83 FR 60400 - International Affairs; U.S. Fishing Opportunities in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Regulatory Area

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 227 (November 26, 2018)

Page Range		60400-60404
FR Document		2018-25591

We are announcing 2019 fishing opportunities in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Regulatory Area. This action is necessary to make fishing privileges in the NAFO Regulatory Area available on an equitable basis to the greatest extent possible. The intended effect of this notice is to alert U.S. fishing vessels of the NAFO fishing opportunities, to relay the available quotas available to U.S. participants, and to outline the process and requirements for vessels to apply to participate in the 2019 NAFO fishery.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 227 (Monday, November 26, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 227 (Monday, November 26, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60400-60404]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-25591]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG560

International Affairs; U.S. Fishing Opportunities in the
Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Regulatory Area

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

ACTION: Notification of U.S. fishing opportunities.

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SUMMARY: We are announcing 2019 fishing opportunities in the Northwest
Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Regulatory Area. This action is
necessary to make fishing privileges in the NAFO Regulatory Area
available on an equitable basis to the greatest extent possible. The
intended effect of this notice is to alert U.S. fishing vessels of the
NAFO fishing opportunities, to relay the available quotas available to
U.S. participants, and to outline the process and requirements for
vessels to apply to participate in the 2019 NAFO fishery.

DATES: Effective January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2019.
Expressions of interest regarding fishing opportunities in NAFO will be
accepted through December 11, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Expressions of interest regarding U.S. fishing opportunities
in NAFO should be made in writing to Michael Pentony, U.S. Commissioner
to NAFO, NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office at 55 Great
Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 (phone: 978-281-9315, email:
Michael.Pentony@noaa.gov).
Information relating to chartering vessels of another NAFO
Contracting Party, transferring NAFO fishing opportunities to or from
another NAFO Contracting Party, or U.S. participation in NAFO is
available from Patrick E. Moran in the NMFS Office of International
Affairs and Seafood Inspection at 1315 East-West Highway, Silver
Spring, MD 20910 (phone: 301-427-8370, fax: 301-713-2313, email:
Pat.Moran@noaa.gov).
Additional information about NAFO fishing opportunities, NAFO
Conservation and Enforcement Measures (CEM), and the High Seas Fishing
Compliance Act (HSFCA) Permit required for NAFO participation is
available from Shannah Jaburek, in the NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional
Fisheries Office at 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930
(phone: 978-282-8456, fax: 978-281-9135, email:
Shannah.Jaburek@noaa.gov) and online from NAFO at https://www.nafo.int.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannah Jaburek, 978-282-8456.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

General NAFO Background

The United States is a Contracting Party to the Northwest Atlantic
Fisheries Organization or NAFO. NAFO is an intergovernmental fisheries
science and management body whose convention applies to most fishery
resources in international waters of the Northwest Atlantic, except
salmon, tunas/marlins, whales, and sedentary species such as shellfish.
Currently, NAFO has 12 contracting parties from North America, Europe,
Asia, and the Caribbean. NAFO's Commission is responsible for the
management and conservation of the fishery resources in the Regulatory
Area (waters outside the

[[Page 60401]]

Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ)). Figure 1 shows the NAFO Regulatory
Area.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN26NO18.000

As a Contracting Party within NAFO, the United States may be
allocated catch quotas or effort allocations for certain species in
specific areas within the NAFO Regulatory Area and may participate in
fisheries for other species for which we have not received a specific
quota. For most stocks for which the United States does not receive a
specific allocation, an open allocation, known as the ``Others''
allocation under the Convention, is shared access between all NAFO
Contracting Parties.
Additional information on NAFO can be found online at https://www.nafo.int/About-us. The 2019 NAFO Conservation and Enforcement
Measures (CEM) that specify the fishery regulations, Total Allowable
Catches (TAC or ``quotas'') and other information about the fishery
program will be available online at: https://www.nafo.int/Fisheries/Conservation when completed. Information from the 2018 Annual Meeting
of NAFO, at which changes to the TACs and other management measures is
available on the NAFO website.
This notice announces the fishing opportunities available to U.S.
vessels in NAFO regulatory waters, including specific 2019 stocks for
which the United States has an allocation under NAFO, and fishing
opportunities under the `Other' NAFO allocations. This notice also
outlines the application process and other requirements for U.S.
vessels that wish to participate in the 2019 NAFO fisheries.

