83 FR 62308 - Fishing Capacity Reduction Program for the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 232 (December 3, 2018)

Page Range		62308-62309
FR Document		2018-26207

NMFS issues this notice to decrease the fee rate to 4.0 percent for the Pacific Coast Groundfish fee-share fishery to repay the $28,428,719 groundfish sub-loan of the $35,662,471 reduction loan that financed the Pacific Coast Groundfish fishing capacity reduction program. NMFS annually recalculates 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 4.5 percent for the groundfish fishery is projected to collect more than the annual amortization amount needed for 2019.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 232 (Monday, December 3, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 232 (Monday, December 3, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62308-62309]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-26207]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG641


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.

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SUMMARY: NMFS issues this notice to decrease the fee rate to 4.0 
percent for the Pacific Coast Groundfish fee-share fishery to repay the 
$28,428,719 groundfish sub-loan of the $35,662,471 reduction loan that 
financed the Pacific Coast Groundfish fishing capacity reduction 
program. NMFS annually recalculates 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 4.5 percent for the groundfish fishery is projected to collect more 
than the annual amortization amount needed for 2019.

DATES: The fee rate decrease for The Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery 
program will begin on landings starting January 1, 2019. The first due 
date for fee payments with the decreased rate will be February 14, 
2019.

ADDRESSES: Send questions about this notice to Michael A. Sturtevant, 
Acting Chief, Financial Services Division, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3282.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elaine Saiz, (301) 427-8752 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 program for 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 objective of the reduction program 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 
disbursed a $28,428,719 reduction loan

[[Page 62309]]

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 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 4.5 percent for the groundfish fishery is projected to collect more 
than the annual amortization amount needed for 2019. Therefore, NMFS is 
decreasing the fee rate to 4.0 percent for all landings beginning 
January 1, 2019. As of November 16, 2018, the outstanding balance on 
the groundfish fishery sub-loan was $21,075,537.
    Fish buyers may continue to disburse collected fee deposits to NMFS 
by using www.pay.gov (http://www.pay.gov) or mail payments to 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 (http://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: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/funding-and-financial-services/pacific-coast-groundfish-buyback.

III. Notice

    The new 4.0 percent fee rate for the groundfish fishery will begin 
for all landings starting January 1, 2019. After this date, all 
groundfish-program fish sellers paying fees fishery shall begin paying 
groundfish program fees at the revised rate. 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, 2019.
    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).

    Authority:  The authority for this action is Pub. L. 107 206, 
Pub. L. 108 7, 16 U.S.C. 1861a (b) through (e), and 50 CFR 600.1000 
et seq.

    Dated: November 28, 2018.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-26207 Filed 11-30-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 232 / Monday, December 3, 2018 / Notices 62309

repayable by fees from the groundfish in the final fee rule published in the ipad-iphone-android-webinar-apps).
fishery. NMFS published in the Federal Federal Register on July 13, 2005 (70 FR You may send an email to Mr. Kris
Register on July 13, 2005 (70 FR 40225), 40225). Kleinschmidt at Kris.Kleinschmidt@
the final rule to implement the industry Authority: The authority for this action is noaa.gov or contact him at 503–820–
fee system for repaying the program’s Pub. L. 107 206, Pub. L. 108 7, 16 U.S.C. 2280, extension 411 for technical
reduction loan. The regulations 1861a (b) through (e), and 50 CFR 600.1000 assistance.
implementing the program are located at et seq. Council address: Pacific Fishery
§ 600.1012 of 50 CFR part 600 subpart Dated: November 28, 2018.
Management Council, 7700 NE
M. On August 8, 2005, NMFS Ambassador Place, Suite 101, Portland,
Samuel D. Rauch III,
published, in the Federal Register (70 OR 97220.
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
FR 45695), a notice of the fee effective FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
Regulatory Programs, National Marine
date and established September 8, 2005 Fisheries Service. Kit Dahl, Pacific Council; telephone:
as the effective date when fee collection (503) 820–2422.
[FR Doc. 2018–26207 Filed 11–30–18; 8:45 am]
and loan repayment began. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
II. Purpose purpose of this webinar is for the EWG
to receive presentations on completed
The purpose of this notice is to adjust, climate change scenario planning
in accordance with § 600.1013(b), the DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
exercises and discuss application of
fee rate for the groundfish fishery. these methods as part of the Pacific
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Section 600.1013(b) directs NMFS to Council’s Climate and Communities
Administration
recalculate the fee rate that will be Initiative.
reasonably necessary to ensure RIN 0648–XG649 Although non-emergency issues not
reduction loan repayment within the contained in the meeting agenda may be
specified 30-year term. NMFS has Pacific Fishery Management Council;
discussed, those issues may not be the
determined that the current fee rate of Public Meeting
subject of formal action during this
4.5 percent for the groundfish fishery is AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries meeting. Action will be restricted to
projected to collect more than the Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and those issues specifically listed in this
annual amortization amount needed for Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), document and any issues arising after
2019. Therefore, NMFS is decreasing the Commerce. publication of this document that
fee rate to 4.0 percent for all landings require emergency action under section
ACTION: Notice of public meeting
beginning January 1, 2019. As of 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
November 16, 2018, the outstanding (webinar).
Conservation and Management Act,
balance on the groundfish fishery sub- SUMMARY: The Pacific Fishery provided the public has been notified of
loan was $21,075,537. Management Council’s (Pacific Council) the intent to take final action to address
Fish buyers may continue to disburse Ad Hoc Ecosystem Workgroup (EWG) the emergency.
collected fee deposits to NMFS by using will hold a webinar, which is open to
www.pay.gov (http://www.pay.gov) or Special Accommodations
the public.
mail payments to NOAA Fisheries This meeting is physically accessible
DATES: The webinar meeting will be
Pacific Coast Groundfish Buyback, P.O. to people with disabilities. Requests for
held on Tuesday, December 18, 2018,
Box 979059, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. sign language interpretation or other
starting at 9:30 a.m. and will continue
Fish buyers must include the fee auxiliary aids should be directed to Mr.
until 11:30 a.m.
collection report with the fee payment. Kris Kleinschmidt, (503) 820–2411, at
Fish buyers using www.pay.gov (http:// ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held
least 10 business days prior to the
www.pay.gov will find an electronic fee via webinar. A public listening station meeting date.
collection report form. Fish buyers not is available at the Pacific Council office
(address below). To attend the webinar Dated: November 28, 2018.
using www.pay.gov may also access the
(1) join the meeting by visiting this link Tracey L. Thompson,
NMFS website for a copy of the fee
http://www.gotomeeting.com/online/ Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
collection report at: https://
webinar/join-webinar, (2) enter the Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/
Webinar ID: 543–769–955, and (3) enter [FR Doc. 2018–26186 Filed 11–30–18; 8:45 am]
funding-and-financial-services/pacific-
coast-groundfish-buyback. your name and email address (required). BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
After logging in to the webinar, please
III. Notice (1) dial this TOLL number 1–415–655–
The new 4.0 percent fee rate for the 0060 (not a toll-free number), (2) enter DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
groundfish fishery will begin for all the attendee phone audio access code
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
landings starting January 1, 2019. After 360–408–262, and (3) then enter your
Administration
this date, all groundfish-program fish audio phone pin (shown after joining
sellers paying fees fishery shall begin the webinar). NOTE: We have disabled RIN 0648–XG650
paying groundfish program fees at the Mic/Speakers as an option and require
revised rate. After this date, all fees all participants to use a telephone or Western Pacific Fishery Management
received by NMFS for the groundfish cell phone to participate. Technical Council; Public Meetings
Information and system requirements:
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES

fishery shall be subject to the new fee AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
rates regardless of the applicable fee PC-based attendees are required to use Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
month. The first due date for fee Windows® 7, 8, 10, Vista, or XP; Mac®- Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
payments with the decreased rate will based attendees are required to use Mac Commerce.
be February 14, 2019. OS® X 10.5 or newer; Mobile attendees ACTION: Notice of public meetings.
Fee collection and submission shall are required to use iPhone®, iPad®,
follow previously established methods AndroidTM phone or Android tablet (See SUMMARY:The Western Pacific Fishery
in § 600.1013 of the framework rule and https://www.gotomeeting.com/webinar/ Management Council (Council) will

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Document Created: 2018-12-01 00:56:20
Document Modified: 2018-12-01 00:56:20

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 fee rate decrease for The Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery program will begin on landings starting January 1, 2019. The first due date for fee payments with the decreased rate will be February 14, 2019.
Contact		Elaine Saiz, (301) 427-8752 or [email protected]
FR Citation		83 FR 62308
RIN Number		0648-XG64

83 FR 62308 - Fishing Capacity Reduction Program for the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 232 (December 3, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration