82 FR 58164 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fishery; Proposed 2018-2020 Fishing Quotas
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 236 (December 11, 2017)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 236 (December 11, 2017)
| Page Range | 58164-58166 | |
| FR Document | 2017-26577 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 236 (Monday, December 11, 2017)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 58164-58166] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-26577] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 [Docket No. 170818784-7784-01] RIN 0648-XF641 Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fishery; Proposed 2018-2020 Fishing Quotas AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS proposes status quo commercial quotas for the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries for 2018 and projected status quo quotas for 2019 and 2020. This action is necessary to establish allowable harvest levels of Atlantic surfclams and ocean quahogs that will prevent overfishing and allow harvesting of optimum yield. This action would also continue to suspend the minimum shell size for Atlantic surfclams for the 2018 fishing year. The intended effect of this action is to provide benefit to the industry from stable quotas to maintain a consistent market. DATES: Comments must be received by December 26, 2017. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2017-0118, by any of the following methods:Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. Mail: Submit written comments to John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope: ``Comments on the 2018-2020 Surflcam/Ocean Quahog Specifications.'' 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 part of the public record and will generally be posted to www.regulations.gov without change. All Personal Identifying Information (for example, name, address, etc.) [[Page 58165]] voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publically accessible. Do not submit confidential business information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ``N/ A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only. Copies of the Environmental Assessment (EA), Supplemental Information Request (SIR), and other supporting documents for these proposed specifications are available from the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 North State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin Wilkinson, Fishery Management Specialist, 301-427-8561. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fishery Management Plan (FMP) requires that NMFS, in consultation with the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, specify quotas for surfclam and ocean quahog for up to a three-year period, with annual review. It is the policy of the Council that the catch limit selected allow for sustainable fishing to continue at that level for at least 10 years for surfclams, and 30 years for ocean quahogs. In addition to this, the Council policy also considers the economic impact of the quotas. Regulations implementing Amendment 10 to the FMP (63 FR 27481; May 19, 1998) added Maine ocean quahogs (locally known as Maine mahogany quahogs) to the management unit and provided for a small artisanal fishery for ocean quahogs in the waters north of 43[deg]50' N. lat, with an annual quota within a range of 17,000 to 100,000 Maine bu (0.6 to 3.52 million L). As specified in Amendment 10, the Maine ocean quahog quota is allocated separately from the quota specified for the ocean quahog fishery. Regulations implementing Amendment 13 to the FMP (68 FR 69970; December 16, 2003) established the authority to propose multi-year quotas with an annual quota review to be conducted by the Council to determine if the multi-year quota specifications remain appropriate for each year. NMFS then publishes the annual final quotas in the Federal Register. The fishing quotas must ensure overfishing will not occur. In recommending these quotas, the Council considered the most recent stock assessments and other relevant scientific information. In June 2017, the Council voted to recommend maintaining for 2018- 2020 the status quo quota levels of 5.33 million bu (288 million L) for the ocean quahog fishery, 3.40 million bu (181 million L) for the Atlantic surfclam fishery, and 100,000 Maine bu (3.52 million L) for the Maine ocean quahog fishery. We propose to implement the Council's recommended specifications for 2018 and project that the Council's recommended specifications for 2019 and 2020 will be implemented in those years. Because the Council will review available information in the interim years and adjustments to quotas may occur to account for annual catch limit (ACL) overages, the 2019 and 2020 quotas proposed are considered the projected specifications. We will provide notice in the Federal Register before the 2019 and 2020 fishing years announcing the final quotas being implemented. Tables 1 and 2 show proposed and projected quotas for the 2018-2020 Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fishery. Table 1--Proposed Atlantic Surfclam Measures ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Atlantic surfclam ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Allowable biological Annual catch Annual catch Year catch (ABC) limit (ACL) target (ACT) Commercial quota (mt) (mt) (mt) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2017 (current)................ 44,469 44,469 29,364 3.4 million bushels (181 million L). 2018.......................... 29,363 29,363 29,363 3.4 million bushels (181 million L). 2019-2020 (Projected)......... 29,363 29,363 29,363 3.4 million bushels (181 million L). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table 2--Proposed Ocean Quahog Measures ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ocean quahog ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Year ABC (mt) ACL (mt) ACT (mt) Commercial quota ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2017 (current)................ 26,100 26,100 26,035 Maine quota: 100,000 Maine bu (3.52 million L) Non-Maine quota: 5.33 million bu (288 million L). 2018.......................... 44,695 44,695 25,924 Maine quota: 100,000 Maine bu (3.52 million L) Non-Maine quota: 5.33 million bu (288 million L). 2019 (Projected).............. 46,146 46,146 25,924 Maine quota: 100,000 Maine bu (3.52 million L) Non-Maine quota: 5.33 million bu (288 million L). 2020 (Projected).............. 45,783 45,783 25,924 Maine quota: 100,000 Maine bu (3.52 million L) Non-Maine quota: 5.33 million bu (288 million L). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog quotas are specified in ``industry'' bushels of 1.88 ft\3\ (53.24 L) per bushel, while the Maine ocean quahog quota is specified in Maine bushels of 1.24 ft\3\ (35.24 L) per bushel. Because Maine ocean quahogs are the same species as ocean quahogs, both fisheries are assessed under the same overfishing definition. When the two quota amounts (ocean quahog and Maine ocean quahog) are added, the total allowable harvest is below the level that would result in overfishing for the entire stock. The 2018- 2020 quotas are nearly identical (within 100 mt) to those implemented in the 2014-2016 specifications, which were carried over for 2017. [[Page 58166]] Surfclam The proposed 2018-2020 status quo surfclam quota was developed in June 2017 after reviewing the results of the Northeast Regional Stock Assessment Workshop (SAW) 61 for Atlantic surfclam. The surfclam quota recommendation is consistent with the SAW 61 finding that the Atlantic surfclam stock is not overfished, and overfishing is not occurring. Based on this information, the Council is recommending, and NMFS is proposing, to maintain the status quo surfclam quota of 3.40 million bu (181 million L) for 2018-2020 (see table 1). Ocean Quahog Consistent with the Council recommendation, we are proposing the following for ocean quahog. The proposed 2018-2020 non-Maine quota for ocean quahog is the status quo quota of 5.33 million bu (288 million L). The 2018-2020 proposed quota for Maine ocean quahogs is the status quo level of 100,000 Maine bu (3.52 million L). The proposed quota represents the maximum allowable quota under the FMP. Surfclam Minimum Size In June 2017, the Council voted to recommend that the minimum size limit for surfclams continue to be suspended for 2018. The minimum size limit has been suspended annually since 2005. Minimum size suspension may not be taken unless discard, catch, and biological sampling data indicate that 30 percent or more of the Atlantic surfclam resource have a shell length less than 4.75 inches (120 mm), and the overall reduced size is not attributable to harvest from beds where growth of the individual clams has been reduced because of density-dependent factors. Commercial surfclam data for 2017 were analyzed to determine the percentage of surfclams that were smaller than the minimum size requirement. The analysis indicated that 10.4 percent of the overall commercial landings, to date, were composed of surfclams that were less than the 4.75-inch (120-mm) default minimum size. Based on the information available, the Regional Administrator concurs with the Council's recommendation, and is proposing to suspend the minimum size limit for Atlantic surfclams in the upcoming fishing year (January 1 through December 31, 2018). Classification Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, has determined that this proposed rule is consistent with the Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog FMP, other provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable law, subject to further consideration after public comment. This action does not introduce any new reporting, recordkeeping, or other compliance requirements. This proposed rule does not duplicate, overlap, or conflict with other Federal rules. This proposed rule is exempt from the requirements of E.O. 12866. This proposed rule is not expected to be an E.O. 13771 regulatory action because this proposed rule is not significant under E.O. 12866. The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration that this proposed rule, if adopted, would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The factual basis for this certification is as follows: For Regulatory Flexibility Analysis purposes only, NMFS has established a uniform size standard for small businesses, including their affiliates, whose primary industry is commercial fishing (see 50 CFR 200.2). A business primarily engaged in commercial fishing is classified as a small business if it is independently owned and operated, is not dominant in its field of operation (including its affiliates), and has combined annual receipts of less than $11 million for all its affiliated operations worldwide. In 2016, 349 fishing firms held at least one surfclam or ocean quahog permit. Using the $11 million cutoff for firms, there are 341 entities that are small and 8 that are large. In order to provide a more accurate count and description of the small directly regulated entities, landings data were evaluated to select only firms that were active in either the surfclam or the ocean quahog fishery. There are 24 active fishing firms, of which 22 are small entities and 2 are large entities. Because the proposed quotas are status quo, the action would have no impacts on the way the fishery operates. These measures are expected to provide similar fishing opportunities in 2018-2020 when compared to earlier years. As such, revenue changes are not expected in 2018-2020 when compared to landings and revenues in 2017. Therefore, adoption of the proposed specifications are not expected to have impacts on entities participating in the fishery if landings are similar to those that occurred in 2017. Maintaining the suspension of the surfclam minimum shell length requirement would result in no change when compared to 2014-2016. The minimum shell length requirement has been suspended each year since 2005. The proposed action would have no impact on the way the fishery operates, and is not expected to disproportionately affect small entities. As a result, an initial regulatory flexibility analysis is not required and none has been prepared. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: December 6, 2017. Alan D. Risenhoover, Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Progams, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017-26577 Filed 12-8-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![58164 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 236 / Monday, December 11, 2017 / Proposed Rules
h. These totals simply sum the criteria in each column. For aquatic life, there are 23 priority toxic pollutants with some type of freshwater or saltwater, acute or
chronic criteria. For human health, there are 92 priority toxic pollutants with either ‘‘water + organism’’ or ‘‘organism only’’ criteria. Note that these totals count chro-
mium as one pollutant even though EPA has developed criteria based on two valence states. In the matrix, EPA has assigned numbers 5a and 5b to the criteria for
chromium to reflect the fact that the list of 126 priority pollutants includes only a single listing for chromium.
