82_FR_46361 82 FR 46170 - Authorization of Revised Reporting Requirements Due to Catastrophic Conditions for Federal Seafood Dealers and Individual Fishing Quota Dealers in Portions of Florida

82 FR 46170 - Authorization of Revised Reporting Requirements Due to Catastrophic Conditions for Federal Seafood Dealers and Individual Fishing Quota Dealers in Portions of Florida

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 191 (October 4, 2017)

Page Range46170-46171
FR Document2017-21329

In accordance with the regulations implementing the individual fishing quota (IFQ) and Federal dealer reporting programs specific to the commercial reef fish fishery in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf), the coastal migratory pelagic (CMP) fisheries in the Gulf and the Atlantic, the spiny lobster fishery of the Gulf and Atlantic, and the snapper- grouper and dolphin-wahoo fisheries in the South Atlantic, the Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS (RA) has determined that Hurricane Irma has caused catastrophic conditions in the following Florida counties: Manatee, Sarasota, DeSoto, Charlotte, Lee, Collier, Monroe, Miami-Dade, and Broward. Consistent with those regulations, the RA has authorized any dealer in the affected area who does not have access to electronic reporting to delay reporting of trip tickets to NOAA Fisheries from September 29, 2017, through October 31, 2017. The RA has also authorized IFQ participants within this affected area to use paper-based forms, if necessary, for basic required administrative functions, e.g., landing transactions, from September 29, 2017, through October 31, 2017. This temporary rule announcing the determination of catastrophic conditions and allowance of alternative methods for completing required IFQ and other dealer reporting administrative functions is intended to facilitate continuation of IFQ and dealer reporting operations during the period of catastrophic conditions. NMFS will continue to monitor and evaluate conditions. A subsequent Federal Register notice will be published, if needed.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 191 (Wednesday, October 4, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 191 (Wednesday, October 4, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46170-46171]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-21329]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket Nos. 090206140-91081-03 and 120405260-4258-02]
RIN 0648-XF723


Authorization of Revised Reporting Requirements Due to 
Catastrophic Conditions for Federal Seafood Dealers and Individual 
Fishing Quota Dealers in Portions of Florida

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

ACTION: Temporary delay in reporting requirements; determination of 
catastrophic conditions.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the regulations implementing the individual 
fishing quota (IFQ) and Federal dealer reporting programs specific to 
the commercial reef fish fishery in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf), the 
coastal migratory pelagic (CMP) fisheries in the Gulf and the Atlantic, 
the spiny lobster fishery of the Gulf and Atlantic, and the snapper-
grouper and dolphin-wahoo fisheries in the South Atlantic, the Regional 
Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS (RA) has determined that 
Hurricane Irma has caused catastrophic conditions in the following 
Florida counties: Manatee, Sarasota, DeSoto, Charlotte, Lee, Collier, 
Monroe, Miami-Dade, and Broward. Consistent with those regulations, the 
RA has authorized any dealer in the affected area who does not have 
access to electronic reporting to delay reporting of trip tickets to 
NOAA Fisheries from September 29, 2017, through October 31, 2017. The 
RA has also authorized IFQ participants within this affected area to 
use paper-based forms, if necessary, for basic required administrative 
functions, e.g., landing transactions, from September 29, 2017, through 
October 31, 2017. This temporary rule announcing the determination of 
catastrophic conditions and allowance of alternative methods for 
completing required IFQ and other dealer reporting administrative 
functions is intended to facilitate continuation of IFQ and dealer 
reporting operations during the period of catastrophic conditions. NMFS 
will continue to monitor and evaluate conditions. A subsequent Federal 
Register notice will be published, if needed.

DATES: The RA is authorizing applicable Federal dealers and IFQ 
participants reporting within this affected area to use revised 
reporting methods from September 29, 2017, through October 31, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: IFQ Customer Service, telephone: 866-
425-7627, fax: 727-824-5308, email: [email protected]. For 
federal dealer reporting, Fisheries Monitoring Branch, telephone: 305-
361-4581.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The reef fish fishery of the Gulf is managed 
under the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Reef Fish Resources of the 
Gulf of Mexico, prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management 
Council. The snapper-grouper fishery of the South Atlantic is managed 
under the Snapper-Grouper FMP of the South Atlantic, prepared by the 
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. The dolphin-wahoo fishery of 
the South Atlantic is managed under the Dolphin-Wahoo FMP of the South 
Atlantic, prepared by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. 
The fishery for CMP fish (king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and cobia) 
is managed under the FMP for the CMP Resources of the Gulf of Mexico 
and South Atlantic, prepared by both Councils. The fishery for spiny 
lobster is managed under the FMP for Spiny Lobster of the Gulf of 
Mexico and South Atlantic, prepared by both Councils. All FMPs are 
implemented through regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the authority 
of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
(Magnuson-Stevens Act).
    The Generic Dealer Amendment established Federal dealer reporting 
requirements for federally permitted dealers in the Gulf and South 
Atlantic (79 FR 19490, April 9, 2014). Amendment 26 to the FMP 
established an IFQ program for the commercial red snapper component of 
the Gulf reef fish fishery (71 FR 67447, November 22, 2006). Amendment 
29 to the FMP established an IFQ program for the commercial grouper and 
tilefish components of the Gulf reef fish fishery (74 FR 44732, August 
31, 2009). Regulations implementing these IFQ programs (50 CFR 622.21 
and 622.22) and the dealer reporting requirements (50 CFR 622.5(c)) 
require that Federal dealers and IFQ participants have access to a 
computer and Internet and that they conduct administrative functions 
associated with dealer reporting and the IFQ program, e.g., landing 
transactions, online. However, these regulations also specify that 
during catastrophic conditions, as determined by the RA, the RA may 
waive or modify the reporting time requirements for dealers and 
authorize IFQ participants to use paper-based forms to complete 
administrative functions for the duration of the catastrophic 
conditions. The RA must determine that catastrophic conditions exist, 
specify the duration of the catastrophic conditions, and specify which 
participants or geographic areas are deemed affected.
    Hurricane Irma made landfall in the U.S. near Cudjoe Key, Florida, 
as a Category 4 hurricane then made a subsequent landfall near Marco 
Island, Florida, as a Category 3 hurricane on September 10, 2017. 
Strong winds and flooding from this hurricane impacted communities 
throughout Florida, resulting in power outages and damage to homes, 
businesses, and infrastructure. As a result, the RA has determined that 
catastrophic conditions exist in the following Florida counties: 
Manatee, Sarasota, DeSoto, Charlotte, Lee, Collier, Monroe, Miami-Dade, 
and Broward. Through this temporary rule, the RA is authorizing Federal 
dealers to delay reporting of trip tickets to NOAA Fisheries and IFQ 
participants within this affected area to use paper-based forms, from 
September 29, 2017, through October 31, 2017. NMFS will provide 
additional notification to affected participants via NOAA Weather 
Radio, Fishery Bulletins, and other appropriate means. NOAA Fisheries 
will continue to monitor and re-evaluate the areas and duration of the 
catastrophic conditions.
    Dealers may delay electronic reporting of trip tickets to NMFS 
during catastrophic conditions. Dealers are to report all landings to 
NMFS as soon as possible. Assistance for Federal dealers in effected 
areas is available from the Fisheries Monitoring Branch at 1-305-361-
4581. NMFS previously provided IFQ dealers with the necessary paper 
forms (sequentially coded) and instructions for submission in the event 
of catastrophic conditions. Paper forms are also available from the RA 
upon request. The electronic systems for submitting information to NMFS 
will continue to be available to all participants, and participants in 
the affected area are encouraged to continue using these systems, if 
accessible.
    The administrative program functions available to IFQ participants 
in the area

[[Page 46171]]

affected by catastrophic conditions will be limited under the paper-
based system. There will be no mechanism for transfers of IFQ shares or 
allocation under the paper-based system in effect during catastrophic 
conditions. Assistance in complying with the requirements of the paper-
based system will be available via the Catch Share Support line, 1-866-
425-7627 Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. eastern 
time.

Classification

    The Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS, has determined 
this temporary rule is necessary for the conservation and management of 
reef fish, CMP species, spiny lobster, dolphin-wahoo, and snapper-
grouper, managed under the Gulf IFQ Programs and the Federal dealer 
reporting programs, as applicable, and is consistent with the Magnuson-
Stevens Act and other applicable laws.
    This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.5(c), 622.21(a)(3)(iii), and 
622.22(a)(3)(iii), and is exempt from review under Executive Order 
12866.
    These measures are exempt from the procedures of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act because this temporary rule is issued without 
opportunity for prior notice and comment.
    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), there is good cause to waive the 
requirements to provide prior notice and opportunity for public comment 
on this temporary rule. Such procedures are unnecessary because the 
final rules implementing the Gulf IFQ programs and the Gulf and 
Atlantic Federal dealer reporting have already been subject to notice 
and public comment. These rules authorize the RA to determine when 
catastrophic conditions exist, and which participants or geographic 
areas are deemed affected by catastrophic conditions. The final rules 
also authorize the RA to provide timely notice to affected participants 
via publication of notification in the Federal Register, NOAA Weather 
Radio, Fishery Bulletins, and other appropriate means. All that remains 
is to notify the public that catastrophic conditions exist and that 
paper forms may be utilized by IFQ dealers in the affected area and 
that Federal dealers may submit delayed reports. Additionally, delaying 
this temporary rule to provide prior notice and opportunity for public 
comment would be contrary to the public interest because affected 
participants are still fishing for and receiving these species in the 
affected area and need a means of completing their landing 
transactions. With the power outages and damages to infrastructure that 
have occurred in the affected area due to Hurricane Irma, numerous 
businesses are unable to complete landings transactions and dealer 
reports electronically. In order to continue with their businesses, IFQ 
participants need to be aware they can still complete landing 
transactions and dealer reports using the paper forms.
    For the aforementioned reasons, the AA also finds good cause to 
waive the 30-day delay in the effectiveness of this action under 5 
U.S.C. 553(d)(3).

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

    Dated: September 29, 2017.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-21329 Filed 9-29-17; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P



                                              46170            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 191 / Wednesday, October 4, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                                Dated: September 29, 2017.                            facilitate continuation of IFQ and dealer             to a computer and Internet and that they
                                              Ann C. Agnew,                                           reporting operations during the period                conduct administrative functions
                                              Executive Secretary to the Department,                  of catastrophic conditions. NMFS will                 associated with dealer reporting and the
                                              Department of Health and Human Services.                continue to monitor and evaluate                      IFQ program, e.g., landing transactions,
                                              [FR Doc. 2017–21327 Filed 9–29–17; 4:15 pm]             conditions. A subsequent Federal                      online. However, these regulations also
                                              BILLING CODE 4120–01–P                                  Register notice will be published, if                 specify that during catastrophic
                                                                                                      needed.                                               conditions, as determined by the RA,
                                                                                                      DATES: The RA is authorizing applicable               the RA may waive or modify the
                                              DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE                                  Federal dealers and IFQ participants                  reporting time requirements for dealers
                                                                                                      reporting within this affected area to use            and authorize IFQ participants to use
                                              National Oceanic and Atmospheric                        revised reporting methods from                        paper-based forms to complete
                                              Administration                                          September 29, 2017, through October                   administrative functions for the
                                                                                                      31, 2017.                                             duration of the catastrophic conditions.
                                              50 CFR Part 622                                                                                               The RA must determine that
                                                                                                      FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: IFQ
                                                                                                                                                            catastrophic conditions exist, specify
                                              [Docket Nos. 090206140–91081–03 and                     Customer Service, telephone: 866–425–
                                                                                                                                                            the duration of the catastrophic
                                              120405260–4258–02]                                      7627, fax: 727–824–5308, email: SER-
                                                                                                                                                            conditions, and specify which
                                                                                                      IFQ.Support@noaa.gov. For federal
                                              RIN 0648–XF723                                                                                                participants or geographic areas are
                                                                                                      dealer reporting, Fisheries Monitoring
                                                                                                                                                            deemed affected.
                                              Authorization of Revised Reporting                      Branch, telephone: 305–361–4581.
                                                                                                                                                               Hurricane Irma made landfall in the
                                              Requirements Due to Catastrophic                        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The reef                   U.S. near Cudjoe Key, Florida, as a
                                              Conditions for Federal Seafood                          fish fishery of the Gulf is managed                   Category 4 hurricane then made a
                                              Dealers and Individual Fishing Quota                    under the Fishery Management Plan                     subsequent landfall near Marco Island,
                                              Dealers in Portions of Florida                          (FMP) for Reef Fish Resources of the                  Florida, as a Category 3 hurricane on
                                                                                                      Gulf of Mexico, prepared by the Gulf of               September 10, 2017. Strong winds and
                                              AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries                      Mexico Fishery Management Council.                    flooding from this hurricane impacted
                                              Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and                    The snapper-grouper fishery of the                    communities throughout Florida,
                                              Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),                      South Atlantic is managed under the                   resulting in power outages and damage
                                              Commerce.                                               Snapper-Grouper FMP of the South                      to homes, businesses, and
                                              ACTION: Temporary delay in reporting                    Atlantic, prepared by the South Atlantic              infrastructure. As a result, the RA has
                                              requirements; determination of                          Fishery Management Council. The                       determined that catastrophic conditions
                                              catastrophic conditions.                                dolphin-wahoo fishery of the South                    exist in the following Florida counties:
                                                                                                      Atlantic is managed under the Dolphin-                Manatee, Sarasota, DeSoto, Charlotte,
                                              SUMMARY:   In accordance with the                       Wahoo FMP of the South Atlantic,                      Lee, Collier, Monroe, Miami-Dade, and
                                              regulations implementing the individual                 prepared by the South Atlantic Fishery                Broward. Through this temporary rule,
                                              fishing quota (IFQ) and Federal dealer                  Management Council. The fishery for                   the RA is authorizing Federal dealers to
                                              reporting programs specific to the                      CMP fish (king mackerel, Spanish                      delay reporting of trip tickets to NOAA
                                              commercial reef fish fishery in the Gulf                mackerel, and cobia) is managed under                 Fisheries and IFQ participants within
                                              of Mexico (Gulf), the coastal migratory                 the FMP for the CMP Resources of the                  this affected area to use paper-based
                                              pelagic (CMP) fisheries in the Gulf and                 Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic,                    forms, from September 29, 2017,
                                              the Atlantic, the spiny lobster fishery of              prepared by both Councils. The fishery                through October 31, 2017. NMFS will
                                              the Gulf and Atlantic, and the snapper-                 for spiny lobster is managed under the                provide additional notification to
                                              grouper and dolphin-wahoo fisheries in                  FMP for Spiny Lobster of the Gulf of                  affected participants via NOAA Weather
                                              the South Atlantic, the Regional                        Mexico and South Atlantic, prepared by                Radio, Fishery Bulletins, and other
                                              Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS                   both Councils. All FMPs are                           appropriate means. NOAA Fisheries
                                              (RA) has determined that Hurricane                      implemented through regulations at 50                 will continue to monitor and re-evaluate
                                              Irma has caused catastrophic conditions                 CFR part 622 under the authority of the               the areas and duration of the
                                              in the following Florida counties:                      Magnuson-Stevens Fishery                              catastrophic conditions.
                                              Manatee, Sarasota, DeSoto, Charlotte,                   Conservation and Management Act                          Dealers may delay electronic
                                              Lee, Collier, Monroe, Miami-Dade, and                   (Magnuson-Stevens Act).                               reporting of trip tickets to NMFS during
                                              Broward. Consistent with those                             The Generic Dealer Amendment                       catastrophic conditions. Dealers are to
                                              regulations, the RA has authorized any                  established Federal dealer reporting                  report all landings to NMFS as soon as
                                              dealer in the affected area who does not                requirements for federally permitted                  possible. Assistance for Federal dealers
                                              have access to electronic reporting to                  dealers in the Gulf and South Atlantic                in effected areas is available from the
                                              delay reporting of trip tickets to NOAA                 (79 FR 19490, April 9, 2014).                         Fisheries Monitoring Branch at 1–305–
                                              Fisheries from September 29, 2017,                      Amendment 26 to the FMP established                   361–4581. NMFS previously provided
                                              through October 31, 2017. The RA has                    an IFQ program for the commercial red                 IFQ dealers with the necessary paper
                                              also authorized IFQ participants within                 snapper component of the Gulf reef fish               forms (sequentially coded) and
                                              this affected area to use paper-based                   fishery (71 FR 67447, November 22,                    instructions for submission in the event
                                              forms, if necessary, for basic required                 2006). Amendment 29 to the FMP                        of catastrophic conditions. Paper forms
                                              administrative functions, e.g., landing                 established an IFQ program for the                    are also available from the RA upon
                                              transactions, from September 29, 2017,                  commercial grouper and tilefish                       request. The electronic systems for
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                                              through October 31, 2017. This                          components of the Gulf reef fish fishery              submitting information to NMFS will
                                              temporary rule announcing the                           (74 FR 44732, August 31, 2009).                       continue to be available to all
                                              determination of catastrophic                           Regulations implementing these IFQ                    participants, and participants in the
                                              conditions and allowance of alternative                 programs (50 CFR 622.21 and 622.22)                   affected area are encouraged to continue
                                              methods for completing required IFQ                     and the dealer reporting requirements                 using these systems, if accessible.
                                              and other dealer reporting                              (50 CFR 622.5(c)) require that Federal                   The administrative program functions
                                              administrative functions is intended to                 dealers and IFQ participants have access              available to IFQ participants in the area


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                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 191 / Wednesday, October 4, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                      46171

                                              affected by catastrophic conditions will                affected area due to Hurricane Irma,                  complete the required fields, and enter
                                              be limited under the paper-based                        numerous businesses are unable to                     or attach your comments.
                                              system. There will be no mechanism for                  complete landings transactions and                       • Mail: Submit written comments to
                                              transfers of IFQ shares or allocation                   dealer reports electronically. In order to            Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional
                                              under the paper-based system in effect                  continue with their businesses, IFQ                   Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries
                                              during catastrophic conditions.                         participants need to be aware they can                Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn:
                                              Assistance in complying with the                        still complete landing transactions and               Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O.
                                              requirements of the paper-based system                  dealer reports using the paper forms.                 Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668.
                                              will be available via the Catch Share                      For the aforementioned reasons, the                   Instructions: NMFS may not consider
                                              Support line, 1–866–425–7627 Monday                     AA also finds good cause to waive the                 comments if they are sent by any other
                                              through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4:30                 30-day delay in the effectiveness of this             method, to any other address or
                                              p.m. eastern time.                                      action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).                      individual, or received after the
                                              Classification                                            Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.                   comment period ends. All comments
                                                                                                                                                            received are a part of the public record
                                                 The Regional Administrator,                            Dated: September 29, 2017.                          and will post the comments for public
                                              Southeast Region, NMFS, has                             Emily H. Menashes,                                    viewing on www.regulations.gov
                                              determined this temporary rule is                       Acting Director, Office of Sustainable                without change. All personal identifying
                                              necessary for the conservation and                      Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.         information (e.g., name, address, etc.),
                                              management of reef fish, CMP species,                   [FR Doc. 2017–21329 Filed 9–29–17; 4:15 pm]           confidential business information, or
                                              spiny lobster, dolphin-wahoo, and                       BILLING CODE 3510–22–P                                otherwise sensitive information
                                              snapper-grouper, managed under the                                                                            submitted voluntarily by the sender is
                                              Gulf IFQ Programs and the Federal                                                                             publicly accessible. NMFS will accept
                                              dealer reporting programs, as                           DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE                                anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in
                                              applicable, and is consistent with the                                                                        the required fields if you wish to remain
                                              Magnuson-Stevens Act and other                          National Oceanic and Atmospheric                      anonymous).
                                              applicable laws.                                        Administration
                                                                                                                                                            FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                 This action is taken under 50 CFR
                                              622.5(c), 622.21(a)(3)(iii), and                        50 CFR Part 679                                       Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228.
                                              622.22(a)(3)(iii), and is exempt from                                                                         SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
                                                                                                      [Docket No. 161020985–7181–02]                        manages the groundfish fishery in the
                                              review under Executive Order 12866.
                                                 These measures are exempt from the                   RIN 0648–XF714                                        Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
                                              procedures of the Regulatory Flexibility                                                                      management area (BSAI) exclusive
                                              Act because this temporary rule is                      Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic                   economic zone according to the Fishery
                                              issued without opportunity for prior                    Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch                  Management Plan for Groundfish of the
                                              notice and comment.                                     in the Bering Sea Subarea of the                      Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
                                                 Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), there                Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands                       management area (FMP) prepared by the
                                              is good cause to waive the requirements                 Management Area                                       North Pacific Fishery Management
                                              to provide prior notice and opportunity                                                                       Council under authority of the
                                              for public comment on this temporary                    AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries                    Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
                                              rule. Such procedures are unnecessary                   Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and                  Conservation and Management Act.
                                              because the final rules implementing                    Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),                    Regulations governing fishing by U.S.
                                              the Gulf IFQ programs and the Gulf and                  Commerce.                                             vessels in accordance with the FMP
                                              Atlantic Federal dealer reporting have                  ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of               appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600
                                              already been subject to notice and                      a closure.                                            and 50 CFR part 679.
                                              public comment. These rules authorize                                                                            NMFS closed directed fishing for
                                              the RA to determine when catastrophic                   SUMMARY:    NMFS is opening directed                  Pacific ocean perch (POP) in the Bering
                                              conditions exist, and which participants                fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the                Sea subarea of the BSAI under
                                              or geographic areas are deemed affected                 Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea                  § 679.20(d)(1)(iii) (82 FR 11826,
                                              by catastrophic conditions. The final                   and Aleutian Islands management area.                 February 27, 2017).
                                              rules also authorize the RA to provide                  This action is necessary to fully use the                NMFS has determined that
                                              timely notice to affected participants via              2017 total allowable catch of Pacific                 approximately 3,800 metric tons of POP
                                              publication of notification in the                      ocean perch specified for the Bering Sea              remain in the directed fishing
                                              Federal Register, NOAA Weather Radio,                   subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian                allowance. Therefore, in accordance
                                              Fishery Bulletins, and other appropriate                Islands management area.                              with § 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and
                                              means. All that remains is to notify the                DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local               (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize the
                                              public that catastrophic conditions exist               time (A.l.t.), October 1, 2017, through               2017 total allowable catch of POP in the
                                              and that paper forms may be utilized by                 1200 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2017.                  Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI, NMFS
                                              IFQ dealers in the affected area and that               Comments must be received at the                      is terminating the previous closure and
                                              Federal dealers may submit delayed                      following address no later than 4:30                  is opening directed fishing for POP in
                                              reports. Additionally, delaying this                    p.m., A.l.t., October 19, 2017.                       Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI, effective
                                              temporary rule to provide prior notice                  ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,                      1200 hrs, A.l.t., October 1, 2017,
                                              and opportunity for public comment                      identified by NOAA–NMFS–2016–0140,                    through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., December 31,
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES




                                              would be contrary to the public interest                by either of the following methods:                   2017. This will enhance the
                                              because affected participants are still                    • Electronic Submission: Submit all                socioeconomic well-being of harvesters
                                              fishing for and receiving these species                 electronic public comments via the                    dependent on POP in this area.
                                              in the affected area and need a means                   Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to                       The Administrator, Alaska Region
                                              of completing their landing transactions.               http://www.regulations.gov/                           considered the following factors in
                                              With the power outages and damages to                   docket?D=NOAA-NMFS-2016-0140,                         reaching this decision: (1) The current
                                              infrastructure that have occurred in the                click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon,                      catch of POP in the BSAI and, (2) the


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Document Created: 2018-10-25 09:55:11
Document Modified: 2018-10-25 09:55:11
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionTemporary delay in reporting requirements; determination of catastrophic conditions.
DatesThe RA is authorizing applicable Federal dealers and IFQ participants reporting within this affected area to use revised reporting methods from September 29, 2017, through October 31, 2017.
ContactIFQ Customer Service, telephone: 866- 425-7627, fax: 727-824-5308, email: [email protected] For federal dealer reporting, Fisheries Monitoring Branch, telephone: 305- 361-4581.
FR Citation82 FR 46170 
RIN Number0648-XF72

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