NAFO Fishing Opportunities Available to U.S. Fishing Vessels

The principal species managed by NAFO are Atlantic cod, yellowtail
and witch flounders, Acadian redfish, American plaice, Greenland
halibut, white hake, capelin, shrimp, skates, and Illex squid. NAFO
specifies conservation measures for fisheries on these species
occurring in its Regulatory Area, including TACs for these managed
species that are allocated among NAFO Contracting Parties. The United
States received quota allocations at the 2018 NAFO Annual Meeting for
two stocks to be fished during 2019. The species, location by NAFO
subarea, and allocation (in metric tons (mt)) of these 2019 U.S.
fishing opportunities are as follows: Redfish in Division 3M, 69 mt;
and Illex Squid in Subareas 3 & 4, 453

[[Page 60402]]

mt. In addition, the United States expects a transfer of at least 1,000
mt of NAFO Division 3LNO yellowtail flounder from Canada's 2019 quota
allocation consistent with the continuation of a 2008 bilateral
arrangement between the two countries.
The TACs that may be available to U.S. vessels for stocks where the
United States has not been allocated quota (i.e., the ``Others''
allocation in Annex I.A of the CEM) are as follows:

Table 1--2019 NAFO ``Others'' Allocations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Species NAFO division Others quota
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cod............................ 3M..................... 70
Redfish........................ 3LN.................... 109
3M..................... 124
3O..................... 100
Yellowtail Flounder............ 3LNO................... 85
Witch Flounder................. 3NO.................... 12
White Hake..................... 3NO.................... 59
Skates......................... 3LNO................... 258
Illex squid.................... Squid 3_4 (Sub-Areas 794
3+4).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note that the United States shares these allocations with other
NAFO Contracting Parties, and access is on a first come, first served
basis. Directed fishing is prohibited by NAFO when the ``Others'' quota
for a particular stock has been fully harvested.
Additional directed quota for these and other stocks managed within
the NAFO Regulatory Area could be made available to U.S. vessels
through industry-initiated chartering arrangements or government-to-
government transfers of quota from other NAFO Contracting Parties.
U.S. vessels participating in NAFO may also retain bycatch of NAFO
managed species to the following maximum amounts as outlined in Article
6 of the CEM. The percentage, by weight, is calculated as a percent of
each stock of the total catch of species listed in Annex I.A (i.e., the
NAFO managed stocks previously listed) retained onboard from the
applicable division at the time of inspection, based on logbook
information:
1. Cod, Division 3M: 1,250 kg or 5 percent, whichever is more;
2. Witch Flounder, Division 3M: 1,250 kg or 5 percent, whichever is
more;
3. Redfish, Division 3LN: 1,250 kg or 5 percent, whichever is more;
4. Cod, Division 3NO: 1,000 kg or 4 percent, whichever is more;
5. American plaice: While conducting a directed fishery for
yellowtail flounder in Divisions 3LNO--15 percent of American plaice;
otherwise, 1,250 kg or 5 percent, whichever is greater; and
6. For all other Annex I.A stocks where the U.S. has no specific
quota the bycatch limit is, 2,500 kg or 10 percent unless a ban on
fishing applies or the quota for the stock has been fully utilized. If
the fishery for the stock is closed or a retention ban applies, the
permitted bycatch limit is 1,250 kg or 5 percent.
Opportunities to fish for species not listed above (i.e., species
listed in Annex I.A of the NAFO CEM and non-allocated on non-regulated
species), but occurring within the NAFO Regulatory Area, may also be
available. U.S. fishermen interested in fishing for these other species
should contact the NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (see
ADDRESSES) for additional information. Authorization to fish for such
species will include permit-related conditions or restrictions,
including but not limited to, minimum size requirements, bycatch-
related measures, and catch limits. Any such conditions or restrictions
will be designed to ensure the optimum utilization, long-term
sustainability, and rational management and conservation of fishery
resources in the NAFO Regulatory Area, consistent with the Convention
on Future Multilateral Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries
as well as the Amendment to the Convention on Future Multilateral
Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries, which has been adopted
by all NAFO Contracting Parties.

Applying for These Fishing Opportunities

Expressions of interest to fish for any or all of the 2019 U.S.
fishing opportunities in NAFO described above will be considered from
all U.S. fishing interests (e.g., vessel owners, processors, agents,
others). Applicants are urged to carefully review and thoroughly
address the application requirements and selection criteria as detailed
below. Expressions of interest should be directed in writing to
Regional Administrator John Bullard (see ADDRESSES).

