International Affairs; U.S. Fishing Opportunities in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Regulatory Area, 5516-5518 [2015-01967]
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5516
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 21 / Monday, February 2, 2015 / Notices
this end, NOAA’s National Marine
Protected Areas Center (MPA Center),
part of the Office of National Marine
Sanctuaries (ONMS), proposes to
continue and augment an ongoing effort
to inventory all U.S. MPAs.
The MPA Center was established
under Executive Order 13158, which
directs NOAA and the Department of
the Interior to work collaboratively with
state, federal, territorial and tribal
partners to enhance ocean conservation
and management throughout the
nation’s system of MPAs. The Marine
Protected Areas Inventory— a publicly
available, online, spatial database that
provides detailed and unique
information on MPAs nationwide—is
fundamental to this goal. Required by
Executive Order 13158, the Inventory
provides access to data and summary
products on over 1,600 MPA sites across
different management programs and all
levels of government. The MPA
Inventory is accessible via the MPA
Center’s Web site,
marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov.
This data collection effort would
continue providing U.S. MPA managers
with a voluntary, online means to share
and update important information
about: (i) The site’s establishment,
purpose(s), management approaches,
and natural and cultural resources; and,
(ii) the types, trends and potential
resource management implications of
expanding recreational uses within U.S.
MPAs.
The MPA Inventory data collection
continues the periodic and voluntary
solicitation of site-specific descriptive
data from all MPAs in the U.S.
Typically, an individual MPA site
would complete an online site data form
once, and then update it if necessary to
reflect changes in boundaries,
regulations, management approaches,
etc. In order to keep this vital data
resource current and accurate with the
latest status and information on MPAs
nationwide, the online site data form,
posted at
marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov, can be
used to: (i) Describe a new or modified
MPA; (ii) provide feedback, corrections
or additions to existing MPA Inventory
data; or, (iii) evaluate whether a site
proposed for inclusion in the National
System of MPAs meets the eligibility
criteria (typically 5–10 sites per year).
The MPA Inventory is frequently used
by ocean managers, users, scientists and
others to better understand place-based
management of U.S. waters.
In addition to continuing to manage
and share descriptive information on
U.S. MPAs, the MPA Center proposes to
contact State and Federal MPA
managers to solicit and facilitate their
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19:24 Jan 30, 2015
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participation in a voluntary survey
about conditions and trends in
recreational uses of their sites. Data
addressing the nature, trends, drivers
and implications of recreational uses
will be collected from U.S. MPA
managers electronically over a period of
6 weeks using an online survey
instrument. Individual managers’
responses will remain confidential and
the results aggregated to illustrate
meaningful general trends rather data
specific to a single MPA. Important
patterns and lessons learned from this
data collection will be shared directly
with MPA managers around the country
to assist in their management of some of
the nation’s most treasured ocean and
coastal areas.
Submissions will be made on line.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0648–0449.
Form Number(s): None.
Type of Review: Revision and
extension of an approved information
collection.
Affected Public: Approximately 300
State, territorial and federal MPA
managers or staff.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
150.
Estimated Time per Response: 30
minutes each for the uploading of
information and for the survey.
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: 75.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to
Public: $0.
IV. Request for Comments
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether
the proposed collection of information
is necessary for the proper performance
of the functions of the agency, including
whether the information shall have
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the
agency’s estimate of the burden
(including hours and cost) of the
proposed collection of information; (c)
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the
burden of the collection of information
on respondents, including through the
use of automated collection techniques
or other forms of information
technology.
Comments submitted in response to
this notice will be summarized and/or
included in the request for OMB
approval of this information collection;
they also will become a matter of public
record.
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[FR Doc. 2015–01853 Filed 1–30–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–NK–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XD743
International Affairs; U.S. Fishing
Opportunities in the Northwest Atlantic
Fisheries Organization Regulatory
Area
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notification of U.S. fishing
opportunities.
AGENCY:
II. Method of Collection
PO 00000
Dated: January 27, 2015.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief
Information Officer.
NMFS announces fishing
opportunities in the Northwest Atlantic
Fisheries Organization (NAFO)
Regulatory Area. This action is
necessary to make fishing privileges
available on an equitable basis.
