82_FR_47839 82 FR 47642 - Pacific Island Pelagic Fisheries; 2017 U.S. Territorial Longline Bigeye Tuna Catch Limits

82 FR 47642 - Pacific Island Pelagic Fisheries; 2017 U.S. Territorial Longline Bigeye Tuna Catch Limits

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 197 (October 13, 2017)

Page Range47642-47644
FR Document2017-22155

In this final rule, NMFS specifies a 2017 limit of 2,000 mt of longline-caught bigeye tuna for each U.S. participating territory (American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands). NMFS will allow each territory to allocate up to 1,000 mt each year to U.S. longline fishing vessels in a valid specified fishing agreement. As an accountability measure, NMFS will monitor, attribute, and restrict (if necessary), catches of longline-caught bigeye tuna, including catches made under a specified fishing agreement. These catch limits and accountability measures support the long-term sustainability of fishery resources of the U.S. Pacific Islands and fisheries development in the U.S. territories.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 197 (Friday, October 13, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 197 (Friday, October 13, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47642-47644]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-22155]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 665

[Docket No. 170109046-7933-02]
RIN 0648-XF156


Pacific Island Pelagic Fisheries; 2017 U.S. Territorial Longline 
Bigeye Tuna Catch Limits

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

ACTION: Final specifications.

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

SUMMARY: In this final rule, NMFS specifies a 2017 limit of 2,000 mt of 
longline-caught bigeye tuna for each U.S. participating territory 
(American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands). NMFS will 
allow each territory to allocate up to 1,000 mt each year to U.S. 
longline fishing vessels in a valid specified fishing agreement. As an 
accountability measure, NMFS will monitor, attribute, and restrict (if 
necessary), catches of longline-caught bigeye tuna, including catches 
made under a specified fishing agreement. These catch limits and 
accountability measures support the long-term sustainability of fishery 
resources of the U.S. Pacific Islands and fisheries development in the 
U.S. territories.

DATES: The final specifications are effective October 10, 2017, through 
December 31, 2017. The deadline to submit a specified fishing agreement 
pursuant to 50 CFR 665.819(b)(3) for review is December 11, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for Pelagic Fisheries 
of the Western Pacific (Pelagic FEP) are available from the Western 
Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), 1164 Bishop St., Suite 
1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, tel 808-522-8220, fax 808-522-8226, or 
www.wpcouncil.org.
    NMFS prepared environmental analyses that describe the potential 
impacts on the human environment that would result from the action. 
Copies of those analyses, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2017-0004, are 
available from www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-
0004, or from Michael D. Tosatto, Regional Administrator, NMFS Pacific 
Islands Region (PIR), 1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg. 176, Honolulu, HI 96818.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jarad Makaiau, NMFS PIRO Sustainable 
Fisheries, 808-725-5176.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS is specifying a catch limit of 2,000 mt 
of longline-caught bigeye tuna for each U.S. participating territory in 
2017. NMFS is also authorizing each territory to allocate up to 1,000 
mt of its 2,000-mt bigeye tuna limit to U.S. longline fishing vessels 
permitted to fish under the Pelagic FEP. NMFS will monitor catches of 
longline-caught bigeye tuna by the longline fisheries of each 
territory, including catches made by U.S. longline vessels operating 
under specified fishing agreements. The criteria that a specified 
fishing agreement must meet, and the process for attributing longline-
caught bigeye tuna, will follow the procedures in 50 CFR 665.819--
Territorial catch and fishing effort limits. When NMFS projects that a 
territorial catch or allocation limit will be reached, NMFS will, as an 
accountability measure, prohibit the catch and retention of longline-
caught bigeye tuna by vessels in the applicable territory (territorial 
catch limit), and/or vessels in a specified fishing agreement 
(allocation limit).
    You may find additional background information on this action in 
the preamble to the proposed specifications published on August 31, 
2017 (82 FR 41388).

Comments and Responses

    On August 31, 2017, NMFS published the proposed specifications and 
request for public comments (82 FR 41388); the comment period closed on 
September 15, 2017.

[[Page 47643]]

    In addition to the proposed catch limit specification, NMFS 
specifically invited public comments that would address the impact of 
the proposed action on cultural fishing rights in American Samoa. On 
March 20, 2017, in Territory of American Samoa v. NMFS, et al. (16-cv-
95, D. Haw), a Federal judge vacated and set aside a NMFS rule that 
amended the American Samoa Large Vessel Prohibited Area (LVPA) for 
eligible longliners. The Court held that the action was inconsistent 
with the ``other applicable law'' provision of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by not 
considering the protection and preservation of cultural fishing rights 
in American Samoa under the Instruments of Cession. The Instruments of 
Cession do not specifically mention cultural fishing rights, and the 
Court's decision, although recognizing the need to protect those 
rights, does not define them. The Council is currently reevaluating the 
LVPA rule, including options to define cultural fishing rights in 
American Samoa that are subject to preservation and protection.
    NMFS received five comment submissions on the proposed 
specifications, from individuals and the fishing industry. NMFS 
considered the public comments in making its decision on this action, 
and responds below to comments.

Comments on the Proposed Specifications

    NMFS responds to comments on the proposed specifications, as 
follows:
    Comment 1: Several commenters expressed support for the proposed 
2017 longline bigeye tuna catch limit of 2,000 mt and said the limit is 
sustainable and balances the needs of the communities that rely on 
bigeye tuna, and the ability of the stock to repopulate.
    Response: NMFS agrees and is satisfied that this action, which is 
identical to the catch and allocation limits we implemented in 2016 (81 
FR 63145, September 14, 2016), addresses the conservation and 
management needs of the bigeye tuna in the Western and Central Pacific 
Ocean (WCPO) while taking into account the needs of fishing communities 
of the U.S. Pacific Islands.
    Comment 2: One commenter said NOAA should allow for a maximum catch 
limit of 500 mt to account for unreported catches by poachers. The 
commenter also expressed concern that NOAA does not have sufficient 
enforcement resources to catch poachers, and that the proposed 2,000 mt 
catch limit will result in the species extinction.
    Response: NMFS disagrees that it should reduce the limit to account 
for poaching by U.S. longline fishing vessels. NMFS has no evidence 
that poaching is an issue of management concern, and therefore has no 
basis to reduce the allocation limit. Regulations implementing the 
Pelagic FEP include numerous measures that minimize the potential for 
illegal and unreported catch in U.S. longline fisheries. Specifically, 
NMFS requires all U.S. longline vessels owners to install and maintain 
operational vessel monitoring systems. This allows NMFS to track the 
location of fishing vessels at all times and ensure vessels do not fish 
within any restricted fishing area or during a fishery closure.
    NMFS also places a scientific observer on board longline vessels to 
document and record all catches made during observed fishing trips. 
Longline vessel operators must also maintain an accurate daily log of 
all catches, which NMFS can cross validate with observer records and 
market sales reports. Together, these measures provide NMFS with a 
reliable means to track the amount of fish caught by U.S. longline 
vessels from sea to market, and minimize the potential for illegal and 
unreported catch in the fishery.
    NMFS also disagrees that the proposed action would result in the 
extinction of bigeye tuna. Bigeye tuna is not a species listed as, or 
proposed to be listed as, threatened or endangered under the Endangered 
Species Act (ESA), nor is it a candidate species for ESA listing. 
Moreover, NMFS has determined that the proposed action is consistent 
with the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission's (WCPFC) 
objectives to conserve bigeye tuna at sustainable levels.
    Comment 3: One commenter said the NMFS should state where exactly 
the authority to create catch limits comes from instead of just 
supplying the statute number.
    Response: Bigeye tuna is managed by the WCPFC, of which the United 
States is a member. In Conservation and Management Measure (CMM) 2016-
01, the WCPFC established bigeye longline catch limits for the United 
States and other members, while exempting small island developing 
states and Participating Territories to the WCPFC, including American 
Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, from 
catch limits. CMM 2016-01 also provides that qualifying longline 
catches of vessels operated under contracts and leases with 
Participating Territories are to be attributed to those Territories. 
This action establishes bigeye longline limits for the three U.S. 
participating territories, a limited portion of which may be allocated 
to eligible vessels under specified fishing agreements, consistent with 
the WCPFC's conservation objectives for bigeye tuna. NMFS clarifies 
here that the authority to promulgate these fishing regulations arises 
from the Magnuson-Stevens Act (16 U.S.C. 1801, et seq.) and 
implementing regulations at 50 CFR 665.819.
    Comment 4: One commenter said that vessels in the U.S. pelagic 
longline fishery have existing specified fishing agreements with U.S. 
territories but are unable to fish for bigeye tuna under those 
agreements until NMFS finalizes the proposed action.
    Response: Specified fishing agreements may not be given effect 
until NMFS determines that the proposed catch and allocation limits are 
consistent with the Pelagic FEP, WCPFC decisions, other provisions of 
the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable laws. While the 2017 
proposed catch and allocation limits are identical to the limits NMFS 
implemented in 2016, NMFS received new information relevant to the 
environmental analyses in the 2015 EA and 2016 Supplemental EA. NMFS 
was required to complete its analysis of this information and other 
relevant impacts prior to taking final action on the proposed catch and 
allocation limit specifications.
    Comment 5: One commenter questions whether there is a factual basis 
to limit each territory to a 1,000 mt allocation limit, particularly in 
light of the 2017 Stock Assessment.
    Response: The Council recommended the 1,000 mt allocation limit for 
each U.S. territory prior to the availability of the 2017 stock 
assessment for bigeye tuna, which was completed in August 2017. 
Utilizing the best scientific information available, NMFS has 
determined that this allocation limit is consistent with WCPFC 
objectives to conserve the bigeye stock. Although the new 2017 stock 
assessment may describe a somewhat more optimistic conservation status 
for bigeye tuna, NMFS considers its use for this management action to 
be premature. NMFS expects stock assessment authors to present the 
assessment results to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries 
Commission (WCPFC) at its December 2017 meeting. We also expect the 
Council will consider the 2017 stock assessment and WCPFC decisions 
when recommending the future catch and

[[Page 47644]]

allocation limits for territorial longline fisheries.
    Comment 6: One commenter said that cultural fishing rights are an 
important topic that needs recognition and that the proposed action can 
achieve the financial and cultural goals of the American Samoa vessels 
and protect populations of tuna.
    Response: NMFS agrees and recognizes the importance of fishing to 
U.S. Pacific Island cultures. The action limits the amount of bigeye 
tuna that the U.S. territories may allocate to eligible vessels through 
specified fishing agreements to ensure that a sufficient amount of 
bigeye tuna is available to territorial fisheries. NMFS is satisfied 
that the catch and allocation limits addresses the conservation and 
management needs of the bigeye tuna in the WCPO while taking into 
account the needs of fishing communities.

Classification

    The Regional Administrator, NMFS PIR, determined that this action 
is necessary for the conservation and management of Pacific Island 
fishery resources, and that it is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act and other applicable laws.
    The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce 
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration during the proposed rule stage that this action would 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. NMFS published the factual basis for the certification in the 
proposed rule, and we do not repeat it here. NMFS received no comments 
on this certification; as a result, a regulatory flexibility analysis 
is not required, and none has been prepared.
    On December 29, 2015, NMFS issued a final rule establishing a small 
business size standard of $11 million in annual gross receipts for all 
businesses primarily engaged in the commercial fishing industry (NAICS 
11411) for Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) compliance purposes only 
(80 FR 81194, December 29, 2015). The $11 million standard became 
effective on July 1, 2016, and is to be used in place of the U.S. Small 
Business Administration's (SBA) current standards of $20.5 million, 
$5.5 million, and $7.5 million for the finfish (NAICS 114111), 
shellfish (NAICS 114112), and other marine fishing (NAICS 114119) 
sectors of the U.S. commercial fishing industry in all NMFS rules 
subject to the RFA after July 1, 2016.
    Pursuant to the RFA and prior to July 1, 2016, NMFS developed a 
certification for this regulatory action using SBA size standards. NMFS 
has reviewed the analyses prepared for this regulatory action in light 
of the new size standard. All of the entities directly regulated by 
this regulatory action are commercial fishing businesses and were 
considered small under the SBA size standards and, thus, they all would 
continue to be considered small under the new standard. Accordingly, 
NMFS has determined that the new size standard does not affect analyses 
prepared for this regulatory action.
    This rule it is not subject to the 30-day delayed effectiveness 
provision of the Administrative Procedure Act pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
553(d)(1) because it is a substantive rule that relieves a restriction. 
This rule allows all U.S. vessels identified in a valid specified 
fishing agreement to resume fishing in the western and central Pacific 
Ocean (WCPO) after NMFS closed the longline fishery for bigeye tuna 
both there and in the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO).
    NMFS closed the U.S. pelagic longline fishery for bigeye tuna in 
the WCPO on September 1, 2017, because the fishery reached the 2017 
catch limit (82 FR 37824, August 14, 2017). In addition, on September 
8, 2017, NMFS closed the U.S. pelagic longline fishery for bigeye tuna 
for vessels greater than 24 m in the EPO because the fishery reached 
the 2017 catch limit (82 FR 41562, September 1, 2017). This final rule 
would relieve the restriction of the fishery closure in the WCPO by 
allowing all U.S. vessels to fish for bigeye tuna in the WCPO under a 
valid specified fishing agreement with one or more U.S territory. This 
would alleviate some of the impacts to the U.S. pelagic longline 
fishery resulting from the two fishery closures, and may provide 
positive economic benefits for the fishery and associated businesses, 
and net benefits to the public and the Nation.
    This action is exempt from review under E.O. 12866 because it 
contains no implementing regulations.

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

    Dated: October 6, 2017.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-22155 Filed 10-10-17; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P



                                             47642             Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 197 / Friday, October 13, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                             period will be reached by October 17,                   to public notice and comment, and all                 December 31, 2017. The deadline to
                                             2017. Accordingly, the commercial                       that remains is to notify the public of               submit a specified fishing agreement
                                             sector for South Atlantic vermilion                     the closure. Allowing prior notice and                pursuant to 50 CFR 665.819(b)(3) for
                                             snapper is closed effective at 12:01 a.m.,              opportunity for public comment is                     review is December 11, 2017.
                                             local time, October 17, 2017, until 12:01               contrary to the public interest because               ADDRESSES: Copies of the Fishery
                                             a.m., local time, January 1, 2018.                      of the need to immediately implement                  Ecosystem Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of
                                                The operator of a vessel with a valid                this action to protect vermilion snapper,             the Western Pacific (Pelagic FEP) are
                                             commercial vessel permit for South                      since the capacity of the fishing fleet               available from the Western Pacific
                                             Atlantic snapper-grouper with                           allows for rapid harvest of the                       Fishery Management Council (Council),
                                             vermilion snapper on board must have                    commercial quota. Prior notice and                    1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu,
                                             landed and bartered, traded, or sold                    opportunity for public comment would                  HI 96813, tel 808–522–8220, fax 808–
                                             such vermilion snapper prior to 12:01                   require time and could result in a                    522–8226, or www.wpcouncil.org.
                                             a.m., local time, October 17, 2017.                     harvest well in excess of the established                NMFS prepared environmental
                                             During the commercial closure, the                      commercial quota.                                     analyses that describe the potential
                                             recreational bag limit specified in 50                     For the aforementioned reasons, the                impacts on the human environment that
                                             CFR 622.187(b)(5) and the possession                    AA also finds good cause to waive the                 would result from the action. Copies of
                                             limits specified in 50 CFR 622.187(c)(1)                30-day delay in the effectiveness of this             those analyses, identified by NOAA–
                                             apply to all harvest or possession of                   action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).                      NMFS–2017–0004, are available from
                                             vermilion snapper in or from the South                                                                        www.regulations.gov/
                                                                                                       Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
                                             Atlantic EEZ. Also during the                                                                                 #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-
                                             commercial closure, the sale or                           Dated: October 10, 2017.                            0004, or from Michael D. Tosatto,
                                             purchase of vermilion snapper taken                     Emily H. Menashes,                                    Regional Administrator, NMFS Pacific
                                             from the EEZ is prohibited. As specified                Acting Director, Office of Sustainable                Islands Region (PIR), 1845 Wasp Blvd.,
                                             in 50 CFR 622.190(c)(1)(i), the                         Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.         Bldg. 176, Honolulu, HI 96818.
                                             prohibition on sale or purchase does not                [FR Doc. 2017–22211 Filed 10–12–17; 8:45 am]          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                             apply to the sale or purchase of
                                             vermilion snapper that were harvested,
                                                                                                     BILLING CODE 3510–22–P                                Jarad Makaiau, NMFS PIRO Sustainable
                                             landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01                                                                        Fisheries, 808–725–5176.
                                             a.m., local time, October 17, 2017, and                                                                       SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS is
                                                                                                     DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
                                             were held in cold storage by a dealer or                                                                      specifying a catch limit of 2,000 mt of
                                             processor. For a person on board a                      National Oceanic and Atmospheric                      longline-caught bigeye tuna for each
                                             vessel issued a Federal commercial or                   Administration                                        U.S. participating territory in 2017.
                                             charter vessel/headboat permit for the                                                                        NMFS is also authorizing each territory
                                             South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery,                 50 CFR Part 665                                       to allocate up to 1,000 mt of its 2,000-
                                             the recreational bag and possession                                                                           mt bigeye tuna limit to U.S. longline
                                             limits and the sale and purchase                        [Docket No. 170109046–7933–02]                        fishing vessels permitted to fish under
                                             provisions of the commercial closure for                RIN 0648–XF156                                        the Pelagic FEP. NMFS will monitor
                                             vermilion snapper apply regardless of                                                                         catches of longline-caught bigeye tuna
                                             whether the fish are harvested in state                 Pacific Island Pelagic Fisheries; 2017                by the longline fisheries of each
                                             or Federal waters, as specified in 50                   U.S. Territorial Longline Bigeye Tuna                 territory, including catches made by
                                             CFR 622.190(c)(1)(ii).                                  Catch Limits                                          U.S. longline vessels operating under
                                                                                                                                                           specified fishing agreements. The
                                             Classification                                          AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries                    criteria that a specified fishing
                                               The Regional Administrator for the                    Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and                  agreement must meet, and the process
                                             NMFS Southeast Region has determined                    Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),                    for attributing longline-caught bigeye
                                             this temporary rule is necessary for the                Commerce.                                             tuna, will follow the procedures in 50
                                             conservation and management of South                    ACTION: Final specifications.                         CFR 665.819—Territorial catch and
                                             Atlantic vermilion snapper and is                                                                             fishing effort limits. When NMFS
                                             consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens                    SUMMARY:    In this final rule, NMFS                  projects that a territorial catch or
                                             Act and other applicable laws.                          specifies a 2017 limit of 2,000 mt of                 allocation limit will be reached, NMFS
                                               This action is taken under 50 CFR                     longline-caught bigeye tuna for each                  will, as an accountability measure,
                                             622.193(f)(1) and is exempt from review                 U.S. participating territory (American                prohibit the catch and retention of
                                             under Executive Order 12866.                            Samoa, Guam, and the Northern                         longline-caught bigeye tuna by vessels
                                               This action responds to the best                      Mariana Islands). NMFS will allow each                in the applicable territory (territorial
                                             scientific information available. The                   territory to allocate up to 1,000 mt each             catch limit), and/or vessels in a
                                             Assistant Administrator for NOAA                        year to U.S. longline fishing vessels in              specified fishing agreement (allocation
                                             Fisheries (AA) finds that the need to                   a valid specified fishing agreement. As               limit).
                                             immediately implement this action to                    an accountability measure, NMFS will                     You may find additional background
                                             close the commercial sector for                         monitor, attribute, and restrict (if                  information on this action in the
                                             vermilion snapper constitutes good                      necessary), catches of longline-caught                preamble to the proposed specifications
                                             cause to waive the requirements to                      bigeye tuna, including catches made                   published on August 31, 2017 (82 FR
                                             provide prior notice and opportunity for                under a specified fishing agreement.                  41388).
                                             public comment pursuant to the                          These catch limits and accountability
nlaroche on DSK9F9SC42PROD with RULES




                                             authority set forth in 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B),              measures support the long-term                        Comments and Responses
                                             as such procedures would be                             sustainability of fishery resources of the              On August 31, 2017, NMFS published
                                             unnecessary and contrary to the public                  U.S. Pacific Islands and fisheries                    the proposed specifications and request
                                             interest. Such procedures are                           development in the U.S. territories.                  for public comments (82 FR 41388); the
                                             unnecessary because the final rule                      DATES: The final specifications are                   comment period closed on September
                                             implementing the AM has been subject                    effective October 10, 2017, through                   15, 2017.


                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014   15:07 Oct 12, 2017   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00032   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\13OCR1.SGM   13OCR1


                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 197 / Friday, October 13, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                         47643

                                                In addition to the proposed catch                    mt catch limit will result in the species             attributed to those Territories. This
                                             limit specification, NMFS specifically                  extinction.                                           action establishes bigeye longline limits
                                             invited public comments that would                         Response: NMFS disagrees that it                   for the three U.S. participating
                                             address the impact of the proposed                      should reduce the limit to account for                territories, a limited portion of which
                                             action on cultural fishing rights in                    poaching by U.S. longline fishing                     may be allocated to eligible vessels
                                             American Samoa. On March 20, 2017, in                   vessels. NMFS has no evidence that                    under specified fishing agreements,
                                             Territory of American Samoa v. NMFS,                    poaching is an issue of management                    consistent with the WCPFC’s
                                             et al. (16–cv–95, D. Haw), a Federal                    concern, and therefore has no basis to                conservation objectives for bigeye tuna.
                                             judge vacated and set aside a NMFS rule                 reduce the allocation limit. Regulations              NMFS clarifies here that the authority to
                                             that amended the American Samoa                         implementing the Pelagic FEP include                  promulgate these fishing regulations
                                             Large Vessel Prohibited Area (LVPA) for                 numerous measures that minimize the                   arises from the Magnuson-Stevens Act
                                             eligible longliners. The Court held that                potential for illegal and unreported                  (16 U.S.C. 1801, et seq.) and
                                             the action was inconsistent with the                    catch in U.S. longline fisheries.                     implementing regulations at 50 CFR
                                             ‘‘other applicable law’’ provision of the               Specifically, NMFS requires all U.S.                  665.819.
                                             Magnuson-Stevens Fishery                                longline vessels owners to install and                   Comment 4: One commenter said that
                                             Conservation and Management Act                         maintain operational vessel monitoring                vessels in the U.S. pelagic longline
                                             (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by not                           systems. This allows NMFS to track the                fishery have existing specified fishing
                                             considering the protection and                          location of fishing vessels at all times              agreements with U.S. territories but are
                                             preservation of cultural fishing rights in              and ensure vessels do not fish within                 unable to fish for bigeye tuna under
                                             American Samoa under the Instruments                    any restricted fishing area or during a               those agreements until NMFS finalizes
                                             of Cession. The Instruments of Cession                  fishery closure.                                      the proposed action.
                                             do not specifically mention cultural                       NMFS also places a scientific observer                Response: Specified fishing
                                             fishing rights, and the Court’s decision,               on board longline vessels to document
                                                                                                                                                           agreements may not be given effect until
                                             although recognizing the need to protect                and record all catches made during
                                                                                                                                                           NMFS determines that the proposed
                                             those rights, does not define them. The                 observed fishing trips. Longline vessel
                                                                                                                                                           catch and allocation limits are
                                             Council is currently reevaluating the                   operators must also maintain an
                                                                                                                                                           consistent with the Pelagic FEP, WCPFC
                                             LVPA rule, including options to define                  accurate daily log of all catches, which
                                                                                                                                                           decisions, other provisions of the
                                             cultural fishing rights in American                     NMFS can cross validate with observer
                                                                                                                                                           Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other
                                             Samoa that are subject to preservation                  records and market sales reports.
                                                                                                                                                           applicable laws. While the 2017
                                             and protection.                                         Together, these measures provide NMFS
                                                                                                                                                           proposed catch and allocation limits are
                                                                                                     with a reliable means to track the
                                                NMFS received five comment                                                                                 identical to the limits NMFS
                                                                                                     amount of fish caught by U.S. longline
                                             submissions on the proposed                                                                                   implemented in 2016, NMFS received
                                                                                                     vessels from sea to market, and
                                             specifications, from individuals and the                                                                      new information relevant to the
                                                                                                     minimize the potential for illegal and
                                             fishing industry. NMFS considered the                                                                         environmental analyses in the 2015 EA
                                                                                                     unreported catch in the fishery.
                                             public comments in making its decision                     NMFS also disagrees that the                       and 2016 Supplemental EA. NMFS was
                                             on this action, and responds below to                   proposed action would result in the                   required to complete its analysis of this
                                             comments.                                               extinction of bigeye tuna. Bigeye tuna is             information and other relevant impacts
                                                                                                     not a species listed as, or proposed to               prior to taking final action on the
                                             Comments on the Proposed
                                                                                                     be listed as, threatened or endangered                proposed catch and allocation limit
                                             Specifications
                                                                                                     under the Endangered Species Act                      specifications.
                                               NMFS responds to comments on the                      (ESA), nor is it a candidate species for                 Comment 5: One commenter
                                             proposed specifications, as follows:                    ESA listing. Moreover, NMFS has                       questions whether there is a factual
                                               Comment 1: Several commenters                         determined that the proposed action is                basis to limit each territory to a 1,000 mt
                                             expressed support for the proposed                      consistent with the Western and Central               allocation limit, particularly in light of
                                             2017 longline bigeye tuna catch limit of                Pacific Fisheries Commission’s                        the 2017 Stock Assessment.
                                             2,000 mt and said the limit is                          (WCPFC) objectives to conserve bigeye                    Response: The Council recommended
                                             sustainable and balances the needs of                   tuna at sustainable levels.                           the 1,000 mt allocation limit for each
                                             the communities that rely on bigeye                        Comment 3: One commenter said the                  U.S. territory prior to the availability of
                                             tuna, and the ability of the stock to                   NMFS should state where exactly the                   the 2017 stock assessment for bigeye
                                             repopulate.                                             authority to create catch limits comes                tuna, which was completed in August
                                               Response: NMFS agrees and is                          from instead of just supplying the                    2017. Utilizing the best scientific
                                             satisfied that this action, which is                    statute number.                                       information available, NMFS has
                                             identical to the catch and allocation                      Response: Bigeye tuna is managed by                determined that this allocation limit is
                                             limits we implemented in 2016 (81 FR                    the WCPFC, of which the United States                 consistent with WCPFC objectives to
                                             63145, September 14, 2016), addresses                   is a member. In Conservation and                      conserve the bigeye stock. Although the
                                             the conservation and management needs                   Management Measure (CMM) 2016–01,                     new 2017 stock assessment may
                                             of the bigeye tuna in the Western and                   the WCPFC established bigeye longline                 describe a somewhat more optimistic
                                             Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) while                      catch limits for the United States and                conservation status for bigeye tuna,
                                             taking into account the needs of fishing                other members, while exempting small                  NMFS considers its use for this
                                             communities of the U.S. Pacific Islands.                island developing states and                          management action to be premature.
                                               Comment 2: One commenter said                         Participating Territories to the WCPFC,               NMFS expects stock assessment authors
                                             NOAA should allow for a maximum                         including American Samoa, Guam, and                   to present the assessment results to the
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                                             catch limit of 500 mt to account for                    the Commonwealth of the Northern                      Western and Central Pacific Fisheries
                                             unreported catches by poachers. The                     Mariana Islands, from catch limits.                   Commission (WCPFC) at its December
                                             commenter also expressed concern that                   CMM 2016–01 also provides that                        2017 meeting. We also expect the
                                             NOAA does not have sufficient                           qualifying longline catches of vessels                Council will consider the 2017 stock
                                             enforcement resources to catch                          operated under contracts and leases                   assessment and WCPFC decisions when
                                             poachers, and that the proposed 2,000                   with Participating Territories are to be              recommending the future catch and


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                                             47644             Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 197 / Friday, October 13, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                             allocation limits for territorial longline              regulatory flexibility analysis is not                restriction. This rule allows all U.S.
                                             fisheries.                                              required, and none has been prepared.                 vessels identified in a valid specified
                                                Comment 6: One commenter said that                      On December 29, 2015, NMFS issued                  fishing agreement to resume fishing in
                                             cultural fishing rights are an important                a final rule establishing a small business            the western and central Pacific Ocean
                                             topic that needs recognition and that the               size standard of $11 million in annual                (WCPO) after NMFS closed the longline
                                             proposed action can achieve the                         gross receipts for all businesses                     fishery for bigeye tuna both there and in
                                             financial and cultural goals of the                     primarily engaged in the commercial                   the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO).
                                             American Samoa vessels and protect                      fishing industry (NAICS 11411) for                       NMFS closed the U.S. pelagic
                                             populations of tuna.                                    Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)                      longline fishery for bigeye tuna in the
                                                Response: NMFS agrees and                            compliance purposes only (80 FR                       WCPO on September 1, 2017, because
                                             recognizes the importance of fishing to                 81194, December 29, 2015). The $11                    the fishery reached the 2017 catch limit
                                             U.S. Pacific Island cultures. The action                million standard became effective on                  (82 FR 37824, August 14, 2017). In
                                             limits the amount of bigeye tuna that the               July 1, 2016, and is to be used in place              addition, on September 8, 2017, NMFS
                                             U.S. territories may allocate to eligible               of the U.S. Small Business                            closed the U.S. pelagic longline fishery
                                             vessels through specified fishing                       Administration’s (SBA) current                        for bigeye tuna for vessels greater than
                                             agreements to ensure that a sufficient                  standards of $20.5 million, $5.5 million,             24 m in the EPO because the fishery
                                             amount of bigeye tuna is available to                   and $7.5 million for the finfish (NAICS               reached the 2017 catch limit (82 FR
                                             territorial fisheries. NMFS is satisfied                114111), shellfish (NAICS 114112), and                41562, September 1, 2017). This final
                                             that the catch and allocation limits                    other marine fishing (NAICS 114119)
                                             addresses the conservation and                                                                                rule would relieve the restriction of the
                                                                                                     sectors of the U.S. commercial fishing                fishery closure in the WCPO by
                                             management needs of the bigeye tuna in                  industry in all NMFS rules subject to
                                             the WCPO while taking into account the                                                                        allowing all U.S. vessels to fish for
                                                                                                     the RFA after July 1, 2016.                           bigeye tuna in the WCPO under a valid
                                             needs of fishing communities.
                                                                                                        Pursuant to the RFA and prior to July              specified fishing agreement with one or
                                             Classification                                          1, 2016, NMFS developed a certification               more U.S territory. This would alleviate
                                               The Regional Administrator, NMFS                      for this regulatory action using SBA size             some of the impacts to the U.S. pelagic
                                             PIR, determined that this action is                     standards. NMFS has reviewed the                      longline fishery resulting from the two
                                             necessary for the conservation and                      analyses prepared for this regulatory                 fishery closures, and may provide
                                             management of Pacific Island fishery                    action in light of the new size standard.             positive economic benefits for the
                                             resources, and that it is consistent with               All of the entities directly regulated by             fishery and associated businesses, and
                                             the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other                      this regulatory action are commercial                 net benefits to the public and the
                                             applicable laws.                                        fishing businesses and were considered                Nation.
                                               The Chief Counsel for Regulation of                   small under the SBA size standards and,                  This action is exempt from review
                                             the Department of Commerce certified                    thus, they all would continue to be                   under E.O. 12866 because it contains no
                                             to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the                considered small under the new                        implementing regulations.
                                             Small Business Administration during                    standard. Accordingly, NMFS has
                                                                                                                                                             Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
                                             the proposed rule stage that this action                determined that the new size standard
                                             would not have a significant economic                   does not affect analyses prepared for                   Dated: October 6, 2017.
                                             impact on a substantial number of small                 this regulatory action.                               Samuel D. Rauch III,
                                             entities. NMFS published the factual                       This rule it is not subject to the 30-             Deputy Assistant Administrator for
                                             basis for the certification in the                      day delayed effectiveness provision of                Regulatory Programs, National Marine
                                             proposed rule, and we do not repeat it                  the Administrative Procedure Act                      Fisheries Service.
                                             here. NMFS received no comments on                      pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(1) because                [FR Doc. 2017–22155 Filed 10–10–17; 4:15 pm]
                                             this certification; as a result, a                      it is a substantive rule that relieves a              BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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Document Created: 2017-10-13 04:33:17
Document Modified: 2017-10-13 04:33:17
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
ActionFinal specifications.
DatesThe final specifications are effective October 10, 2017, through December 31, 2017. The deadline to submit a specified fishing agreement pursuant to 50 CFR 665.819(b)(3) for review is December 11, 2017.
ContactJarad Makaiau, NMFS PIRO Sustainable Fisheries, 808-725-5176.
FR Citation82 FR 47642 
RIN Number0648-XF15

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