Information Required in an Application Letter

Expressions of interest should include a detailed description of
anticipated fishing operations in 2019. Descriptions should include, at
a minimum:
Intended target species;
Proposed dates of fishing operations;
Vessel(s) to be used to harvest fish, including the name,
registration, and home port of the intended harvesting vessel(s);
The number of fishing personnel and their nationality
involved in vessel operations;
Intended landing port or ports; including for ports
outside of the United States, whether or not the product will be
shipped to the United States for processing;
Processing facilities to be used;
Target market for harvested fish; and,
Evidence demonstrating the ability of the applicant to
successfully prosecute fishing operations in the NAFO Regulatory Area,
in accordance with NAFO management measures. This may include
descriptions of previously successful NAFO or domestic fisheries
participation.
Note that applicant U.S. vessels must possess or be eligible to
receive a valid High Seas Fishing Compliance Act (HSFCA) permit. HSFCA
permits are available from the NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries
Office. Information regarding other requirements for fishing in the
NAFO Regulatory Area is detailed below and is also available from the
NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (see ADDRESSES).
U.S. applicants wishing to harvest U.S. allocations using a vessel
from another NAFO Contracting Party, or hoping to enter a chartering

[[Page 60403]]

arrangement with a vessel from another NAFO Contracting Party, should
see below for details on U.S. and NAFO requirements for such
activities. If you have further questions regarding what information is
required in an expression of interest, please contact Patrick Moran
(see ADDRESSES).

Criteria Used in Identifying Successful Applicants

Applicants demonstrating the greatest benefits to the United States
through their intended operations will be most successful. Such
benefits may include:
The use of U.S vessels and crew to harvest fish in the
NAFO Regulatory Area;
Detailed, positive impacts on U.S. employment as a result
of the fishing, transport, or processing operations;
Use of U.S. processing facilities;
Transport, marketing, and sales of product within the
United States;
Other ancillary, demonstrable benefits to U.S. businesses
as a result of the fishing operation; and
Documentation of the physical characteristics and
economics of the fishery for future use by the U.S. fishing industry.
Other factors we may consider include but are not limited to: A
documented history of successful fishing operations in NAFO or other
similar fisheries; the history of compliance by the vessel with the
NAFO CEM or other domestic and international regulatory requirements,
including potential disqualification of an applicant with repeated
compliance issues; and, for those applicants without NAFO or other
international fishery history, a description of demonstrated harvest,
processing, marketing, and regulatory compliance within domestic
fisheries.
To ensure equitable access by U.S. fishing interests, we may
provide additional guidance or procedures, or we may issue regulations
designed to allocate fishing interests to one or more U.S. applicants
from among qualified applicants. After reviewing all requests for
allocations submitted, we may also decide not to grant any allocations
if it is determined that no requests adequately meet the criteria
described in this notice.

Notification of Selected Vessels in the 2019 NAFO Fisheries

We will provide written responses to all applicants notifying them
of their application status and, as needed for successful applicants,
allocation awards will be made as quickly as possible so that we may
notify NAFO and take other necessary actions to facilitate operations
in the regulatory area by U.S. fishing interests. Successful applicants
will receive additional information from us on permit conditions and
applicable regulations before starting 2019 fishing operations.

Mid-Season Allocation Adjustments

In the event that an approved U.S. entity does not, is not able to,
or is not expected to fish an allocation, or part thereof, awarded to
them, NMFS may reallocate to other approved U.S. entities. If
requested, approved U.S. entities must provide updated fishing plans
and/or schedules. A U.S. entity may not consolidate or transfer
allocations without prior approval from NMFS.

Chartering a Vessel To Fish Available U.S. Allocations

Under the bilateral arrangement with Canada, the United States may
enter into a chartering (or other) arrangement with a Canadian vessel
to harvest the transferred yellowtail flounder. For other NAFO-
regulated species listed in Annexes I.A and I.B, the United States may
enter into a chartering arrangement with a vessel from any other NAFO
Contracting Party. Additionally, any U.S. vessel or fishing operation
may enter into a chartering arrangement with any other vessel or
business from a NAFO Contracting Party. The United States and the other
Contracting Party involved in a chartering arrangement must agree to
the charter, and the NAFO Executive Secretary must be advised of the
chartering arrangement before the commencement of any charter fishing
operations. Any U.S. vessel or fishing operation interested in making
use of the chartering provisions of NAFO must provide at least the
following information: The name and registration number of the U.S.
vessel; a copy of the charter agreement; a detailed fishing plan; a
written letter of consent from the applicable NAFO Contracting Party;
the date from which the vessel is authorized to commence fishing; and
the duration of the charter (not to exceed six months).
Expressions of interest using another NAFO Contracting Party vessel
under charter should be accompanied by a detailed description of
anticipated benefits to the United States, as described above.
Additional detail on chartering arrangements can be found in Article 26
of the CEM (https://www.nafo.int/Fisheries/Conservation).
Any vessel from another Contracting Party wishing to enter into a
chartering arrangement with the United States must be in full current
compliance with the requirements outlined in the NAFO Convention and
CEM. These requirements include, but are not limited to, submission of
the following reports to the NAFO Executive Secretary:
Notification that the vessel is authorized by its flag
state to fish within the NAFO Regulatory Area during 2019;
Provisional monthly catch reports for all vessels of that
NAFO Contracting Party operating in the NAFO Regulatory Area;
Daily catch reports for each day fished by the subject
vessel within the Regulatory Area;
Observer reports within 30 days following the completion
of a fishing trip; and
An annual statement of actions taken by its flag state to
comply with the NAFO Convention.
The United States may also consider the vessel's previous
compliance with NAFO bycatch, reporting, and other provisions, as
outlined in the NAFO CEM, before authorizing the chartering
arrangement.

Transfer of U.S. Quota Allocations to Another NAFO Party

Under NAFO rules in effect for 2019, the United States may transfer
fishing opportunities by mutual agreement with another NAFO Contracting
Party and with prior notification to the NAFO Executive Secretary. An
applicant may request to arrange for any of the previously described
U.S. opportunities to be transferred to another NAFO party, although
such applications will likely be given lesser priority than those that
involve more direct harvesting or processing by U.S. entities.
Applications to arrange for a transfer of U.S. fishing opportunities
should contain a letter of consent from the receiving NAFO Contracting
Party, and should also be accompanied by a detailed description of
anticipated benefits to the United States. As in the case of chartering
operations, the United States may also consider a NAFO Contracting
Party's previous compliance with NAFO bycatch, reporting, and other
provisions, as outlined in the NAFO CEM, before entering agreeing to a
transfer.

Receiving a Transfer of NAFO Quota Allocations From Another NAFO Party

Under NAFO rules in effect for 2019, the United States may receive
transfers of additional fishing opportunities from other NAFO
Contracting Parties. We are required to provide a letter consenting to
such a transfer and must provide notice to the NAFO Executive
Secretary. In the event that an applicant is able to arrange for the
transfer of additional fishing opportunities from another

[[Page 60404]]

NAFO Contracting Party to the United States, the U.S. may agree to
facilitate such a transfer. However, there is no guarantee that if an
applicant has facilitated the transfer of quota from another
Contracting Party to the United States, such applicant will receive
authorization to fish for such quota. If quota is transferred to the
United States, we may need to solicit new applications for the use of
such quota. All applicable NAFO requirements for transfers must be met.
As in the case of chartering operations, the United States may also
consider a NAFO Contracting Party's previous compliance with NAFO
bycatch, reporting, and other provisions, as outlined in the NAFO CEM,
before agreeing to accept a transfer. Any fishing quota or other
harvesting opportunities received via this type of transfer are subject
to all U.S and NAFO rules as detailed below.
For more details on NAFO requirements for chartering and
transferring NAFO allocations, contact Patrick Moran (see ADDRESSES).

Fishing in the NAFO Regulatory Area

U.S. applicant vessels must be in possession of, or obtain, a valid
HSFCA permit, which is available from the NMFS Greater Atlantic
Regional Fisheries Office. All permitted vessels must comply with any
conditions of this permit and all applicable provisions of the
Convention on Future Multilateral Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic
Fisheries and the CEM. We reserve the right to impose additional permit
conditions that ensure compliance with the NAFO Convention and the CEM,
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and any
other applicable law.
The CEM provisions include, but are not limited to:
Maintaining a fishing logbook with NAFO-designated entries
(Annex II.A and Article 28);
Adhering to NAFO hail system requirements (Annexes II.D
and II.F; Article 28; Article 30 part B);
Carrying an approved onboard observer for each trip
consistent with requirements of Article 30 part A;
Maintaining and using a functioning, autonomous vessel
monitoring system authorized by issuance of the HSFCA permit as
required by Articles 29 and 30; and
Complying with all relevant NAFO CEM requirements,
including minimum fish sizes, gear, bycatch retention, and per-tow move
on provisions for exceeding bycatch limits in any one haul/set.
Further details regarding U.S. and NAFO requirements are available
from the NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, and can also
be found in the NAFO CEM on the internet (https://www.nafo.int/Fisheries/Conservation).
Vessels issued valid HSFCA permits under 50 CFR part 300 are exempt
from certain domestic fisheries regulations governing fisheries in the
Northeast United States found in 50 CFR 648. Specifically, vessels are
exempt from the Northeast multispecies and monkfish permit, mesh size,
effort-control, and possession limit restrictions (Sec. Sec. 648.4,
648.80, 648.82, 648.86, 648.87, 648.91, 648.92, and 648.94), while
transiting the U.S. EEZ with multispecies and/or monkfish on board the
vessel, or landing multispecies and/or monkfish in U.S. ports that were
caught while fishing in the NAFO Regulatory Area. These exemptions are
conditional on the following requirements: The vessel operator has a
letter of authorization issued by the Regional Administrator on board
the vessel; for the duration of the trip, the vessel fishes, except for
transiting purposes, exclusively in the NAFO Regulatory Area and does
not harvest fish in, or possess fish harvested in, or from, the U.S.
EEZ; when transiting the U.S. EEZ, all gear is properly stowed and not
available for immediate use as defined under Sec. 648.2; and the
vessel operator complies with the provisions, conditions, and
restrictions specified on the HSFCA permit and all NAFO CEM while
fishing in the NAFO Regulatory Area.

Dated: November 19, 2018.
Christopher Rogers,
Acting Director, Office of International Affairs and Seafood
Inspection, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-25591 Filed 11-23-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

60400 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 227 / Monday, November 26, 2018 / Notices

request from Mid Continent Steel & Notification to Importers possible. The intended effect of this
Wire, Inc. (the petitioner), in accordance This notice serves as the only notice is to alert U.S. fishing vessels of
with section 751(a) of the Tariff Act of reminder to importers of their the NAFO fishing opportunities, to relay
1930, as amended (the Act), and 19 CFR responsibility, under 19 CFR the available quotas available to U.S.
351.213(b), to conduct an administrative 351.402(f)(2), to file a certificate participants, and to outline the process
review of this antidumping duty order.3 regarding the reimbursement of and requirements for vessels to apply to
No other party requested an antidumping duties prior to liquidation participate in the 2019 NAFO fishery.
administrative review. of the relevant entries during this DATES: Effective January 1, 2019,
On September 10, 2018, Commerce review period. Failure to comply with through December 31, 2019. Expressions
published in the Federal Register a this requirement may result in the of interest regarding fishing
notice of initiation with respect to 12 presumption that reimbursement of opportunities in NAFO will be accepted
companies: (1) Airlift Trans Oceanic antidumping duties occurred and the through December 11, 2018.
PVT LTD.; (2) CS Song Thuy; (3) Jinhai subsequent assessment of double ADDRESSES: Expressions of interest
Hardware Co., Ltd.; (4) Le Phuong antidumping duties. regarding U.S. fishing opportunities in
Trading Import Export; (5) Long Nguyen NAFO should be made in writing to
Trading & Service Co., Ltd.; (6) Orient Notification Regarding Administrative Michael Pentony, U.S. Commissioner to
Express Container Co., Ltd.; (7) Region Protective Orders
NAFO, NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional
Industries Co., Ltd.; (8) Rich State Inc.; This notice serves as the only Fisheries Office at 55 Great Republic
(9) Sam Hwan Vina Co., Ltd.; (10) Thai reminder to parties subject to Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 (phone:
Bao Im-Ex Corporation Company; (11) administrative protective order (APO) of 978–281–9315, email:
Truong Vinh Ltd.; and (12) United Nail their responsibility concerning the Michael.Pentony@noaa.gov).
Products Co. Ltd.4 On November 5, disposition of proprietary information Information relating to chartering
2018, the petitioner timely withdrew its disclosed under APO in accordance vessels of another NAFO Contracting
request for an administrative review for with 19 CFR 351.305(a)(3). Timely Party, transferring NAFO fishing
all 12 companies.5 written notification of the return or opportunities to or from another NAFO
destruction of APO materials or Contracting Party, or U.S. participation
Rescission of Administrative Review
conversion to judicial protective order is in NAFO is available from Patrick E.
Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.213(d)(1), hereby requested. Failure to comply Moran in the NMFS Office of
Commerce will rescind an with the regulations and the terms of an International Affairs and Seafood
administrative review, in whole or in APO is a sanctionable violation. Inspection at 1315 East-West Highway,
part, if the parties that requested a This notice is published in Silver Spring, MD 20910 (phone: 301–
review withdraw the request within 90 accordance with section 777(i)(1) of the 427–8370, fax: 301–713–2313, email:
days of the date of publication of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.213(d)(4). Pat.Moran@noaa.gov).
notice of initiation of the requested Dated: November 19, 2018. Additional information about NAFO
review. The petitioner withdrew its fishing opportunities, NAFO
James Maeder,
request for review for all companies by Conservation and Enforcement
Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for
the 90-day deadline, and no other party Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Measures (CEM), and the High Seas
requested an administrative review of Operations, performing the duties of Deputy Fishing Compliance Act (HSFCA)
this order. Therefore, we are rescinding Assistant Secretary for Antidumping and Permit required for NAFO participation
the administrative review of the Countervailing Duty Operations. is available from Shannah Jaburek, in
antidumping duty order on certain steel [FR Doc. 2018–25636 Filed 11–23–18; 8:45 am] the NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional
nails from the Vietnam covering the BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P Fisheries Office at 55 Great Republic
period July 1, 2017, through June 30, Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 (phone:
2018, in its entirety. 978–282–8456, fax: 978–281–9135,
Assessment DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE email: Shannah.Jaburek@noaa.gov) and
online from NAFO at https://
Commerce will instruct U.S. Customs National Oceanic and Atmospheric www.nafo.int.
and Border Protection (CBP) to assess Administration
antidumping duties on all appropriate FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
RIN 0648–XG560 Shannah Jaburek, 978–282–8456.
entries. Antidumping duties shall be
assessed at rates equal to the cash SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
International Affairs; U.S. Fishing
deposit of estimated antidumping duties Opportunities in the Northwest Atlantic General NAFO Background
required at the time of entry, or Fisheries Organization Regulatory
withdrawal from warehouse, for The United States is a Contracting
Area Party to the Northwest Atlantic
consumption, in accordance with 19
CFR 351.212(c)(1)(i). Commerce intends AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Fisheries Organization or NAFO. NAFO
to issue appropriate assessment Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and is an intergovernmental fisheries
instructions to CBP 15 days after Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), science and management body whose
publication of this notice in the Federal Commerce. convention applies to most fishery
Register. ACTION: Notification of U.S. fishing resources in international waters of the
opportunities. Northwest Atlantic, except salmon,
3 See Petitioner Letter re: Certain Steel Nails from tunas/marlins, whales, and sedentary
Vietnam: Request for Administrative Reviews, SUMMARY: We are announcing 2019 species such as shellfish. Currently,
dated July 31, 2018. fishing opportunities in the Northwest NAFO has 12 contracting parties from
4 See Initiation of Antidumping and
Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) North America, Europe, Asia, and the
Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews, 83 FR Regulatory Area. This action is Caribbean. NAFO’s Commission is
45596 (September 10, 2018).
5 See Petitioner Letter re: Certain Steel Nails from necessary to make fishing privileges in responsible for the management and
Vietnam: Withdrawal of Request for Administrative the NAFO Regulatory Area available on conservation of the fishery resources in
Reviews, dated November 5, 2018. an equitable basis to the greatest extent the Regulatory Area (waters outside the

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:28 Nov 23, 2018 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\26NON1.SGM 26NON1

60402 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 227 / Monday, November 26, 2018 / Notices

mt. In addition, the United States continuation of a 2008 bilateral the ‘‘Others’’ allocation in Annex I.A of
expects a transfer of at least 1,000 mt of arrangement between the two countries. the CEM) are as follows:
NAFO Division 3LNO yellowtail The TACs that may be available to
flounder from Canada’s 2019 quota U.S. vessels for stocks where the United
allocation consistent with the States has not been allocated quota (i.e.,

TABLE 1—2019 NAFO ‘‘OTHERS’’ ALLOCATIONS
Species NAFO division Others quota

Cod .............................................................................................. 3M .............................................................................................. 70
Redfish ........................................................................................ 3LN ............................................................................................. 109
3M .............................................................................................. 124
3O .............................................................................................. 100
Yellowtail Flounder ...................................................................... 3LNO .......................................................................................... 85
Witch Flounder ............................................................................ 3NO ............................................................................................ 12
White Hake ................................................................................. 3NO ............................................................................................ 59
Skates ......................................................................................... 3LNO .......................................................................................... 258
Illex squid .................................................................................... Squid 3_4 (Sub-Areas 3+4) ....................................................... 794

Note that the United States shares Opportunities to fish for species not Information Required in an Application
these allocations with other NAFO listed above (i.e., species listed in Letter
Contracting Parties, and access is on a Annex I.A of the NAFO CEM and non- Expressions of interest should include
first come, first served basis. Directed allocated on non-regulated species), but a detailed description of anticipated
fishing is prohibited by NAFO when the occurring within the NAFO Regulatory fishing operations in 2019. Descriptions
‘‘Others’’ quota for a particular stock has Area, may also be available. U.S. should include, at a minimum:
been fully harvested. fishermen interested in fishing for these • Intended target species;
Additional directed quota for these other species should contact the NMFS • Proposed dates of fishing
and other stocks managed within the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries operations;
NAFO Regulatory Area could be made
Office (see ADDRESSES) for additional • Vessel(s) to be used to harvest fish,
available to U.S. vessels through
information. Authorization to fish for including the name, registration, and
industry-initiated chartering
such species will include permit-related home port of the intended harvesting
arrangements or government-to-
conditions or restrictions, including but vessel(s);
government transfers of quota from
not limited to, minimum size • The number of fishing personnel
other NAFO Contracting Parties.
U.S. vessels participating in NAFO requirements, bycatch-related measures, and their nationality involved in vessel
may also retain bycatch of NAFO and catch limits. Any such conditions operations;
or restrictions will be designed to • Intended landing port or ports;
managed species to the following
ensure the optimum utilization, long- including for ports outside of the United
maximum amounts as outlined in
term sustainability, and rational States, whether or not the product will
Article 6 of the CEM. The percentage, by
management and conservation of fishery be shipped to the United States for
weight, is calculated as a percent of
processing;
each stock of the total catch of species resources in the NAFO Regulatory Area,
• Processing facilities to be used;
listed in Annex I.A (i.e., the NAFO consistent with the Convention on
• Target market for harvested fish;
managed stocks previously listed) Future Multilateral Cooperation in the and,
retained onboard from the applicable Northwest Atlantic Fisheries as well as • Evidence demonstrating the ability
division at the time of inspection, based the Amendment to the Convention on of the applicant to successfully
on logbook information: Future Multilateral Cooperation in the
1. Cod, Division 3M: 1,250 kg or 5 prosecute fishing operations in the
Northwest Atlantic Fisheries, which has NAFO Regulatory Area, in accordance
percent, whichever is more; been adopted by all NAFO Contracting
2. Witch Flounder, Division 3M: 1,250 with NAFO management measures. This
Parties. may include descriptions of previously
kg or 5 percent, whichever is more;
3. Redfish, Division 3LN: 1,250 kg or Applying for These Fishing successful NAFO or domestic fisheries
5 percent, whichever is more; Opportunities participation.
4. Cod, Division 3NO: 1,000 kg or 4 Note that applicant U.S. vessels must
percent, whichever is more; Expressions of interest to fish for any possess or be eligible to receive a valid
5. American plaice: While conducting or all of the 2019 U.S. fishing High Seas Fishing Compliance Act
a directed fishery for yellowtail flounder opportunities in NAFO described above (HSFCA) permit. HSFCA permits are
in Divisions 3LNO—15 percent of will be considered from all U.S. fishing available from the NMFS Greater
American plaice; otherwise, 1,250 kg or interests (e.g., vessel owners, processors, Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office.
5 percent, whichever is greater; and agents, others). Applicants are urged to Information regarding other
6. For all other Annex I.A stocks carefully review and thoroughly address requirements for fishing in the NAFO
where the U.S. has no specific quota the the application requirements and Regulatory Area is detailed below and is
bycatch limit is, 2,500 kg or 10 percent also available from the NMFS Greater
selection criteria as detailed below.
unless a ban on fishing applies or the Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (see
Expressions of interest should be
quota for the stock has been fully ADDRESSES).
utilized. If the fishery for the stock is directed in writing to Regional U.S. applicants wishing to harvest
closed or a retention ban applies, the Administrator John Bullard (see U.S. allocations using a vessel from
ADDRESSES).
permitted bycatch limit is 1,250 kg or 5 another NAFO Contracting Party, or
percent. hoping to enter a chartering

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60404 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 227 / Monday, November 26, 2018 / Notices

NAFO Contracting Party to the United the NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional DATES: The meetings will be held
States, the U.S. may agree to facilitate Fisheries Office, and can also be found Monday, December 10, 2018 through
such a transfer. However, there is no in the NAFO CEM on the internet Thursday, December 13, 2018. For
guarantee that if an applicant has (https://www.nafo.int/Fisheries/ agenda details, see SUPPLEMENTARY
facilitated the transfer of quota from Conservation). INFORMATION.
another Contracting Party to the United Vessels issued valid HSFCA permits ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
States, such applicant will receive under 50 CFR part 300 are exempt from the Westin Annapolis, 100 Westgate
authorization to fish for such quota. If certain domestic fisheries regulations Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401 telephone:
quota is transferred to the United States, governing fisheries in the Northeast (410) 972–4300.
we may need to solicit new applications United States found in 50 CFR 648. Council address: Mid-Atlantic Fishery
for the use of such quota. All applicable Specifically, vessels are exempt from Management Council, 800 N State St.,
NAFO requirements for transfers must the Northeast multispecies and Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901; telephone:
be met. As in the case of chartering monkfish permit, mesh size, effort- (302) 674–2331.
operations, the United States may also control, and possession limit FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
consider a NAFO Contracting Party’s restrictions (§§ 648.4, 648.80, 648.82, Christopher M. Moore, Ph.D. Executive
previous compliance with NAFO 648.86, 648.87, 648.91, 648.92, and Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery
bycatch, reporting, and other provisions, 648.94), while transiting the U.S. EEZ Management Council; telephone: (302)
as outlined in the NAFO CEM, before with multispecies and/or monkfish on 526–5255. The Council’s website,
agreeing to accept a transfer. Any board the vessel, or landing www.mafmc.org also has details on the
fishing quota or other harvesting multispecies and/or monkfish in U.S. meeting location, proposed agenda,
opportunities received via this type of ports that were caught while fishing in webinar listen-in access, and briefing
transfer are subject to all U.S and NAFO the NAFO Regulatory Area. These materials.
rules as detailed below. exemptions are conditional on the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
For more details on NAFO following requirements: The vessel
requirements for chartering and following items are on the agenda,
operator has a letter of authorization
transferring NAFO allocations, contact though agenda items may be addressed
issued by the Regional Administrator on
Patrick Moran (see ADDRESSES). out of order (changes will be noted on
board the vessel; for the duration of the
the Council’s website when possible.)
Fishing in the NAFO Regulatory Area trip, the vessel fishes, except for
transiting purposes, exclusively in the Monday, December 10, 2018
U.S. applicant vessels must be in NAFO Regulatory Area and does not
possession of, or obtain, a valid HSFCA Executive Committee—CLOSED
harvest fish in, or possess fish harvested MEETING
permit, which is available from the in, or from, the U.S. EEZ; when
NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional transiting the U.S. EEZ, all gear is Ricks E Savage Award
Fisheries Office. All permitted vessels properly stowed and not available for Risk Policy Framework
must comply with any conditions of this immediate use as defined under § 648.2;
permit and all applicable provisions of Final results of the Summer Flounder
and the vessel operator complies with
the Convention on Future Multilateral Economic Management Strategy
the provisions, conditions, and
Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic Evaluation (MSE) and discuss next
restrictions specified on the HSFCA
Fisheries and the CEM. We reserve the steps.
permit and all NAFO CEM while fishing
right to impose additional permit in the NAFO Regulatory Area. Law Enforcement Workshop Report
conditions that ensure compliance with
the NAFO Convention and the CEM, the Dated: November 19, 2018. Report on Law Enforcement/For-Hire
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Christopher Rogers, Workshop (November 13–14, 2018) and
Conservation and Management Act, and Acting Director, Office of International Affairs review workshop summary and develop
any other applicable law. and Seafood Inspection, National Marine recommendations on further actions.
The CEM provisions include, but are Fisheries Service.
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
not limited to: [FR Doc. 2018–25591 Filed 11–23–18; 8:45 am]
• Maintaining a fishing logbook with BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Discussion of Potential 2019 Mid-Year
NAFO-designated entries (Annex II.A Revisions for Summer Flounder, Scup,
and Article 28); and Black Sea Bass
• Adhering to NAFO hail system DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Discuss timeline for revising 2019
requirements (Annexes II.D and II.F; summer flounder specifications and
Article 28; Article 30 part B); National Oceanic and Atmospheric
discuss potential for mid-year revisions
• Carrying an approved onboard Administration
to the 2019 black sea bass and scup
observer for each trip consistent with specifications, including timing of the
RIN 0648–XG645
requirements of Article 30 part A; 2019 operational assessment.
• Maintaining and using a Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management
functioning, autonomous vessel Black Sea Bass 2019 Recreational
Council (MAFMC); Public Meetings Specifications
monitoring system authorized by
issuance of the HSFCA permit as AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Review recent fishery performance,
required by Articles 29 and 30; and Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Monitoring Committee and Advisory
• Complying with all relevant NAFO Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Panel recommendations and adopt
CEM requirements, including minimum Commerce. recommendations for 2019 federal
fish sizes, gear, bycatch retention, and ACTION: Notice of public meetings. waters recreational management
per-tow move on provisions for measures.
exceeding bycatch limits in any one SUMMARY: The Mid-Atlantic Fishery
haul/set. Management Council (Council) will Scup 2019 Recreational Specifications
Further details regarding U.S. and hold public meetings of the Council and Review recent fishery performance,
NAFO requirements are available from its Committees. Monitoring Committee and Advisory

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Document Created: 2018-11-24 00:51:42
Document Modified: 2018-11-24 00:51:42

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		Notification of U.S. fishing opportunities.
Dates		Effective January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2019. Expressions of interest regarding fishing opportunities in NAFO will be accepted through December 11, 2018.
Contact		Shannah Jaburek, 978-282-8456.
FR Citation		83 FR 60400
RIN Number		0648-XG56

83 FR 60400 - International Affairs; U.S. Fishing Opportunities in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Regulatory Area

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 227 (November 26, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration