82 FR 60969 - Fishing Capacity Reduction Program for the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 246 (December 26, 2017)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 246 (December 26, 2017)
| Page Range | 60969-60970 | |
| FR Document | 2017-27769 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 26, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 60969-60970] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-27769] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XF913 Fishing Capacity Reduction Program for the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Commerce. ACTION: Notice of fee rate adjustment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS issues this notice to decrease the fee rate to 4.5 percent for the Pacific Coast Groundfish fee-share fishery to repay the $28,428,718.88 groundfish sub-loan of the $35,662,471 reduction loan that financed the Pacific Coast Groundfish fishing capacity reduction program. DATES: The Pacific Coast Groundfish program fee rate decrease for groundfish fishery will begin on landings starting on January 1, 2018. The first due date for fee payments with the decreased rate will be February 14, 2018. ADDRESSES: Send questions about this notice to Paul Marx, Chief, Financial Services Division, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3282. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Marx, (301) 427-8871. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background Background Sections 312(b) through (e) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1861a(b) through (e)) generally authorizes fishing capacity reduction programs. In particular, section 312(d) authorizes industry fee systems for repaying reduction loans that finance reduction program. Subpart L of 50 CFR part 600 is the framework rule generally implementing section 312(b) through (e). Sections 1111 and 1112 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 App. U.S.C. 1279f and 1279g) generally authorizes reduction loans. Enacted on February 20, 2003, section 212 of Division B, Title II, of Public Law 108-7 (section 212) specifically authorizes a fishing capacity reduction [[Page 60970]] program for that portion of the limited entry trawl fishery under the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan whose permits, excluding those registered to whiting catcher-processors, are endorsed for trawl gear operation (reduction fishery). The reduction program's objective was to reduce the number of vessels and permits endorsed for the operation of groundfish trawl gear. The program also involved corollary fishing capacity reduction in the California, Oregon, and Washington fisheries for Dungeness crab and pink shrimp and the sub-loans for these state fisheries have all been repaid. NMFS proposed the implementing notice on May 28, 2003 (68 FR 31653) and published the final notice on July 18, 2003 (68 FR 42613). NMFS allocated $28,428,719 reduction loan to the groundfish fishery. The allocation became a reduction loan repayable by fees from the groundfish fishery. NMFS published in the Federal Register on July 13, 2005 (70 FR 40225), the final rule to implement the industry fee system for repaying the program's reduction loan. The regulations implementing the program are located at Sec. 600.1012 of 50 CFR part 600, subpart M. On August 8, 2005, NMFS published in the Federal Register (70 FR 45695) a notice of the fee effective date and established September 8, 2005, as the effective date when fee collection and loan repayment began. II. Purpose The purpose of this notice is to adjust, in accordance with the framework rule's Sec. 600.1013(b), the fee rate for the groundfish fishery. Section 600.1013(b) directs NMFS to recalculate the fee rate that will be reasonably necessary to ensure reduction loan repayment within the specified 30-year term. NMFS has determined that the current fee rate of 5.0 percent for the groundfish fishery is projected to collect more than the annual amortization amount needed for 2018. Therefore, NMFS is decreasing the fee rate to 4.5 percent for all landings beginning January 1, 2018. As of November 24, 2017, the outstanding balance on the groundfish fishery sub-loan was $22,628,122.29. Fish buyers may continue to disburse collected fee deposits to NMFS by using www.pay.gov or mail payments to our lockbox. Our lockbox's address is: NOAA Fisheries Pacific Coast Groundfish Buyback, P.O. Box 979059, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000. Fish buyers must include the fee collection report with the fee payment. Fish buyers using www.pay.gov will find an electronic fee collection report form. Fish buyers not using www.pay.gov may also access the NMFS website for a copy of the fee collection report at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/mb/financial_services/docs/pacific_coast_groundfish_buyback_loan_fee_collection_report.pdf. III. Notice The new 4.5 percent fee rate for the groundfish fishery will begin for all landings starting January 1, 2018. From and after this date, all groundfish program fish sellers paying fees fishery shall begin paying groundfish program fees at the revised rate. From and after this date, all fees received by NMFS for the groundfish fishery shall be subject to the new fee rates regardless of the applicable fee month. The first due date for fee payments with the decreased rate will be February 14, 2018. Fee collection and submission shall follow previously established methods in Sec. 600.1013 of the framework rule and in the final fee rule published in the Federal Register on July 13, 2005 (70 FR 40225). Dated: December 19, 2017. Samuel D. Rauch, III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017-27769 Filed 12-22-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 246 / Tuesday, December 26, 2017 / Notices 60969
As required by the ESA, as applicable, Agenda Dated: December 20, 2017.
