82 FR 49143 - Pacific Island Pelagic Fisheries; 2017 U.S. Territorial Longline Bigeye Tuna Catch Limits for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 204 (October 24, 2017)

NMFS announces a valid specified fishing agreement that allocates up to 1,000 metric tons (t) of the 2017 bigeye tuna limit for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to identified U.S. longline fishing vessels. The agreement supports the long-term sustainability of fishery resources of the U.S. Pacific Islands, and fisheries development in the CNMI.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 204 (Tuesday, October 24, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 49143]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-23028]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 665

RIN 0648-XF156


Pacific Island Pelagic Fisheries; 2017 U.S. Territorial Longline 
Bigeye Tuna Catch Limits for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
Islands

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

ACTION: Announcement of a valid specified fishing agreement.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces a valid specified fishing agreement that 
allocates up to 1,000 metric tons (t) of the 2017 bigeye tuna limit for 
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to identified 
U.S. longline fishing vessels. The agreement supports the long-term 
sustainability of fishery resources of the U.S. Pacific Islands, and 
fisheries development in the CNMI.

DATES: October 23, 2017.

ADDRESSES: 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.
    Copies of the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the 
Western Pacific Region (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.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a final rule published on October 13, 
2017, NMFS specified a 2017 limit of 2,000 t of longline-caught bigeye 
tuna for the U.S. Pacific Island territories of American Samoa, Guam 
and the CNMI (82 FR 47642). Of the 2,000 t limit, NMFS allows each 
territory to allocate up to 1,000 t to U.S. longline fishing vessels 
identified in a valid specified fishing agreement.
    On October 6, 2017, NMFS received from the Council a specified 
fishing agreement between the CNMI and Quota Management, Inc. (QMI). In 
the transmittal memorandum, the Council's Executive Director advised 
that the specified fishing agreement was consistent with the criteria 
set forth in 50 CFR 665.819(c)(1). On October 10, 2017, NMFS reviewed 
the agreement and determined that it is consistent with the Pelagic 
FEP, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, 
implementing regulations, and other applicable laws.
    In accordance with 50 CFR 300.224(d) and 50 CFR 665.819(c)(9), 
vessels identified in the agreement may retain and land bigeye tuna in 
the western and central Pacific Ocean under the CNMI limit. NMFS began 
attributing bigeye tuna caught by vessels identified in the agreement 
to the CNMI starting on October 10, 2017. If NMFS determines that the 
fishery will reach the attribution limit of 1,000 t, we will restrict 
the retention of bigeye tuna caught by vessels identified in the 
agreement, unless the vessels are included in a subsequent specified 
fishing agreement with another U.S. territory.

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

    Dated: October 19, 2017.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-23028 Filed 10-23-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P