83_FR_8453 83 FR 8414 - Fisheries Off West Coast States; Highly Migratory Fisheries; Amendment 4 to Fishery Management Plan for West Coast Highly Migratory Species Fisheries; Revisions to the Biennial Management Cycle

83 FR 8414 - Fisheries Off West Coast States; Highly Migratory Fisheries; Amendment 4 to Fishery Management Plan for West Coast Highly Migratory Species Fisheries; Revisions to the Biennial Management Cycle

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 39 (February 27, 2018)

Page Range8414-8416
FR Document2018-03963

Based on a recommendation from the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) NMFS is proposing to revise regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) to implement Amendment 4 to the Fishery Management Plan for U.S. West Coast Highly Migratory Species (HMS FMP). The intent of Amendment 4 is to bring descriptions of the management context for HMS fisheries up to date, to better describe the Council's role in the process of making stock status determinations for highly migratory species (HMS), including the Council's evaluations of the best scientific information available (BSIA), and to change the schedule of the Council's three- meeting biennial management cycle for HMS stocks. Consistent with Amendment 4, this proposed rule would update and amend the descriptions of biennial management cycle activities in the regulations for the HMS FMP to allow the Council to shift the schedule of Council meetings for the consideration of HMS management actions from June, September, and November to September, November, and March. The changes proposed to biennial management cycle activities and the schedule are intended to better streamline international and domestic management processes for HMS. Amendment 4 and this proposed rule are administrative in nature and are not expected to affect activities authorized under the FMP or harvest levels of HMS.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 39 (Tuesday, February 27, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 39 (Tuesday, February 27, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8414-8416]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-03963]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 300

[Docket No. 171026999-8049-01]
RIN 0648-BH36


Fisheries Off West Coast States; Highly Migratory Fisheries; 
Amendment 4 to Fishery Management Plan for West Coast Highly Migratory 
Species Fisheries; Revisions to the Biennial Management Cycle

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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[[Page 8415]]

SUMMARY: Based on a recommendation from the Pacific Fishery Management 
Council (Council) NMFS is proposing to revise regulations under the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) to 
implement Amendment 4 to the Fishery Management Plan for U.S. West 
Coast Highly Migratory Species (HMS FMP). The intent of Amendment 4 is 
to bring descriptions of the management context for HMS fisheries up to 
date, to better describe the Council's role in the process of making 
stock status determinations for highly migratory species (HMS), 
including the Council's evaluations of the best scientific information 
available (BSIA), and to change the schedule of the Council's three-
meeting biennial management cycle for HMS stocks. Consistent with 
Amendment 4, this proposed rule would update and amend the descriptions 
of biennial management cycle activities in the regulations for the HMS 
FMP to allow the Council to shift the schedule of Council meetings for 
the consideration of HMS management actions from June, September, and 
November to September, November, and March. The changes proposed to 
biennial management cycle activities and the schedule are intended to 
better streamline international and domestic management processes for 
HMS. Amendment 4 and this proposed rule are administrative in nature 
and are not expected to affect activities authorized under the FMP or 
harvest levels of HMS.

DATES: Comments on the proposed rule and supporting documents must be 
submitted in writing by April 13, 2018. However, please note that 
comments regarding the decision to approve, disapprove, or partially 
approve Amendment 4 to the HMS FMP must be submitted by the end of the 
comment period for the Notice of Availability (NOA) for Amendment 4, 
which was published separately in the Federal Register on January 23, 
2018 (see the NOA at 83 FR 3108).

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by 
NOAA-NMFS-2017-0138, by any of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-0138, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to Amber.Rhodes@noaa.gov, 
NMFS West Coast Region Long Beach Office, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Suite 
4200, Long Beach, CA 90802. Include the identifier ``NOAA-NMFS-2017-
0138'' in the comments.
    Instructions: Comments must be submitted by one of the above 
methods to ensure they are received, documented, and considered by 
NMFS. 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. All comments received are a part of the public record and 
will generally be posted for public viewing on www.regulations.gov 
without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, 
address, etc.) submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly 
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).
    Copies of the proposed Amendment 4, Regulatory Impact Review (RIR) 
and other supporting documents are available via the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov, docket NOAA-NMFS-2017-
0138, or contact Amber Rhodes, NMFS West Coast Region, 562-980-3231, 
Amber.Rhodes@noaa.gov or Heidi Taylor, NMFS West Coast Region, 562-980-
4039, Heidi.Taylor@noaa.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amber Rhodes, NMFS, 562-980-3231, 
Amber.Rhodes@noaa.gov or Heidi Taylor, NMFS, 562-980-4039, 
Heidi.Taylor@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    During the Council's 2016 biennial management cycle meetings for 
HMS and considerations for recent revisions to agency guidelines for 
National Standard 1 (81 FR 71858, October 18, 2016), key differences 
became evident regarding the management of HMS stocks versus other 
Council-managed stocks for which management activities are largely or 
fully within the scope of Council jurisdiction. In contrast to 
assessments for other Council-managed stocks, which are conducted by 
NMFS, most HMS assessments are conducted by teams of regional fishery 
management organization (RFMO) scientific committees, which may include 
scientists from the United States and other participating nations in 
Pacific HMS fisheries or international scientists who work at RFMOs. 
Additionally, NMFS employs peer review processes to determine whether 
the output of international HMS assessments meet the BSIA standard. 
(See the August 16, 2016, notice of regional peer review processes, 81 
FR 54561.) These peer review processes are consistent with BSIA 
determinations for most U.S.-targeted stocks subject to international 
agreements. Following these steps, NMFS uses assessment outputs that 
meet the BSIA standard to determine stock status by applying the status 
determination criteria (i.e., maximum fishing mortality thresholds and 
minimum stock size thresholds) in the HMS FMP.
    During its September 2017 meeting, the Council decided to submit 
Amendment 4 to the HMS FMP to NMFS for review. In a January 23, 2018, 
Notice of Availability (83 FR 3108), NMFS announced that the Council 
submitted Amendment 4 to the Secretary of Commerce for approval, and 
requested comments on Amendment 4. Amendment 4 intends to bring 
descriptions of the management context for HMS fisheries up to date and 
to shift the schedule for the Council's biennial management cycle. 
Finalization of this proposed rule to revise regulations at 50 CFR 
660.709 is contingent upon approval of Amendment 4 and NMFS responses 
to comments received on this proposed rule.
    Amendment 4 is intended to better align the Council's biennial 
management cycle for HMS with the timing of international stock 
assessments and stock status determinations. Most HMS are 
internationally assessed, and stock assessments for HMS, unlike 
assessments for domestically-managed stocks, are not routinely subject 
to the review of the Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee for 
purposes of determining BSIA. Therefore, the results from updated 
international assessments that have been determined to be BSIA may not 
be readily available to the Council during their June and September 
meetings for scoping, determining alternatives, and selecting preferred 
management recommendations to address the status of stocks deemed 
overfished or subject to overfishing. Thus, these decisions currently 
must occur on an ad hoc basis, sometimes resulting in inefficiencies 
and in difficulties in interpreting and applying outdated information. 
The changes to the current biennial management cycle included in 
Amendment 4 and implemented by this proposed rule would allow the 
Council to streamline domestic and international management activities, 
such as stock assessment and biological reference

[[Page 8416]]

point reviews, and to better align schedules to meet statutory 
timelines in section 304(e) and (i) of the MSA (16 U.S.C. 1854(e) and 
(i)) for making recommendations for domestic regulations and 
international measures when stocks are determined to be overfished or 
subject to overfishing. Additionally, this rule's proposed revisions to 
50 CFR 660.709 would ensure that the meeting schedule is not codified 
in regulations, thus allowing the Council to make changes to the 
schedule for its meetings in the biennial management cycle, consistent 
with the HMS FMP, without needing to seek a change in the regulatory 
language. Allowing the Council to make this type of adjustment without 
seeking a regulatory change improves the efficiency with which future 
changes to the biennial management cycle can be implemented.

Proposed Regulations

    This proposed rule would amend 50 CFR 660.709 to update the 
descriptions of biennial management cycle activities under the HMS FMP 
and shift the schedule of Council meetings from June, September, and 
November to September, November, and March by referring to the schedule 
specified in the HMS FMP. Thus, the proposed regulations remove the 
need to make future schedule changes to the Council's biennial 
management cycle through a rulemaking.

Classification

    Pursuant to section 304 (b)(1)(A) of the MSA (16 U.S.C. 
1854(b)(1)(A)), the NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that 
this proposed rule is consistent with Amendment 4 to the HMS FMP, other 
provisions of the MSA, and other applicable laws, subject to further 
consideration after public comment.
    This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 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. 
For Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) purposes only, NMFS has 
established a size standard for businesses, including their affiliates, 
whose primary industry is commercial fishing (see 50 CFR 200.2). A 
business primarily engaged in commercial fishing (NAICS 11411) 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 not in excess of $11 
million for all its affiliated operations worldwide. However, this 
proposed rule to revise regulations at 50 CFR 660.709, consistent with 
Amendment 4 to the HMS FMP, is administrative in nature and will not 
directly affect the operations of any businesses, small or large, that 
are authorized to catch finfish under the HMS FMP. Because the proposed 
action does not include revisions to stock status determination 
criteria (i.e., minimum stock size thresholds or maximum fishing 
mortality thresholds) used to determine whether management unit species 
of the HMS FMP are subject to overfishing or are overfished, the 
proposed action will not directly affect fishing activities authorized 
under the HMS FMP or the harvest levels of these fisheries. Therefore, 
there are no significant economic impacts on a substantial number of 
small entities. As a result, an initial regulatory flexibility analysis 
is not required, and none has been prepared.
    There are no new collection-of-information requirements associated 
with this action that are subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act; 
however, existing collection-of-information requirements associated 
with the HMS FMP still apply. These requirements have been approved by 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB control numbers 0648-0204, 
0648-0223, 0648-0361, 0648-0498). Notwithstanding any other provision 
of the law, no person is required to respond to, and no person shall be 
subject to penalty for failure to comply with, a collection-of-
information subject to the requirements of the PRA, unless that 
collection-of-information displays a currently valid OMB control 
number.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660

    Fisheries, Fishing, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.


    Dated: February 22, 2018.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 660 is 
proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 660--FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES

Subpart K--Highly Migratory Fisheries

0
1. The authority citation for part 660, subpart K, continues to read as 
follows:

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

0
2. In Sec.  660.709, remove paragraphs (a)(2) and (a)(3), redesignate 
paragraph (a)(4) as (a)(2), and revise paragraphs (a)(1) and (d) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  660.709   Annual specifications.

    (a) Procedure. (1) Each year, the HMSMT will deliver a stock 
assessment and fishery evaluation report to the Council for all HMS 
with any necessary recommendations for harvest guidelines, quotas or 
other management measures to protect HMS, including updated maximum 
sustainable yield (MSY) and optimum yield (OY) estimates based on the 
best available science. The Council's Scientific and Statistical 
Committee may review the estimates and make a recommendation on their 
suitability for management. As described in the fishery management 
plan, the Council will periodically review these recommendations and 
decide whether to adopt updated numerical estimates of MSY and OY, 
which are then submitted as recommendations for NMFS to review as part 
of the management measures review process.
* * * * *
    (d) Irrespective of the normal review process, the Council may 
propose management action to protect HMS at any time. The Council may 
adopt a management cycle different from the one described in the 
fishery management plan provided that such change is made by a majority 
vote of the Council and a 6-month notice of the change is given.

[FR Doc. 2018-03963 Filed 2-26-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P



                                                 8414                  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 39 / Tuesday, February 27, 2018 / Proposed Rules

                                                 present new genetic evidence to suggest                 Therefore, in accordance with section                 information concerning the impacts of
                                                 the spring-run Chinook salmon                           4(b)(3)(A) of the ESA and NMFS’                       environmental variability and climate
                                                 populations in the UKTR Basin may                       implementing regulations (50 CFR                      change on survival, recruitment,
                                                 qualify as a separate ESU from the fall-                424.14(h)(2)), we will commence a                     distribution, and/or extinction risk.
                                                 run populations and request this new                    status review of the UKTR Chinook                       We are also requesting information on
                                                 ESU to be listed based on the threats                   salmon ESU. During our status review,                 areas that may qualify as critical habitat
                                                 identified above. Based on biological,                  we will first consider the request to                 for Chinook salmon in the UKTR Basin.
                                                 genetic, and ecological information                     designate a new ESU to describe spring-               Please identify: Physical and biological
                                                 compiled and reviewed as part of the                    run Chinook salmon in the UKTR Basin                  features essential to the conservation of
                                                 status review for Chinook salmon                        in light of our ESU Policy (56 FR 58612;              the species that may require special
                                                 (Myers et al., 1998), we included all                   November 20, 1991). If we determine                   management considerations; areas
                                                 spring-run and fall-run Chinook salmon                  that the spring-run component qualifies               occupied by the species containing
                                                 populations in the Klamath River Basin                  as a separate ESU, then we will evaluate              those physical and biological features;
                                                 upstream from the confluence of the                     its status to determine whether it is in              and unoccupied areas essential for
                                                 Klamath and Trinity rivers in the UKTR                  danger of extinction or likely to become              conservation of the species (16 U.S.C.
                                                 Chinook salmon ESU (63 FR 11482;                        so within the foreseeable future                      1533(a)(3)(A); 50 CFR 424.12).
                                                 March 9, 1998). In our 2012 not                         throughout all or a significant portion of              We request that all information be
                                                 warranted decision (77 FR 19597; April                  its range. Otherwise, we will evaluate                accompanied by: (1) Supporting
                                                 2, 2012), we reconfirmed the                            the status of the existing UKTR Chinook               documentation such as maps,
                                                 configuration of the UKTR Chinook                       salmon ESU to determine if it warrants                bibliographic references, or reprints of
                                                 salmon ESU. In both cases, we found                     listing. As required by section 4(b)(3)(B)            pertinent publications; and (2) the
                                                 that spring-run and fall-run Chinook                    of the ESA, we will publish a finding as              submitter’s name, address, and any
                                                 salmon populations in the UKTR Basin                    to whether listing an ESU as endangered               association, institution, or business that
                                                 were genetically very similar and not                   or threatened is warranted.                           the person represents.
                                                 reproductively isolated from each other.
                                                                                                         Information Solicited                                 References Cited
                                                 The Petitioners contend the findings
                                                 from a recently published article on the                   To ensure that our status review is                   The complete citations for the
                                                 evolutionary basis of premature                         informed by the best available scientific             references used in this document can be
                                                 migration in Pacific salmon (Prince et                  and commercial information, we are                    obtained by contacting NMFS (See FOR
                                                 al. 2017) indicate that spring-run                      opening a 60-day public comment                       FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) or on
                                                 Chinook salmon in the UKTR Basin                        period to solicit information on Chinook              our web page at: www.westcoast.
                                                 should be considered a separate ESU,                    salmon in the UKTR Basin. We also                     fisheries.noaa.gov.
                                                 and therefore eligible to be listed as                  solicited information on Chinook
                                                                                                         salmon in the UKTR Basin with our 90-                   Authority: The authority for this action is
                                                 threatened or endangered. Prince et al.                                                                       the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
                                                 (2017) suggest that their results indicate              day finding on the previous petition (76
                                                                                                                                                               amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
                                                 that premature migration (e.g. spring-                  FR 20302; April 12, 2011). Therefore,
                                                 run Chinook salmon) arose from a single                 please do not re-submit information                     Dated: February 21, 2018.
                                                 evolutionary event within the species                   submitted in response to that previous                Samuel D. Rauch, III,
                                                 and, if lost, are not likely to re-evolve               finding. We request information from                  Deputy Assistant Administrator for
                                                 in time frames relevant to conservation                 the public, concerned governmental                    Regulatory Programs, National Marine
                                                 planning. Therefore, the Petitioners                    agencies, Native American tribes, the                 Fisheries Service.
                                                 contend that the new genetic                            scientific community, agricultural and                [FR Doc. 2018–03906 Filed 2–26–18; 8:45 am]
                                                 information indicates that spring-run                   forestry groups, conservation groups,                 BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
                                                 Chinook salmon in the UKTR Basin                        fishing groups, industry, or any other
                                                 satisfy the criteria for a species to be                interested parties concerning the current
                                                 considered an ESU because: (1) They are                 and/or historical status of Chinook                   DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
                                                 substantially reproductively isolated,                  salmon in the UKTR Basin. Specifically,
                                                 and (2) they represent an important                     we request information regarding: (1)                 National Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                 component in the evolutionary legacy of                 Species abundance; (2) species                        Administration
                                                 the species. We have reviewed the new                   productivity; (3) species distribution or
                                                 genetic information and find that a                     population spatial structure; (4) patterns            50 CFR Part 300
                                                 reasonable person may conclude that                     of phenotypic, genotypic, and life
                                                 spring-run Chinook salmon in the UKTR                   history diversity; (5) habitat conditions             [Docket No. 171026999–8049–01]
                                                 Basin would qualify as an ESU pursuant                  and associated limiting factors and
                                                 to our ESU Policy.                                      threats; (6) ongoing or planned efforts to            RIN 0648–BH36
                                                                                                         protect and restore the species and their
                                                 Petition Finding                                        habitats; (7) information on the                      Fisheries Off West Coast States;
                                                    After reviewing the information                      adequacy of existing regulatory                       Highly Migratory Fisheries;
                                                 contained in the petition, as well as                   mechanisms, whether protections are                   Amendment 4 to Fishery Management
                                                 information readily available in our                    being implemented, and whether they                   Plan for West Coast Highly Migratory
                                                 files, we conclude the petition presents                are proving effective in conserving the               Species Fisheries; Revisions to the
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                                                 substantial scientific information                      species; (8) data concerning the status               Biennial Management Cycle
                                                 indicating the petitioned actions to list               and trends of identified limiting factors             AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries
                                                 as threatened or endangered the UKTR                    or threats; (9) information on targeted               Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
                                                 Chinook salmon ESU or, alternatively,                   harvest (commercial and recreational)                 Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
                                                 to create a new ESU to describe spring-                 and bycatch of the species; (10) other                Commerce.
                                                 run Chinook salmon in the UKTR Basin                    new information, data, or corrections
                                                                                                                                                               ACTION: Proposed rule; request for
                                                 and list the new ESU as threatened or                   including, but not limited to, taxonomic
                                                                                                                                                               comments.
                                                 endangered may be warranted.                            or nomenclatural changes; and (11)


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                                                                       Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 39 / Tuesday, February 27, 2018 / Proposed Rules                                          8415

                                                 SUMMARY:   Based on a recommendation                    Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach,                  the output of international HMS
                                                 from the Pacific Fishery Management                     CA 90802. Include the identifier                      assessments meet the BSIA standard.
                                                 Council (Council) NMFS is proposing to                  ‘‘NOAA–NMFS–2017–0138’’ in the                        (See the August 16, 2016, notice of
                                                 revise regulations under the Magnuson-                  comments.                                             regional peer review processes, 81 FR
                                                 Stevens Fishery Conservation and                           Instructions: Comments must be                     54561.) These peer review processes are
                                                 Management Act (MSA) to implement                       submitted by one of the above methods                 consistent with BSIA determinations for
                                                 Amendment 4 to the Fishery                              to ensure they are received,                          most U.S.-targeted stocks subject to
                                                 Management Plan for U.S. West Coast                     documented, and considered by NMFS.                   international agreements. Following
                                                 Highly Migratory Species (HMS FMP).                     Comments sent by any other method, to                 these steps, NMFS uses assessment
                                                 The intent of Amendment 4 is to bring                   any other address or individual, or                   outputs that meet the BSIA standard to
                                                 descriptions of the management context                  received after the end of the comment                 determine stock status by applying the
                                                 for HMS fisheries up to date, to better                 period, may not be considered. All                    status determination criteria (i.e.,
                                                 describe the Council’s role in the                      comments received are a part of the                   maximum fishing mortality thresholds
                                                 process of making stock status                          public record and will generally be                   and minimum stock size thresholds) in
                                                 determinations for highly migratory                     posted for public viewing on                          the HMS FMP.
                                                 species (HMS), including the Council’s                  www.regulations.gov without change.                      During its September 2017 meeting,
                                                 evaluations of the best scientific                      All personal identifying information                  the Council decided to submit
                                                 information available (BSIA), and to                    (e.g., name, address, etc.) submitted                 Amendment 4 to the HMS FMP to
                                                 change the schedule of the Council’s                    voluntarily by the sender will be                     NMFS for review. In a January 23, 2018,
                                                 three-meeting biennial management                       publicly accessible. Do not submit                    Notice of Availability (83 FR 3108),
                                                 cycle for HMS stocks. Consistent with                   confidential business information, or                 NMFS announced that the Council
                                                 Amendment 4, this proposed rule                         otherwise sensitive or protected                      submitted Amendment 4 to the
                                                 would update and amend the                              information. NMFS will accept                         Secretary of Commerce for approval,
                                                 descriptions of biennial management                     anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in                  and requested comments on
                                                 cycle activities in the regulations for the             the required fields if you wish to remain             Amendment 4. Amendment 4 intends to
                                                 HMS FMP to allow the Council to shift                   anonymous).                                           bring descriptions of the management
                                                 the schedule of Council meetings for the                   Copies of the proposed Amendment 4,                context for HMS fisheries up to date and
                                                 consideration of HMS management                         Regulatory Impact Review (RIR) and                    to shift the schedule for the Council’s
                                                 actions from June, September, and                       other supporting documents are                        biennial management cycle. Finalization
                                                 November to September, November, and                    available via the Federal eRulemaking                 of this proposed rule to revise
                                                 March. The changes proposed to                          Portal: http://www.regulations.gov,                   regulations at 50 CFR 660.709 is
                                                 biennial management cycle activities                    docket NOAA–NMFS–2017–0138, or                        contingent upon approval of
                                                 and the schedule are intended to better                 contact Amber Rhodes, NMFS West                       Amendment 4 and NMFS responses to
                                                 streamline international and domestic                   Coast Region, 562–980–3231,                           comments received on this proposed
                                                 management processes for HMS.                           Amber.Rhodes@noaa.gov or Heidi                        rule.
                                                 Amendment 4 and this proposed rule                      Taylor, NMFS West Coast Region, 562–                     Amendment 4 is intended to better
                                                 are administrative in nature and are not                                                                      align the Council’s biennial
                                                                                                         980–4039, Heidi.Taylor@noaa.gov.
                                                 expected to affect activities authorized                                                                      management cycle for HMS with the
                                                                                                         FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      timing of international stock
                                                 under the FMP or harvest levels of                      Amber Rhodes, NMFS, 562–980–3231,
                                                 HMS.                                                                                                          assessments and stock status
                                                                                                         Amber.Rhodes@noaa.gov or Heidi                        determinations. Most HMS are
                                                 DATES: Comments on the proposed rule                    Taylor, NMFS, 562–980–4039,                           internationally assessed, and stock
                                                 and supporting documents must be                        Heidi.Taylor@noaa.gov.                                assessments for HMS, unlike
                                                 submitted in writing by April 13, 2018.                 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            assessments for domestically-managed
                                                 However, please note that comments                                                                            stocks, are not routinely subject to the
                                                 regarding the decision to approve,                      Background
                                                                                                                                                               review of the Council’s Scientific and
                                                 disapprove, or partially approve                          During the Council’s 2016 biennial                  Statistical Committee for purposes of
                                                 Amendment 4 to the HMS FMP must be                      management cycle meetings for HMS                     determining BSIA. Therefore, the results
                                                 submitted by the end of the comment                     and considerations for recent revisions               from updated international assessments
                                                 period for the Notice of Availability                   to agency guidelines for National                     that have been determined to be BSIA
                                                 (NOA) for Amendment 4, which was                        Standard 1 (81 FR 71858, October 18,                  may not be readily available to the
                                                 published separately in the Federal                     2016), key differences became evident                 Council during their June and
                                                 Register on January 23, 2018 (see the                   regarding the management of HMS                       September meetings for scoping,
                                                 NOA at 83 FR 3108).                                     stocks versus other Council-managed                   determining alternatives, and selecting
                                                 ADDRESSES: You may submit comments                      stocks for which management activities                preferred management
                                                 on this document, identified by NOAA–                   are largely or fully within the scope of              recommendations to address the status
                                                 NMFS–2017–0138, by any of the                           Council jurisdiction. In contrast to                  of stocks deemed overfished or subject
                                                 following methods:                                      assessments for other Council-managed                 to overfishing. Thus, these decisions
                                                    • Electronic Submission: Submit all                  stocks, which are conducted by NMFS,                  currently must occur on an ad hoc basis,
                                                 electronic public comments via the                      most HMS assessments are conducted                    sometimes resulting in inefficiencies
                                                 Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to                      by teams of regional fishery                          and in difficulties in interpreting and
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                                                 http://www.regulations.gov/#!docket                     management organization (RFMO)                        applying outdated information. The
                                                 Detail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-0138, click                     scientific committees, which may                      changes to the current biennial
                                                 the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete                     include scientists from the United States             management cycle included in
                                                 the required fields, and enter or attach                and other participating nations in                    Amendment 4 and implemented by this
                                                 your comments.                                          Pacific HMS fisheries or international                proposed rule would allow the Council
                                                    • Mail: Submit written comments to                   scientists who work at RFMOs.                         to streamline domestic and international
                                                 Amber.Rhodes@noaa.gov, NMFS West                        Additionally, NMFS employs peer                       management activities, such as stock
                                                 Coast Region Long Beach Office, 501 W.                  review processes to determine whether                 assessment and biological reference


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                                                 8416                  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 39 / Tuesday, February 27, 2018 / Proposed Rules

                                                 point reviews, and to better align                      (including its affiliates), and has                   ■ 2. In § 660.709, remove paragraphs
                                                 schedules to meet statutory timelines in                combined annual receipts not in excess                (a)(2) and (a)(3), redesignate paragraph
                                                 section 304(e) and (i) of the MSA (16                   of $11 million for all its affiliated                 (a)(4) as (a)(2), and revise paragraphs
                                                 U.S.C. 1854(e) and (i)) for making                      operations worldwide. However, this                   (a)(1) and (d) to read as follows:
                                                 recommendations for domestic                            proposed rule to revise regulations at 50
                                                 regulations and international measures                  CFR 660.709, consistent with                          § 660.709    Annual specifications.
                                                 when stocks are determined to be                        Amendment 4 to the HMS FMP, is                          (a) Procedure. (1) Each year, the
                                                 overfished or subject to overfishing.                   administrative in nature and will not                 HMSMT will deliver a stock assessment
                                                 Additionally, this rule’s proposed                      directly affect the operations of any                 and fishery evaluation report to the
                                                 revisions to 50 CFR 660.709 would                       businesses, small or large, that are                  Council for all HMS with any necessary
                                                 ensure that the meeting schedule is not                 authorized to catch finfish under the                 recommendations for harvest
                                                 codified in regulations, thus allowing                  HMS FMP. Because the proposed action                  guidelines, quotas or other management
                                                 the Council to make changes to the                      does not include revisions to stock                   measures to protect HMS, including
                                                 schedule for its meetings in the biennial               status determination criteria (i.e.,                  updated maximum sustainable yield
                                                 management cycle, consistent with the                   minimum stock size thresholds or                      (MSY) and optimum yield (OY)
                                                 HMS FMP, without needing to seek a                      maximum fishing mortality thresholds)                 estimates based on the best available
                                                 change in the regulatory language.                      used to determine whether management                  science. The Council’s Scientific and
                                                 Allowing the Council to make this type                  unit species of the HMS FMP are subject               Statistical Committee may review the
                                                 of adjustment without seeking a                         to overfishing or are overfished, the                 estimates and make a recommendation
                                                 regulatory change improves the                          proposed action will not directly affect              on their suitability for management. As
                                                 efficiency with which future changes to                 fishing activities authorized under the               described in the fishery management
                                                 the biennial management cycle can be                    HMS FMP or the harvest levels of these                plan, the Council will periodically
                                                 implemented.                                            fisheries. Therefore, there are no                    review these recommendations and
                                                                                                         significant economic impacts on a                     decide whether to adopt updated
                                                 Proposed Regulations
                                                                                                         substantial number of small entities. As              numerical estimates of MSY and OY,
                                                   This proposed rule would amend 50                     a result, an initial regulatory flexibility           which are then submitted as
                                                 CFR 660.709 to update the descriptions                  analysis is not required, and none has                recommendations for NMFS to review
                                                 of biennial management cycle activities                 been prepared.                                        as part of the management measures
                                                 under the HMS FMP and shift the                            There are no new collection-of-                    review process.
                                                 schedule of Council meetings from June,                 information requirements associated                   *     *     *     *     *
                                                 September, and November to                              with this action that are subject to the                (d) Irrespective of the normal review
                                                 September, November, and March by                       Paperwork Reduction Act; however,                     process, the Council may propose
                                                 referring to the schedule specified in the              existing collection-of-information                    management action to protect HMS at
                                                 HMS FMP. Thus, the proposed                             requirements associated with the HMS                  any time. The Council may adopt a
                                                 regulations remove the need to make                     FMP still apply. These requirements                   management cycle different from the
                                                 future schedule changes to the Council’s                have been approved by the Office of                   one described in the fishery
                                                 biennial management cycle through a                     Management and Budget (OMB control                    management plan provided that such
                                                 rulemaking.                                             numbers 0648–0204, 0648–0223, 0648–                   change is made by a majority vote of the
                                                 Classification                                          0361, 0648–0498). Notwithstanding any                 Council and a 6-month notice of the
                                                    Pursuant to section 304 (b)(1)(A) of                 other provision of the law, no person is              change is given.
                                                 the MSA (16 U.S.C. 1854(b)(1)(A)), the                  required to respond to, and no person                 [FR Doc. 2018–03963 Filed 2–26–18; 8:45 am]
                                                 NMFS Assistant Administrator has                        shall be subject to penalty for failure to            BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
                                                 determined that this proposed rule is                   comply with, a collection-of-
                                                 consistent with Amendment 4 to the                      information subject to the requirements
                                                 HMS FMP, other provisions of the MSA,                   of the PRA, unless that collection-of-                DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
                                                 and other applicable laws, subject to                   information displays a currently valid
                                                 further consideration after public                      OMB control number.                                   National Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                 comment.                                                                                                      Administration
                                                                                                         List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660
                                                    This proposed rule has been
                                                 determined to be not significant for                      Fisheries, Fishing, Reporting and                   50 CFR Part 600
                                                 purposes of Executive Order 12866.                      recordkeeping requirements.
                                                                                                                                                               [Docket No. 160908833–7999–01]
                                                    The Chief Counsel for Regulation of                    Dated: February 22, 2018.
                                                 the Department of Commerce certified                                                                          RIN 0648–BG34
                                                                                                         Samuel D. Rauch III,
                                                 to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the                Deputy Assistant Administrator for                    Requirements of the Vessel Monitoring
                                                 Small Business Administration that this                 Regulatory Programs, National Marine                  System Type-Approval; Reopening of
                                                 proposed rule, if adopted, would not                    Fisheries Service.                                    Public Comment Period
                                                 have a significant economic impact on                     For the reasons set out in the
                                                 a substantial number of small entities.                 preamble, 50 CFR part 660 is proposed                 AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries
                                                 For Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)                    to be amended as follows:                             Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
                                                 purposes only, NMFS has established a                                                                         Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                 size standard for businesses, including                 PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST                           Commerce.
                                                 their affiliates, whose primary industry                COAST STATES                                          ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of
                                                 is commercial fishing (see 50 CFR                                                                             public comment period.
                                                 200.2). A business primarily engaged in                 Subpart K—Highly Migratory Fisheries
                                                 commercial fishing (NAICS 11411) is                                                                           SUMMARY:   The National Marine
                                                 classified as a small business if it is                 ■ 1. The authority citation for part 660,             Fisheries Service is reopening the
                                                 independently owned and operated, is                    subpart K, continues to read as follows:              public comment period on the proposed
                                                 not dominant in its field of operation                      Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.                 rule on requirements of the Vessel


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Document Created: 2018-02-27 01:14:42
Document Modified: 2018-02-27 01:14:42
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionProposed rule; request for comments.
DatesComments on the proposed rule and supporting documents must be submitted in writing by April 13, 2018. However, please note that comments regarding the decision to approve, disapprove, or partially approve Amendment 4 to the HMS FMP must be submitted by the end of the comment period for the Notice of Availability (NOA) for Amendment 4, which was published separately in the Federal Register on January 23, 2018 (see the NOA at 83 FR 3108).
ContactAmber Rhodes, NMFS, 562-980-3231, [email protected] or Heidi Taylor, NMFS, 562-980-4039, [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 8414 
RIN Number0648-BH36

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