issuance of these permits was based on Tracey L. Thompson,
a finding that such permits: (1) Were The Committee will review an
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
applied for in good faith; (2) will not updated coral management zone Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
operate to the disadvantage of such alternative including boundary changes
[FR Doc. 2017–27720 Filed 12–22–17; 8:45 am]
endangered species; and (3) are and impacts analysis. They will then
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
consistent with the purposes and recommend final preferred deep-sea
policies set forth in Section 2 of the coral alternatives to the Council for
ESA. action during its January 30–February 1 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
meeting, considering any
Authority: The requested permits have recommendations from the Habitat
been issued under the Marine Mammal National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Advisory Panel and Plan Development Administration
Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16
U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the regulations
Team. Many aspects of the amendment
have already been finalized. The RIN 0648–XF913
governing the taking and importing of marine
mammals (50 CFR part 216), the Endangered remaining topic for consideration is a
Fishing Capacity Reduction Program
Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 coral protection zone or zones along the
for the Pacific Coast Groundfish
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the regulations continental slope, canyons, and
governing the taking, importing, and
Fishery
seamounts south of Georges Bank. The
exporting of endangered and threatened Committee also plans to discuss next AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
species (50 CFR parts 222–226), as steps stemming from the anticipated Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
applicable. January 4 NOAA Fisheries decision on Atmospheric Administration,
Dated: December 20, 2017. Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat Commerce.
Julia Harrison, Amendment 2. This will include a ACTION: Notice of fee rate adjustment.
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, discussion of alternatives development
Office of Protected Resources, National for the trailing action to consider clam SUMMARY: NMFS issues this notice to
Marine Fisheries Service. dredge exemption areas on Georges decrease the fee rate to 4.5 percent for
[FR Doc. 2017–27737 Filed 12–22–17; 8:45 am] Bank and Nantucket Shoals, as well as the Pacific Coast Groundfish fee-share
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P a discussion about how the decision on fishery to repay the $28,428,718.88
the amendment might influence 2018 groundfish sub-loan of the $35,662,471
management priorities. They will also reduction loan that financed the Pacific
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE discuss any updates related to offshore Coast Groundfish fishing capacity
wind, oil and gas development, and reduction program.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric recommend specific projects for the DATES: The Pacific Coast Groundfish
Administration Council to comment on during early program fee rate decrease for groundfish
2018. The Committee will hear a fishery will begin on landings starting
RIN 0648–XF916
progress update on fishing impacts on January 1, 2018. The first due date
New England Fishery Management modeling efforts and receive updates on for fee payments with the decreased rate
Council; Public Meeting other habitat-related aspects of the will be February 14, 2018.
Council’s fishery management program, ADDRESSES: Send questions about this
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries as needed, for example ongoing EFH notice to Paul Marx, Chief, Financial
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and consultation work. Other business may Services Division, National Marine
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), be discussed as necessary. Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West
Commerce. Although non-emergency issues not Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910–
ACTION: Notice; public meeting. contained in this agenda may come 3282.
before this group for discussion, those FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul
SUMMARY: The New England Fishery issues may not be the subject of formal
Management Council (Council) is Marx, (301) 427–8871.
action during these meetings. Action
scheduling a public meeting of its SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
will be restricted to those issues
Habitat Committee to consider actions specifically listed in this notice and any I. Background
affecting New England fisheries in the issues arising after publication of this
exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Background Sections 312(b) through
notice that require emergency action (e) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Recommendations from this group will under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-
be brought to the full Council for formal Conservation and Management Act (16
Stevens Act, provided the public has U.S.C. 1861a(b) through (e)) generally
consideration and action, if appropriate. been notified of the Council’s intent to
DATES: This meeting will be held on authorizes fishing capacity reduction
take final action to address the programs. In particular, section 312(d)
Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. emergency. authorizes industry fee systems for
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
Special Accommodations repaying reduction loans that finance
the Four Points by Sheraton, 1 Audubon reduction program. Subpart L of 50 CFR
Road, Wakefield, MA 01880; phone: This meeting is physically accessible part 600 is the framework rule generally
(781) 245–9300. to people with disabilities. Requests for implementing section 312(b) through
Council address: New England sign language interpretation or other (e). Sections 1111 and 1112 of the
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
Fishery Management Council, 50 Water auxiliary aids should be directed to Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 App.
Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950. Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, at U.S.C. 1279f and 1279g) generally
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: (978) 465–0492, at least 5 days prior to authorizes reduction loans.
Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, the meeting date. Consistent with 16 Enacted on February 20, 2003, section
New England Fishery Management U.S.C. 1852, a copy of the recording is 212 of Division B, Title II, of Public Law
Council; telephone: (978) 465–0492. available upon request. 108–7 (section 212) specifically
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. authorizes a fishing capacity reduction
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![60970 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 246 / Tuesday, December 26, 2017 / Notices
program for that portion of the limited using www.pay.gov may also access the Avenue, Suite 1100, Tampa, FL 33607;
entry trawl fishery under the Pacific NMFS website for a copy of the fee telephone: (813) 348–1630.
Coast Groundfish Fishery Management collection report at: http:// FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Plan whose permits, excluding those www.nmfs.noaa.gov/mb/financial_ Steven Atran, Senior Fishery Biologist,
registered to whiting catcher-processors, services/docs/pacific_coast_groundfish_ Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management
are endorsed for trawl gear operation buyback_loan_fee_collection_report.pdf. Council; steven.atran@gulfcouncil.org;
(reduction fishery). telephone: (813) 348–1630.
The reduction program’s objective III. Notice
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
was to reduce the number of vessels and The new 4.5 percent fee rate for the
permits endorsed for the operation of groundfish fishery will begin for all Day 1—Tuesday, January 9, 2018;
groundfish trawl gear. The program also landings starting January 1, 2018. From 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
involved corollary fishing capacity and after this date, all groundfish I. Introductions and Adoption of
reduction in the California, Oregon, and program fish sellers paying fees fishery Agenda
Washington fisheries for Dungeness crab shall begin paying groundfish program II. Approval of Minutes
and pink shrimp and the sub-loans for fees at the revised rate. From and after a. March 8, 2012 Coral SSC meeting
these state fisheries have all been this date, all fees received by NMFS for summary
repaid. the groundfish fishery shall be subject to b. October 31, 2017 Standing and Reef
NMFS proposed the implementing the new fee rates regardless of the Fish SSC webinar summary
notice on May 28, 2003 (68 FR 31653) applicable fee month. The first due date III. Selection of SSC representative at
and published the final notice on July for fee payments with the decreased rate January 29–February 1, 2018
18, 2003 (68 FR 42613). NMFS allocated will be February 14, 2018. Council meeting in New Orleans,
$28,428,719 reduction loan to the Fee collection and submission shall LA
groundfish fishery. The allocation follow previously established methods
became a reduction loan repayable by Standing and Coral SSC Session
in § 600.1013 of the framework rule and
fees from the groundfish fishery. in the final fee rule published in the IV. Southeast Deep-sea Coral Initiative
NMFS published in the Federal Federal Register on July 13, 2005 (70 FR in the Gulf of Mexico
Register on July 13, 2005 (70 FR 40225), 40225). V. Review of the public hearing draft of
the final rule to implement the industry Coral Amendment 9
fee system for repaying the program’s Dated: December 19, 2017. VI. Review of Management Strategy
reduction loan. The regulations Samuel D. Rauch, III, Evaluation Developed for the Coral
implementing the program are located at Deputy Assistant Administrator for Reef Conservation Program Grant
§ 600.1012 of 50 CFR part 600, subpart Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service. Standing and Socioeconomic SSC
M. On August 8, 2005, NMFS published
[FR Doc. 2017–27769 Filed 12–22–17; 8:45 am] Session
in the Federal Register (70 FR 45695) a
notice of the fee effective date and BILLING CODE 3510–22–P VII. Grouper and Tilefish 5-year IFQ
established September 8, 2005, as the Review
effective date when fee collection and a. Safety at sea
loan repayment began. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE b. IFQ participants, dealers, and crew
surveys
II. Purpose National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Standing and Reef Fish SSC Session
The purpose of this notice is to adjust,
in accordance with the framework rule’s VIII. Review of Draft Status
§ 600.1013(b), the fee rate for the RIN 0648–XF915 Determination Criteria/Optimum
groundfish fishery. Section 600.1013(b) Yield Options Paper
directs NMFS to recalculate the fee rate Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Day 2—Wednesday, January 10, 2018;
that will be reasonably necessary to Council; Public Meeting 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
ensure reduction loan repayment within AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
the specified 30-year term. NMFS has IX. SEDAR Activities
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and a. SEDAR 62 Gray Triggerfish
determined that the current fee rate of Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), standard assessment
5.0 percent for the groundfish fishery is Commerce. i. Terms of reference
projected to collect more than the ii. Project schedule
ACTION: Notice of a public meeting.
annual amortization amount needed for iii. Assessment workshop
2018. Therefore, NMFS is decreasing the SUMMARY: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery appointments
fee rate to 4.5 percent for all landings Management Council will hold a two X. Spawning Aggregations in the Gulf of
beginning January 1, 2018. As of and a half day meeting of its Standing, Mexico
November 24, 2017, the outstanding Reef Fish, Coral, and Socioeconomics a. RESTORE Act Science Program
balance on the groundfish fishery sub- Scientific and Statistical Committees project on spawning aggregations in
loan was $22,628,122.29. (SSC). the Gulf of Mexico
Fish buyers may continue to disburse b. Prediction and Verification of
collected fee deposits to NMFS by using DATES: The meeting will convene on Snapper-Grouper Spawning
www.pay.gov or mail payments to our Tuesday, January 9, 2018, from 9 a.m. to Aggregation Sites on the Offshore
lockbox. Our lockbox’s address is: 5 p.m., Wednesday, January 10, 2018, Banks of the Northwestern Gulf of
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
NOAA Fisheries Pacific Coast from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Mexico
Groundfish Buyback, P.O. Box 979059, Wednesday, January 11, 2018, from 8:30 XI. Evaluating Robustness of Harvest
St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. Fish buyers a.m. to 12 p.m. EDT, if needed. Control Rules to Future Red Tide
must include the fee collection report ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in Events
with the fee payment. Fish buyers using the Gulf Council’s Conference Room. XII. Further Development of a Stock
www.pay.gov will find an electronic fee Council address: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Assessment Prioritization
collection report form. Fish buyers not Management Council, 2203 N Lois Spreadsheet
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Document Created: 2017-12-23 03:08:25
Document Modified: 2017-12-23 03:08:25
| 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 | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of fee rate adjustment. | |
| Dates | The Pacific Coast Groundfish program fee rate decrease for groundfish fishery will begin on landings starting on January 1, 2018. The first due date for fee payments with the decreased rate will be February 14, 2018. | |
| Contact | Paul Marx, (301) 427-8871. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 60969 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF91 |
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