alaska 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 709 West Ninth Street, Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 
586-7221, Fax: 907 586-7465, Email: [email protected]
    RIN: 0648-BE98

184.  Reductions in Fishing Capacity for Lobster Management 
Areas 2 and 3

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.
    Abstract: This action proposes several reductions in fishing 
capacity for Lobster Management Areas 2 and 3. The proposed measures 
include: Caps on the number of traps that can be actively fished; caps 
on the number of traps associated with a permit (i.e., allowing trap 
banking); and caps on the number of traps or permits issued to a given 
owner. This action is intended to assist in rebuilding the Southern New 
England lobster stock.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   02/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, Greater 
Atlantic Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930, Phone: 978 281-9287, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BF01

185.  Amendment 109 to the Fishery Management Plan for 
Groundfish of the BSAI To Facilitate Development of Groundfish 
Fisheries for Small Vessels in the Western Alaska Community Development 
Quota Program

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This action would amend the Fishery Management Plan for 
Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area and 
revise regulations governing the groundfish and halibut fisheries 
managed under the Western Alaska Community Development Quota Program in 
order to support increased participation in the groundfish Community 
Development Quota fisheries (primarily Pacific cod) by catcher vessels 
less than or equal to 46 feet (14.0 m) length overall using hook-and-
line gear. This action is necessary to promote the goals of the 
Community Development Quota Program, to increase participation by 
residents of Community Development Quota communities in the Bering Sea 
and Aleutian Islands Management Area groundfish and halibut fisheries, 
and to support economic development in western Alaska. This action 
would benefit the six Community Development Quota groups and the 
operators of the small catcher vessels that the Community Development 
Quota groups authorize to fish on their behalf by reducing the costs of 
participating in the groundfish and halibut Community Development Quota 
fisheries.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: James Balsiger, Regional Administrator, Alaska 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 709 West Ninth Street, Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 
586-7221, Fax: 907 586-7465, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BF05

186.  Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management 
Act; Seafood Import Monitoring Program

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1857(1)(Q)
    Abstract: On March 15, 2015, the Presidential Task Force on 
Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing and Seafood 
Fraud (Task Force), co-chaired by the Departments of Commerce and 
State, published its action plan to implement Task Force 
recommendations for a comprehensive framework of integrated programs to 
combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated 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 traceability program to 
track seafood from harvest to entry into U.S. commerce, including the 
use of existing traceability mechanisms. As part of that plan, NMFS 
proposes regulatory changes to improve the administration of the MSA 
prohibition on the entry into interstate or foreign commerce of any 
fish taken in violation of any foreign law or regulation. The proposed 
rule includes adjustments to permitting and reporting requirements to 
provide for traceability of seafood products offered for entry into the 
U.S. supply chain, and to ensure that these products were lawfully 
acquired. Requirements for an international trade permit and reporting 
on the origin of certain imported or exported fishery products were 
previously established by regulations applicable to a number of 
specified fishery products. This rulemaking would extend those existing 
permitting and reporting requirements to additional fish species and 
seafood products. It is anticipated that these changes will not 
significantly affect current levels of trade in seafood products nor 
activity by U.S. importers and exporters issued Fisheries International 
Trade permits.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/00/15  .......................
Final Action........................   08/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: John Henderschedt, Director, Office for 
International Affairs and Seafood Inspection, Department of Commerce, 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East West 
Highway, Room 10362, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 427-8314, 
Email: john.henderschedt[email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BF09

187.  Pacific Coast Groundfish Trawl Rationalization Program; 
Widow Rockfish Reallocation in the Individual Fishing Quota Fishery

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

[[Page 77935]]

    Abstract: In January 2011, NMFS implemented the groundfish trawl 
rationalization program (a catch share program) for the Pacific coast 
groundfish limited entry trawl fishery. The program was implemented 
through Amendments 20 and 21 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery 
Management Plan and the corresponding implementing regulations. 
Amendment 20 established the trawl rationalization program, which 
includes an Individual Fishing Quota program for limited entry trawl 
participants, and Amendment 21 established fixed allocations for 
limited entry trawl participants. During implementation of the trawl 
individual fishing quota program, widow rockfish was overfished and the 
initial allocations were based on its overfished status and management 
as a non-target species. NMFS declared the widow rockfish rebuilt in 
2011 and, accordingly, the Pacific Fishery Management Council has now 
recommended actions to manage the increased abundance of widow 
rockfish. The proposed action would reallocate individual fishing quota 
widow rockfish quota share to facilitate directed harvest and would 
lift the moratorium on widow rockfish quota share trading.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: William Stelle Jr., Regional Administrator, West 
Coast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way Northeast, Building 1, Seattle, WA 
98115, Phone: 206 526-6150, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BF12

188.  Framework Amendment 3 to the Fishery Management Plan for 
the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and 
Atlantic Region

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule would modify trip limits, accountability 
measures, electronic reporting requirements, and gillnet permit 
requirements for commercial king mackerel landed by gillnet in the Gulf 
of Mexico. The need for this proposed action is to increase efficiency, 
stability, and accountability, and reduce the potential for regulatory 
discards in the commercial king mackerel gillnet component of the 
fishery.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected]
    RIN: 0648-BF14

189.  Framework Amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for 
the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico To Modify Greater 
Amberjack Allowable Harvest and Management Measures

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This action is intended to end overfishing and rebuild 
the Gulf of Mexico greater amberjack stock; a 2014 stock assessment 
indicated the Gulf of Mexico greater amberjack stock remains overfished 
and is undergoing overfishing. Allowable harvest will be reduced and 
will remain constant until changed based on new information. To better 
constrain catches to the allowable harvest levels, the recreational 
minimum size limit will be increased from 30 inches fork length to 34 
inches fork length, and the commercial trip limit will be reduced from 
1,923 pounds gutted weight to 1,500 pounds gutted weight.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/00/15  .......................
Final Action........................   12/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BF21

190.  Implementation of Salmon Bycatch Management Measures for 
the Bering Sea Pollock Fishery

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: Regulatory Amendment 110 would make substantive changes 
to the management of salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea pollock fishery 
to minimize salmon bycatch in the pollock fishery to the extent 
practicable. Currently, Chinook and chum salmon bycatch are managed 
under two different programs, which have led to inefficiencies and do 
not allow the pollock fishery the flexibility to modify their harvest 
patterns and practices to effectively minimize both Chinook and chum 
salmon bycatch. This regulation would make salmon bycatch management 
more effective, comprehensive, and efficient by increasing flexibility 
to respond to changing conditions and providing greater incentives to 
reduce bycatch of both salmon species. This regulation would provide 
the flexibility to harvest pollock in times and places that best 
achieve salmon avoidance and to adapt to changing conditions quickly.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: James Balsiger, Regional Administrator, Alaska 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 709 West Ninth Street, Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 
586-7221, Fax: 907 586-7465, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BF25

191.  Amendment 18 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery 
Management Plan (Section 610 Review)

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: Amendment 18 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery 
Management Plan would make necessary minor administrative adjustments 
to several groundfish sectors, as well as minor adjustments to fishing 
activity designed to protect fishery resources while maximizing 
flexibility and efficiency. Specifically, it would include the 
following management measures: Creating an accumulation limit for 
either the holdings of Potential Sector Contribution or of Northeast 
multispecies permits; creating a sub-annual catch limit that Handgear A 
permits could enroll in and other measures pertaining to fishing with 
Handgear A permits; adjusting what fishery data are considered 
confidential, specifically the price of annual catch entitlement 
transferred within a sector or leased between sectors; establishing an 
inshore/offshore boundary within the Gulf of Maine with associated 
measures, including creation of a Gulf of Maine cod sub-annual catch 
limit, adjusting the Gulf of Maine Gear Restricted Area boundary to 
align with the inshore/offshore boundary, and creating

[[Page 77936]]

declaration time periods for fishing in the inshore or offshore areas; 
and establishing a Redfish Exemption Area, in which vessels could fish 
with a smaller mesh net than the standard mesh size, targeting redfish.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, Greater 
Atlantic Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930, Phone: 978 281-9287, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BF26

192.  Framework Amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for 
the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico for Red Snapper 
Commercial Quota Retention for 2016

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This action would provide the authority to withhold 4.9 
percent of the 2016 red snapper commercial quota prior to the annual 
distribution of allocation to the Individual Fishing Quota shareholders 
on January 1, 2016. This action is necessary to allow for the 
implementation of Reef Fish Amendment 28 in early 2016. Amendment 28 
increases the recreational sectors allocation of the red snapper total 
allowable catch and was approved by the Council at the August 2015 
meeting. However, it is unlikely that NMFS will be able to implement 
the reallocation until after the annual distribution on January 1. If 
Amendment 28 is approved by the Secretary of Commerce, the 4.9 percent 
of the commercial quota would be transferred to the recreational 
sector. If Amendment 28 is disapproved by the Secretary of Commerce, 
the 4.9 percent of the commercial quota would be distributed to the 
Individual Fishing Quota shareholders.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BF33

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Final Rule Stage

National Marine Fisheries Service

193. Fishery Management Plan for Regulating Offshore Marine Aquaculture 
in the Gulf of Mexico

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: The purpose of this fishery management plan is to develop 
a regional permitting process for regulating and promoting 
environmentally sound and economically sustainable aquaculture in the 
Gulf of Mexico exclusive economic zone. This fishery management plan 
consists of ten actions, each with an associated range of management 
alternatives, which would facilitate the permitting of an estimated 5 
to 20 offshore aquaculture operations in the Gulf of Mexico over the 
next 10 years, with an estimated annual production of up to 64 million 
pounds. By establishing a regional permitting process for aquaculture, 
the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will be positioned to 
achieve their primary goal of increasing maximum sustainable yield and 
optimum yield of federal fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico by 
supplementing harvest of wild caught species with cultured product. 
This rulemaking would outline a regulatory permitting process for 
aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico, including: (1) Required permits; (2) 
duration of permits; (3) species allowed; (4) designation of sites for 
aquaculture; (5) reporting requirements; and (6) regulations to aid in 
enforcement.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Availability..............   06/04/09  74 FR 26829
NPRM................................   08/28/14  79 FR 26829
NPRM Comment Period Reopened........   11/13/14  79 FR 67411
Final Action........................   11/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-AS65

194. Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Future of the Atlantic Shark 
Fishery

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.
    Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service is considering 
adjusting the regulations governing the U.S. Atlantic shark fishery to 
address current fishery issues and to identify specific shark fishery 
goals for the future. This action will consider potential changes to 
the quota and/or permit structure that are currently in place for the 
Atlantic shark fishery, and various catch share programs such as 
limited access privilege programs, individual fishing quotas, and 
sectors for the Atlantic shark fishery.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANPRM...............................   09/20/10  75 FR 57235
ANPRM Comment Period End............   01/14/11  .......................
Notice..............................   05/27/14  79 FR 30064
NPRM................................   01/20/15  80 FR 2648
Notice..............................   03/09/15  80 FR 12394
Final Rule..........................   08/18/15  80 FR 50073
Final Rule Effective................   08/18/15  .......................
Final Action--Next Stage               11/00/15  .......................
 Undetermined.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Alan Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable 
Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, Room 13362, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 
20910, Phone: 301 713-2334, Fax: 301 713-0596, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BA17

195. Implement the 2010 Shark Conservation Act Provisions and Other 
Regulations in the Atlantic Smoothhound Shark Fishery

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule considers implementing the provisions of the 
2010 Shark Conservation Act and other regulations in the Atlantic 
Smoothhound Fishery (which includes smooth dogfish and the Florida 
smoothhound). Specifically, this action would: (1) Modify regulations 
for smooth dogfish as needed to be consistent with the Shark 
Conservation Act; (2) consider other management measures, as needed, 
including the Terms and Conditions of the

[[Page 77937]]

Endangered Species Act Smoothhound Biological Opinion; and, (3) 
consider revising the current smoothhound shark quota based on updated 
catch data.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   08/07/14  79 FR 46217
NPRM Comment Period End.............   11/14/14  .......................
Final Action........................   11/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Alan Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable 
Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, Room 13362, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 
20910, Phone: 301 713-2334, Fax: 301 713-0596, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BB02

196. Amendment 7 to the 2006 Consolidated Highly Migratory Species 
Fishery Management Plan

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.
    Abstract: Amendment 7 focused on bluefin tuna fishery management 
issues consistent with the need to end overfishing and rebuild the 
stock. Measures in Amendment 7 addressed several of the longstanding 
challenges facing the fishery and analyzed, among other things, 
revisiting quota allocations; reducing and accounting for dead 
discards; adding or modifying time/area closures or gear-restricted 
areas; and improving the reporting and monitoring of dead discards and 
landings in all categories.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice..............................   04/23/12  77 FR 24161
Notice..............................   06/08/12  77 FR 34025
NPRM................................   08/21/13  78 FR 52032
NPRM Comment Period Extended........   09/18/13  78 FR 57340
Public Hearing......................   11/05/13  78 FR 66327
NPRM Comment Period Reopened........   12/11/13  78 FR 75327
Public Hearing......................   12/26/13  78 FR 78322
Final Rule..........................   12/02/14  79 FR 71509
Notice of Public Webinars...........   12/16/14  79 FR 74652
Final Rule..........................   12/30/14  79 FR 78310
Final Rule..........................   02/04/15  80 FR 5991
Final Rule Effective................   02/04/15  .......................
Notice..............................   05/07/15  80 FR 26196
Final Action-Next Stage Undetermined   11/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Alan Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable 
Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, Room 13362, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 
20910, Phone: 301 713-2334, Fax: 301 713-0596, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BC09

197. Implementation of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission 
Resolution to Establish a Vessel Monitoring System Program in the 
Eastern Pacific Ocean

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 951 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule would implement the Inter-American Tropical 
Tuna Commissions Resolution intended to require owners and operators of 
tuna-fishing vessels to have installed, activate, carry and operate 
vessel monitoring system units (also known as mobile transmitting 
units). This regulation would apply to owners and operators of tuna-
fishing vessels 24 meters or more in length operating in the eastern 
Pacific Ocean. The vessel monitoring system units would have to be 
type-approved and authorize the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission 
and National Marine Fisheries Service to receive and relay 
transmissions (also called position reports) from the vessel monitoring 
system unit. Vessel monitoring systems may enhance the safety of some 
vessels by allowing the vessels location to be tracked, which could 
assist in rescue efforts. This regulation would apply to commercial 
vessels and would not apply to recreational or charter vessels. This 
rule would apply to approximately seventy-four vessels; however, 
roughly thirty-eight of these vessels are already subject to vessel 
monitoring system requirements under the Western and Central Pacific 
Fisheries Commission. Due to the relatively small number of vessels 
affected, this rule is not expected to garner public opposition or 
congressional interest.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   02/06/14  79 FR 7152
Correction..........................   02/25/14  79 FR 10465
Proposed Rule.......................   05/19/15  80 FR 28572
Comment Period End..................   06/18/15  .......................
Final Action........................   11/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: William Stelle Jr., Regional Administrator, West 
Coast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way Northeast, Building 1, Seattle, WA 
98115, Phone: 206 526-6150, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD54

198. Amendment 8 to the Fishery Management Plan for Coral, Coral Reefs, 
and Live/Hard Bottom Habitats of the South Atlantic Region

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: Coral Amendment 8 modified the boundaries of the Oculina 
Bank Habitat Area of Particular Concern, the Stetson-Miami Terrace 
Coral Habitat Area of Particular Concern, and the Cape Lookout Coral 
Habitat Area of Particular Concern to protect deepwater coral 
ecosystems. The amendment also implemented a transit provision through 
the Oculina Bank Habitat Area of Particular Concern for fishing vessels 
with rock shrimp onboard.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice..............................   05/20/14  79 FR 28880
NPRM................................   06/03/14  79 FR 31907
Correction..........................   07/01/14  79 FR 37269
Final Rule..........................   07/17/15  80 FR 42423
Final Rule Correction...............   08/04/15  80 FR 46205
Final Rule Effective................   08/17/15  .......................
Final Action--Next Stage               12/00/15  .......................
 Undetermined.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD81

199. Cost Recovery From Amendment 80, Community Development Quota 
Groundfish and Halibut, American Fisheries Act and Aleutian Islands 
Pollock, and the Freezer Longline Coalition Pacific Cod Fisheries Man

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1862; Pub. L. 109-241; Pub. L. 109-479
    Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service proposes 
regulations to implement a limited access permit program cost recovery 
fee for Amendment 80, Western Alaska Community Development Quota

[[Page 77938]]

groundfish and halibut, American Fisheries Act and Aleutian Islands 
Pollock, and the Pacific Cod Freezer Longline Coalition fisheries 
management programs in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. The purpose 
of this action is to comply with section 304(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act, which authorizes and requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA) fisheries to collect fees for limited access 
permit programs and the Western Alaska Community Development Quota 
program. The fees collected would be used to recover the actual costs 
directly related to the management, data collection, and enforcement of 
these programs that are incurred by the National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   01/07/15  80 FR 935
NPRM Comment Period End.............   02/06/15  .......................
Final Action........................   11/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: James Balsiger, Regional Administrator, Alaska 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 709 West Ninth Street, Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 
586-7221, Fax: 907 586-7465, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE05

200. International Fisheries; Western and Central Pacific Fisheries for 
Highly Migratory Species; Fishing Effort and Catch Limits and Other 
Restrictions and Requirements

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule would establish a framework under which the 
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) could specify limits on 
fishing effort and catches, as well as spatial and temporal 
restrictions on particular fishing activities, in U.S. fisheries for 
highly migratory fish species in the western and central Pacific Ocean. 
NMFS would issue the specifications as needed to implement conservation 
and management measures adopted by the Commission for the Conservation 
and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and 
Central Pacific Ocean. The rule also would require that U.S. fishing 
vessels of a certain size obtain International Maritime Organizational 
numbers, and prohibit U.S. longline fishing vessels from using shark 
lines, which are used in some fisheries to target sharks. This action 
is necessary for the United States to satisfy its obligations under the 
Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish 
Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, to which it is a 
Contracting Party.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   07/23/15  80 FR 43694
NPRM Comment Period End.............   08/07/15  .......................
Final Action........................   11/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Michael Tosatto, Regional Administrator, Pacific 
Islands Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg. 176, Honolulu, HI 
96818, Phone: 808 725-5000, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE84

201. Revision of Skate Maximum Retainable Amounts in the Gulf of Alaska 
Groundfish Fishery

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule would reduce the maximum retainable amount of 
incidentally caught skates in directed fisheries for groundfish in the 
Gulf of Alaska to 5 percent, which would allow a vessel to retain 
skates in an amount up to 5 percent of the weight of the target 
groundfish species onboard the vessel. The skate maximum retainable 
amount is intended to limit harvest of skates to the intrinsic rate of 
incidental catch of skates in Gulf of Alaska groundfish fisheries and 
to provide a disincentive for vessels to target skates. Skate harvests 
have increased in recent years and have exceeded the acceptable 
biological catch in some areas. This action is necessary to enhance 
conservation and management of skates by decreasing the incentive for 
vessels to target skates and to slow the harvest rate of skates.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   07/10/15  80 FR 39734
NPRM Comment Period End.............   08/10/15  .......................
Final Action........................   11/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: James Balsiger, Regional Administrator, Alaska 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 709 West Ninth Street, Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 
586-7221, Fax: 907 586-7465, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE85

202. Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishing Capacity Reduction Loan Refinance 
(Section 610 Review)

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1861 et seq.; 5 
U.S.C. 561 et seq.
    Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued 
proposed regulations to refinance the voluntary fishing capacity 
reduction loan program implemented in 2004 in the Pacific Coast 
groundfish Federal limited-entry trawl, Washington coastal Dungeness 
crab, and California pink shrimp fisheries (collectively known 
hereafter as the refinanced reduction fisheries). The refinance loan of 
up to $30 million will establish a new industry fee system for future 
landings of the refinanced reduction fisheries. Upon publishing a final 
rule and receipt of an appropriation, NMFS will conduct three referenda 
to refinance the existing debt obligation in each of the refinanced 
reduction fisheries. If a referendum in one, two, or all three of the 
fisheries is successful, that fishery's current loan will be repaid in 
full and a new loan in the amount of the principal and interest balance 
as of the date of funding will be issued. The terms were prescribed in 
the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act and include a 45-year term 
to maturity, interest charged at a current Treasury interest rate, and 
a maximum repayment fee of 3% of ex-vessel value.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   08/07/15  80 FR 46941
NPRM Comment Period End.............   09/08/15  .......................
Final Action........................   12/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Brian Pawlak, Department of Commerce, National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 427-8621, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE90

203.  Process for Divestiture of Excess Quota Shares (Section 
610 Review)

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: In January 2011, the National Marine Fisheries Service 
implemented the groundfish trawl rationalization program (a catch share 
program) for the Pacific coast groundfish limited entry trawl fishery.

[[Page 77939]]

The program was implemented through Amendments 20 and 21 to the Pacific 
Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan and the corresponding 
implementing regulations. Amendment 20 established the trawl 
rationalization program, which includes an Individual Fishing Quota 
program for limited entry trawl participants, and Amendment 21 
established fixed allocations for limited entry trawl participants, 
with limits on how much quota each participant can accumulate. Under 
current regulations, quota share owners must divest quota shareholdings 
that exceed individual accumulation limits by November 30, 2015. This 
proposed action would make minor procedural modifications to the 
program regulations to clarify how divestiture of excess quota share 
could occur.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   09/02/15  80 FR 53088
NPRM Comment Period End.............   10/02/15  .......................
Final Action........................   06/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: William Stelle Jr., Regional Administrator, West 
Coast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way Northeast, Building 1, Seattle, WA 
98115, Phone: 206 526-6150, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BF11

204. Designation of Critical Habitat for the North Atlantic Right Whale

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
    Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service proposes to revise 
the critical habitat designation for the North Atlantic right whale. 
This proposal would result in an expansion of critical habitat in the 
northeast feeding area (Gulf of Maine-Georges Bank region) and the 
southeast calving area (Florida to North Carolina) compared to what was 
designated in 1994 for right whales.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   02/20/15  80 FR 9313
NPRM Comment Period End.............   04/21/15  .......................
Final Action........................   02/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Donna Wieting, Director, Office of Protected 
Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 427-8400.
    RIN: 0648-AY54

205. Endangered and Threatened Species: Designation of Critical Habitat 
for Threatened Lower Columbia River Coho Salmon and Puget Sound 
Steelhead

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
    Abstract: This action will designate critical habitat for lower 
Columbia River coho salmon and Puget Sound steelhead, currently listed 
as threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The areas 
proposed for designation include freshwater and estuarine habitat in 
Oregon and Washington.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   01/14/13  78 FR 2725
NPRM Comment Period End.............   04/15/13  .......................
Final Action........................   11/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Dwayne Meadows, Department of Commerce, National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 427-8467, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BB30

206. Designation of Critical Habitat for the Arctic Ringed Seal

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
    Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service published a final 
rule to list the Arctic ringed seal as a threatened species under the 
Endangered Species Act (ESA) in December 2012. The ESA requires 
designation of critical habitat at the time a species is listed as 
threatened or endangered, or within one year of listing if critical 
habitat is not then determinable. This rulemaking would designate 
critical habitat for the Arctic ringed seal. The proposed critical 
habitat designation would be in the northern Bering, Chukchi, and 
Beaufort seas within the current range of the species.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/03/14  79 FR 71714
Proposed Rule.......................   12/09/14  79 FR 73010
Notice of public hearings...........   01/13/15  80 FR 1618
Comment Period Extended.............   02/02/15  80 FR 5498
Final Action........................   06/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Donna Wieting, Director, Office of Protected 
Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 427-8400.
    RIN: 0648-BC56

NOS/ONMS

207. Revisions to Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine 
Sanctuary Regulations

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.; Pub. L. 102-587
    Abstract: In 2010, the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) 
initiated a review of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National 
Marine Sanctuary management plan, to evaluate substantive progress 
toward implementing the goals for the sanctuary, and to make revisions 
to its management plan and regulations as necessary to fulfill the 
purposes and policies of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA) and 
the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary Act (HINMSA; Title II, 
Subtitle C, Pub. L. 102587). ONMS intends to publish a proposed rule 
and draft EIS that proposes to expand the scope of the sanctuary to 
ecosystem based management rather than concentrating on only humpback 
whales. In addition, possible boundary expansion will be discussed.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice..............................   07/14/10  75 FR 40759
NPRM................................   03/26/15  80 FR 16223
Notice..............................   04/29/15  80 FR 23742
NPRM Comment Period End.............   06/19/15  .......................
Final Action........................   09/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Edward Lindelof, Department of Commerce, National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 713-3137, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD97


[[Page 77940]]



DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Long-Term Actions

National Marine Fisheries Service

208. Amendment 39 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish 
Resources of the Gulf of Mexico

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: The purpose of this action is to facilitate management of 
the recreational red snapper component in the reef fish fishery by 
reorganizing the federal fishery management strategy to better account 
for biological, social, and economic differences among the regions of 
the Gulf of Mexico. Regional management would enable regions and their 
associated communities to specify the optimal management parameters 
that best meet the needs of their local constituents thereby addressing 
regional socio-economic concerns.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Action                   Date             FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice............................   05/13/13  78 FR 27956
Next Action Undetermined..........
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Phone: 727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-
5308, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD25

209. Designate Critical Habitat for the Hawaiian Insular False Killer 
Whale Distinct Population Segment

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
    Abstract: The proposed action, if approved, would designate 
critical habitat for the Hawaiian insular false killer whale distinct 
population segment, pursuant to section 4 of the Endangered Species 
Act. Proposed critical habitat would be designated in the main Hawaiian 
Islands as the Hawaiian insular false killer whales range is restricted 
from nearshore out to 140 km from the main Hawaiian Islands.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   04/00/18
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Donna Wieting, Phone: 301 427-8400.
    RIN: 0648-BC45

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Completed Actions

210. Amendment 22 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper 
Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service in collaboration 
with the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council published this 
notice with the intention to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
to describe and analyze a range of alternatives for management actions 
to be included in Amendment 22 to the Fishery Management Plan for the 
Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region. These 
alternatives will consider measures to establish a long-term red 
snapper fishery management program in the South Atlantic to optimize 
yield and rebuild the stock, while minimizing socioeconomic impacts. 
More specifically, these alternatives will consider the elimination of 
harvest restrictions on red snapper as the stock increases in biomass. 
The purpose of this Notice of Intent is to solicit public comments on 
the scope of issues to be addressed in the Environmental Impact 
Statement.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice..............................   01/03/11  76 FR 101
Notice..............................   08/02/13  78 FR 46923
Final Action........................   08/19/13  78 FR 50394
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BA53

211. Amendment 31 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Bering Sea and 
Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: The intent of Amendment 31 was to relax participation 
requirements for captains and crew in the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands 
Crab Rationalization Program, and to modify the timing and preparation 
of specific documents that are currently required under the program. 
This action was necessary to fulfill the North Pacific Fishery 
Management Council's intent that captain and crew quota shares are held 
by individuals who are actively participating in the Crab 
Rationalization Program fisheries, to provide quota share acquisition 
opportunity to captains and crew who may have been displaced from 
employment in the Crab Rationalization Program fisheries and were not 
initial recipients of quota shares, and to make the quota shares 
available to captains and crew who are new entrants into the Crab 
Rationalization Program fisheries.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Availability..............   12/15/14  79 FR 74058
NPRM................................   12/24/14  79 FR 77427
NPRM Comment Period End.............   01/23/15
Final Action........................   03/26/15  80 FR 15891
Final Action Effective..............   05/01/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: James Balsiger, Regional Administrator, Alaska 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 709 West Ninth Street, Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 
586-7221, Fax: 907 586-7465, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BA61

212. Amendment 43 to the FMP for BSAI King and Tanner Crabs and 
Amendment 103 to the FMP for Groundfish of the BSAI

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule implements both Amendment 43 to the Fishery 
Management Plan for the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner 
Crabs and Amendment 103 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish 
of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area. Amendment 43 
revised the current rebuilding plan for Pribilof Islands blue king crab 
(blue king crab) and Amendment 103 implemented groundfish fishing 
restrictions. A no-trawl Pribilof Islands Habitat Conservation Zone 
(Zone) was established in 1995 and the directed fishery for blue king 
crab has been closed since 1999. A rebuilding plan was implemented in 
2003; however, blue king crab remains overfished and the current 
rebuilding plan has not achieved adequate progress towards rebuilding 
the stock by 2014. The rule closed the Zone to all Pacific cod pot 
fishing in addition to the current trawl prohibition. This measure will 
help

[[Page 77941]]

support blue king crab rebuilding and prevent exceeding the overfishing 
limit of blue king crab by minimizing to the extent practical blue king 
crab bycatch in the groundfish fisheries.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice..............................   08/21/14  79 FR 49463
NPRM................................   08/29/14  79 FR 51520
Final Action........................   12/02/14  79 FR 71344
Final Action Effective..............   01/01/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: James Balsiger, Regional Administrator, Alaska 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 709 West Ninth Street, Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 
586-7221, Fax: 907 586-7465, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BC34

213. Pacific Coast Groundfish Trawl Rationalization Program Trailing 
Action: Rule To Modify Chafing Gear Regulations for Midwater Trawl Gear 
Used in the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This action modified the existing chafing gear 
regulations for midwater trawl gear, and includes housekeeping measures 
to clarify which vessels can use midwater trawl gear and where midwater 
trawl gear can be used. This action includes regulations that affect 
all trawl sectors (Shorebased Individual Fishing Quota Program, 
Mothership Cooperative Program, Catcher/Processor Cooperative Program, 
and tribal fishery) managed under the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery 
Management Plan.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   03/19/14  79 FR 15296
NPRM Correction Notice..............   04/04/14  79 FR 18876
Final Action........................   12/02/14  79 FR 71340
Final Action Effective..............   01/01/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: William Stelle Jr., Regional Administrator, West 
Coast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way Northeast, Building 1, Seattle, WA 
98115, Phone: 206 526-6150, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BC84

214. Fisheries Off West Coast States; West Coast Salmon Fisheries; 
Amendment 18; Essential Fish Habitat Descriptions for Pacific Salmon

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: The action implements Amendment 18 to the Pacific Coast 
Salmon Fishery Management Plan. This amendment addressed revisions to 
the Pacific coast salmon essential fish habitat provisions under the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice..............................   06/16/14  79 FR 34272
NPRM................................   09/22/14  79 FR 56547
NPRM Comment Period End.............   10/22/14
Final Action........................   12/18/14  79 FR 75449
Final Action Effective..............   01/20/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No.
    Agency Contact: William Stelle Jr., Regional Administrator, West 
Coast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way Northeast, Building 1, Seattle, WA 
98115, Phone: 206 526-6150, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BC95

215. Codifying the Initial Vessel Monitoring System Type-Approval 
Process and Requirements, and the Recertification and Revocation 
Processes

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: All vessels participating in the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration's Vessel Monitoring System program are 
required to use a National Marine Fisheries Service-approved 
transmitting unit. This rule codified into regulations the unit type-
approval standards, requirements, and procedures for vendors to 
maintain approval for their products and services. The rule also 
codified requirements for agency approval, subsequent assessments, a 
renewal process, and procedures for revoking a unit's approval if the 
vendor fails to comply with the performance requirements. The previous 
national process regarding unit type-approval requirements for 
evaluating performance and improving or revoking unit type approvals 
was not codified. Therefore, the purpose of this rule was to codify the 
approval process, improve the enforceability of the approval 
requirements, and better ensure all unit type approvals remain in 
compliance and are consistent with the requirements. To eliminate the 
possibility of duplicating, overlapping, or conflicting Federal 
regulations, this rule also revised the Greater Atlantic Region's 
regulations to match those in this rule.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   09/09/14  79 FR 53386
NPRM Comment Period End.............   10/24/14
Final Action........................   12/24/14  79 FR 77399
Final Action Effective..............   01/23/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Alan Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable 
Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, Room 13362, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 
20910, Phone: 301 713-2334, Fax: 301 713-0596, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD02

216. Pacific Coast Groundfish Trawl Rationalization Program Trailing 
Actions: Permitting Requirements for Observer and Catch Monitor 
Providers (Section 610 Review)

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This action modified regulations pertaining to certified 
catch monitors and observers required under the Pacific Coast 
Groundfish Fishery Management Plan. The action specified permitting 
requirements for business entities interested in providing certified 
observers and catch monitor services, as well as addressed numerous 
housekeeping measures and updated observer provider and vessel 
responsibilities relative to observer safety such that the regulations 
are consistent with the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 
2012.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   02/19/14  79 FR 9591
NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/21/14
Final Action........................   04/21/15  80 FR 22269
Final Action Effective..............   05/21/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: William Stelle Jr., Regional Administrator, West 
Coast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way Northeast, Building 1, Seattle, WA

[[Page 77942]]

98115, Phone: 206 526-6150, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD30

217. Establishment of Special Management Zones for Delaware Artificial 
Reefs

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This action established special management zones around 
five State of Delaware-permitted artificial reefs in Federal waters. 
This action restricted the use of all fishing gear in these zones 
except hook and line and spear fishing, including taking by hand. 
Eliminating the other fishing gears prevented gear conflicts between 
hook and line, spear and hand fishing and other fishing gear. The 
proliferation of commercial gear on the reefs, especially fish traps, 
had been reported by the recreational fishing community as inhibiting 
their ability to fish the reefs. The artificial reefs were established 
with funds through U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Sportfish Restoration 
Program to enhance sport fishing opportunities. Implementing the 
Council's recommendation restricted the use of fishing gears that are 
incompatible with the intended use of the artificial reefs. Commercial 
fishermen may continue to fish on the reefs and catch commercial 
quantities of fish with hook and line gear. It is expected this action 
will have little overall effect on the commercial sector.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   06/19/14  79 FR 35141
Comment Period Extended.............   07/16/14  79 FR 41530
Final Action........................   06/09/15  80 FR 32480
Final Action Effective..............   07/09/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, Greater 
Atlantic Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930, Phone: 978 281-9287, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD42

218. Amendment 97 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the 
Gulf Of Alaska To Establish Chinook Salmon Prohibited Species Catch 
Limits for the Non-Pollock Trawl Fisheries

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule limits Chinook salmon prohibited species catch 
in the Western and Central Gulf of Alaska non-pollock trawl fisheries. 
Chinook salmon is a fully utilized species in Alaska coastal 
subsistence, recreational, and commercial fisheries. In recent years 
the returns of Chinook salmon to some Alaska river systems have been 
below the biological escapement goals established by the State of 
Alaska. This action is necessary to minimize the catch of Chinook 
salmon to the extent practicable in the Gulf of Alaska non-pollock 
trawl fisheries. This action limited the annual Chinook salmon 
prohibited species catch in the non-pollock trawl fisheries to 7,500 
salmon each year. If a sector reached its Chinook salmon prohibited 
species limit, further directed fishing for groundfish by vessels in 
that sector and season would be prohibited. Vessel operators would be 
required to retain salmon until the number of salmon has been 
determined by the vessel or plant observer and the observers data 
collection has been completed. About 70 vessels could be affected by 
this action. This action could reduce revenues from the fisheries, if 
the Chinook salmon prohibited species limit is reached before the 
groundfish quota is harvested. The action also may increase costs if 
vessel operators move fishing operations or take other actions to lower 
their catch of Chinook salmon.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice..............................   06/05/14  79 FR 32525
NPRM................................   06/25/14  79 FR 35971
NPRM Comment Period End.............   07/25/14
Final Action........................   12/02/14  79 FR 71350
Final Action Effective..............   01/01/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: James Balsiger, Regional Administrator, Alaska 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 709 West Ninth Street, Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 
586-7221, Fax: 907 586-7465, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD48

219. Amendment 45 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea and 
Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crab Freezer Longline Catcher/
Processor Pacific Cod Sideboard Removal (Section 610 Review)

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule established conditions for the removal of Gulf 
of Alaska Pacific cod catch limits, known as sideboards, which apply to 
some catcher/processor vessels using hook-and-line gear, also known as 
freezer longliners. The newly reorganized sideboard limits have 
effectively eliminated the ability of these stakeholders to participant 
in these Gulf of Alaska fisheries. The rule will remove the Gulf of 
Alaska Pacific cod sideboards from 6 freezer longline vessels if owners 
of vessels endorsed to catch and process Pacific cod in the Western 
Gulf of Alaska, Central Gulf of Alaska, or both (a total of 9 vessels) 
agree to removal of the sideboards, within one year from the effective 
date of the final rule. If an agreement is not reached by the deadline, 
the sideboarded vessels would not be able to participate in the Gulf of 
Alaska fisheries. The requirement for an agreement is intended to 
promote cooperation among all affected parties prior to the removal of 
sideboards.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Availability..............   02/02/15  80 FR 5499
NPRM................................   02/12/15  80 FR 7817
NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/16/15
Final Action........................   05/19/15  80 FR 28539
Final Action Effective..............   06/18/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: James Balsiger, Regional Administrator, Alaska 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 709 West Ninth Street, Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 
586-7221, Fax: 907 586-7465, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD61

220. Information Collection Program for Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean 
Quahog Fisheries

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service implemented this 
information collection program at the request of the Mid-Atlantic 
Fishery Management Council (Council). This program will collect 
additional information about the individuals who hold and/or control 
Individual Transferable Quota in the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog 
fisheries. This information will be used by the Council in the 
consideration and development of excessive shares cap(s) in these 
Individual Transferable Quota fisheries.
    Timetable:

[[Page 77943]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   08/07/14  79 FR 46233
NPRM Comment Period Reopened........   10/02/14  79 FR 59472
Final Action........................   07/20/15  80 FR 42747
Final Action Effective..............   01/01/16
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No.
    Agency Contact: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, Greater 
Atlantic Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930, Phone: 978 281-9287, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD64

221. Amendment 100 to the FMP for Groundfish of the BSAI Management 
Area and Amendment 91 to the FMP for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska 
To Add Grenadiers to the Ecosystem Component Category

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: Amendments 100 and 91 amended the Groundfish Fishery 
Management Plans to add grenadiers to the ecosystem component category. 
Grenadiers are caught incidentally in the groundfish fisheries and 
adding them to the Fishery Management Plans recognizes their role in 
the ecosystem. The National Marine Fisheries Service also implemented 
regulations for federally-permitted groundfish fishermen to improve 
reporting of grenadiers, limit retention, and prevent directed fishing 
for grenadiers. This action was necessary to limit the groundfish 
fisheries impact on grenadiers.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Availability..............   05/05/14  79 FR 25558
NPRM................................   05/14/14  79 FR 27557
NPRM Comment Period End.............   06/13/14
Final Action........................   03/05/15  80 FR 11897
Final Action Effective..............   04/06/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: James Balsiger, Regional Administrator, Alaska 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 709 West Ninth Street, Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 
586-7221, Fax: 907 586-7465, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD98

222. Implementation of a Gulf of Alaska Trawl Fishery Economic Data 
Collection Program

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 3631 et seq.; 16 
U.S.C. 773 et seq.; Pub. L. 108199
    Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service implemented the 
Trawl Economic Data Report Program to evaluate the economic effects of 
current and future groundfish and prohibited species catch management 
measures for the Gulf of Alaska trawl fisheries under the Fishery 
Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska. This data 
collection program was necessary to provide the North Pacific Fishery 
Management Council and other analysts with baseline information on 
affected harvesters, crew, processors, and communities in the Gulf of 
Alaska that could be used to assess the impacts of major changes in the 
groundfish management regime; including catch share programs for 
prohibited species catch species and target species. The data 
collected, which may include labor information, revenues received, 
capital and operational expenses, and other operational or financial 
data for this program will be submitted by vessel owners and 
leaseholders of Gulf of Alaska trawl vessels, processors receiving 
deliveries from those trawl vessels, and Amendment 80 catcher/
processors.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   08/11/14  79 FR 46758
NPRM Comment Period End.............   09/10/14
Final Action........................   12/02/14  79 FR 71313
Final Action Effective..............   01/01/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: James Balsiger, Regional Administrator, Alaska 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 709 West Ninth Street, Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 
586-7221, Fax: 907 586-7465, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE09

223. 2015-2016 Pacific Coast Groundfish Harvest Specifications and 
Management Measures and Amendment 24 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish 
FMP

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: The action set biennial allowable harvest levels for 
Pacific Coast groundfish, as well as management measures for commercial 
and recreational fisheries that are designed to achieve those harvest 
levels. For the 2015-2016 biennium, the Council recommended changes in 
rebuilding parameters for one overfished species, cowcod. As such, the 
rebuilding plan was revised and affected the Annual Catch Limit value 
for this species for the 2-year period and beyond. The rule adjusts the 
harvest specifications including Overfishing Limits, the Acceptable 
Biological Catches, and Annual Catch Limits, as well as the management 
measures to achieve those specifications. Finally, the rule implements 
Amendment 24, which modifies the procedures in the Fishery Management 
Plan so that in the absence of explicit Council action, harvest 
specification values, based on default harvest control rules, for one 
or more stocks may be implemented by the National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Availability..............   11/26/14  79 FR 70497
NPRM................................   01/06/15  80 FR 678
NPRM Comment Period End.............   01/26/15
Final Action........................   03/10/15  80 FR 12567
Final Action Effective..............   03/10/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: William Stelle Jr., Regional Administrator, West 
Coast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way Northeast, Building 1, Seattle, WA 
98115, Phone: 206 526-6150, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE27

224. Regulatory Amendment To Change the Definition of Sport Fishing 
Guide Services for Pacific Halibut in International Pacific Halibut 
Commission Area 2C and Area 3A

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.
    Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service finalized 
regulations that revised Federal regulatory text regarding sport 
fishing guide services for Pacific halibut in International Pacific 
Halibut Commission Regulatory Areas 2C (Southeast Alaska) and 3A 
(Central Gulf of Alaska) to remove the requirement that a charter 
vessel guide be on board the same vessel as a charter vessel angler to 
provide sport fishing guide services. The action clarified that all 
sport fishing in which anglers receive assistance from a compensated 
guide will be managed under charter fishery regulations, and all 
harvest will

[[Page 77944]]

accrue toward charter allocations. This action aligned Federal 
regulations with State of Alaska regulations. The definition of sport 
fishing guide services was revised and a definition for compensation 
was added to Federal regulations. Additional minor changes to the 
regulatory text pertaining to the charter halibut fishery were required 
to maintain consistency in the regulations with these new definitions. 
This action was necessary to achieve the halibut fishery management 
goals of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/03/14  79 FR 71729
NPRM Comment Period End.............   01/02/15
Final Action........................   06/19/15  80 FR 35195
Final Action Effective..............   07/20/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: James Balsiger, Regional Administrator, Alaska 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 709 West Ninth Street, Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 
586-7221, Fax: 907 586-7465, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE41

225. Framework Action To Revise Recreational Accountability Measures 
for Red Snapper

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: To address the court ruling in Guindon v. Pritzker, the 
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council developed this framework 
action that established two accountability measures for the 
recreational red snapper sector. The first recreational accountability 
measure action established an annual catch target that is lower than 
the quota/annual catch limit and set the recreational season length 
based on the annual catch target. Previously, the season length was set 
based on the quota/annual catch limit. The second recreational 
accountability measure action established an overage adjustment to 
mitigate the effects of any overage by reducing the quota/annual catch 
limit in the following year.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/21/14  79 FR 69418
NPRM Comment Period End.............   12/22/14
Final Action........................   03/19/15  80 FR 14328
Final Action Effective..............   04/20/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE44

226. Amendment 16 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery 
of the Gulf of Mexico, U.S. Waters

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule changed the annual catch limit and selected an 
accountability measure for royal red shrimp. On January 30, 2012, the 
National Marine Fisheries Service implemented regulations developed 
through a generic annual catch limit and accountability measure 
amendment to multiple fishery management plans, including the Shrimp 
Fishery Management Plan. The rule removed the quota and in-season 
closure, and increased the annual catch limit. The current 
accountability measure, which requires in-season monitoring and closure 
the year following an annual catch limit overage, remained in effect.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Availability..............   12/24/14  79 FR 77425
NPRM................................   01/26/15  80 FR 3937
NPRM Comment Period End.............   02/25/15
Final Action........................   03/25/15  80 FR 15691
Final Action Effective..............   04/24/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE46

227. 2015-2017 Specifications and Management Measures for the Atlantic 
Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule established catch levels and associated 
management measures for the 2015-2017 fishing years for species managed 
under the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management 
Plan. More specifically, this action: Renewed status quo quotas on 
longfin and Illex squids for an additional 3 years; lowered the cap on 
river herring and shad catch in the mackerel fishery; increased the cap 
on river herring and shad catch in the mackerel fishery once the 
mackerel fishery catches more than 10,000 mt tons; lowered the Atlantic 
mackerel quota; substantially increased the butterfish quota; and 
simplified the controls on butterfish daily trip limits.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/14/14  79 FR 68202
NPRM Comment Period End.............   12/15/14
Final Action........................   03/20/15  80 FR 14870
Final Action Effective..............   04/20/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, Greater 
Atlantic Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930, Phone: 978 281-9287, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE49

228. Framework Adjustment 26 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery 
Management Plan (Section 610 Review)

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule set scallop fishery management measures for the 
2015 fishing year, including the annual catch limits and annual catch 
targets for the limited access and limited access general category 
fleets. In addition, it adjusted the State Waters Exemption Program, 
allowed for vessel monitoring system declaration changes for when 
vessels return home with product on board; implemented a proactive 
accountability measure to protect flatfish; aligned two gear measures 
designed to protect sea turtles; and implemented other measures to 
improve the management of the scallop fishery. Furthermore, aligning 
the gear designed to protect sea turtles involved modifying regulations 
to threatened marine species at 50 CFR part 223, so this action was a 
joint action with the Endangered Species Act.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   03/17/15  80 FR 13806
NPRM Comment Period End.............   04/01/15
Final Action........................   04/21/15  80 FR 22119

[[Page 77945]]

 
Final Action Effective..............   05/01/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, Greater 
Atlantic Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930, Phone: 978 281-9287, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE68

229. Pacific Coast Groundfish Trawl Rationalization Program--Midwater 
Trawl Fishery Season Date Change (Section 610 Review)

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This action implemented revisions to the Pacific Coast 
Groundfish Trawl Rationalization Program affecting the limited entry 
midwater trawl fisheries managed under the Pacific Coast Groundfish 
Fishery Management Plan. This action included a regulatory amendment to 
change the primary season opening date for the shorebased whiting 
fishery and the shorebased non-whiting midwater trawl fishery to May 15 
north of 40[deg]30' N. lat. to the U.S./Canada border. This moved the 
season a month earlier off Washington and Oregon and a month and half 
later off northern California (north of 40[deg]30' N. lat.), increasing 
consistency in the season start date along the coast and between the 
shorebased and at-sea midwater trawl fleets.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   02/17/15  80 FR 8280
NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/19/15
Final Action........................   04/09/15  80 FR 19034
Final Action Effective..............   05/15/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: William Stelle Jr., Regional Administrator, West 
Coast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way Northeast, Building 1, Seattle, WA 
98115, Phone: 206 526-6150, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE72

230. Framework Adjustment 53 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery 
Management Plan (Section 610 Review)

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This action implemented management for the Northeast 
Multispecies Fishery that opened on May 1, 2015. The changes were 
developed in response to new scientific information and to meet the 
goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan. Framework 53 set 
2015-2017 specifications for: Gulf of Maine cod, haddock, and winter 
flounder; Georges Bank winter flounder, and pollock; as well as 2015 
shared U.S./Canada quotas for Georges Bank yellowtail flounder and 
Eastern Georges Bank cod and haddock. These new specifications were 
based on stock assessments completed in 2014. This action also modified 
the seasonal area closures designed to protect Gulf of Maine cod 
spawning; prohibited the possession of Gulf of Maine cod for all 
recreational groundfish vessels; introduced a mechanism to set default 
specifications in the event a management action is delayed; and 
modified the sector carryover provision in response to a recent Court 
ruling.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   03/09/15  80 FR 12394
NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/24/15
Final Action........................   05/01/15  80 FR 25109
Final Action Effective..............   05/01/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, Greater 
Atlantic Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930, Phone: 978 281-9287, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE75

231. 2015-2016 Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Quotas

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule would increase the Atlantic bluefin tuna base 
quotas and subquotas, implementing the U.S. annual Atlantic Bluefin 
Tuna quota recommended for 2015 and 2016 by the International 
Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas and allocating that 
quota among the domestic fishing categories.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   06/12/15  80 FR 33467
NPRM Comment Period End.............   07/13/15
Final Action........................   08/28/15  80 FR 52198
Final Action Effective..............   08/28/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Alan Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable 
Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, Room 13362, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 
20910, Phone: 301 713-2334, Fax: 301 713-0596, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE81

232. Revision of Hawaiian Monk Seal Critical Habitat

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
    Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is 
developing a rule to designate critical habitat for the Hawaiian monk 
seal in the main and Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. In response to a 
2008 petition from the Center for Biological Diversity, Kahea, and the 
Ocean Conservancy to revise Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat, NMFS 
published a proposed rule in June 2011 to revise Hawaiian monk seal 
critical habitat by adding critical habitat in the main Hawaiian 
Islands and extending critical habitat in the Northwestern Hawaiian 
Islands. Proposed critical habitat includes both marine and terrestrial 
habitats (e.g., foraging areas to 500 meter depth, pupping beaches, 
etc.). To address public comments on the proposed rule, NMFS is 
augmenting its prior economic analysis to better describe the 
anticipated costs of the designation. NMFS is analyzing new tracking 
data to assess monk seal habitat use in the main Hawaiian Islands. That 
may lead to some reduction in foraging area critical habitat for the 
main Hawaiian Islands to better reflect where preferred foraging 
features may be found.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   06/02/11  76 FR 32026
Notice of Public Meetings...........   07/14/11  76 FR 41446
Other...............................   06/25/12  77 FR 37867
Final Action........................   08/21/15  80 FR 50925
Final Action Effective..............   09/21/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Donna Wieting, Director, Office of Protected 
Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric

[[Page 77946]]

Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 427-8400.
    RIN: 0648-BA81

233. 2015 Annual Determination To Implement the Sea Turtle Observer 
Requirement

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
    Abstract: Through the Annual Determination, the National Marine 
Fisheries Service (NMFS) identifies U.S. fisheries operating in the 
Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Pacific Ocean that will be required 
to take observers upon NMFS request, pursuant to its authority under 
the Endangered Species Act. The purpose of observing identified 
fisheries is to learn more about sea turtle interactions in a given 
fishery, evaluate existing measures to prevent or reduce prohibited sea 
turtle takes, and to determine whether additional measures to implement 
the prohibition against sea turtle takes may be necessary. Fisheries 
that were identified in the 2015 Annual Determination will remain on 
the Annual Determination for a 5-year period and are required to carry 
observers upon NMFS request until December 31, 2019.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   10/22/14  79 FR 63066
NPRM Comment Period End.............   11/21/14
Final Action........................   03/19/15  80 FR 14319
Final Action Effective..............   04/18/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No.
    Agency Contact: Donna Wieting, Director, Office of Protected 
Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 427-8400.
    RIN: 0648-BE35

234. Amendment to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.
    Abstract: This final action amended the Atlantic Large Whale Take 
Reduction Plan (Plan). The Plan was previously amended on June 27, 
2014, previously. This action changed the minimum number of traps per 
trawl requirements in state waters for safety reasons, as requested by 
the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. The National Marine 
Fisheries Service (NMFS) also received proposals from other state 
partners requesting the same change. During their January 2015 meeting, 
the proposals were discussed with the Atlantic Right Whale Take 
Reduction Team, which agreed that NMFS should move forward with the 
rulemaking process to adopt the proposals to amend the June 2014 final 
rule as suggested by the states. The Team also requested that NMFS 
develop unique gear marking for certain areas.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   03/19/15  80 FR 14345
Proposed Rule Correction............   04/07/15  80 FR 18584
NPRM Comment Period End.............   04/20/15
Final Action........................   05/28/15  80 FR 30367
Final Action Effective..............   05/28/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Donna Wieting, Director, Office of Protected 
Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 427-8400.
    RIN: 0648-BE83

[FR Doc. 2015-30613 Filed 12-14-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-12-P



                                                      77928               Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 240 / Tuesday, December 15, 2015 / Unified Agenda

                                                      DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE                                  Executive Order 12866 and the                            Within Commerce, the Office of the
                                                                                                              Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601              Secretary and various operating units
                                                      Office of the Secretary                                 et seq. Executive Order 12866 requires                may issue regulations. These operating
                                                                                                              agencies to publish an agenda of those                units, the National Oceanic and
                                                      13 CFR Ch. III                                          regulations that are under consideration              Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
                                                                                                              pursuant to this order. By memorandum                 the Bureau of Industry and Security,
                                                      15 CFR Subtitle A; Subtitle B, Chs. I,                  of August 13, 2015, the Office of                     and the Patent and Trademark Office,
                                                      II, III, VII, VIII, IX, and XI                          Management and Budget issued                          issue the greatest share of Commerce’s
                                                                                                              guidelines and procedures for the                     regulations.
                                                      19 CFR Ch. III                                          preparation and publication of the fall                  A large number of regulatory actions
                                                                                                              2015 Unified Agenda. The Regulatory                   reported in the Agenda deal with fishery
                                                      37 CFR Chs. I, IV, and V                                Flexibility Act requires agencies to                  management programs of NOAA’s
                                                                                                              publish, in the spring and fall of each               National Marine Fisheries Service
                                                      48 CFR Ch. 13                                           year, a regulatory flexibility agenda that            (NMFS). To avoid repetition of
                                                                                                              contains a brief description of the                   programs and definitions, as well as to
                                                      50 CFR Chs. II, III, IV, and VI                         subject of any rule likely to have a                  provide some understanding of the
                                                                                                              significant economic impact on a                      technical and institutional elements of
                                                      Fall 2015 Semiannual Agenda of                          substantial number of small entities,                 NMFS’ programs, an ‘‘Explanation of
                                                      Regulations                                             and a list that identifies those entries              Information Contained in NMFS
                                                      AGENCY:  Office of the Secretary,                       that have been selected for periodic                  Regulatory Entries’’ is provided below.
                                                      Commerce.                                               review under section 610 of the
                                                                                                              Regulatory Flexibility Act.                           Explanation of Information Contained
                                                      ACTION: Semiannual regulatory agenda.                                                                         in NMFS Regulatory Entries
                                                                                                                 In this edition of Commerce’s
                                                      SUMMARY:   In compliance with Executive                 regulatory agenda, a list of the most                    The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
                                                      Order 12866, entitled ‘‘Regulatory                      important significant regulatory actions              Conservation and Management Act (16
                                                      Planning and Review,’’ and the                          and a Statement of Regulatory Priorities              U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) (the Act) governs
                                                      Regulatory Flexibility Act, as amended,                 are included in the Regulatory Plan,                  the management of fisheries within the
                                                      the Department of Commerce                              which appears in both the online                      Exclusive Economic Zone of the United
                                                      (Commerce), in the spring and fall of                   Unified Agenda and in part II of the                  States (EEZ). The EEZ refers to those
                                                      each year, publishes in the Federal                     issue of the Federal Register that                    waters from the outer edge of the State
                                                      Register an agenda of regulations under                 includes the Unified Agenda.                          boundaries, generally 3 nautical miles,
                                                      development or review over the next 12                     In addition, beginning with the fall               to a distance of 200 nautical miles.
                                                      months. Rulemaking actions are                          2007 edition, the Internet became the                 Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) are
                                                      grouped according to prerulemaking,                     basic means for disseminating the                     to be prepared for fisheries that require
                                                      proposed rules, final rules, long-term                  Unified Agenda. The complete Unified                  conservation and management
                                                      actions, and rulemaking actions                         Agenda is available online at                         measures. Regulations implementing
                                                      completed since the spring 2015 agenda.                 www.reginfo.gov, in a format that offers              these FMPs regulate domestic fishing
                                                      The purpose of the agenda is to provide                 users a greatly enhanced ability to                   and foreign fishing where permitted.
                                                      information to the public on regulations                obtain information from the Agenda                    Foreign fishing may be conducted in a
                                                      that are currently under review, being                  database.                                             fishery in which there is no FMP only
                                                      proposed, or issued by Commerce. The                       Because publication in the Federal                 if a preliminary fishery management
                                                      agenda is intended to facilitate                        Register is mandated for the regulatory               plan has been issued to govern that
                                                      comments and views by interested                        flexibility agendas required by the                   foreign fishing. Under the Act, eight
                                                      members of the public.                                  Regulatory Flexibility Act, Commerce’s                Regional Fishery Management Councils
                                                        Commerce’s fall 2015 regulatory                       printed agenda entries include only:                  (Councils) prepare FMPs or
                                                      agenda includes regulatory activities                      (1) Rules that are in the Agency’s                 amendments to FMPs for fisheries
                                                      that are expected to be conducted                       regulatory flexibility agenda, in                     within their respective areas. In the
                                                      during the period October 1, 2015,                      accordance with the Regulatory                        development of such plans or
                                                      through September 30, 2016.                             Flexibility Act, because they are likely              amendments and their implementing
                                                      FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                        to have a significant economic impact                 regulations, the Councils are required by
                                                        Specific: For additional information                  on a substantial number of small                      law to conduct public hearings on the
                                                      about specific regulatory actions listed                entities; and                                         draft plans and to consider the use of
                                                      in the agenda, contact the individual                      (2) Rules that the Agency has                      alternative means of regulating.
                                                      identified as the contact person.                       identified for periodic review under                     The Council process for developing
                                                        General: Comments or inquiries of a                   section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility             FMPs and amendments makes it
                                                      general nature about the agenda should                  Act.                                                  difficult for NMFS to determine the
                                                      be directed to Asha Mathew, Chief                          Printing of these entries is limited to            significance and timing of some
                                                      Counsel for Regulation, Office of the                   fields that contain information required              regulatory actions under consideration
                                                      Assistant General Counsel for                           by the Regulatory Flexibility Act’s                   by the Councils at the time the
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                      Legislation and Regulation, U.S.                        Agenda requirements. Additional                       semiannual regulatory agenda is
                                                      Department of Commerce, Washington,                     information on these entries is available             published.
                                                      DC 20230, telephone: 202–482–3151.                      in the Unified Agenda published on the                   Commerce’s fall 2015 regulatory
                                                      SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Commerce                     Internet. In addition, for fall editions of           agenda follows.
                                                      hereby publishes its fall 2015 Unified                  the Agenda, Commerce’s entire
                                                      Agenda of Federal Regulatory and                        Regulatory Plan will continue to be                   Kelly Welsh,
                                                      Deregulatory Actions pursuant to                        printed in the Federal Register.                      General Counsel.




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                                                                                   Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 240 / Tuesday, December 15, 2015 / Unified Agenda                                                                   77929

                                                                                                       INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION—COMPLETED ACTIONS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Regulation
                                                        Sequence No.                                                                                 Title                                                                      Identifier No.

                                                      170 ....................     Antidumping Methodologies: Market Economy Inputs .....................................................................................          0625–AA89


                                                                                        NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION—PROPOSED RULE STAGE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Regulation
                                                        Sequence No.                                                                                 Title                                                                      Identifier No.

                                                      171   ....................   Amendment 5b to the Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan ..................................................                         0648–BD22
                                                      172   ....................   Comprehensive Fishery Management Plan for Puerto Rico ...........................................................................               0648–BD32
                                                      173   ....................   Comprehensive Fishery Management Plan for St. Croix ................................................................................            0648–BD33
                                                      174   ....................   Comprehensive Fishery Management Plan for St. Thomas/St. John .............................................................                     0648–BD34
                                                      175   ....................   Implementation of a Program for Transshipments by Large Scale Fishing Vessels in the Eastern Pacific                                            0648–BD59
                                                                                     Ocean.
                                                      176 ....................     Amendment 28 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (Sec-                                             0648–BD68
                                                                                     tion 610 Review).
                                                      177 ....................     Amendment 7 to the FMP for the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic and Amendment 33 to the FMP                                                0648–BD76
                                                                                     for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic.
                                                      178 ....................     Regulatory Amendment 16 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the                                                   0648–BD78
                                                                                     South Atlantic Region.
                                                      179 ....................     Generic Accountability Measure and Dolphin Allocation Amendment for the South Atlantic Region .............                                     0648–BE38
                                                      180 ....................     Omnibus Acceptable Biological Catch Framework Adjustment .......................................................................                0648–BE65
                                                      181 ....................     Amendment 35 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic                                               0648–BE70
                                                                                     Region.
                                                      182 ....................     Modification of the Temperature-Dependent Component of the Pacific Sardine Harvest Guideline Control                                            0648–BE77
                                                                                     Rule to Incorporate New Scientific Information.
                                                      183 ....................     Amendment 44 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs                                               0648–BE98
                                                                                     to Modify Right of First Refusal Provisions of the Crab Rationalization Program.
                                                      184 ....................     Reductions in Fishing Capacity for Lobster Management Areas 2 and 3 .......................................................                     0648–BF01
                                                      185 ....................     Amendment 109 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the BSAI to Facilitate Development of                                            0648–BF05
                                                                                     Groundfish Fisheries for Small Vessels in the Western Alaska Community Development Quota Program.
                                                      186 ....................     Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act; Seafood Import Monitoring Program .....                                             0648–BF09
                                                      187 ....................     Pacific Coast Groundfish Trawl Rationalization Program; Widow Rockfish Reallocation in the Individual                                           0648–BF12
                                                                                     Fishing Quota Fishery.
                                                      188 ....................     Framework Amendment 3 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources                                                0648–BF14
                                                                                     of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region.
                                                      189 ....................     Framework Amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mex-                                              0648–BF21
                                                                                     ico to Modify Greater Amberjack Allowable Harvest and Management Measures.
                                                      190 ....................     Implementation of Salmon Bycatch Management Measures for the Bering Sea Pollock Fishery ..................                                      0648–BF25
                                                      191 ....................     Amendment 18 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (Section 610 Review) ................                                        0648–BF26
                                                      192 ....................     Framework Amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mex-                                              0648–BF33
                                                                                     ico for Red Snapper Commercial Quota Retention for 2016.


                                                                                            NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION—FINAL RULE STAGE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Regulation
                                                        Sequence No.                                                                                 Title                                                                      Identifier No.

                                                      193 ....................     Fishery Management Plan for Regulating Offshore Marine Aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico .....................                                  0648–AS65
                                                      194 ....................     Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Future of the Atlantic Shark Fishery .........................................................               0648–BA17
                                                      195 ....................     Implement the 2010 Shark Conservation Act Provisions and Other Regulations in the Atlantic                                                      0648–BB02
                                                                                      Smoothhound Shark Fishery.
                                                      196 ....................     Amendment 7 to the 2006 Consolidated Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan .....................                                     0648–BC09
                                                      197 ....................     Implementation of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission Resolution to Establish a Vessel Moni-                                            0648–BD54
                                                                                      toring System Program in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
                                                      198 ....................     Amendment 8 to the Fishery Management Plan for Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom Habitats of                                             0648–BD81
                                                                                      the South Atlantic Region.
                                                      199 ....................     Cost Recovery from Amendment 80, Community Development Quota Groundfish and Halibut, American                                                   0648–BE05
                                                                                      Fisheries Act and Aleutian Islands Pollock, and the Freezer Longline Coalition Pacific Cod Fisheries
                                                                                      Man.
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                                                      200 ....................     International Fisheries; Western and Central Pacific Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species; Fishing Effort                                     0648–BE84
                                                                                      and Catch Limits and Other Restrictions and Requirements.
                                                      201   ....................   Revision of Skate Maximum Retainable Amounts in the Gulf of Alaska Groundfish Fishery .........................                                 0648–BE85
                                                      202   ....................   Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishing Capacity Reduction Loan Refinance (Section 610 Review) .....................                                   0648–BE90
                                                      203   ....................   Process for Divestiture of Excess Quota Shares (Section 610 Review) .......................................................                     0648–BF11
                                                      204   ....................   Designation of Critical Habitat for the North Atlantic Right Whale ..................................................................           0648–AY54
                                                      205   ....................   Endangered and Threatened Species: Designation of Critical Habitat for Threatened Lower Columbia                                                0648–BB30
                                                                                      River Coho Salmon and Puget Sound Steelhead.
                                                      206 ....................     Designation of Critical Habitat for the Arctic Ringed Seal ...............................................................................      0648–BC56
                                                      207 ....................     Revisions to Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Regulations ............................                                 0648–BD97



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                                                      77930                        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 240 / Tuesday, December 15, 2015 / Unified Agenda

                                                                                          NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION—LONG-TERM ACTIONS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Regulation
                                                        Sequence No.                                                                                   Title                                                                          Identifier No.

                                                      208 ....................     Amendment 39 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico ..........                                              0648–BD25
                                                      209 ....................     Designate Critical Habitat for the Hawaiian Insular False Killer Whale Distinct Population Segment ............                                       0648–BC45


                                                                                          NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION—COMPLETED ACTIONS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Regulation
                                                        Sequence No.                                                                                   Title                                                                          Identifier No.

                                                      210 ....................     Amendment 22 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic                                                     0648–BA53
                                                                                      Region.
                                                      211 ....................     Amendment 31 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands King and Tanner                                                   0648–BA61
                                                                                      Crabs.
                                                      212 ....................     Amendment 43 to the FMP for BSAI King and Tanner Crabs and Amendment 103 to the FMP for Ground-                                                       0648–BC34
                                                                                      fish of the BSAI.
                                                      213 ....................     Pacific Coast Groundfish Trawl Rationalization Program Trailing Action: Rule to Modify Chafing Gear Reg-                                              0648–BC84
                                                                                      ulations for Midwater Trawl Gear Used in the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery.
                                                      214 ....................     Fisheries Off West Coast States; West Coast Salmon Fisheries; Amendment 18; Essential Fish Habitat                                                    0648–BC95
                                                                                      Descriptions for Pacific Salmon.
                                                      215 ....................     Codifying the Initial Vessel Monitoring System Type-Approval Process and Requirements, and the Recer-                                                 0648–BD02
                                                                                      tification and Revocation Processes.
                                                      216 ....................     Pacific Coast Groundfish Trawl Rationalization Program Trailing Actions: Permitting Requirements for Ob-                                              0648–BD30
                                                                                      server and Catch Monitor Providers (Section 610 Review).
                                                      217 ....................     Establishment of Special Management Zones for Delaware Artificial Reefs ...................................................                           0648–BD42
                                                      218 ....................     Amendment 97 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska to Establish Chinook                                                 0648–BD48
                                                                                      Salmon Prohibited Species Catch Limits for the Non-Pollock Trawl Fisheries.
                                                      219 ....................     Amendment 45 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands King and Tanner                                                       0648–BD61
                                                                                      Crab Freezer Longline Catcher/Processor Pacific Cod Sideboard Removal (Section 610 Review).
                                                      220 ....................     Information Collection Program for Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fisheries .....................................                                 0648–BD64
                                                      221 ....................     Amendment 100 to the FMP for Groundfish of the BSAI Management Area and Amendment 91 to the                                                           0648–BD98
                                                                                      FMP for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska to add Grenadiers to the Ecosystem Component Category.
                                                      222 ....................     Implementation of a Gulf of Alaska Trawl Fishery Economic Data Collection Program .................................                                   0648–BE09
                                                      223 ....................     2015–2016 Pacific Coast Groundfish Harvest Specifications and Management Measures and Amendment                                                       0648–BE27
                                                                                      24 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish FMP.
                                                      224 ....................     Regulatory Amendment to Change the Definition of Sport Fishing Guide Services for Pacific Halibut in                                                  0648–BE41
                                                                                      International Pacific Halibut Commission Area 2C and Area 3A.
                                                      225 ....................     Framework Action to Revise Recreational Accountability Measures for Red Snapper ...................................                                   0648–BE44
                                                      226 ....................     Amendment 16 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico, U.S.                                                        0648–BE46
                                                                                      Waters.
                                                      227 ....................     2015–2017 Specifications and Management Measures for the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish                                                     0648–BE49
                                                                                      Fisheries.
                                                      228 ....................     Framework Adjustment 26 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (Section 610 Review) ...                                                  0648–BE68
                                                      229 ....................     Pacific Coast Groundfish Trawl Rationalization Program—Midwater Trawl Fishery Season Date Change                                                      0648–BE72
                                                                                      (Section 610 Review).
                                                      230   ....................   Framework Adjustment 53 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (Section 610 Review)                                                    0648–BE75
                                                      231   ....................   2015–2016 Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Quotas ........................................................................................................       0648–BE81
                                                      232   ....................   Revision of Hawaiian Monk Seal Critical Habitat .............................................................................................         0648–BA81
                                                      233   ....................   2015 Annual Determination to Implement the Sea Turtle Observer Requirement ..........................................                                 0648–BE35
                                                      234   ....................   Amendment to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan ......................................................................                      0648–BE83



                                                      DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)                                         pays to a market economy supplier                                 the Department is announcing its
                                                                                                                           when a factor of production is                                    definition of substantially all to be 85
                                                      International Trade Administration
                                                      (ITA)                                                                purchased from a market economy                                   percent of the total purchased volume of
                                                                                                                           supplier and paid for in market                                   the particular input.
                                                      Completed Actions                                                    economy currency, in the calculation of                             Timetable:
                                                      170. • Antidumping Methodologies:                                    normal value (NV) in antidumping
                                                      Market Economy Inputs                                                proceedings involving NME countries.                                       Action                 Date         FR Cite
                                                                                                                           The rule, if adopted, would establish (1)
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                        Legal Authority: 19 U.S.C. 1202 note;                              a requirement that the input at issue be                          NPRM ..................       06/28/12    77 FR 38553
                                                      19 U.S.C. 1303 note; 19 U.S.C. 1671 et                               produced in one or more market                                    NPRM Comment                  07/30/12
                                                      seq.; 19 U.S.C. 3538; 5 U.S.C. 301                                   economy countries, and (2) a revised                                Period End.
                                                        Abstract: The Department of                                        threshold requiring that substantially all                        Final Action .........        08/02/13    78 FR 46799
                                                      Commerce (Department) amends its                                     of an input be purchased from one or                              Final Action Effec-           09/03/13
                                                                                                                           more market economy suppliers before                                tive.
                                                      regulations to modify its regulation
                                                      which states that the Department                                     the Department would use the purchase
                                                      normally will use the price that a                                   price paid to value the entire factor of                            Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
                                                      nonmarket economy (NME) producer                                     production. Through this modification,                            Required: Yes.


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                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 240 / Tuesday, December 15, 2015 / Unified Agenda                                             77931

                                                         Agency Contact: Scott McBride,                           Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                       Fishery Management Plans (Spiny
                                                      Department of Commerce, International                     Required: Yes.                                          Lobster, Reef Fish, Coral, and Queen
                                                      Trade Administration, 14th &                                Agency Contact: Alan Risenhoover,                     Conch Fishery Management Plans) as
                                                      Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington,                      Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,              those measures pertain to St. Croix
                                                      DC 20230, Phone: 202 482–6292, Fax:                       Department of Commerce, National                        exclusive economic zone waters. The
                                                      202 482–4912, Email: scott_mcbride@                       Oceanic and Atmospheric                                 goal of this action is to create a Fishery
                                                      ita.doc.gov.                                              Administration, Room 13362, 1315                        Management Plan tailored to the
                                                         RIN: 0625–AA89                                         East–West Highway, Silver Spring, MD                    specific fishery management needs of
                                                                                                                20910, Phone: 301 713–2334, Fax: 301                    St. Croix. If approved, this new St. Croix
                                                                                                                713–0596, Email: alan.risenhoover@                      Fishery Management Plan, in
                                                      DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)                              noaa.gov.                                               conjunction with similar comprehensive
                                                                                                                  RIN: 0648–BD22                                        Fishery Management Plans being
                                                      National Oceanic and Atmospheric                                                                                  developed for Puerto Rico and St.
                                                      Administration (NOAA)                                     172. Comprehensive Fishery
                                                                                                                Management Plan for Puerto Rico                         Thomas/St. John, will replace the Spiny
                                                      Proposed Rule Stage                                                                                               Lobster, Reef Fish, Coral and Queen
                                                                                                                  Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.               Conch Fishery Management Plans
                                                      National Marine Fisheries Service                           Abstract: This comprehensive Puerto                   presently governing the commercial and
                                                      171. Amendment 5B to the Highly                           Rico Fishery Management Plan will                       recreational harvest in U.S. Caribbean
                                                      Migratory Species Fishery Management                      incorporate, and modify as needed,                      exclusive economic zone waters.
                                                      Plan                                                      federal fisheries management measures                     Timetable:
                                                                                                                presently included in each of the
                                                         Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et                     existing species-based U.S. Caribbean                            Action            Date      FR Cite
                                                      seq.; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.                               Fishery Management Plans (Spiny
                                                         Abstract: This rulemaking would                        Lobster, Reef Fish, Coral, and Queen                    NPRM ..................   09/00/16
                                                      propose management measures for                           Conch Fishery Management Plans) as
                                                      dusky sharks based on a recent stock                                                                                Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
                                                                                                                those measures pertain to Puerto Rico
                                                      assessment, taking into consideration
                                                                                                                exclusive economic zone waters. The                     Required: Yes.
                                                      comments received on the proposed
                                                                                                                goal of this action is to create a Fishery                Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree,
                                                      rule and Amendment 5 to the 2006
                                                                                                                Management Plan tailored to the                         Regional Administrator, Southeast
                                                      Consolidated Highly Migratory Species
                                                                                                                specific fishery management needs of                    Region, Department of Commerce,
                                                      Fishery Management Plan. This
                                                                                                                Puerto Rico. If approved, this new                      National Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                      rulemaking could consider a range of
                                                                                                                Puerto Rico Fishery Management Plan,                    Administration, 263 13th Avenue
                                                      commercial and recreational
                                                                                                                in conjunction with similar                             South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone:
                                                      management measures in both directed
                                                                                                                comprehensive Fishery Management                        727 824–5305, Fax: 727 824–5308,
                                                      and incidental shark fisheries including,
                                                      among other things, gear modifications,                   Plans being developed for St. Croix and                 Email: roy.crabtree@noaa.gov.
                                                      time/area closures, permitting, shark                     St. Thomas/St. John, will replace the                     RIN: 0648–BD33
                                                      identification requirements, and                          Spiny Lobster, Reef Fish, Coral and
                                                                                                                Queen Conch Fishery Management                          174. Comprehensive Fishery
                                                      reporting requirements. NMFS                                                                                      Management Plan for St. Thomas/St.
                                                      determined dusky sharks are still                         Plans presently governing the
                                                                                                                commercial and recreational harvest in                  John
                                                      overfished and still experiencing
                                                      overfishing and originally proposed                       U.S. Caribbean exclusive economic zone                     Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
                                                      management measures to end                                waters.                                                    Abstract: This comprehensive St.
                                                      overfishing and rebuild dusky sharks in                     Timetable:                                            Thomas/St. John Fishery Management
                                                      a proposed rule for Draft Amendment 5                                                                             Plan will incorporate, and modify as
                                                                                                                       Action                 Date         FR Cite
                                                      to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic                                                                                 needed, federal fisheries management
                                                      Highly Migratory Species Fishery                          NPRM ..................   09/00/16                      measures presently included in each of
                                                      Management Plan. That proposed rule                                                                               the existing species-based U.S.
                                                      also contained management measures                          Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                       Caribbean Fishery Management Plans
                                                      for scalloped hammerhead, sandbar,                        Required: Yes.                                          (Spiny Lobster, Reef Fish, Coral, and
                                                      blacknose and Gulf of Mexico blacktip                       Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree,                      Queen Conch Fishery Management
                                                      sharks. NMFS decided to move forward                      Regional Administrator, Southeast                       Plans) as those measures pertain to St.
                                                      with Draft Amendment 5’s management                       Region, Department of Commerce,                         Thomas/St. John exclusive economic
                                                      measures for scalloped hammerhead,                        National Oceanic and Atmospheric                        zone waters. The goal of this action is
                                                      sandbar, blacknose and Gulf of Mexico                     Administration, 263 13th Avenue                         to create a Fishery Management Plan
                                                      blacktip sharks in a final rule and final                 South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone:                 tailored to the specific fishery
                                                      amendment that will now be referred to                    727 824–5305, Fax: 727 824–5308,                        management needs of St. Thomas/St.
                                                      as ‘‘Amendment 5a’’ to the 2006                           Email: roy.crabtree@noaa.gov.                           John. If approved, this new St. Thomas/
                                                      Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory                      RIN: 0648–BD32                                        St. John Fishery Management Plan, in
                                                      Species Fishery Management Plan.                                                                                  conjunction with similar comprehensive
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                      Dusky shark management measures will                      173. Comprehensive Fishery                              Fishery Management Plans being
                                                      be addressed in this separate, but                        Management Plan for St. Croix                           developed for St. Croix and Puerto Rico,
                                                      related, action and will be referred to as                  Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.               will replace the Spiny Lobster, Reef
                                                      ‘‘Amendment 5b.’’                                           Abstract: This comprehensive St.                      Fish, Coral and Queen Conch Fishery
                                                         Timetable:                                             Croix Fishery Management Plan will                      Management Plans presently governing
                                                                                                                incorporate, and modify as needed,                      the commercial and recreational harvest
                                                             Action                Date          FR Cite        federal fisheries management measures                   in U.S. Caribbean exclusive economic
                                                                                                                presently included in each of the                       zone waters.
                                                      NPRM ..................     03/00/16
                                                                                                                existing species-based U.S. Caribbean                      Timetable:


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                                                      77932                     Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 240 / Tuesday, December 15, 2015 / Unified Agenda

                                                             Action                Date          FR Cite          Agency Contact: William Stelle Jr.,                   and wahoo in the U.S. EEZ. The need
                                                                                                                Regional Administrator, West Coast                      for this action is to increase economic
                                                      NPRM ..................     09/00/16                      Region, Department of Commerce,                         and social benefits to fishermen by
                                                                                                                National Oceanic and Atmospheric                        removing unnecessary restrictions and
                                                        Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                         Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way                     implementing regulations for dolphin
                                                      Required: Yes.                                            Northeast, Building 1, Seattle, WA                      and wahoo that are consistent with
                                                        Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree,                        98115, Phone: 206 526–6150, Email:                      snapper grouper species.
                                                      Regional Administrator, Southeast                         will.stelle@noaa.gov.                                     Timetable:
                                                      Region, Department of Commerce,                             RIN: 0648–BD59
                                                      National Oceanic and Atmospheric                                                                                           Action            Date      FR Cite
                                                      Administration, 263 13th Avenue                           176. Amendment 28 to the Fishery
                                                      South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone:                   Management Plan for the Reef Fish                       NPRM ..................   11/00/15
                                                      727 824–5305, Fax: 727 824–5308,                          Resources of the Gulf of Mexico
                                                                                                                (Section 610 Review)                                      Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
                                                      Email: roy.crabtree@noaa.gov.
                                                        RIN: 0648–BD34                                                                                                  Required: Yes.
                                                                                                                   Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.                Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree,
                                                                                                                   Abstract: The current allocation of red              Regional Administrator, Southeast
                                                      175. Implementation of a Program for
                                                                                                                snapper between the commercial and                      Region, Department of Commerce,
                                                      Transshipments by Large Scale Fishing
                                                                                                                recreational sectors is 51:49 percent,                  National Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                      Vessels in the Eastern Pacific Ocean
                                                                                                                respectively. The Gulf of Mexico                        Administration, 263 13th Avenue
                                                         Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 951 et seq.;                Fishery Management Council (Council)
                                                      16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.                                                                                             South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone:
                                                                                                                is considering a change in the allocation               727 824–5305, Fax: 727 824–5308,
                                                         Abstract: This rule would implement                    with the aim of increasing the net
                                                      the Inter-American Tropical Tuna                                                                                  Email: roy.crabtree@noaa.gov.
                                                                                                                benefits from red snapper fishing and                     RIN: 0648–BD76
                                                      Commission program to monitor                             increasing the stability of the red
                                                      transshipments by large-scale tuna                        snapper recreational component of the                   178. Regulatory Amendment 16 to the
                                                      fishing vessels, and would govern                         reef fish fishery. The rule will consider               Fishery Management Plan for the
                                                      transshipments by U.S. large-scale tuna                   options that would increase the                         Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South
                                                      fishing vessels and carrier, or receiving,                recreational sector’s allocation above 49               Atlantic Region
                                                      vessels. The rule would establish:                        percent.                                                   Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
                                                      criteria for transshipping in port; criteria                 Timetable:                                              Abstract: Regulatory Amendment 16
                                                      for transshipping at sea by longline                                                                              contains an action to address the
                                                      vessels to an authorized carrier vessel                          Action                 Date         FR Cite      prohibition on the use of black sea bass
                                                      with an Inter-American Tropical Tuna                                                                              pots annually from November 1 through
                                                      Commission observer onboard and an                        NPRM ..................   12/00/15
                                                                                                                                                                        April 30 that was implemented through
                                                      operational vessel monitoring system;                                                                             Regulatory Amendment 19. The
                                                      and require the Pacific Transshipment                       Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
                                                                                                                                                                        prohibition was a precautionary
                                                      Declaration Form, which must be used                      Required: Yes.
                                                                                                                                                                        measure to prevent interactions between
                                                      to report transshipments in the Inter-                      Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree,
                                                                                                                                                                        black sea bass pot gear and whales listed
                                                      American Tropical Tuna Commission                         Regional Administrator, Southeast
                                                                                                                                                                        under the Endangered Species Act
                                                      Convention Area. The rule is neither                      Region, Department of Commerce,
                                                                                                                                                                        during large whale migrations and the
                                                      applicable to troll and pole-and-line                     National Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                                                                                                                                        right whale calving season off the
                                                      vessels, nor to vessels that transship                    Administration, 263 13th Avenue
                                                                                                                                                                        southeastern coast. The South Atlantic
                                                      fresh fish at sea. The frequency of                       South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone:
                                                                                                                                                                        Fishery Management Council, through
                                                      transshipments in the Eastern Pacific                     727 824–5305, Fax: 727 824–5308,
                                                                                                                                                                        Regulatory Amendment 16, is
                                                      Ocean is uncertain, but only a few                        Email: roy.crabtree@noaa.gov.
                                                                                                                                                                        considering removal of the closure,
                                                      transshipments are expected annually.                       RIN: 0648–BD68
                                                                                                                                                                        changing the length of the closure, and
                                                      A similar rule was adopted in the                         177. Amendment 7 to the FMP for the                     changing the area of the closure. The
                                                      Western and Central Pacific Ocean and                     Dolphin Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic                   goal is to minimize adverse socio-
                                                      the National Marine Fisheries Service                     and Amendment 33 to the FMP for the                     economic impacts to black sea bass pot
                                                      calculated that an average of twenty-                     Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South                    endorsement holders while maintaining
                                                      four at-sea transshipments of fish caught                 Atlantic                                                protection for Endangered Species Act-
                                                      by longline gear there have occurred                                                                              listed whales in the South Atlantic
                                                      annually from 1993 through 2009.                             Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
                                                                                                                   Abstract: The purpose of Amendment                   region.
                                                      Transshipments in the Eastern Pacific                                                                                Timetable:
                                                      Ocean are likely to be much less than                     7 to the Fishery Management Plan for
                                                      twenty-four per year. This rule is                        the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the                             Action            Date      FR Cite
                                                      necessary for the United States to satisfy                Atlantic is to allow fishermen to bring
                                                      its international obligations under the                   dolphin and wahoo fillets from The                      NPRM ..................   02/00/16
                                                      1949 Convention for the Establishment                     Commonwealth of The Bahamas into
                                                                                                                the U.S. Economic Exclusive Zone                          Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                      of an Inter-American Tropical Tuna, to
                                                      which it is a Contracting Party.                          (EEZ). Regulations at 50 CFR 622.186(b)                 Required: Yes.
                                                         Timetable:                                             currently allows fillets of snapper                       Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree,
                                                                                                                grouper species from The Bahamas to be                  Regional Administrator, Southeast
                                                             Action                Date          FR Cite        brought into the U.S. EEZ. Additionally,                Region, Department of Commerce,
                                                                                                                regulations would be updated for                        National Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                      NPRM ..................     01/00/16                      snapper grouper species and dolphin                     Administration, 263 13th Avenue
                                                                                                                and wahoo to require all fillets to have                South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone:
                                                        Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                         the skin intact; and consider an                        727 824–5305, Fax: 727 824–5308,
                                                      Required: Yes.                                            exemption from bag limits for dolphin                   Email: roy.crabtree@noaa.gov.


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                                                                                  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 240 / Tuesday, December 15, 2015 / Unified Agenda                                            77933

                                                         RIN: 0648–BD78                                          recommending multi-year Acceptable                        Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree,
                                                                                                                 Biological Catches; and (2) make all of                 Regional Administrator, Southeast
                                                      179. Generic Accountability Measure
                                                                                                                 the Council’s fishery management plans                  Region, Department of Commerce,
                                                      and Dolphin Allocation Amendment for
                                                                                                                 consistent in allowing new status                       National Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                      the South Atlantic Region
                                                                                                                 determination criteria (overfishing                     Administration, 263 13th Avenue
                                                         Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.                 definitions, etc.) to be accepted as the                South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone:
                                                         Abstract: The action would include                      best available scientific information.                  727 824–5305, Fax: 727 824–5308,
                                                      Amendment 34 to the Fishery                                  Timetable:                                            Email: roy.crabtree@noaa.gov.
                                                      Management Plan (FMP) for the                                                                                        RIN: 0648–BE70
                                                      Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South                              Action                 Date         FR Cite
                                                      Atlantic Region, Amendment 9 to the                                                                                182. Modification of the Temperature–
                                                      FMP for the Golden Crab Fishery of the                     NPRM ..................   11/00/15                      Dependent Component of the Pacific
                                                      South Atlantic Region, and Amendment                                                                               Sardine Harvest Guideline Control Rule
                                                                                                                   Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                       to Incorporate New Scientific
                                                      8 to the FMP for the Dolphin-Wahoo                         Required: Yes.
                                                      Fishery of the Atlantic. Currently, there                                                                          Information
                                                                                                                   Agency Contact: John K. Bullard,
                                                      are inconsistent accountability measures                   Regional Administrator, Greater Atlantic                  Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
                                                      for federally-managed species in the                       Region, Department of Commerce,                           Abstract: Pursuant to a
                                                      South Atlantic, except for inseason                        National Oceanic and Atmospheric                        recommendation of the Pacific Fishery
                                                      closures of the commercial sector when                     Administration, 55 Great Republic                       Management Council (Council) under
                                                      a commercial annual catch limit is met                     Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930, Phone:                     the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the National
                                                      or projected to be met. Therefore,                         978 281–9287, Email: john.bullard@                      Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is
                                                      Amendment 34 and Amendment 9                               noaa.gov.                                               proposing to use a new temperature
                                                      would propose modifications to                               RIN: 0648–BE65                                        index to calculate the temperature
                                                      accountability measures for snapper-                                                                               parameter of the Pacific sardine harvest
                                                      grouper species and golden crab to                         181. Amendment 35 to the Fishery                        guideline control rule under the Fishery
                                                      create a more consistent regulatory                        Management Plan for the Snapper                         Management Plan. The harvest
                                                      environment while ensuring overfishing                     Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic                   guideline control rule, in conjunction
                                                      does not occur. Amendment 8 would                          Region                                                  with the overfishing limit and
                                                      consider alternatives to modify sector                       Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.               acceptable biological catch control
                                                      allocations for dolphin. The current                         Abstract: Amendment 35 would                          rules, is used to set annual harvest
                                                      method for determining allocations is                      consider removing black snapper, dog                    levels for Pacific sardine. The
                                                      based on a time series of data from                        snapper, mahogany snapper, and                          temperature parameter is calculated
                                                      1999–2008. Dolphin landings data                           schoolmaster from the Fishery                           annually. NMFS determined that a new
                                                      starting from 1986 are available, and the                  Management Plan for the Snapper-                        temperature index is more statistically
                                                      South Atlantic Fishery Management                          Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic                   sound and this action will adopt that
                                                      Council is reexamining the sector                          Region because these species have                       index. This action also will revise the
                                                      allocations based on this expanded                         extremely low commercial landings in                    upper temperature limit to allow for
                                                      times series of data.                                      state and Federal waters. Almost all                    additional sardine harvest where prior
                                                         Timetable:                                              harvest (recreational and commercial)                   guidelines set catch unnecessarily low.
                                                                                                                 occurs in South Florida, and the Florida                  Timetable:
                                                              Action                 Date         FR Cite        Fish and Wildlife Conservation
                                                                                                                 Commission has agreed that if the four                           Action            Date      FR Cite
                                                      Notice ..................     07/15/15   80 FR 41472       species are removed from the Fishery
                                                      NPRM ..................       11/00/15                     Management Plan for the Snapper-                        NPRM ..................   11/00/15
                                                      Final Action .........        12/00/16
                                                                                                                 Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic
                                                                                                                 Region they will extend state                             Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
                                                        Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                                                                                  Required: Yes.
                                                                                                                 regulations for those species into
                                                      Required: Yes.                                                                                                       Agency Contact: William Stelle Jr.,
                                                                                                                 Federal waters. Additionally, the South
                                                        Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree,                                                                                 Regional Administrator, West Coast
                                                                                                                 Atlantic Fishery Management Council
                                                      Regional Administrator, Southeast                                                                                  Region, Department of Commerce,
                                                                                                                 (Council) desires consistent regulations
                                                      Region, Department of Commerce,                                                                                    National Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                                                                                 for snapper-grouper species caught
                                                      National Oceanic and Atmospheric                                                                                   Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way
                                                                                                                 primarily in South Florida. Removing
                                                      Administration, 263 13th Avenue                                                                                    Northeast, Building 1, Seattle, WA
                                                                                                                 the four subject species would establish
                                                      South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone:                                                                            98115, Phone: 206 526–6150, Email:
                                                                                                                 a consistent regulatory environment in
                                                      727 824–5305, Fax: 727 824–5308,                                                                                   will.stelle@noaa.gov.
                                                                                                                 Federal and state waters off southern
                                                      Email: roy.crabtree@noaa.gov.                                                                                        RIN: 0648–BE77
                                                                                                                 Florida where they are most frequently
                                                        RIN: 0648–BE38
                                                                                                                 encountered. Amendment 35 would                         183. Amendment 44 to the Fishery
                                                      180. Omnibus Acceptable Biological                         also clarify in accordance with the                     Management Plan for Bering Sea/
                                                      Catch Framework Adjustment                                 Council’s intent regulations governing                  Aleutian Islands King and Tanner
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                         Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.                 use of golden tilefish longline                         Crabs To Modify Right of First Refusal
                                                         Abstract: This action would make two                    endorsements.                                           Provisions of the Crab Rationalization
                                                                                                                   Timetable:                                            Program
                                                      administrative adjustments to the Mid-
                                                      Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s                             Action                 Date         FR Cite        Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1862 et
                                                      (Council) Omnibus Annual Catch Limit                                                                               seq.; Pub. L. 109–241; Pub. L. 109–479
                                                      Amendment: (1) Adjust the Council’s                        NPRM ..................   11/00/15                        Abstract: This rule would amend the
                                                      risk policy so that the Scientific and                                                                             Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab
                                                      Statistical Committee may apply an                           Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                       Rationalization Program through two
                                                      average probability of overfishing when                    Required: Yes.                                          actions intended to benefit eligible crab


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                                                      77934                     Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 240 / Tuesday, December 15, 2015 / Unified Agenda

                                                      communities by enhancing                                  978 281–9287, Email: john.bullard@                      co-chaired by the Departments of
                                                      opportunities to retain community                         noaa.gov.                                               Commerce and State, published its
                                                      historical processing interests in the                      RIN: 0648–BF01                                        action plan to implement Task Force
                                                      Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands crab                                                                              recommendations for a comprehensive
                                                                                                                185. • Amendment 109 to the Fishery
                                                      fisheries. The action would modify the                                                                            framework of integrated programs to
                                                                                                                Management Plan for Groundfish of the
                                                      right of first refusal provisions that                                                                            combat illegal, unreported, and
                                                                                                                BSAI To Facilitate Development of
                                                      provide eligible crab community entities                                                                          unregulated fishing and seafood fraud.
                                                                                                                Groundfish Fisheries for Small Vessels
                                                      with the opportunity to purchase                                                                                  The plan identifies actions that will
                                                                                                                in the Western Alaska Community
                                                      processor quota shares and other                                                                                  strengthen enforcement, create and
                                                      associated assets proposed for sale. The                  Development Quota Program
                                                                                                                                                                        expand partnerships with state and
                                                      first action would affect about 21                           Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.              local governments, industry, and non-
                                                      processor quota shareholders. The rule                       Abstract: This action would amend                    governmental organizations, and create
                                                      would require all persons holding                         the Fishery Management Plan for                         a traceability program to track seafood
                                                      processor quota share to provide annual                   Groundfish of the Bering Sea and                        from harvest to entry into U.S.
                                                      notification to NMFS regarding the                        Aleutian Islands Management Area and                    commerce, including the use of existing
                                                      status of the right of first refusal for all              revise regulations governing the                        traceability mechanisms. As part of that
                                                      processor quota share holdings. The                       groundfish and halibut fisheries                        plan, NMFS proposes regulatory
                                                      second action would amend regulations                     managed under the Western Alaska                        changes to improve the administration
                                                      to separate the combined individual                       Community Development Quota                             of the MSA prohibition on the entry into
                                                      fishing quota/individual processor                        Program in order to support increased                   interstate or foreign commerce of any
                                                      quota application into two applications,                  participation in the groundfish                         fish taken in violation of any foreign law
                                                      and revise reporting requirements for                     Community Development Quota                             or regulation. The proposed rule
                                                      crab cooperatives.                                        fisheries (primarily Pacific cod) by                    includes adjustments to permitting and
                                                         Timetable:                                             catcher vessels less than or equal to 46                reporting requirements to provide for
                                                                                                                feet (14.0 m) length overall using hook-                traceability of seafood products offered
                                                             Action                Date          FR Cite        and-line gear. This action is necessary to              for entry into the U.S. supply chain, and
                                                                                                                promote the goals of the Community                      to ensure that these products were
                                                      NPRM ..................     11/00/15
                                                                                                                Development Quota Program, to                           lawfully acquired. Requirements for an
                                                                                                                increase participation by residents of                  international trade permit and reporting
                                                        Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
                                                                                                                Community Development Quota                             on the origin of certain imported or
                                                      Required: Yes.
                                                        Agency Contact: James Balsiger,                         communities in the Bering Sea and                       exported fishery products were
                                                      Regional Administrator, Alaska Region,                    Aleutian Islands Management Area                        previously established by regulations
                                                      Department of Commerce, National                          groundfish and halibut fisheries, and to                applicable to a number of specified
                                                      Oceanic and Atmospheric                                   support economic development in                         fishery products. This rulemaking
                                                      Administration, 709 West Ninth Street,                    western Alaska. This action would                       would extend those existing permitting
                                                      Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 586–                         benefit the six Community Development                   and reporting requirements to
                                                      7221, Fax: 907 586–7465, Email:                           Quota groups and the operators of the                   additional fish species and seafood
                                                      jim.balsiger@noaa.gov                                     small catcher vessels that the                          products. It is anticipated that these
                                                        RIN: 0648–BE98                                          Community Development Quota groups                      changes will not significantly affect
                                                                                                                authorize to fish on their behalf by                    current levels of trade in seafood
                                                      184. • Reductions in Fishing Capacity                     reducing the costs of participating in the              products nor activity by U.S. importers
                                                      for Lobster Management Areas 2 and 3                      groundfish and halibut Community                        and exporters issued Fisheries
                                                         Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.                Development Quota fisheries.                            International Trade permits.
                                                         Abstract: This action proposes several                    Timetable:                                              Timetable:
                                                      reductions in fishing capacity for
                                                      Lobster Management Areas 2 and 3. The                            Action                 Date         FR Cite               Action            Date      FR Cite
                                                      proposed measures include: Caps on the
                                                                                                                NPRM ..................   12/00/15
                                                      number of traps that can be actively                                                                              NPRM ..................   12/00/15
                                                      fished; caps on the number of traps                                                                               Final Action .........    08/00/16
                                                                                                                  Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
                                                      associated with a permit (i.e., allowing
                                                                                                                Required: Yes.
                                                      trap banking); and caps on the number                                                                               Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
                                                                                                                  Agency Contact: James Balsiger,
                                                      of traps or permits issued to a given                                                                             Required: Yes.
                                                                                                                Regional Administrator, Alaska Region,
                                                      owner. This action is intended to assist                                                                            Agency Contact: John Henderschedt,
                                                                                                                Department of Commerce, National
                                                      in rebuilding the Southern New England                                                                            Director, Office for International Affairs
                                                                                                                Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                      lobster stock.                                                                                                    and Seafood Inspection, Department of
                                                         Timetable:                                             Administration, 709 West Ninth Street,
                                                                                                                Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 586–                       Commerce, National Oceanic and
                                                                                                                7221, Fax: 907 586–7465, Email:                         Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East
                                                             Action                Date          FR Cite                                                                West Highway, Room 10362, Silver
                                                                                                                jim.balsiger@noaa.gov.
                                                      NPRM ..................     02/00/16                        RIN: 0648–BF05                                        Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 427–
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                                                                                                                                        8314, Email: john.henderschedt@
                                                        Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                         186. • Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries                       noaa.gov.
                                                      Required: Yes.                                            Conservation and Management Act;                          RIN: 0648–BF09
                                                        Agency Contact: John K. Bullard,                        Seafood Import Monitoring Program
                                                                                                                                                                        187. • Pacific Coast Groundfish Trawl
                                                      Regional Administrator, Greater Atlantic                     Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1857(1)(Q)                Rationalization Program; Widow
                                                      Region, Department of Commerce,                              Abstract: On March 15, 2015, the
                                                                                                                                                                        Rockfish Reallocation in the Individual
                                                      National Oceanic and Atmospheric                          Presidential Task Force on Combating
                                                                                                                                                                        Fishing Quota Fishery
                                                      Administration, 55 Great Republic                         Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated
                                                      Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930, Phone:                       Fishing and Seafood Fraud (Task Force),                    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.


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                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 240 / Tuesday, December 15, 2015 / Unified Agenda                                             77935

                                                         Abstract: In January 2011, NMFS                               Action                 Date         FR Cite      managed under two different programs,
                                                      implemented the groundfish trawl                                                                                  which have led to inefficiencies and do
                                                      rationalization program (a catch share                    NPRM ..................   11/00/15                      not allow the pollock fishery the
                                                      program) for the Pacific coast                                                                                    flexibility to modify their harvest
                                                      groundfish limited entry trawl fishery.                     Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                       patterns and practices to effectively
                                                      The program was implemented through                       Required: Yes.                                          minimize both Chinook and chum
                                                      Amendments 20 and 21 to the Pacific                         Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree,                      salmon bycatch. This regulation would
                                                      Coast Groundfish Fishery Management                       Regional Administrator, Southeast                       make salmon bycatch management more
                                                      Plan and the corresponding                                Region, Department of Commerce,                         effective, comprehensive, and efficient
                                                      implementing regulations. Amendment                       National Oceanic and Atmospheric                        by increasing flexibility to respond to
                                                      20 established the trawl rationalization                  Administration, 263 13th Avenue                         changing conditions and providing
                                                      program, which includes an Individual                     South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone:                 greater incentives to reduce bycatch of
                                                      Fishing Quota program for limited entry                   727 824–5305, Fax: 727 824–5308,                        both salmon species. This regulation
                                                      trawl participants, and Amendment 21                      Email: roy.crabtree@noaa.gov                            would provide the flexibility to harvest
                                                      established fixed allocations for limited                   RIN: 0648–BF14                                        pollock in times and places that best
                                                      entry trawl participants. During                          189. • Framework Amendment to the                       achieve salmon avoidance and to adapt
                                                      implementation of the trawl individual                    Fishery Management Plan for the Reef                    to changing conditions quickly.
                                                      fishing quota program, widow rockfish                     Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico To                    Timetable:
                                                      was overfished and the initial                            Modify Greater Amberjack Allowable
                                                      allocations were based on its overfished                                                                                   Action            Date      FR Cite
                                                                                                                Harvest and Management Measures
                                                      status and management as a non-target
                                                                                                                   Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.              NPRM ..................   12/00/15
                                                      species. NMFS declared the widow
                                                      rockfish rebuilt in 2011 and,                                Abstract: This action is intended to
                                                                                                                end overfishing and rebuild the Gulf of                   Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
                                                      accordingly, the Pacific Fishery
                                                                                                                Mexico greater amberjack stock; a 2014                  Required: Yes.
                                                      Management Council has now                                                                                          Agency Contact: James Balsiger,
                                                      recommended actions to manage the                         stock assessment indicated the Gulf of
                                                                                                                Mexico greater amberjack stock remains                  Regional Administrator, Alaska Region,
                                                      increased abundance of widow rockfish.                                                                            Department of Commerce, National
                                                      The proposed action would reallocate                      overfished and is undergoing
                                                                                                                overfishing. Allowable harvest will be                  Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                      individual fishing quota widow rockfish                                                                           Administration, 709 West Ninth Street,
                                                      quota share to facilitate directed harvest                reduced and will remain constant until
                                                                                                                changed based on new information. To                    Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 586–
                                                      and would lift the moratorium on                                                                                  7221, Fax: 907 586–7465, Email:
                                                      widow rockfish quota share trading.                       better constrain catches to the allowable
                                                                                                                harvest levels, the recreational                        jim.balsiger@noaa.gov.
                                                         Timetable:                                                                                                       RIN: 0648–BF25
                                                                                                                minimum size limit will be increased
                                                             Action                Date          FR Cite        from 30 inches fork length to 34 inches                 191. • Amendment 18 to the Northeast
                                                                                                                fork length, and the commercial trip                    Multispecies Fishery Management Plan
                                                      NPRM ..................     11/00/15                      limit will be reduced from 1,923 pounds                 (Section 610 Review)
                                                                                                                gutted weight to 1,500 pounds gutted
                                                                                                                                                                           Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
                                                        Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                         weight.                                                    Abstract: Amendment 18 to the
                                                      Required: Yes.                                               Timetable:                                           Northeast Multispecies Fishery
                                                        Agency Contact: William Stelle Jr.,                                                                             Management Plan would make
                                                      Regional Administrator, West Coast                               Action                 Date         FR Cite
                                                                                                                                                                        necessary minor administrative
                                                      Region, Department of Commerce,                                                                                   adjustments to several groundfish
                                                                                                                NPRM ..................   11/00/15
                                                      National Oceanic and Atmospheric                          Final Action .........    12/00/15                      sectors, as well as minor adjustments to
                                                      Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way                                                                               fishing activity designed to protect
                                                      Northeast, Building 1, Seattle, WA                          Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                       fishery resources while maximizing
                                                      98115, Phone: 206 526–6150, Email:                        Required: Yes.                                          flexibility and efficiency. Specifically, it
                                                      will.stelle@noaa.gov.                                       Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree,                      would include the following
                                                        RIN: 0648–BF12                                          Regional Administrator, Southeast                       management measures: Creating an
                                                      188. • Framework Amendment 3 to the                       Region, Department of Commerce,                         accumulation limit for either the
                                                      Fishery Management Plan for the                           National Oceanic and Atmospheric                        holdings of Potential Sector
                                                      Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of                    Administration, 263 13th Avenue                         Contribution or of Northeast
                                                      the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region                    South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone:                 multispecies permits; creating a sub-
                                                                                                                727 824–5305, Fax: 727 824–5308,                        annual catch limit that Handgear A
                                                         Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.                Email: roy.crabtree@noaa.gov.                           permits could enroll in and other
                                                         Abstract: This rule would modify trip                    RIN: 0648–BF21                                        measures pertaining to fishing with
                                                      limits, accountability measures,                                                                                  Handgear A permits; adjusting what
                                                      electronic reporting requirements, and                    190. • Implementation of Salmon                         fishery data are considered confidential,
                                                      gillnet permit requirements for                           Bycatch Management Measures for the                     specifically the price of annual catch
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                      commercial king mackerel landed by                        Bering Sea Pollock Fishery                              entitlement transferred within a sector
                                                      gillnet in the Gulf of Mexico. The need                     Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.               or leased between sectors; establishing
                                                      for this proposed action is to increase                     Abstract: Regulatory Amendment 110                    an inshore/offshore boundary within the
                                                      efficiency, stability, and accountability,                would make substantive changes to the                   Gulf of Maine with associated measures,
                                                      and reduce the potential for regulatory                   management of salmon bycatch in the                     including creation of a Gulf of Maine
                                                      discards in the commercial king                           Bering Sea pollock fishery to minimize                  cod sub-annual catch limit, adjusting
                                                      mackerel gillnet component of the                         salmon bycatch in the pollock fishery to                the Gulf of Maine Gear Restricted Area
                                                      fishery.                                                  the extent practicable. Currently,                      boundary to align with the inshore/
                                                         Timetable:                                             Chinook and chum salmon bycatch are                     offshore boundary, and creating


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                                                      77936                     Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 240 / Tuesday, December 15, 2015 / Unified Agenda

                                                      declaration time periods for fishing in                   727 824–5305, Fax: 727 824–5308,                        727 824–5305, Fax: 727 824–5308,
                                                      the inshore or offshore areas; and                        Email: roy.crabtree@noaa.gov.                           Email: roy.crabtree@noaa.gov.
                                                      establishing a Redfish Exemption Area,                      RIN: 0648–BF33                                          RIN: 0648–AS65
                                                      in which vessels could fish with a
                                                                                                                                                                        194. Atlantic Highly Migratory Species;
                                                      smaller mesh net than the standard
                                                                                                                                                                        Future of the Atlantic Shark Fishery
                                                      mesh size, targeting redfish.                             DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)
                                                        Timetable:                                                                                                        Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et
                                                                                                                National Oceanic and Atmospheric                        seq.; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.
                                                             Action                Date          FR Cite        Administration (NOAA)                                     Abstract: The National Marine
                                                                                                                                                                        Fisheries Service is considering
                                                      NPRM ..................     12/00/15                      Final Rule Stage
                                                                                                                                                                        adjusting the regulations governing the
                                                                                                                National Marine Fisheries Service                       U.S. Atlantic shark fishery to address
                                                        Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
                                                                                                                193. Fishery Management Plan for                        current fishery issues and to identify
                                                      Required: Yes.
                                                        Agency Contact: John K. Bullard,                        Regulating Offshore Marine                              specific shark fishery goals for the
                                                      Regional Administrator, Greater Atlantic                  Aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico                       future. This action will consider
                                                      Region, Department of Commerce,                                                                                   potential changes to the quota and/or
                                                                                                                   Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.              permit structure that are currently in
                                                      National Oceanic and Atmospheric                             Abstract: The purpose of this fishery
                                                      Administration, 55 Great Republic                                                                                 place for the Atlantic shark fishery, and
                                                                                                                management plan is to develop a                         various catch share programs such as
                                                      Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930, Phone:                       regional permitting process for
                                                      978 281–9287, Email: john.bullard@                                                                                limited access privilege programs,
                                                                                                                regulating and promoting                                individual fishing quotas, and sectors
                                                      noaa.gov.                                                 environmentally sound and
                                                        RIN: 0648–BF26                                                                                                  for the Atlantic shark fishery.
                                                                                                                economically sustainable aquaculture in                   Timetable:
                                                      192. • Framework Amendment to the                         the Gulf of Mexico exclusive economic
                                                      Fishery Management Plan for the Reef                      zone. This fishery management plan                               Action              Date           FR Cite
                                                      Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico for                  consists of ten actions, each with an
                                                      Red Snapper Commercial Quota                              associated range of management                          ANPRM ...............       09/20/10   75 FR 57235
                                                      Retention for 2016                                        alternatives, which would facilitate the                ANPRM Comment               01/14/11
                                                                                                                permitting of an estimated 5 to 20                        Period End.
                                                         Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.                                                                        Notice ..................   05/27/14   79   FR   30064
                                                         Abstract: This action would provide                    offshore aquaculture operations in the
                                                                                                                                                                        NPRM ..................     01/20/15   80   FR   2648
                                                      the authority to withhold 4.9 percent of                  Gulf of Mexico over the next 10 years,
                                                                                                                                                                        Notice ..................   03/09/15   80   FR   12394
                                                      the 2016 red snapper commercial quota                     with an estimated annual production of                  Final Rule ............     08/18/15   80   FR   50073
                                                      prior to the annual distribution of                       up to 64 million pounds. By                             Final Rule Effec-           08/18/15
                                                      allocation to the Individual Fishing                      establishing a regional permitting                        tive.
                                                      Quota shareholders on January 1, 2016.                    process for aquaculture, the Gulf of                    Final Action—               11/00/15
                                                      This action is necessary to allow for the                 Mexico Fishery Management Council                         Next Stage Un-
                                                                                                                will be positioned to achieve their                       determined.
                                                      implementation of Reef Fish
                                                      Amendment 28 in early 2016.                               primary goal of increasing maximum
                                                                                                                sustainable yield and optimum yield of                    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
                                                      Amendment 28 increases the
                                                                                                                federal fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico                 Required: Yes.
                                                      recreational sectors allocation of the red
                                                                                                                by supplementing harvest of wild                          Agency Contact: Alan Risenhoover,
                                                      snapper total allowable catch and was
                                                                                                                caught species with cultured product.                   Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
                                                      approved by the Council at the August
                                                                                                                This rulemaking would outline a                         Department of Commerce, National
                                                      2015 meeting. However, it is unlikely
                                                                                                                regulatory permitting process for                       Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                      that NMFS will be able to implement
                                                                                                                aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico,                      Administration, Room 13362, 1315 East-
                                                      the reallocation until after the annual
                                                                                                                including: (1) Required permits; (2)                    West Highway, Silver Spring, MD
                                                      distribution on January 1. If
                                                                                                                duration of permits; (3) species allowed;               20910, Phone: 301 713–2334, Fax: 301
                                                      Amendment 28 is approved by the
                                                                                                                (4) designation of sites for aquaculture;               713–0596, Email: alan.risenhoover@
                                                      Secretary of Commerce, the 4.9 percent
                                                                                                                (5) reporting requirements; and (6)                     noaa.gov.
                                                      of the commercial quota would be
                                                                                                                regulations to aid in enforcement.                        RIN: 0648–BA17
                                                      transferred to the recreational sector. If
                                                      Amendment 28 is disapproved by the                           Timetable:                                           195. Implement the 2010 Shark
                                                      Secretary of Commerce, the 4.9 percent                                                                            Conservation Act Provisions and Other
                                                                                                                       Action                 Date         FR Cite
                                                      of the commercial quota would be                                                                                  Regulations in the Atlantic
                                                      distributed to the Individual Fishing                     Notice of Avail-          06/04/09     74 FR 26829      Smoothhound Shark Fishery
                                                      Quota shareholders.                                         ability.                                                Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
                                                         Timetable:                                             NPRM ..................   08/28/14     79 FR 26829        Abstract: This rule considers
                                                                                                                NPRM Comment              11/13/14     79 FR 67411
                                                             Action                Date          FR Cite          Period Re-
                                                                                                                                                                        implementing the provisions of the 2010
                                                                                                                  opened.                                               Shark Conservation Act and other
                                                      NPRM ..................     11/00/15                                                                              regulations in the Atlantic
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                                                                                Final Action .........    11/00/15
                                                                                                                                                                        Smoothhound Fishery (which includes
                                                        Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                           Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                       smooth dogfish and the Florida
                                                      Required: Yes.                                            Required: Yes.                                          smoothhound). Specifically, this action
                                                        Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree,                          Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree,                      would: (1) Modify regulations for
                                                      Regional Administrator, Southeast                         Regional Administrator, Southeast                       smooth dogfish as needed to be
                                                      Region, Department of Commerce,                           Region, Department of Commerce,                         consistent with the Shark Conservation
                                                      National Oceanic and Atmospheric                          National Oceanic and Atmospheric                        Act; (2) consider other management
                                                      Administration, 263 13th Avenue                           Administration, 263 13th Avenue                         measures, as needed, including the
                                                      South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone:                   South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone:                 Terms and Conditions of the


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                                                                                  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 240 / Tuesday, December 15, 2015 / Unified Agenda                                                     77937

                                                      Endangered Species Act Smoothhound                             Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                         Agency Contact: William Stelle Jr.,
                                                      Biological Opinion; and, (3) consider                        Required: Yes.                                          Regional Administrator, West Coast
                                                      revising the current smoothhound shark                         Agency Contact: Alan Risenhoover,                     Region, Department of Commerce,
                                                      quota based on updated catch data.                           Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,              National Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                        Timetable:                                                 Department of Commerce, National                        Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way
                                                                                                                   Oceanic and Atmospheric                                 Northeast, Building 1, Seattle, WA
                                                              Action                 Date           FR Cite        Administration, Room 13362, 1315 East-                  98115, Phone: 206 526–6150, Email:
                                                                                                                   West Highway, Silver Spring, MD                         will.stelle@noaa.gov.
                                                      NPRM ..................       08/07/14   79 FR 46217                                                                   RIN: 0648–BD54
                                                                                                                   20910, Phone: 301 713–2334, Fax: 301
                                                      NPRM Comment                  11/14/14
                                                        Period End.                                                713–0596, Email: alan.risenhoover@                      198. Amendment 8 to the Fishery
                                                      Final Action .........        11/00/15                       noaa.gov.                                               Management Plan for Coral, Coral
                                                                                                                     RIN: 0648–BC09                                        Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom Habitats
                                                        Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                            197. Implementation of the Inter–                       of the South Atlantic Region
                                                      Required: Yes.                                               American Tropical Tuna Commission
                                                        Agency Contact: Alan Risenhoover,                                                                                     Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
                                                                                                                   Resolution to Establish a Vessel                           Abstract: Coral Amendment 8
                                                      Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,                   Monitoring System Program in the
                                                      Department of Commerce, National                                                                                     modified the boundaries of the Oculina
                                                                                                                   Eastern Pacific Ocean                                   Bank Habitat Area of Particular
                                                      Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                      Administration, Room 13362, 1315 East-                          Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et                   Concern, the Stetson-Miami Terrace
                                                      West Highway, Silver Spring, MD                              seq.; 16 U.S.C. 951 et seq.                             Coral Habitat Area of Particular
                                                      20910, Phone: 301 713–2334, Fax: 301                            Abstract: This rule would implement                  Concern, and the Cape Lookout Coral
                                                      713–0596, Email: alan.risenhoover@                           the Inter-American Tropical Tuna                        Habitat Area of Particular Concern to
                                                      noaa.gov.                                                    Commissions Resolution intended to                      protect deepwater coral ecosystems. The
                                                        RIN: 0648–BB02                                             require owners and operators of tuna-                   amendment also implemented a transit
                                                                                                                   fishing vessels to have installed,                      provision through the Oculina Bank
                                                      196. Amendment 7 to the 2006                                 activate, carry and operate vessel                      Habitat Area of Particular Concern for
                                                      Consolidated Highly Migratory Species                        monitoring system units (also known as                  fishing vessels with rock shrimp
                                                      Fishery Management Plan                                      mobile transmitting units). This                        onboard.
                                                         Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et                        regulation would apply to owners and                       Timetable:
                                                      seq.; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.                                  operators of tuna-fishing vessels 24
                                                         Abstract: Amendment 7 focused on                          meters or more in length operating in                            Action              Date           FR Cite
                                                      bluefin tuna fishery management issues                       the eastern Pacific Ocean. The vessel                   Notice ..................   05/20/14   79   FR   28880
                                                      consistent with the need to end                              monitoring system units would have to                   NPRM ..................     06/03/14   79   FR   31907
                                                      overfishing and rebuild the stock.                           be type-approved and authorize the                      Correction ............     07/01/14   79   FR   37269
                                                      Measures in Amendment 7 addressed                            Inter-American Tropical Tuna                            Final Rule ............     07/17/15   80   FR   42423
                                                      several of the longstanding challenges                       Commission and National Marine                          Final Rule Correc-          08/04/15   80   FR   46205
                                                      facing the fishery and analyzed, among                       Fisheries Service to receive and relay                    tion.
                                                      other things, revisiting quota                               transmissions (also called position                     Final Rule Effec-           08/17/15
                                                      allocations; reducing and accounting for                     reports) from the vessel monitoring                       tive.
                                                                                                                                                                           Final Action—               12/00/15
                                                      dead discards; adding or modifying                           system unit. Vessel monitoring systems
                                                                                                                                                                             Next Stage Un-
                                                      time/area closures or gear-restricted                        may enhance the safety of some vessels                    determined.
                                                      areas; and improving the reporting and                       by allowing the vessels location to be
                                                      monitoring of dead discards and                              tracked, which could assist in rescue                     Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
                                                      landings in all categories.                                  efforts. This regulation would apply to                 Required: No.
                                                         Timetable:                                                commercial vessels and would not                          Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree,
                                                                                                                   apply to recreational or charter vessels.               Regional Administrator, Southeast
                                                              Action                 Date           FR Cite        This rule would apply to approximately                  Region, Department of Commerce,
                                                                                                                   seventy-four vessels; however, roughly                  National Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                      Notice ..................     04/23/12   77   FR   24161     thirty-eight of these vessels are already
                                                      Notice ..................     06/08/12   77   FR   34025                                                             Administration, 263 13th Avenue
                                                      NPRM ..................       08/21/13   78   FR   52032
                                                                                                                   subject to vessel monitoring system                     South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone:
                                                      NPRM Comment                  09/18/13   78   FR   57340     requirements under the Western and                      727 824–5305, Fax: 727 824–5308,
                                                        Period Ex-                                                 Central Pacific Fisheries Commission.                   Email: roy.crabtree@noaa.gov.
                                                        tended.                                                    Due to the relatively small number of                     RIN: 0648–BD81
                                                      Public Hearing .....          11/05/13   78 FR 66327         vessels affected, this rule is not
                                                      NPRM Comment                  12/11/13   78 FR 75327         expected to garner public opposition or                 199. Cost Recovery From Amendment
                                                        Period Re-                                                 congressional interest.                                 80, Community Development Quota
                                                        opened.                                                       Timetable:                                           Groundfish and Halibut, American
                                                      Public Hearing .....          12/26/13   78 FR 78322                                                                 Fisheries Act and Aleutian Islands
                                                      Final Rule ............       12/02/14   79 FR 71509                Action                 Date         FR Cite      Pollock, and the Freezer Longline
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                      Notice of Public              12/16/14   79 FR 74652                                                                 Coalition Pacific Cod Fisheries Man
                                                        Webinars.                                                  NPRM ..................   02/06/14     79 FR 7152
                                                      Final Rule ............       12/30/14   79 FR 78310         Correction ............   02/25/14     79 FR 10465        Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1862; Pub.
                                                      Final Rule ............       02/04/15   80 FR 5991          Proposed Rule ....        05/19/15     80 FR 28572      L. 109–241; Pub. L. 109–479
                                                      Final Rule Effec-             02/04/15                       Comment Period            06/18/15                        Abstract: The National Marine
                                                        tive.                                                        End.                                                  Fisheries Service proposes regulations
                                                      Notice ..................     05/07/15   80 FR 26196         Final Action .........    11/00/15                      to implement a limited access permit
                                                      Final Action-Next             11/00/15                                                                               program cost recovery fee for
                                                        Stage Undeter-
                                                        mined.                                                       Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                       Amendment 80, Western Alaska
                                                                                                                   Required: Yes.                                          Community Development Quota


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                                                      77938                     Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 240 / Tuesday, December 15, 2015 / Unified Agenda

                                                      groundfish and halibut, American                          action is necessary for the United States               Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 586–
                                                      Fisheries Act and Aleutian Islands                        to satisfy its obligations under the                    7221, Fax: 907 586–7465, Email:
                                                      Pollock, and the Pacific Cod Freezer                      Convention on the Conservation and                      jim.balsiger@noaa.gov.
                                                      Longline Coalition fisheries                              Management of Highly Migratory Fish                       RIN: 0648–BE85
                                                      management programs in the Bering Sea                     Stocks in the Western and Central                       202. Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishing
                                                      and Aleutian Islands. The purpose of                      Pacific Ocean, to which it is a                         Capacity Reduction Loan Refinance
                                                      this action is to comply with section                     Contracting Party.                                      (Section 610 Review)
                                                      304(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act,                         Timetable:
                                                      which authorizes and requires the                                                                                    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et
                                                      National Oceanic and Atmospheric                                 Action                 Date         FR Cite      seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1861 et seq.; 5 U.S.C. 561
                                                      Administration (NOAA) fisheries to                                                                                et seq.
                                                      collect fees for limited access permit                    NPRM ..................   07/23/15     80 FR 43694         Abstract: The National Marine
                                                      programs and the Western Alaska
                                                                                                                NPRM Comment              08/07/15                      Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued
                                                                                                                  Period End.                                           proposed regulations to refinance the
                                                      Community Development Quota                               Final Action .........    11/00/15
                                                      program. The fees collected would be                                                                              voluntary fishing capacity reduction
                                                      used to recover the actual costs directly                                                                         loan program implemented in 2004 in
                                                                                                                  Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                       the Pacific Coast groundfish Federal
                                                      related to the management, data                           Required: Yes.
                                                      collection, and enforcement of these                                                                              limited-entry trawl, Washington coastal
                                                                                                                  Agency Contact: Michael Tosatto,                      Dungeness crab, and California pink
                                                      programs that are incurred by the                         Regional Administrator, Pacific Islands
                                                      National Marine Fisheries Service.                                                                                shrimp fisheries (collectively known
                                                                                                                Region, Department of Commerce,                         hereafter as the refinanced reduction
                                                        Timetable:                                              National Oceanic and Atmospheric                        fisheries). The refinance loan of up to
                                                                                                                Administration, 1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg.                  $30 million will establish a new
                                                             Action                Date          FR Cite        176, Honolulu, HI 96818, Phone: 808                     industry fee system for future landings
                                                                                                                725–5000, Email: michael.tosatto@                       of the refinanced reduction fisheries.
                                                      NPRM ..................     01/07/15    80 FR 935
                                                      NPRM Comment                02/06/15                      noaa.gov.                                               Upon publishing a final rule and receipt
                                                        Period End.                                               RIN: 0648–BE84                                        of an appropriation, NMFS will conduct
                                                      Final Action .........      11/00/15                      201. Revision of Skate Maximum                          three referenda to refinance the existing
                                                                                                                Retainable Amounts in the Gulf of                       debt obligation in each of the refinanced
                                                        Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                         Alaska Groundfish Fishery                               reduction fisheries. If a referendum in
                                                      Required: Yes.                                                                                                    one, two, or all three of the fisheries is
                                                        Agency Contact: James Balsiger,                            Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
                                                                                                                   Abstract: This rule would reduce the                 successful, that fishery’s current loan
                                                      Regional Administrator, Alaska Region,                                                                            will be repaid in full and a new loan in
                                                      Department of Commerce, National                          maximum retainable amount of
                                                                                                                incidentally caught skates in directed                  the amount of the principal and interest
                                                      Oceanic and Atmospheric                                                                                           balance as of the date of funding will be
                                                      Administration, 709 West Ninth Street,                    fisheries for groundfish in the Gulf of
                                                                                                                Alaska to 5 percent, which would allow                  issued. The terms were prescribed in the
                                                      Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 586–                                                                                 2015 National Defense Authorization
                                                      7221, Fax: 907 586–7465, Email:                           a vessel to retain skates in an amount up
                                                                                                                to 5 percent of the weight of the target                Act and include a 45-year term to
                                                      jim.balsiger@noaa.gov.                                                                                            maturity, interest charged at a current
                                                        RIN: 0648–BE05                                          groundfish species onboard the vessel.
                                                                                                                The skate maximum retainable amount                     Treasury interest rate, and a maximum
                                                      200. International Fisheries; Western                     is intended to limit harvest of skates to               repayment fee of 3% of ex-vessel value.
                                                      and Central Pacific Fisheries for Highly                                                                             Timetable:
                                                                                                                the intrinsic rate of incidental catch of
                                                      Migratory Species; Fishing Effort and                     skates in Gulf of Alaska groundfish                              Action            Date        FR Cite
                                                      Catch Limits and Other Restrictions                       fisheries and to provide a disincentive
                                                      and Requirements                                          for vessels to target skates. Skate                     NPRM ..................   08/07/15   80 FR 46941
                                                         Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.                harvests have increased in recent years                 NPRM Comment              09/08/15
                                                         Abstract: This rule would establish a                  and have exceeded the acceptable                          Period End.
                                                                                                                biological catch in some areas. This                    Final Action .........    12/00/15
                                                      framework under which the National
                                                      Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) could                     action is necessary to enhance
                                                                                                                conservation and management of skates                     Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
                                                      specify limits on fishing effort and                                                                              Required: Yes.
                                                      catches, as well as spatial and temporal                  by decreasing the incentive for vessels
                                                                                                                to target skates and to slow the harvest                  Agency Contact: Brian Pawlak,
                                                      restrictions on particular fishing                                                                                Department of Commerce, National
                                                      activities, in U.S. fisheries for highly                  rate of skates.
                                                                                                                   Timetable:                                           Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                      migratory fish species in the western                                                                             Administration, 1315 East-West
                                                      and central Pacific Ocean. NMFS would                                                                             Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910,
                                                      issue the specifications as needed to                            Action                 Date         FR Cite
                                                                                                                                                                        Phone: 301 427–8621, Email:
                                                      implement conservation and                                NPRM ..................   07/10/15     80 FR 39734      brian.t.pawlak@noaa.gov.
                                                      management measures adopted by the                        NPRM Comment              08/10/15                        RIN: 0648–BE90
                                                      Commission for the Conservation and                         Period End.
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                      Management of Highly Migratory Fish                       Final Action .........    11/00/15                      203. • Process for Divestiture of Excess
                                                      Stocks in the Western and Central                                                                                 Quota Shares (Section 610 Review)
                                                      Pacific Ocean. The rule also would                          Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                         Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
                                                      require that U.S. fishing vessels of a                    Required: Yes.                                            Abstract: In January 2011, the
                                                      certain size obtain International                           Agency Contact: James Balsiger,                       National Marine Fisheries Service
                                                      Maritime Organizational numbers, and                      Regional Administrator, Alaska Region,                  implemented the groundfish trawl
                                                      prohibit U.S. longline fishing vessels                    Department of Commerce, National                        rationalization program (a catch share
                                                      from using shark lines, which are used                    Oceanic and Atmospheric                                 program) for the Pacific coast
                                                      in some fisheries to target sharks. This                  Administration, 709 West Ninth Street,                  groundfish limited entry trawl fishery.


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                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 240 / Tuesday, December 15, 2015 / Unified Agenda                                                  77939

                                                      The program was implemented through                       Oceanic and Atmospheric                                          Action              Date        FR Cite
                                                      Amendments 20 and 21 to the Pacific                       Administration, National Marine
                                                      Coast Groundfish Fishery Management                       Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West                       Final Action .........      06/00/16
                                                      Plan and the corresponding                                Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910,
                                                      implementing regulations. Amendment                       Phone: 301 427–8400.                                      Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
                                                      20 established the trawl rationalization                    RIN: 0648–AY54                                        Required: Yes.
                                                      program, which includes an Individual                     205. Endangered and Threatened                            Agency Contact: Donna Wieting,
                                                      Fishing Quota program for limited entry                   Species: Designation of Critical Habitat                Director, Office of Protected Resources,
                                                      trawl participants, and Amendment 21                      for Threatened Lower Columbia River                     Department of Commerce, National
                                                      established fixed allocations for limited                 Coho Salmon and Puget Sound                             Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                      entry trawl participants, with limits on                  Steelhead                                               Administration, National Marine
                                                      how much quota each participant can                                                                               Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West
                                                      accumulate. Under current regulations,                      Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
                                                                                                                  Abstract: This action will designate                  Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910,
                                                      quota share owners must divest quota                                                                              Phone: 301 427–8400.
                                                      shareholdings that exceed individual                      critical habitat for lower Columbia River
                                                                                                                coho salmon and Puget Sound                               RIN: 0648–BC56
                                                      accumulation limits by November 30,
                                                      2015. This proposed action would make                     steelhead, currently listed as threatened
                                                      minor procedural modifications to the                     species under the Endangered Species
                                                      program regulations to clarify how                        Act. The areas proposed for designation                 NOS/ONMS
                                                      divestiture of excess quota share could                   include freshwater and estuarine habitat
                                                                                                                in Oregon and Washington.                               207. Revisions to Hawaiian Islands
                                                      occur.                                                                                                            Humpback Whale National Marine
                                                                                                                  Timetable:
                                                         Timetable:
                                                                                                                                                                        Sanctuary Regulations
                                                                                                                       Action                 Date         FR Cite
                                                             Action                Date          FR Cite                                                                   Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1431 et
                                                                                                                NPRM ..................   01/14/13     78 FR 2725       seq.; Pub. L. 102–587
                                                      NPRM ..................     09/02/15    80 FR 53088       NPRM Comment              04/15/13
                                                      NPRM Comment                10/02/15                                                                                 Abstract: In 2010, the Office of
                                                                                                                  Period End.                                           National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS)
                                                        Period End.                                             Final Action .........    11/00/15
                                                      Final Action .........      06/00/16                                                                              initiated a review of the Hawaiian
                                                                                                                  Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                       Islands Humpback Whale National
                                                        Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                         Required: Yes.                                          Marine Sanctuary management plan, to
                                                      Required: Yes.                                              Agency Contact: Dwayne Meadows,                       evaluate substantive progress toward
                                                        Agency Contact: William Stelle Jr.,                     Department of Commerce, National                        implementing the goals for the
                                                      Regional Administrator, West Coast                        Oceanic and Atmospheric                                 sanctuary, and to make revisions to its
                                                      Region, Department of Commerce,                           Administration, 1315 East-West                          management plan and regulations as
                                                      National Oceanic and Atmospheric                          Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910,                       necessary to fulfill the purposes and
                                                      Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way                       Phone: 301 427–8467, Email:                             policies of the National Marine
                                                      Northeast, Building 1, Seattle, WA                        dwayne.meadows@noaa.gov.                                Sanctuaries Act (NMSA) and the
                                                      98115, Phone: 206 526–6150, Email:                          RIN: 0648–BB30                                        Hawaiian Islands National Marine
                                                      will.stelle@noaa.gov.                                                                                             Sanctuary Act (HINMSA; Title II,
                                                        RIN: 0648–BF11                                          206. Designation of Critical Habitat for                Subtitle C, Pub. L. 102587). ONMS
                                                                                                                the Arctic Ringed Seal                                  intends to publish a proposed rule and
                                                      204. Designation of Critical Habitat for
                                                      the North Atlantic Right Whale                               Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.              draft EIS that proposes to expand the
                                                                                                                   Abstract: The National Marine                        scope of the sanctuary to ecosystem
                                                        Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361 et                      Fisheries Service published a final rule                based management rather than
                                                      seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.                              to list the Arctic ringed seal as a                     concentrating on only humpback
                                                        Abstract: The National Marine                           threatened species under the                            whales. In addition, possible boundary
                                                      Fisheries Service proposes to revise the                  Endangered Species Act (ESA) in                         expansion will be discussed.
                                                      critical habitat designation for the North                December 2012. The ESA requires                            Timetable:
                                                      Atlantic right whale. This proposal                       designation of critical habitat at the time
                                                      would result in an expansion of critical                  a species is listed as threatened or                             Action              Date        FR Cite
                                                      habitat in the northeast feeding area                     endangered, or within one year of listing
                                                      (Gulf of Maine-Georges Bank region)                       if critical habitat is not then                         Notice ..................   07/14/10   75 FR 40759
                                                      and the southeast calving area (Florida                   determinable. This rulemaking would                     NPRM ..................     03/26/15   80 FR 16223
                                                      to North Carolina) compared to what                       designate critical habitat for the Arctic               Notice ..................   04/29/15   80 FR 23742
                                                      was designated in 1994 for right whales.                                                                          NPRM Comment                06/19/15
                                                                                                                ringed seal. The proposed critical
                                                        Timetable:                                                                                                        Period End.
                                                                                                                habitat designation would be in the                     Final Action .........      09/00/16
                                                                                                                northern Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort
                                                             Action                Date          FR Cite        seas within the current range of the
                                                                                                                                                                          Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
                                                                                                                species.
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                      NPRM ..................     02/20/15    80 FR 9313                                                                Required: Yes.
                                                      NPRM Comment                04/21/15                         Timetable:
                                                        Period End.
                                                                                                                                                                          Agency Contact: Edward Lindelof,
                                                      Final Action .........      02/00/16                             Action                 Date         FR Cite      Department of Commerce, National
                                                                                                                                                                        Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                                                                                NPRM ..................   12/03/14     79 FR 71714      Administration, 1315 East-West
                                                        Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                         Proposed Rule ....        12/09/14     79 FR 73010
                                                      Required: Yes.                                                                                                    Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910,
                                                                                                                Notice of public          01/13/15     80 FR 1618
                                                        Agency Contact: Donna Wieting,                            hearings.
                                                                                                                                                                        Phone: 301 713–3137, Email:
                                                      Director, Office of Protected Resources,                  Comment Period            02/02/15     80 FR 5498       edward.lindelof@noaa.gov.
                                                      Department of Commerce, National                            Extended.                                               RIN: 0648–BD97


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                                                      77940                     Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 240 / Tuesday, December 15, 2015 / Unified Agenda

                                                      DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)                                  DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)                             necessary to fulfill the North Pacific
                                                                                                                                                                             Fishery Management Council’s intent
                                                      National Oceanic and Atmospheric                              National Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                                                                                                                                             that captain and crew quota shares are
                                                      Administration (NOAA)                                         Administration (NOAA)
                                                                                                                                                                             held by individuals who are actively
                                                      Long-Term Actions                                             Completed Actions                                        participating in the Crab Rationalization
                                                                                                                                                                             Program fisheries, to provide quota
                                                      National Marine Fisheries Service                             210. Amendment 22 to the Fishery
                                                                                                                                                                             share acquisition opportunity to
                                                      208. Amendment 39 to the Fishery                              Management Plan for the Snapper
                                                                                                                                                                             captains and crew who may have been
                                                      Management Plan for the Reef Fish                             Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic
                                                                                                                                                                             displaced from employment in the Crab
                                                      Resources of the Gulf of Mexico                               Region
                                                                                                                                                                             Rationalization Program fisheries and
                                                                                                                      Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.                were not initial recipients of quota
                                                        Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.                       Abstract: The National Marine                          shares, and to make the quota shares
                                                        Abstract: The purpose of this action is                     Fisheries Service in collaboration with                  available to captains and crew who are
                                                      to facilitate management of the                               the South Atlantic Fishery Management                    new entrants into the Crab
                                                      recreational red snapper component in                         Council published this notice with the                   Rationalization Program fisheries.
                                                      the reef fish fishery by reorganizing the                     intention to prepare an Environmental                      Timetable:
                                                      federal fishery management strategy to                        Impact Statement to describe and
                                                      better account for biological, social, and                    analyze a range of alternatives for                               Action            Date        FR Cite
                                                      economic differences among the regions                        management actions to be included in
                                                      of the Gulf of Mexico. Regional                               Amendment 22 to the Fishery                              Notice of Avail-          12/15/14   79 FR 74058
                                                      management would enable regions and                                                                                      ability.
                                                                                                                    Management Plan for the Snapper-                         NPRM ..................   12/24/14   79 FR 77427
                                                      their associated communities to specify                       Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic                    NPRM Comment              01/23/15
                                                      the optimal management parameters                             Region. These alternatives will consider                   Period End.
                                                      that best meet the needs of their local                       measures to establish a long-term red                    Final Action .........    03/26/15   80 FR 15891
                                                      constituents thereby addressing regional                      snapper fishery management program in                    Final Action Effec-       05/01/15
                                                      socio-economic concerns.                                      the South Atlantic to optimize yield and                   tive.
                                                        Timetable:                                                  rebuild the stock, while minimizing
                                                                                                                    socioeconomic impacts. More                                Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
                                                           Action                 Date             FR Cite          specifically, these alternatives will                    Required: Yes.
                                                                                                                    consider the elimination of harvest                        Agency Contact: James Balsiger,
                                                      Notice .............       05/13/13    78 FR 27956
                                                                                                                    restrictions on red snapper as the stock                 Regional Administrator, Alaska Region,
                                                      Next Action                                                                                                            Department of Commerce, National
                                                        Undeter-                                                    increases in biomass. The purpose of
                                                                                                                    this Notice of Intent is to solicit public               Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                        mined.                                                                                                               Administration, 709 West Ninth Street,
                                                                                                                    comments on the scope of issues to be
                                                                                                                    addressed in the Environmental Impact                    Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 586–
                                                        Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                                                                                      7221, Fax: 907 586–7465, Email:
                                                      Required: Yes.                                                Statement.
                                                                                                                      Timetable:                                             jim.balsiger@noaa.gov.
                                                        Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree,                                                                                       RIN: 0648–BA61
                                                      Phone: 727 824–5305, Fax: 727 824–                                    Action                 Date         FR Cite      212. Amendment 43 to the FMP for
                                                      5308, Email: roy.crabtree@noaa.gov.
                                                                                                                                                                             BSAI King and Tanner Crabs and
                                                        RIN: 0648–BD25                                              Notice ..................   01/03/11    76 FR 101
                                                                                                                                                                             Amendment 103 to the FMP for
                                                                                                                    Notice ..................   08/02/13    78 FR 46923
                                                      209. Designate Critical Habitat for the                       Final Action .........      08/19/13    78 FR 50394      Groundfish of the BSAI
                                                      Hawaiian Insular False Killer Whale                                                                                       Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
                                                      Distinct Population Segment                                     Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                           Abstract: This rule implements both
                                                                                                                    Required: No.                                            Amendment 43 to the Fishery
                                                        Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
                                                                                                                      Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree,                       Management Plan for the Bering Sea/
                                                        Abstract: The proposed action, if                           Regional Administrator, Southeast                        Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs
                                                      approved, would designate critical                            Region, Department of Commerce,                          and Amendment 103 to the Fishery
                                                      habitat for the Hawaiian insular false                        National Oceanic and Atmospheric                         Management Plan for Groundfish of the
                                                      killer whale distinct population                              Administration, 263 13th Avenue                          Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
                                                      segment, pursuant to section 4 of the                         South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone:                  Management Area. Amendment 43
                                                      Endangered Species Act. Proposed                              727 824–5305, Fax: 727 824–5308,                         revised the current rebuilding plan for
                                                      critical habitat would be designated in                       Email: roy.crabtree@noaa.gov.                            Pribilof Islands blue king crab (blue king
                                                      the main Hawaiian Islands as the                                RIN: 0648–BA53                                         crab) and Amendment 103 implemented
                                                      Hawaiian insular false killer whales                                                                                   groundfish fishing restrictions. A no-
                                                      range is restricted from nearshore out to                     211. Amendment 31 to the Fishery                         trawl Pribilof Islands Habitat
                                                      140 km from the main Hawaiian Islands.                        Management Plan for the Bering Sea                       Conservation Zone (Zone) was
                                                        Timetable:                                                  and Aleutian Islands King and Tanner                     established in 1995 and the directed
                                                                                                                    Crabs                                                    fishery for blue king crab has been
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                              Action                  Date           FR Cite          Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.                closed since 1999. A rebuilding plan
                                                                                                                      Abstract: The intent of Amendment                      was implemented in 2003; however,
                                                      NPRM ..................       04/00/18
                                                                                                                    31 was to relax participation                            blue king crab remains overfished and
                                                                                                                    requirements for captains and crew in                    the current rebuilding plan has not
                                                        Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                             the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Crab                     achieved adequate progress towards
                                                      Required: Yes.                                                Rationalization Program, and to modify                   rebuilding the stock by 2014. The rule
                                                        Agency Contact: Donna Wieting,                              the timing and preparation of specific                   closed the Zone to all Pacific cod pot
                                                      Phone: 301 427–8400.                                          documents that are currently required                    fishing in addition to the current trawl
                                                        RIN: 0648–BC45                                              under the program. This action was                       prohibition. This measure will help


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                                                                                  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 240 / Tuesday, December 15, 2015 / Unified Agenda                                                77941

                                                      support blue king crab rebuilding and                      214. Fisheries Off West Coast States;                    requirements. To eliminate the
                                                      prevent exceeding the overfishing limit                    West Coast Salmon Fisheries;                             possibility of duplicating, overlapping,
                                                      of blue king crab by minimizing to the                     Amendment 18; Essential Fish Habitat                     or conflicting Federal regulations, this
                                                      extent practical blue king crab bycatch                    Descriptions for Pacific Salmon                          rule also revised the Greater Atlantic
                                                      in the groundfish fisheries.                                 Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.                Region’s regulations to match those in
                                                        Timetable:                                                 Abstract: The action implements                        this rule.
                                                                                                                 Amendment 18 to the Pacific Coast                          Timetable:
                                                              Action                 Date         FR Cite
                                                                                                                 Salmon Fishery Management Plan. This
                                                                                                                                                                                   Action            Date        FR Cite
                                                      Notice ..................     08/21/14   79 FR 49463       amendment addressed revisions to the
                                                      NPRM ..................       08/29/14   79 FR 51520       Pacific coast salmon essential fish                      NPRM ..................   09/09/14   79 FR 53386
                                                      Final Action .........        12/02/14   79 FR 71344       habitat provisions under the Magnuson-                   NPRM Comment              10/24/14
                                                      Final Action Effec-           01/01/15                     Stevens Fishery Conservation and                           Period End.
                                                        tive.                                                    Management Act.                                          Final Action .........    12/24/14   79 FR 77399
                                                                                                                   Timetable:                                             Final Action Effec-       01/23/15
                                                        Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                                                                                     tive.
                                                      Required: Yes.                                                     Action                 Date         FR Cite
                                                        Agency Contact: James Balsiger,                                                                                     Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
                                                      Regional Administrator, Alaska Region,                     Notice ..................   06/16/14    79 FR 34272      Required: Yes.
                                                      Department of Commerce, National                           NPRM ..................     09/22/14    79 FR 56547        Agency Contact: Alan Risenhoover,
                                                      Oceanic and Atmospheric                                    NPRM Comment                10/22/14                     Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
                                                                                                                   Period End.
                                                      Administration, 709 West Ninth Street,                                                                              Department of Commerce, National
                                                                                                                 Final Action .........      12/18/14    79 FR 75449
                                                      Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 586–                          Final Action Effec-         01/20/15                     Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                      7221, Fax: 907 586–7465, Email:                              tive.                                                  Administration, Room 13362, 1315 East-
                                                      jim.balsiger@noaa.gov.                                                                                              West Highway, Silver Spring, MD
                                                        RIN: 0648–BC34                                             Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                        20910, Phone: 301 713–2334, Fax: 301
                                                                                                                 Required: No.                                            713–0596, Email: alan.risenhoover@
                                                      213. Pacific Coast Groundfish Trawl
                                                                                                                   Agency Contact: William Stelle Jr.,                    noaa.gov.
                                                      Rationalization Program Trailing
                                                                                                                 Regional Administrator, West Coast                         RIN: 0648–BD02
                                                      Action: Rule To Modify Chafing Gear
                                                      Regulations for Midwater Trawl Gear                        Region, Department of Commerce,                          216. Pacific Coast Groundfish Trawl
                                                      Used in the Pacific Coast Groundfish                       National Oceanic and Atmospheric                         Rationalization Program Trailing
                                                      Fishery                                                    Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way                      Actions: Permitting Requirements for
                                                                                                                 Northeast, Building 1, Seattle, WA                       Observer and Catch Monitor Providers
                                                         Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.                 98115, Phone: 206 526–6150, Email:
                                                         Abstract: This action modified the                                                                               (Section 610 Review)
                                                                                                                 will.stelle@noaa.gov.
                                                      existing chafing gear regulations for                        RIN: 0648–BC95                                           Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
                                                      midwater trawl gear, and includes                                                                                     Abstract: This action modified
                                                      housekeeping measures to clarify which                     215. Codifying the Initial Vessel                        regulations pertaining to certified catch
                                                      vessels can use midwater trawl gear and                    Monitoring System Type-Approval                          monitors and observers required under
                                                      where midwater trawl gear can be used.                     Process and Requirements, and the                        the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery
                                                      This action includes regulations that                      Recertification and Revocation                           Management Plan. The action specified
                                                      affect all trawl sectors (Shorebased                       Processes                                                permitting requirements for business
                                                      Individual Fishing Quota Program,                            Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.                entities interested in providing certified
                                                      Mothership Cooperative Program,                              Abstract: All vessels participating in                 observers and catch monitor services, as
                                                      Catcher/Processor Cooperative Program,                     the National Oceanic and Atmospheric                     well as addressed numerous
                                                      and tribal fishery) managed under the                      Administration’s Vessel Monitoring                       housekeeping measures and updated
                                                      Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery                           System program are required to use a                     observer provider and vessel
                                                      Management Plan.                                           National Marine Fisheries Service-                       responsibilities relative to observer
                                                         Timetable:                                              approved transmitting unit. This rule                    safety such that the regulations are
                                                                                                                 codified into regulations the unit type-                 consistent with the Coast Guard and
                                                              Action                 Date         FR Cite        approval standards, requirements, and                    Maritime Transportation Act of 2012.
                                                                                                                 procedures for vendors to maintain                         Timetable:
                                                      NPRM ..................       03/19/14   79 FR 15296
                                                      NPRM Correction               04/04/14   79 FR 18876
                                                                                                                 approval for their products and services.
                                                                                                                 The rule also codified requirements for                           Action            Date        FR Cite
                                                        Notice.
                                                      Final Action .........        12/02/14   79 FR 71340       agency approval, subsequent
                                                                                                                                                                          NPRM ..................   02/19/14   79 FR 9591
                                                      Final Action Effec-           01/01/15                     assessments, a renewal process, and                      NPRM Comment              03/21/14
                                                        tive.                                                    procedures for revoking a unit’s                           Period End.
                                                                                                                 approval if the vendor fails to comply                   Final Action .........    04/21/15   80 FR 22269
                                                        Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                          with the performance requirements. The                   Final Action Effec-       05/21/15
                                                      Required: Yes.                                             previous national process regarding unit                   tive.
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                        Agency Contact: William Stelle Jr.,                      type-approval requirements for
                                                      Regional Administrator, West Coast                         evaluating performance and improving                       Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
                                                      Region, Department of Commerce,                            or revoking unit type approvals was not                  Required: Yes.
                                                      National Oceanic and Atmospheric                           codified. Therefore, the purpose of this                   Agency Contact: William Stelle Jr.,
                                                      Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way                        rule was to codify the approval process,                 Regional Administrator, West Coast
                                                      Northeast, Building 1, Seattle, WA                         improve the enforceability of the                        Region, Department of Commerce,
                                                      98115, Phone: 206 526–6150, Email:                         approval requirements, and better                        National Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                      will.stelle@noaa.gov.                                      ensure all unit type approvals remain in                 Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way
                                                        RIN: 0648–BC84                                           compliance and are consistent with the                   Northeast, Building 1, Seattle, WA


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                                                      77942                     Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 240 / Tuesday, December 15, 2015 / Unified Agenda

                                                      98115, Phone: 206 526–6150, Email:                        pollock trawl fisheries. Chinook salmon                  and-line gear, also known as freezer
                                                      will.stelle@noaa.gov.                                     is a fully utilized species in Alaska                    longliners. The newly reorganized
                                                        RIN: 0648–BD30                                          coastal subsistence, recreational, and                   sideboard limits have effectively
                                                                                                                commercial fisheries. In recent years the                eliminated the ability of these
                                                      217. Establishment of Special
                                                                                                                returns of Chinook salmon to some                        stakeholders to participant in these Gulf
                                                      Management Zones for Delaware
                                                                                                                Alaska river systems have been below                     of Alaska fisheries. The rule will remove
                                                      Artificial Reefs
                                                                                                                the biological escapement goals                          the Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod
                                                         Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.                established by the State of Alaska. This                 sideboards from 6 freezer longline
                                                         Abstract: This action established                      action is necessary to minimize the                      vessels if owners of vessels endorsed to
                                                      special management zones around five                      catch of Chinook salmon to the extent                    catch and process Pacific cod in the
                                                      State of Delaware-permitted artificial                    practicable in the Gulf of Alaska non-                   Western Gulf of Alaska, Central Gulf of
                                                      reefs in Federal waters. This action                      pollock trawl fisheries. This action                     Alaska, or both (a total of 9 vessels)
                                                      restricted the use of all fishing gear in                 limited the annual Chinook salmon                        agree to removal of the sideboards,
                                                      these zones except hook and line and                      prohibited species catch in the non-                     within one year from the effective date
                                                      spear fishing, including taking by hand.                  pollock trawl fisheries to 7,500 salmon                  of the final rule. If an agreement is not
                                                      Eliminating the other fishing gears                       each year. If a sector reached its                       reached by the deadline, the
                                                      prevented gear conflicts between hook                     Chinook salmon prohibited species                        sideboarded vessels would not be able
                                                      and line, spear and hand fishing and                      limit, further directed fishing for                      to participate in the Gulf of Alaska
                                                      other fishing gear. The proliferation of                  groundfish by vessels in that sector and                 fisheries. The requirement for an
                                                      commercial gear on the reefs, especially                  season would be prohibited. Vessel                       agreement is intended to promote
                                                      fish traps, had been reported by the                      operators would be required to retain                    cooperation among all affected parties
                                                      recreational fishing community as                         salmon until the number of salmon has                    prior to the removal of sideboards.
                                                      inhibiting their ability to fish the reefs.               been determined by the vessel or plant
                                                      The artificial reefs were established                                                                                 Timetable:
                                                                                                                observer and the observers data
                                                      with funds through U.S. Fish and                          collection has been completed. About                              Action            Date        FR Cite
                                                      Wildlife Service Sportfish Restoration                    70 vessels could be affected by this
                                                      Program to enhance sport fishing                          action. This action could reduce                         Notice of Avail-          02/02/15   80 FR 5499
                                                      opportunities. Implementing the                           revenues from the fisheries, if the                        ability.
                                                      Council’s recommendation restricted                       Chinook salmon prohibited species                        NPRM ..................   02/12/15   80 FR 7817
                                                      the use of fishing gears that are                         limit is reached before the groundfish                   NPRM Comment              03/16/15
                                                      incompatible with the intended use of                     quota is harvested. The action also may                    Period End.
                                                      the artificial reefs. Commercial                          increase costs if vessel operators move                  Final Action .........    05/19/15   80 FR 28539
                                                      fishermen may continue to fish on the                                                                              Final Action Effec-       06/18/15
                                                                                                                fishing operations or take other actions
                                                      reefs and catch commercial quantities of                                                                             tive.
                                                                                                                to lower their catch of Chinook salmon.
                                                      fish with hook and line gear. It is                          Timetable:
                                                      expected this action will have little                                                                                Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
                                                      overall effect on the commercial sector.                          Action                 Date         FR Cite      Required: Yes.
                                                         Timetable:                                                                                                        Agency Contact: James Balsiger,
                                                                                                                Notice ..................   06/05/14    79 FR 32525
                                                                                                                NPRM ..................     06/25/14    79 FR 35971      Regional Administrator, Alaska Region,
                                                             Action                Date          FR Cite
                                                                                                                NPRM Comment                07/25/14                     Department of Commerce, National
                                                      NPRM ..................     06/19/14    79 FR 35141         Period End.                                            Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                      Comment Period              07/16/14    79 FR 41530       Final Action .........      12/02/14    79 FR 71350      Administration, 709 West Ninth Street,
                                                        Extended.                                               Final Action Effec-         01/01/15                     Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 586–
                                                      Final Action .........      06/09/15    80 FR 32480         tive.                                                  7221, Fax: 907 586–7465, Email:
                                                      Final Action Effec-         07/09/15                                                                               jim.balsiger@noaa.gov.
                                                        tive.                                                     Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
                                                                                                                Required: Yes.                                             RIN: 0648–BD61
                                                        Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                           Agency Contact: James Balsiger,                        220. Information Collection Program
                                                      Required: Yes.                                            Regional Administrator, Alaska Region,                   for Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean
                                                        Agency Contact: John K. Bullard,                        Department of Commerce, National                         Quahog Fisheries
                                                      Regional Administrator, Greater Atlantic                  Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                      Region, Department of Commerce,                           Administration, 709 West Ninth Street,                      Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
                                                      National Oceanic and Atmospheric                          Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 586–                           Abstract: The National Marine
                                                      Administration, 55 Great Republic                         7221, Fax: 907 586–7465, Email:                          Fisheries Service implemented this
                                                      Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930, Phone:                       jim.balsiger@noaa.gov.                                   information collection program at the
                                                      978 281–9287, Email: john.bullard@                          RIN: 0648–BD48                                         request of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery
                                                      noaa.gov.                                                 219. Amendment 45 to the Fishery                         Management Council (Council). This
                                                        RIN: 0648–BD42                                                                                                   program will collect additional
                                                                                                                Management Plan for Bering Sea and
                                                      218. Amendment 97 to the Fishery                          Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crab                    information about the individuals who
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                      Management Plan for Groundfish of the                     Freezer Longline Catcher/Processor                       hold and/or control Individual
                                                      Gulf Of Alaska To Establish Chinook                       Pacific Cod Sideboard Removal                            Transferable Quota in the Atlantic
                                                      Salmon Prohibited Species Catch Limits                    (Section 610 Review)                                     surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries.
                                                      for the Non-Pollock Trawl Fisheries                         Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.                This information will be used by the
                                                        Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et                        Abstract: This rule established                        Council in the consideration and
                                                      seq.; 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.                               conditions for the removal of Gulf of                    development of excessive shares cap(s)
                                                        Abstract: This rule limits Chinook                      Alaska Pacific cod catch limits, known                   in these Individual Transferable Quota
                                                      salmon prohibited species catch in the                    as sideboards, which apply to some                       fisheries.
                                                      Western and Central Gulf of Alaska non-                   catcher/processor vessels using hook-                       Timetable:


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                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 240 / Tuesday, December 15, 2015 / Unified Agenda                                                77943

                                                             Action                Date          FR Cite        222. Implementation of a Gulf of                        and recreational fisheries that are
                                                                                                                Alaska Trawl Fishery Economic Data                      designed to achieve those harvest levels.
                                                      NPRM ..................     08/07/14    79 FR 46233       Collection Program                                      For the 2015–2016 biennium, the
                                                      NPRM Comment                10/02/14    79 FR 59472                                                               Council recommended changes in
                                                        Period Re-                                                Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et
                                                                                                                seq.; 16 U.S.C. 3631 et seq.; 16 U.S.C.                 rebuilding parameters for one
                                                        opened.                                                                                                         overfished species, cowcod. As such,
                                                      Final Action .........      07/20/15    80 FR 42747       773 et seq.; Pub. L. 108199
                                                      Final Action Effec-         01/01/16                        Abstract: The National Marine                         the rebuilding plan was revised and
                                                        tive.                                                   Fisheries Service implemented the                       affected the Annual Catch Limit value
                                                                                                                Trawl Economic Data Report Program to                   for this species for the 2-year period and
                                                        Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                         evaluate the economic effects of current                beyond. The rule adjusts the harvest
                                                      Required: No.                                             and future groundfish and prohibited                    specifications including Overfishing
                                                        Agency Contact: John K. Bullard,                        species catch management measures for                   Limits, the Acceptable Biological
                                                      Regional Administrator, Greater Atlantic                  the Gulf of Alaska trawl fisheries under                Catches, and Annual Catch Limits, as
                                                      Region, Department of Commerce,                           the Fishery Management Plan for                         well as the management measures to
                                                      National Oceanic and Atmospheric                          Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska. This                  achieve those specifications. Finally, the
                                                      Administration, 55 Great Republic                         data collection program was necessary                   rule implements Amendment 24, which
                                                      Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930, Phone:                       to provide the North Pacific Fishery                    modifies the procedures in the Fishery
                                                      978 281–9287, Email: john.bullard@                        Management Council and other analysts                   Management Plan so that in the absence
                                                      noaa.gov.                                                 with baseline information on affected                   of explicit Council action, harvest
                                                        RIN: 0648–BD64                                          harvesters, crew, processors, and                       specification values, based on default
                                                                                                                communities in the Gulf of Alaska that                  harvest control rules, for one or more
                                                      221. Amendment 100 to the FMP for                                                                                 stocks may be implemented by the
                                                                                                                could be used to assess the impacts of
                                                      Groundfish of the BSAI Management                                                                                 National Marine Fisheries Service.
                                                                                                                major changes in the groundfish
                                                      Area and Amendment 91 to the FMP for                                                                                 Timetable:
                                                                                                                management regime; including catch
                                                      Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska To
                                                                                                                share programs for prohibited species
                                                      Add Grenadiers to the Ecosystem                                                                                            Action            Date        FR Cite
                                                                                                                catch species and target species. The
                                                      Component Category
                                                                                                                data collected, which may include labor                 Notice of Avail-          11/26/14   79 FR 70497
                                                         Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.                information, revenues received, capital                   ability.
                                                         Abstract: Amendments 100 and 91                        and operational expenses, and other                     NPRM ..................   01/06/15   80 FR 678
                                                      amended the Groundfish Fishery                            operational or financial data for this                  NPRM Comment              01/26/15
                                                      Management Plans to add grenadiers to                     program will be submitted by vessel                       Period End.
                                                      the ecosystem component category.                         owners and leaseholders of Gulf of                      Final Action .........    03/10/15   80 FR 12567
                                                                                                                                                                        Final Action Effec-       03/10/15
                                                      Grenadiers are caught incidentally in                     Alaska trawl vessels, processors                          tive.
                                                      the groundfish fisheries and adding                       receiving deliveries from those trawl
                                                      them to the Fishery Management Plans                      vessels, and Amendment 80 catcher/                        Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
                                                      recognizes their role in the ecosystem.                   processors.                                             Required: Yes.
                                                      The National Marine Fisheries Service                       Timetable:                                              Agency Contact: William Stelle Jr.,
                                                      also implemented regulations for                                                                                  Regional Administrator, West Coast
                                                      federally-permitted groundfish                                   Action                 Date         FR Cite      Region, Department of Commerce,
                                                      fishermen to improve reporting of                                                                                 National Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                      grenadiers, limit retention, and prevent                  NPRM ..................   08/11/14     79 FR 46758
                                                                                                                NPRM Comment              09/10/14                      Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way
                                                      directed fishing for grenadiers. This                                                                             Northeast, Building 1, Seattle, WA
                                                                                                                  Period End.
                                                      action was necessary to limit the                         Final Action .........    12/02/14     79 FR 71313      98115, Phone: 206 526–6150, Email:
                                                      groundfish fisheries impact on                            Final Action Effec-       01/01/15                      will.stelle@noaa.gov.
                                                      grenadiers.                                                 tive.                                                   RIN: 0648–BE27
                                                         Timetable:
                                                                                                                  Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                       224. Regulatory Amendment To Change
                                                             Action                Date          FR Cite        Required: Yes.                                          the Definition of Sport Fishing Guide
                                                                                                                  Agency Contact: James Balsiger,                       Services for Pacific Halibut in
                                                      Notice of Avail-            05/05/14    79 FR 25558
                                                                                                                Regional Administrator, Alaska Region,                  International Pacific Halibut
                                                        ability.                                                                                                        Commission Area 2C and Area 3A
                                                      NPRM ..................     05/14/14    79 FR 27557       Department of Commerce, National
                                                      NPRM Comment                06/13/14                      Oceanic and Atmospheric                                    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.
                                                        Period End.                                             Administration, 709 West Ninth Street,                     Abstract: The National Marine
                                                      Final Action .........      03/05/15    80 FR 11897       Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 586–                       Fisheries Service finalized regulations
                                                      Final Action Effec-         04/06/15                      7221, Fax: 907 586–7465, Email:                         that revised Federal regulatory text
                                                        tive.                                                   jim.balsiger@noaa.gov.                                  regarding sport fishing guide services
                                                                                                                  RIN: 0648–BE09                                        for Pacific halibut in International
                                                        Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                                                                                 Pacific Halibut Commission Regulatory
                                                      Required: Yes.                                            223. 2015–2016 Pacific Coast                            Areas 2C (Southeast Alaska) and 3A
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                        Agency Contact: James Balsiger,                         Groundfish Harvest Specifications and                   (Central Gulf of Alaska) to remove the
                                                      Regional Administrator, Alaska Region,                    Management Measures and                                 requirement that a charter vessel guide
                                                      Department of Commerce, National                          Amendment 24 to the Pacific Coast                       be on board the same vessel as a charter
                                                      Oceanic and Atmospheric                                   Groundfish FMP                                          vessel angler to provide sport fishing
                                                      Administration, 709 West Ninth Street,                       Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.              guide services. The action clarified that
                                                      Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 586–                            Abstract: The action set biennial                    all sport fishing in which anglers
                                                      7221, Fax: 907 586–7465, Email:                           allowable harvest levels for Pacific                    receive assistance from a compensated
                                                      jim.balsiger@noaa.gov.                                    Coast groundfish, as well as                            guide will be managed under charter
                                                        RIN: 0648–BD98                                          management measures for commercial                      fishery regulations, and all harvest will


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                                                      77944                     Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 240 / Tuesday, December 15, 2015 / Unified Agenda

                                                      accrue toward charter allocations. This                     Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                       specifically, this action: Renewed status
                                                      action aligned Federal regulations with                   Required: Yes.                                          quo quotas on longfin and Illex squids
                                                      State of Alaska regulations. The                            Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree,                      for an additional 3 years; lowered the
                                                      definition of sport fishing guide services                Regional Administrator, Southeast                       cap on river herring and shad catch in
                                                      was revised and a definition for                          Region, Department of Commerce,                         the mackerel fishery; increased the cap
                                                      compensation was added to Federal                         National Oceanic and Atmospheric                        on river herring and shad catch in the
                                                      regulations. Additional minor changes                     Administration, 263 13th Avenue                         mackerel fishery once the mackerel
                                                      to the regulatory text pertaining to the                  South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone:                 fishery catches more than 10,000 mt
                                                      charter halibut fishery were required to                  727 824–5305, Fax: 727 824–5308,                        tons; lowered the Atlantic mackerel
                                                      maintain consistency in the regulations                   Email: roy.crabtree@noaa.gov.                           quota; substantially increased the
                                                      with these new definitions. This action                     RIN: 0648–BE44                                        butterfish quota; and simplified the
                                                      was necessary to achieve the halibut                      226. Amendment 16 to the Fishery                        controls on butterfish daily trip limits.
                                                      fishery management goals of the North                     Management Plan for the Shrimp                             Timetable:
                                                      Pacific Fishery Management Council.                       Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico, U.S.
                                                         Timetable:                                                                                                              Action            Date        FR Cite
                                                                                                                Waters
                                                             Action                Date          FR Cite          Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.               NPRM ..................   11/14/14   79 FR 68202
                                                                                                                  Abstract: This rule changed the                       NPRM Comment              12/15/14
                                                      NPRM ..................     12/03/14    79 FR 71729       annual catch limit and selected an                        Period End.
                                                      NPRM Comment                01/02/15                      accountability measure for royal red                    Final Action .........    03/20/15   80 FR 14870
                                                        Period End.                                                                                                     Final Action Effec-       04/20/15
                                                                                                                shrimp. On January 30, 2012, the                          tive.
                                                      Final Action .........      06/19/15    80 FR 35195
                                                                                                                National Marine Fisheries Service
                                                      Final Action Effec-         07/20/15
                                                        tive.                                                   implemented regulations developed                         Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
                                                                                                                through a generic annual catch limit and                Required: Yes.
                                                        Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                         accountability measure amendment to                       Agency Contact: John K. Bullard,
                                                      Required: Yes.                                            multiple fishery management plans,                      Regional Administrator, Greater Atlantic
                                                        Agency Contact: James Balsiger,                         including the Shrimp Fishery                            Region, Department of Commerce,
                                                      Regional Administrator, Alaska Region,                    Management Plan. The rule removed the                   National Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                      Department of Commerce, National                          quota and in-season closure, and                        Administration, 55 Great Republic
                                                      Oceanic and Atmospheric                                   increased the annual catch limit. The                   Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930, Phone:
                                                      Administration, 709 West Ninth Street,                    current accountability measure, which                   978 281–9287, Email: john.bullard@
                                                      Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 586–                         requires in-season monitoring and                       noaa.gov.
                                                      7221, Fax: 907 586–7465, Email:                           closure the year following an annual                      RIN: 0648–BE49
                                                      jim.balsiger@noaa.gov.                                    catch limit overage, remained in effect.
                                                        RIN: 0648–BE41                                            Timetable:                                            228. Framework Adjustment 26 to the
                                                                                                                                                                        Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery
                                                      225. Framework Action To Revise                                  Action                 Date         FR Cite      Management Plan (Section 610 Review)
                                                      Recreational Accountability Measures
                                                      for Red Snapper                                           Notice of Avail-          12/24/14     79 FR 77425
                                                                                                                                                                           Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et
                                                                                                                  ability.                                              seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
                                                        Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.                                                                            Abstract: This rule set scallop fishery
                                                                                                                NPRM ..................   01/26/15     80 FR 3937
                                                        Abstract: To address the court ruling                   NPRM Comment              02/25/15                      management measures for the 2015
                                                      in Guindon v. Pritzker, the Gulf of                         Period End.                                           fishing year, including the annual catch
                                                      Mexico Fishery Management Council                         Final Action .........    03/25/15     80 FR 15691      limits and annual catch targets for the
                                                      developed this framework action that                      Final Action Effec-       04/24/15                      limited access and limited access
                                                      established two accountability measures                     tive.                                                 general category fleets. In addition, it
                                                      for the recreational red snapper sector.                                                                          adjusted the State Waters Exemption
                                                      The first recreational accountability                       Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                       Program, allowed for vessel monitoring
                                                      measure action established an annual                      Required: No.                                           system declaration changes for when
                                                      catch target that is lower than the quota/                  Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree,                      vessels return home with product on
                                                      annual catch limit and set the                            Regional Administrator, Southeast                       board; implemented a proactive
                                                      recreational season length based on the                   Region, Department of Commerce,                         accountability measure to protect
                                                      annual catch target. Previously, the                      National Oceanic and Atmospheric                        flatfish; aligned two gear measures
                                                      season length was set based on the                        Administration, 263 13th Avenue                         designed to protect sea turtles; and
                                                      quota/annual catch limit. The second                      South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone:                 implemented other measures to improve
                                                      recreational accountability measure                       727 824–5305, Fax: 727 824–5308,                        the management of the scallop fishery.
                                                      action established an overage                             Email: roy.crabtree@noaa.gov.                           Furthermore, aligning the gear designed
                                                      adjustment to mitigate the effects of any                   RIN: 0648–BE46
                                                                                                                                                                        to protect sea turtles involved modifying
                                                      overage by reducing the quota/annual                      227. 2015–2017 Specifications and                       regulations to threatened marine species
                                                      catch limit in the following year.                        Management Measures for the Atlantic                    at 50 CFR part 223, so this action was
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                        Timetable:                                              Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish                         a joint action with the Endangered
                                                                                                                Fisheries                                               Species Act.
                                                             Action                Date          FR Cite
                                                                                                                  Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.                  Timetable:
                                                      NPRM ..................     11/21/14    79 FR 69418         Abstract: This rule established catch
                                                      NPRM Comment                12/22/14                                                                                       Action            Date        FR Cite
                                                                                                                levels and associated management
                                                        Period End.                                             measures for the 2015–2017 fishing
                                                      Final Action .........      03/19/15    80 FR 14328                                                               NPRM ..................   03/17/15   80 FR 13806
                                                                                                                years for species managed under the                     NPRM Comment              04/01/15
                                                      Final Action Effec-         04/20/15
                                                        tive.
                                                                                                                Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish                  Period End.
                                                                                                                Fishery Management Plan. More                           Final Action .........    04/21/15   80 FR 22119



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                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 240 / Tuesday, December 15, 2015 / Unified Agenda                                                  77945

                                                             Action                Date          FR Cite          Abstract: This action implemented                              Action              Date        FR Cite
                                                                                                                management for the Northeast
                                                      Final Action Effec-         05/01/15                      Multispecies Fishery that opened on                     Final Action .........      08/28/15   80 FR 52198
                                                        tive.                                                   May 1, 2015. The changes were                           Final Action Effec-         08/28/15
                                                                                                                developed in response to new scientific                   tive.
                                                        Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                         information and to meet the goals and
                                                      Required: Yes.                                            objectives of the Fishery Management                      Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
                                                        Agency Contact: John K. Bullard,                        Plan. Framework 53 set 2015–2017                        Required: Yes.
                                                      Regional Administrator, Greater Atlantic                  specifications for: Gulf of Maine cod,                    Agency Contact: Alan Risenhoover,
                                                      Region, Department of Commerce,                           haddock, and winter flounder; Georges                   Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
                                                      National Oceanic and Atmospheric                          Bank winter flounder, and pollock; as                   Department of Commerce, National
                                                      Administration, 55 Great Republic                         well as 2015 shared U.S./Canada quotas                  Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                      Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930, Phone:                       for Georges Bank yellowtail flounder                    Administration, Room 13362, 1315 East-
                                                      978 281–9287, Email: john.bullard@                        and Eastern Georges Bank cod and                        West Highway, Silver Spring, MD
                                                      noaa.gov.                                                 haddock. These new specifications were                  20910, Phone: 301 713–2334, Fax: 301
                                                        RIN: 0648–BE68                                          based on stock assessments completed                    713–0596, Email: alan.risenhoover@
                                                                                                                in 2014. This action also modified the                  noaa.gov.
                                                      229. Pacific Coast Groundfish Trawl                                                                                 RIN: 0648–BE81
                                                      Rationalization Program—Midwater                          seasonal area closures designed to
                                                      Trawl Fishery Season Date Change                          protect Gulf of Maine cod spawning;                     232. Revision of Hawaiian Monk Seal
                                                      (Section 610 Review)                                      prohibited the possession of Gulf of                    Critical Habitat
                                                         Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.                Maine cod for all recreational                             Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
                                                         Abstract: This action implemented                      groundfish vessels; introduced a                           Abstract: The National Marine
                                                      revisions to the Pacific Coast                            mechanism to set default specifications                 Fisheries Service (NMFS) is developing
                                                      Groundfish Trawl Rationalization                          in the event a management action is                     a rule to designate critical habitat for the
                                                      Program affecting the limited entry                       delayed; and modified the sector                        Hawaiian monk seal in the main and
                                                      midwater trawl fisheries managed under                    carryover provision in response to a                    Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. In
                                                      the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery                      recent Court ruling.                                    response to a 2008 petition from the
                                                      Management Plan. This action included                       Timetable:                                            Center for Biological Diversity, Kahea,
                                                      a regulatory amendment to change the                                                                              and the Ocean Conservancy to revise
                                                                                                                       Action                 Date         FR Cite
                                                      primary season opening date for the                                                                               Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat,
                                                      shorebased whiting fishery and the                        NPRM ..................   03/09/15     80 FR 12394      NMFS published a proposed rule in
                                                      shorebased non-whiting midwater trawl                     NPRM Comment              03/24/15                      June 2011 to revise Hawaiian monk seal
                                                      fishery to May 15 north of 40°30′ N. lat.                   Period End.                                           critical habitat by adding critical habitat
                                                      to the U.S./Canada border. This moved                     Final Action .........    05/01/15     80 FR 25109      in the main Hawaiian Islands and
                                                      the season a month earlier off                            Final Action Effec-       05/01/15                      extending critical habitat in the
                                                      Washington and Oregon and a month                           tive.                                                 Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
                                                      and half later off northern California                                                                            Proposed critical habitat includes both
                                                      (north of 40°30′ N. lat.), increasing                       Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                       marine and terrestrial habitats (e.g.,
                                                      consistency in the season start date                      Required: Yes.                                          foraging areas to 500 meter depth,
                                                      along the coast and between the                             Agency Contact: John K. Bullard,                      pupping beaches, etc.). To address
                                                      shorebased and at-sea midwater trawl                      Regional Administrator, Greater Atlantic                public comments on the proposed rule,
                                                      fleets.                                                   Region, Department of Commerce,                         NMFS is augmenting its prior economic
                                                         Timetable:                                             National Oceanic and Atmospheric                        analysis to better describe the
                                                                                                                Administration, 55 Great Republic                       anticipated costs of the designation.
                                                             Action                Date          FR Cite        Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930, Phone:                     NMFS is analyzing new tracking data to
                                                                                                                978 281–9287, Email: john.bullard@                      assess monk seal habitat use in the main
                                                      NPRM ..................     02/17/15    80 FR 8280        noaa.gov.                                               Hawaiian Islands. That may lead to
                                                      NPRM Comment                03/19/15                        RIN: 0648–BE75                                        some reduction in foraging area critical
                                                        Period End.
                                                      Final Action .........      04/09/15    80 FR 19034       231. 2015–2016 Atlantic Bluefin Tuna                    habitat for the main Hawaiian Islands to
                                                      Final Action Effec-         05/15/15                      Quotas                                                  better reflect where preferred foraging
                                                        tive.                                                                                                           features may be found.
                                                                                                                   Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et
                                                                                                                                                                           Timetable:
                                                                                                                seq.; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.
                                                        Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                            Abstract: This rule would increase the
                                                      Required: Yes.                                                                                                             Action              Date        FR Cite
                                                                                                                Atlantic bluefin tuna base quotas and
                                                        Agency Contact: William Stelle Jr.,                     subquotas, implementing the U.S.                        NPRM ..................     06/02/11   76 FR 32026
                                                      Regional Administrator, West Coast                        annual Atlantic Bluefin Tuna quota                      Notice of Public            07/14/11   76 FR 41446
                                                      Region, Department of Commerce,                           recommended for 2015 and 2016 by the                      Meetings.
                                                      National Oceanic and Atmospheric                          International Commission for the                        Other ...................   06/25/12   77 FR 37867
                                                      Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                                                                                Conservation of Atlantic Tunas and                      Final Action .........      08/21/15   80 FR 50925
                                                      Northeast, Building 1, Seattle, WA                        allocating that quota among the                         Final Action Effec-         09/21/15
                                                      98115, Phone: 206 526–6150, Email:                        domestic fishing categories.
                                                                                                                                                                          tive.
                                                      will.stelle@noaa.gov.                                        Timetable:
                                                        RIN: 0648–BE72                                                                                                    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
                                                                                                                       Action                 Date         FR Cite
                                                                                                                                                                        Required: Yes.
                                                      230. Framework Adjustment 53 to the                                                                                 Agency Contact: Donna Wieting,
                                                      Northeast Multispecies Fishery                                                                                    Director, Office of Protected Resources,
                                                                                                                NPRM ..................   06/12/15     80 FR 33467
                                                      Management Plan (Section 610 Review)                      NPRM Comment              07/13/15                      Department of Commerce, National
                                                        Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.                  Period End.                                            Oceanic and Atmospheric


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                                                      77946               Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 240 / Tuesday, December 15, 2015 / Unified Agenda

                                                      Administration, National Marine                                Action                 Date         FR Cite      their January 2015 meeting, the
                                                      Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West                                                                               proposals were discussed with the
                                                      Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910,                       NPRM ..................   10/22/14     79 FR 63066      Atlantic Right Whale Take Reduction
                                                      Phone: 301 427–8400.                                    NPRM Comment              11/21/14                      Team, which agreed that NMFS should
                                                                                                                Period End.                                           move forward with the rulemaking
                                                        RIN: 0648–BA81                                        Final Action .........    03/19/15     80 FR 14319
                                                                                                              Final Action Effec-       04/18/15
                                                                                                                                                                      process to adopt the proposals to amend
                                                      233. 2015 Annual Determination To                         tive.                                                 the June 2014 final rule as suggested by
                                                      Implement the Sea Turtle Observer                                                                               the states. The Team also requested that
                                                      Requirement                                               Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                       NMFS develop unique gear marking for
                                                                                                              Required: No.                                           certain areas.
                                                         Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.                Agency Contact: Donna Wieting,                          Timetable:
                                                         Abstract: Through the Annual                         Director, Office of Protected Resources,
                                                      Determination, the National Marine                      Department of Commerce, National                                 Action            Date        FR Cite
                                                      Fisheries Service (NMFS) identifies U.S.                Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                      fisheries operating in the Atlantic                     Administration, National Marine                         NPRM ..................   03/19/15   80 FR 14345
                                                                                                                                                                      Proposed Rule             04/07/15   80 FR 18584
                                                      Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Pacific                      Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West
                                                                                                                                                                        Correction.
                                                      Ocean that will be required to take                     Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910,                       NPRM Comment              04/20/15
                                                      observers upon NMFS request, pursuant                   Phone: 301 427–8400.                                      Period End.
                                                      to its authority under the Endangered                     RIN: 0648–BE35                                        Final Action .........    05/28/15   80 FR 30367
                                                      Species Act. The purpose of observing                   234. Amendment to the Atlantic Large                    Final Action Effec-       05/28/15
                                                      identified fisheries is to learn more                                                                             tive.
                                                                                                              Whale Take Reduction Plan
                                                      about sea turtle interactions in a given
                                                      fishery, evaluate existing measures to                    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.                 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
                                                                                                                Abstract: This final action amended                   Required: Yes.
                                                      prevent or reduce prohibited sea turtle
                                                                                                              the Atlantic Large Whale Take
                                                      takes, and to determine whether                                                                                   Agency Contact: Donna Wieting,
                                                                                                              Reduction Plan (Plan). The Plan was
                                                      additional measures to implement the                                                                            Director, Office of Protected Resources,
                                                                                                              previously amended on June 27, 2014,
                                                      prohibition against sea turtle takes may                                                                        Department of Commerce, National
                                                                                                              previously. This action changed the
                                                      be necessary. Fisheries that were                       minimum number of traps per trawl                       Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                      identified in the 2015 Annual                           requirements in state waters for safety                 Administration, National Marine
                                                      Determination will remain on the                        reasons, as requested by the                            Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West
                                                      Annual Determination for a 5-year                       Massachusetts Division of Marine                        Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910,
                                                      period and are required to carry                        Fisheries. The National Marine                          Phone: 301 427–8400.
                                                      observers upon NMFS request until                       Fisheries Service (NMFS) also received                    RIN: 0648–BE83
                                                      December 31, 2019.                                      proposals from other state partners                     [FR Doc. 2015–30613 Filed 12–14–15; 8:45 am]
                                                         Timetable:                                           requesting the same change. During                      BILLING CODE 3510–12–P
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




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Document Created: 2018-03-02 09:15:29
Document Modified: 2018-03-02 09:15:29
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionUnknown Section
ActionSemiannual regulatory agenda.
ContactSpecific: For additional information about specific regulatory actions listed in the agenda, contact the individual identified as the contact person.
FR Citation80 FR 77928 
CFR Citation13
Title 13 CFR Chapter III
19
Title 19 CFR Chapter III
48
Title 48 CFR Chapter 13

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