i. Criteria for these metals are expressed as a function of the water-effect ratio, WER, as defined in paragraph (c) of this section. CMC = column B1 or C1 value ×
WER; CCC = column B2 or C2 value × WER.
j. No criterion for protection of human health from consumption of aquatic organisms (excluding water) was presented in the 1980 criteria document or in the 1986
Quality Criteria for Water. Nevertheless, sufficient information was presented in the 1980 document to allow a calculation of a criterion, even though the results of
such a calculation were not shown in the document.
k. The CWA 304(a) criterion for asbestos is the MCL.
l. [Reserved]
m. These freshwater and saltwater criteria for metals are expressed in terms of the dissolved fraction of the metal in the water column. Criterion values were cal-
culated by using EPA’s Clean Water Act 304(a) guidance values (described in the total recoverable fraction) and then applying the conversion factors in
§ 131.36(b)(1) and (2).
n. EPA is not promulgating human health criteria for these contaminants. However, permit authorities should address these contaminants in NPDES permit actions
using the State’s existing narrative criteria for toxics.
o. These criteria were promulgated for specific waters in California in the National Toxics Rule (‘‘NTR’’), at § 131.36. The specific waters to which the NTR criteria
apply include: Waters of the State defined as bays or estuaries and waters of the State defined as inland, i.e., all surface waters of the State not ocean waters. These
waters specifically include the San Francisco Bay upstream to and including Suisun Bay and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. This section does not apply instead
of the NTR for this criterion.
p. A criterion of 20 ug/l was promulgated for specific waters in California in the NTR and was promulgated in the total recoverable form. The specific waters to
which the NTR criterion applies include: Waters of the San Francisco Bay upstream to and including Suisun Bay and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta; and waters
of Salt Slough, Mud Slough (north) and the San Joaquin River, Sack Dam to the mouth of the Merced River. This section does not apply instead of the NTR for this
criterion. The State of California adopted and EPA approved a site specific criterion for the San Joaquin River, mouth of Merced to Vernalis; therefore, this section
does not apply to these waters.
q. This criterion is expressed in the total recoverable form. This criterion was promulgated for specific waters in California in the NTR and was promulgated in the
total recoverable form. The specific waters to which the NTR criterion applies include: Waters of the San Francisco Bay upstream to and including Suisun Bay and
the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta; and waters of Salt Slough, Mud Slough (north) and the San Joaquin River, Sack Dam to Vernalis. This criterion does not apply
instead of the NTR for these waters. This criterion applies to additional waters of the United States in the State of California pursuant to 40 CFR 131.38(c). The State
of California adopted and EPA approved a site-specific criterion for the Grassland Water District, San Luis National Wildlife Refuge, and the Los Banos State Wildlife
Refuge; therefore, this criterion does not apply to these waters.
r. These criteria were promulgated for specific waters in California in the NTR. The specific waters to which the NTR criteria apply include: Waters of the State de-
fined as bays or estuaries including the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta within California Regional Water Board 5, but excluding the San Francisco Bay. This section
does not apply instead of the NTR for these criteria.
s. These criteria were promulgated for specific waters in California in the NTR. The specific waters to which the NTR criteria apply include: Waters of the Sac-
ramento-San Joaquin Delta and waters of the State defined as inland (i.e., all surface waters of the State not bays or estuaries or ocean) that include a MUN use
designation. This section does not apply instead of the NTR for these criteria.
t. These criteria were promulgated for specific waters in California in the NTR. The specific waters to which the NTR criteria apply include: Waters of the State de-
fined as bays and estuaries including San Francisco Bay upstream to and including Suisun Bay and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta; and waters of the State de-
fined as inland (i.e., all surface waters of the State not bays or estuaries or ocean) without a MUN use designation. This section does not apply instead of the NTR
for these criteria.
u. PCBs are a class of chemicals which include aroclors 1242, 1254, 1221, 1232, 1248, 1260, and 1016, CAS numbers 53469219, 11097691, 11104282,
11141165, 12672296, 11096825, and 12674112, respectively. The aquatic life criteria apply to the sum of this set of seven aroclors.
v. This criterion applies to total PCBs, e.g., the sum of all congener or isomer or homolog or aroclor analyses.
w. This criterion has been recalculated pursuant to the 1995 Updates: Water Quality Criteria Documents for the Protection of Aquatic Life in Ambient Water, Office
of Water, EPA–820–B–96–001, September 1996. See also Great Lakes Water Quality Initiative Criteria Documents for the Protection of Aquatic Life in Ambient
Water, Office of Water, EPA–80–B–95–004, March 1995.
x. The State of California has adopted and EPA has approved site-specific criteria for the Sacramento River (and tributaries) above Hamilton City; therefore, these
criteria do not apply to these waters.
y. The State of California adopted and EPA approved a site-specific criterion for New Alamo Creek from Old Alamo Creek to Ulatis Creek and for Ulatis Creek from
Alamo Creek to Cache Slough; therefore, this criterion does not apply to these waters.
z. The State of California adopted and EPA approved a site-specific criterion for the Los Angeles River and its tributaries; therefore, this criterion does not apply to
these waters.
General Notes to Table in Paragraph (b)(1)
1. The table in this paragraph (b)(1) lists all of EPA’s priority toxic pollutants whether or not criteria guidance are available. Blank spaces indicate the absence of
national section 304(a) criteria guidance. Because of variations in chemical nomenclature systems, this listing of toxic pollutants does not duplicate the listing in ap-
pendix A to 40 CFR part 423–126 Priority Pollutants. EPA has added the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) registry numbers, which provide a unique identification
for each chemical.
2. The following chemicals have organoleptic-based criteria recommendations that are not included on this chart: zinc, 3-methyl-4-chlorophenol.
3. Freshwater and saltwater aquatic life criteria apply as specified in paragraph (c)(3) of this section.
* * * * * Proposed rule; request for
ACTION: • Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
[FR Doc. 2017–25706 Filed 12–8–17; 8:45 am] comments. www.regulations.gov, click the
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the
SUMMARY: NMFS proposes status quo required fields, and enter or attach your
commercial quotas for the Atlantic comments.
surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries for • Mail: Submit written comments to
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 2018 and projected status quo quotas for John K. Bullard, Regional
2019 and 2020. This action is necessary Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
to establish allowable harvest levels of Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great
Administration
Atlantic surfclams and ocean quahogs Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930.
that will prevent overfishing and allow Mark the outside of the envelope:
50 CFR Part 648
harvesting of optimum yield. This ‘‘Comments on the 2018–2020
[Docket No. 170818784–7784–01] action would also continue to suspend Surflcam/Ocean Quahog
the minimum shell size for Atlantic Specifications.’’
RIN 0648–XF641 surfclams for the 2018 fishing year. The
intended effect of this action is to Instructions: Comments sent by any
Fisheries of the Northeastern United provide benefit to the industry from other method, to any other address or
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS
States; Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean stable quotas to maintain a consistent individual, or received after the end of
Quahog Fishery; Proposed 2018–2020 market. the comment period may not be
Fishing Quotas considered by NMFS. All comments
DATES: Comments must be received by received are part of the public record
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries December 26, 2017. and will generally be posted to
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, www.regulations.gov without change.
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), identified by NOAA–NMFS–2017–0118, All Personal Identifying Information (for
Commerce. by any of the following methods: example, name, address, etc.)
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:10 Dec 08, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\11DEP1.SGM 11DEP1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_58400/page/1.svg)
![58166 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 236 / Monday, December 11, 2017 / Proposed Rules
Surfclam landings, to date, were composed of combined annual receipts of less than
The proposed 2018–2020 status quo surfclams that were less than the 4.75- $11 million for all its affiliated
surfclam quota was developed in June inch (120-mm) default minimum size. operations worldwide. In 2016, 349
2017 after reviewing the results of the Based on the information available, the fishing firms held at least one surfclam
Northeast Regional Stock Assessment Regional Administrator concurs with or ocean quahog permit. Using the $11
Workshop (SAW) 61 for Atlantic the Council’s recommendation, and is million cutoff for firms, there are 341
surfclam. The surfclam quota proposing to suspend the minimum size entities that are small and 8 that are
recommendation is consistent with the limit for Atlantic surfclams in the large. In order to provide a more
SAW 61 finding that the Atlantic upcoming fishing year (January 1 accurate count and description of the
surfclam stock is not overfished, and through December 31, 2018). small directly regulated entities,
overfishing is not occurring. Based on Classification landings data were evaluated to select
this information, the Council is only firms that were active in either the
Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the surfclam or the ocean quahog fishery.
recommending, and NMFS is proposing, Magnuson-Stevens Act, the Assistant
to maintain the status quo surfclam There are 24 active fishing firms, of
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, has which 22 are small entities and 2 are
quota of 3.40 million bu (181 million L) determined that this proposed rule is
for 2018–2020 (see table 1). large entities.
consistent with the Atlantic Surfclam
and Ocean Quahog FMP, other Because the proposed quotas are
Ocean Quahog
provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens status quo, the action would have no
Consistent with the Council Act, and other applicable law, subject to impacts on the way the fishery operates.
recommendation, we are proposing the further consideration after public These measures are expected to provide
following for ocean quahog. The comment. similar fishing opportunities in 2018–
proposed 2018–2020 non-Maine quota This action does not introduce any 2020 when compared to earlier years.
for ocean quahog is the status quo quota new reporting, recordkeeping, or other As such, revenue changes are not
of 5.33 million bu (288 million L). compliance requirements. This expected in 2018–2020 when compared
The 2018–2020 proposed quota for proposed rule does not duplicate, to landings and revenues in 2017.
Maine ocean quahogs is the status quo overlap, or conflict with other Federal Therefore, adoption of the proposed
level of 100,000 Maine bu (3.52 million rules. specifications are not expected to have
L). The proposed quota represents the This proposed rule is exempt from the impacts on entities participating in the
maximum allowable quota under the requirements of E.O. 12866. fishery if landings are similar to those
FMP. This proposed rule is not expected to that occurred in 2017.
Surfclam Minimum Size be an E.O. 13771 regulatory action Maintaining the suspension of the
because this proposed rule is not surfclam minimum shell length
In June 2017, the Council voted to significant under E.O. 12866.
recommend that the minimum size limit requirement would result in no change
The Chief Counsel for Regulation of when compared to 2014–2016. The
for surfclams continue to be suspended the Department of Commerce certified
for 2018. The minimum size limit has minimum shell length requirement has
to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the been suspended each year since 2005.
been suspended annually since 2005. Small Business Administration that this
Minimum size suspension may not be The proposed action would have no
proposed rule, if adopted, would not
taken unless discard, catch, and impact on the way the fishery operates,
have a significant economic impact on
biological sampling data indicate that 30 and is not expected to
a substantial number of small entities.
percent or more of the Atlantic surfclam disproportionately affect small entities.
The factual basis for this certification is
resource have a shell length less than as follows: As a result, an initial regulatory
4.75 inches (120 mm), and the overall For Regulatory Flexibility Analysis flexibility analysis is not required and
reduced size is not attributable to purposes only, NMFS has established a none has been prepared.
harvest from beds where growth of the uniform size standard for small Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
individual clams has been reduced businesses, including their affiliates,
because of density-dependent factors. whose primary industry is commercial Dated: December 6, 2017.
Commercial surfclam data for 2017 fishing (see 50 CFR 200.2). A business Alan D. Risenhoover,
were analyzed to determine the primarily engaged in commercial fishing Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for
percentage of surfclams that were is classified as a small business if it is Regulatory Progams, National Marine
smaller than the minimum size independently owned and operated, is Fisheries Service.
requirement. The analysis indicated that not dominant in its field of operation [FR Doc. 2017–26577 Filed 12–8–17; 8:45 am]
10.4 percent of the overall commercial (including its affiliates), and has BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:10 Dec 08, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\11DEP1.SGM 11DEP1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_58400/page/3.svg)
Document Created: 2017-12-09 01:49:37
Document Modified: 2017-12-09 01:49:37
| 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 | Proposed rule; request for comments. | |
| Dates | Comments must be received by December 26, 2017. | |
| Contact | Erin Wilkinson, Fishery Management Specialist, 301-427-8561. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 58164 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF64 |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR