82 FR 46209 - Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Commercial Management Measures
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 191 (October 4, 2017)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 191 (October 4, 2017)
| Page Range | 46209-46210 | |
| FR Document | 2017-21254 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 191 (Wednesday, October 4, 2017)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 46209-46210] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-21254] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 660 [Docket No. 170630616-7875-01] RIN 0648-BH00 Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Commercial Management Measures AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Advanced notice of proposed rulemaking; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This advanced notice of proposed rulemaking provides information on a request by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) to announce deliberations of potential accumulation limits for Catcher Processor Permit use or ownership in the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery. The Council may not count any acquisition and usage of Catcher Processor permits and/or usage of Catcher Processor allocation after the date of June 13, 2017, in any decision setting accumulation limits. NMFS invites comments on this document. DATES: Written comments must be received by November 3, 2017. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the proposed rule identified by ``NOAA-NMFS-2017-0109'' by either of the following methods:Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/ [[Page 46210]] #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-0109, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. Mail: Submit written comments to Frank Lockhart, NMFS West Coast Regional Office, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115. Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Lockhart, NMFS West Coast Regional Office, telephone: 206-526-6142, or email: [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) recommended and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) implemented the Pacific Coast groundfish trawl catch share program (Program) off Washington, Oregon and California, starting on January 11, 2011. The Program changed management of harvest in the trawl fishery from a trip limit system with cumulative vessel trip limits to a quota system in which each quota share could generally be harvested at any time during an open season. The Program has increased fishermen's flexibility in making decisions on when and how much quota to fish. The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires that councils undertake reviews within 5 years after implementation of limited access privilege programs such as the Pacific Coast groundfish trawl catch share program. The Council initiated its review in 2016, and expects to recommend changes to the Program in the coming months. One of the issues that the Council is considering is accumulation limits for the Catcher Processor (CP) sector. In establishing the initial Program, the Council addressed accumulation limits for the ownership or control within the shoreside IFQ sector and the mothership sector, but not the CP sector. The accumulation limits were meant to prevent consolidation at levels that could result in an excessive share being acquired by a single entity. At the June 2017 Council meeting, the Council began considering whether or not similar accumulation limits on ownership or control should be applied to the CP sector as well, and it recommended that NMFS announce the start of these deliberations in the Federal Register. In advance of a rulemaking on changes to the Program, this document announces that the Council may not count any activities related to acquisition and usage of CP permits and/or usage of CP allocation after the date of June 13, 2017, when establishing accumulation limits for the CP sector. This is intended to discourage increased acquisition and usage of CP permits and/or usage of CP allocation for the purpose of economic speculation while the Council develops and considers changes to the Program. This announcement does not commit the Council or the NMFS to any particular outcome. The Council may or may not make use of this date as part of any deliberations and decisions on acquisition and usage of CP permits and/or usage of CP allocation. Fishery participants are not guaranteed future participation in the program, regardless of their entry date or level of participation in the fishery before or after June 13, 2017. It is important to note that continuation of levels of accumulation that predate June 13, 2017 are not guaranteed. The Council also may choose to take no further action. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: September 28, 2017. Samuel D. Rauch, III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017-21254 Filed 10-3-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 191 / Wednesday, October 4, 2017 / Proposed Rules 46209
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 622 commercial vessel moratorium permit stowed. For the purposes of this
Commercial, Fisheries, Fishing, Gulf, for Gulf shrimp that is not renewed will paragraph, transit means non-stop
Permits, Shrimp. be terminated and will not be reissued progression through the Gulf EEZ.
during the moratorium. A permit is Fishing gear appropriately stowed
Dated: September 27, 2017. considered to be not renewed when an means trawl doors and nets must be out
Samuel D. Rauch III, application for renewal, as required, is of the water and the bag straps must be
Deputy Assistant Administrator for not received by the RA within 1 year of removed from the net.
Regulatory Programs, National Marine the expiration date of the permit. ■ 3. Amend § 622.55 by:
Fisheries Service.
(iii) When NMFS has determined that ■ a. Designating the table in paragraph
For the reasons set out in the the number of commercial vessel (b) as Table 1 to paragraph (b);
preamble, 50 CFR part 622 is proposed moratorium permits for Gulf shrimp has ■ b. Revising paragraph (c)(1);
to be amended as follows: reached the threshold number of ■ c. Designating the table after
permits as described in the FMP, then paragraph (d)(2) as Table 3 to paragraph
PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE a commercial vessel moratorium permit
CARIBBEAN, GULF, AND SOUTH (d), the table after paragraph (d)(3) as
for Gulf shrimp that is not renewed will Table 4 to paragraph (d), and the table
ATLANTIC be converted to a Gulf shrimp reserve after paragraph (d)(4) as Table 5 to
■ 1. The authority citation for part 622 pool permit and held by NMFS for paragraph (d);
continues to read as follows: possible reissuance. Gulf shrimp reserve ■ d. In paragraph (e) designating the
pool permits will not be issued until table as Table 6 to paragraph (e).
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. eligibility requirements are developed
■ 2. In § 622.50, revise paragraph The revision to read as follows:
and implemented through subsequent
(b)(3)(ii), and add paragraphs (b)(3)(iii) rulemaking. § 622.55 Closed area.
and (e) to read as follows: * * * * * * * * * *
§ 622.50 Permits, permit moratorium, and (e) Gulf shrimp transit provision. A (c) * * *
endorsements. vessel that does not have a valid Gulf (1) The Tortugas shrimp sanctuary is
* * * * * shrimp moratorium permit, as described closed to trawling. The Tortugas shrimp
(b) * * * in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, sanctuary is that part of the EEZ off
(3) * * * may possess Gulf shrimp when in Florida shoreward of rhumb lines
(ii) Except as provided for in transit in the Gulf EEZ provided that the connecting, in order, the following
paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section, a shrimp fishing gear is appropriately points:
TABLE 1 TO PARAGRAPH (c)(1)
Point North lat. West long.
N 1 ............................................................................................................................................................................ 25°52′54″ 81°37′56″
F ............................................................................................................................................................................... 24°50′42″ 81°51′18″
G 2 ............................................................................................................................................................................ 24°40′00″ 82°26′39″
H 3 ............................................................................................................................................................................ 24°34′44″ 82°35′27″
P 4 ............................................................................................................................................................................ 24°35′00″ 82°08′00″
1 Coon Key Light.
2 New Ground Shoals Light.
3 Rebecca Shoals Light.
4 Marquesas Keys.
* * * * * DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE information on a request by the Pacific
■ 4. In § 622.73, add paragraph (c) to Fishery Management Council (Council)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric to announce deliberations of potential
read as follows:
Administration accumulation limits for Catcher
§ 622.73 Prohibited species. Processor Permit use or ownership in
* * * * * 50 CFR Part 660 the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery. The
[Docket No. 170630616–7875–01]
Council may not count any acquisition
(c) Wild live rock may not be and usage of Catcher Processor permits
harvested or possessed in or from the RIN 0648–BH00 and/or usage of Catcher Processor
Gulf EEZ. allocation after the date of June 13,
[FR Doc. 2017–21039 Filed 10–3–17; 8:45 am] Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; 2017, in any decision setting
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
Fisheries Off West Coast States; accumulation limits. NMFS invites
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; comments on this document.
Commercial Management Measures DATES: Written comments must be
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries received by November 3, 2017.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), on the proposed rule identified by
Commerce. ‘‘NOAA–NMFS–2017–0109’’ by either
ACTION: Advanced notice of proposed of the following methods:
rulemaking; request for comments. • Electronic Submission: Submit all
electronic public comments via the
SUMMARY: This advanced notice of Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
proposed rulemaking provides www.regulations.gov/
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![46210 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 191 / Wednesday, October 4, 2017 / Proposed Rules
#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017- The Program changed management of In advance of a rulemaking on
0109, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, harvest in the trawl fishery from a trip changes to the Program, this document
complete the required fields, and enter limit system with cumulative vessel trip announces that the Council may not
or attach your comments. limits to a quota system in which each count any activities related to
• Mail: Submit written comments to quota share could generally be acquisition and usage of CP permits
Frank Lockhart, NMFS West Coast harvested at any time during an open and/or usage of CP allocation after the
Regional Office, 7600 Sand Point Way season. The Program has increased date of June 13, 2017, when establishing
NE., Seattle, WA 98115. fishermen’s flexibility in making accumulation limits for the CP sector.
Instructions: Comments sent by any decisions on when and how much quota This is intended to discourage increased
other method, to any other address or to fish. acquisition and usage of CP permits
individual, or received after the end of The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires and/or usage of CP allocation for the
the comment period, may not be that councils undertake reviews within purpose of economic speculation while
considered by NMFS. All comments 5 years after implementation of limited the Council develops and considers
received are a part of the public record access privilege programs such as the changes to the Program.
and will generally be posted for public Pacific Coast groundfish trawl catch This announcement does not commit
viewing on www.regulations.gov share program. The Council initiated its the Council or the NMFS to any
without change. All personal identifying review in 2016, and expects to particular outcome. The Council may or
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), recommend changes to the Program in may not make use of this date as part
confidential business information, or the coming months. of any deliberations and decisions on
otherwise sensitive information One of the issues that the Council is acquisition and usage of CP permits
submitted voluntarily by the sender will considering is accumulation limits for and/or usage of CP allocation. Fishery
be publicly accessible. NMFS will the Catcher Processor (CP) sector. In participants are not guaranteed future
accept anonymous comments (enter establishing the initial Program, the participation in the program, regardless
‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish Council addressed accumulation limits of their entry date or level of
to remain anonymous). for the ownership or control within the participation in the fishery before or
shoreside IFQ sector and the mothership after June 13, 2017. It is important to
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
sector, but not the CP sector. The note that continuation of levels of
Frank Lockhart, NMFS West Coast accumulation limits were meant to
Regional Office, telephone: 206–526– accumulation that predate June 13, 2017
prevent consolidation at levels that are not guaranteed. The Council also
6142, or email: frank.lockhart@ could result in an excessive share being
noaa.gov. may choose to take no further action.
acquired by a single entity. At the June
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 2017 Council meeting, the Council
Pacific Fishery Management Council began considering whether or not Dated: September 28, 2017.
(Council) recommended and the similar accumulation limits on Samuel D. Rauch, III,
National Marine Fisheries Service ownership or control should be applied Deputy Assistant Administrator for
(NMFS) implemented the Pacific Coast to the CP sector as well, and it Regulatory Programs, National Marine
groundfish trawl catch share program recommended that NMFS announce the Fisheries Service.
(Program) off Washington, Oregon and start of these deliberations in the [FR Doc. 2017–21254 Filed 10–3–17; 8:45 am]
California, starting on January 11, 2011. Federal Register. BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 03, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\04OCP1.SGM 04OCP1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_46400/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2018-10-25 09:55:47
Document Modified: 2018-10-25 09:55:47
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Proposed Rules | |
| Action | Advanced notice of proposed rulemaking; request for comments. | |
| Dates | Written comments must be received by November 3, 2017. | |
| Contact | Frank Lockhart, NMFS West Coast Regional Office, telephone: 206-526-6142, or email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 46209 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-BH00 |
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