DATES: Effective January 1, 2015,
through December 31, 2015. Expressions
of interest regarding fishing
opportunities in NAFO will be accepted
through February 17, 2015.
ADDRESSES: Expressions of interest
regarding U.S. fishing opportunities in
NAFO should be made in writing to
Douglas W. Christel in the NMFS
Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries
Office at 55 Great Republic Drive,
Gloucester, MA 01930 (phone: 978–
281–9141, email: Douglas.Christel@
noaa.gov).
Information relating to chartering
vessels of another NAFO Contracting
Party, or transferring NAFO fishing
opportunities to or from another NAFO
Contracting Party is available from
Patrick E. Moran in the NMFS Office of
International Affairs at 1315 East-West
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910
(phone: 301–427–8370, fax: 301–713–
2313, email: Pat.Moran@noaa.gov).
Information relating to NAFO fishing
opportunities, NAFO Conservation and
Enforcement Measures, and the High
Seas Fishing Compliance Act (HSFCA)
Permit is available from Douglas
Christel, in the NMFS Greater Atlantic
Regional Fisheries Office at 55 Great
Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930
(phone: 978–281–9141, fax: 978–281–
9135, email: douglas.christel@noaa.gov)
and from NAFO on the World Wide
Web at https://www.nafo.int.
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 21 / Monday, February 2, 2015 / Notices
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Douglas W. Christel, 978–281–9141.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
What fishing opportunities are
available?
The principal species managed by
NAFO are cod, flounder, redfish,
American plaice, Greenland halibut,
hake, capelin, shrimp, skates and Illex
squid. NAFO maintains conservation
measures for fishery resources in its
Regulatory Area, including, for those
principal species, total allowable
catches (TACs) that are allocated among
NAFO Contracting Parties. At the 2014
NAFO Annual Meeting, the United
States received national quota
allocations for two NAFO stocks to be
fished during 2015. The species,
location, and allocation (in metric tons
(mt)) of these 2015 U.S. fishing
opportunities, as found in Annexes I.A,
I.B, and I.C of the 2015 NAFO
Conservation and Enforcement
Measures (CEM), are as follows:
1. Redfish .....
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
2. Squid (Illex)
NAFO Division
3M.
NAFO Subareas 3 & 4.
69 mt.
453 mt.
Additionally, the United States may
be transferred up to 1,000 mt of NAFO
Division 3LNO yellowtail flounder from
Canada’s quota allocation if requested
before January 1 of each year, or any
succeeding year through 2018, based
upon a bilateral arrangement with
Canada. The United States has already
requested this 1,000 mt of Division
3LNO yellowtail flounder from Canada
for 2015. The arrangement for the
transfer of Canadian yellowtail flounder
quota would enable U.S. vessels to
harvest American plaice as bycatch in
the yellowtail flounder fishery in an
amount equal to 15 percent of the total
catch on board of regulated species
listed in Annex I.A of the 2015 NAFO
CEM . Additional quota for these and
other stocks managed within the NAFO
Regulatory Area may be available to
U.S. vessels through industry-initiated
chartering arrangements or transfers of
quota from other NAFO Contracting
Parties.
U.S. fishermen may also access stocks
in which the United States has not
received a national quota (also known as
the ‘‘Others’’ allocation), including:
Division 3M cod (55 mt); Division 3LN
redfish (63 mt); Division 3O redfish (100
mt); Division 3NO witch flounder (10
mt); Division 3NO white hake (59 mt);
and Division 3LNO skates (258 mt).
Note that the United States shares these
allocations with other NAFO
Contracting Parties, and access to such
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stocks is on a first-come-first-served
basis. Fishing is halted by NAFO when
the ‘‘Others’’ allocation for a particular
stock has been fully harvested.
U.S. fishermen interested in
harvesting species not listed in Annexes
I.A or I.B of the 2015 NAFO CEM, but
occurring within the NAFO Regulatory
Area, should contact the NMFS Greater
Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (see
ADDRESSES) for information.
Authorization to fish for such species
will include appropriate conditions or
restrictions, such as, but not limited to,
minimum size requirements and catch
limits, as may be appropriate 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 by consensus.
Who can apply for these fishing
opportunities?
Expressions of interest to fish for any
or all of the 2015 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 Douglas W.
Christel (see ADDRESSES).
What information is required in an
application letter?
Expressions of interest should include
a detailed description of anticipated
fishing operations in 2015. This
includes, but is not limited to, the
following elements: Intended target
species; proposed dates of fishing
operations; vessels to be used to harvest
fish, including the name, registration,
and home port of the intended
harvesting vessel, as appropriate; the
number of fishing personnel involved in
vessel operations; intended landing
port; for landing ports outside of the
United States, whether or not the
product will be shipped to the United
States for processing; processing
facilities to be employed; target market
for harvested fish; and evidence
demonstrating the ability of the
applicant to successfully prosecute
fishing operations in the NAFO
Regulatory Area. Note that U.S.
applicant vessels must be in possession
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
5517
of, or eligible for, a valid HSFCA permit,
which is 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 transfer U.S. allocations to
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
Douglas W. Christel (see ADDRESSES).
What criteria will be used in identifying
successful applicants?
Applicants demonstrating the greatest
benefits to the United States through
their intended operations will be most
successful. Such benefits might include
(but are not limited to): The use of U.S.
vessels; detailed, positive impacts on
U.S. employment; use of U.S. processing
facilities; transport, marketing and sales
of product within the United States;
other benefits to U.S. businesses; and
documentation of the physical
characteristics and economics of the
fishery for future use by the U.S. fishing
industry. A documented history of
successful fishing operations in NAFO
or other similar fisheries will also be
considered. After reviewing all requests
for allocations submitted, NMFS may
decide not to grant any allocations if it
is determined that no requests
adequately meet the criteria described
in this notice. To ensure equitable
access by U.S. fishing interests, NMFS
may provide additional guidance or
procedures, or may promulgate
regulations designed to allocate fishing
interests to one or more U.S. applicants
from among qualified applicants.
All applicants will be notified of the
allocation decision as soon as possible.
Once allocations have been awarded,
NMFS will immediately take
appropriate steps to notify NAFO and
other appropriate actions to facilitate
operations by U.S. fishing interests.
What if I want to charter 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 or I.B, the United States
may enter into a chartering arrangement
with a vessel from any other NAFO
E:\FR\FM\02FEN1.SGM
02FEN1
5518
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 21 / Monday, February 2, 2015 / Notices
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
Conservation and Enforcement
Measures, before entering agreeing to a
transfer. More details on NAFO
requirements for transferring NAFO
allocations are available from Patrick E.
Moran (see ADDRESSES).
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Contracting Party. Prior notification to
the NAFO Executive Secretary is
necessary in either case. Expressions of
interest intending to make use of
another NAFO Contracting Party vessel
under chartering arrangements should
provide the following information: The
name and registration number of the
intended 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). Note that 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.
Any vessel 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
Conservation and Enforcement
Measures. 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 2015; 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 Conservation and
Enforcement Measures, before entering
into a chartering arrangement. More
details on NAFO requirements for
chartering operations are available from
Patrick E. Moran (see ADDRESSES).
What if I want to arrange to receive a
transfer of NAFO quota allocations
from another NAFO party?
Under NAFO rules in effect for 2015,
the United States may receive transfers
of additional fishing opportunities from
other NAFO Contracting Parties. The
United States is required to provide a
letter of consent to this transfer and
prior notification to the NAFO
Executive Secretary. In the event that an
applicant is able to arrange for the
transfer of additional fishing
opportunities from another NAFO
Contracting Party, the United States may
agree to facilitate such a transfer insofar
as fulfilling the NAFO requirements for
such transfers after soliciting additional
public input on such transfers as
appropriate. 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 Conservation
and Enforcement Measures, 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
transferring NAFO allocations, contact
Patrick E. Moran (see ADDRESSES).
What if I want to arrange for a transfer
of U.S. quota allocations to another
NAFO party?
Under NAFO rules in effect for 2015,
the United States may transfer fishing
opportunities with the consent of the
receiving NAFO Contracting Party and
with prior notification to the NAFO
Executive Secretary. An applicant may
request to arrange for any of the above
U.S. opportunities to be transferred to
another NAFO party, although such
applications will likely to be given
lesser priority than those that involve
more direct harvesting or processing by
What rules must I follow while fishing?
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. Note that vessels
issued valid HSFCA permits under 50
CFR part 300 are exempt from the
Northeast multispecies and monkfish
permit, mesh size, effort-control, and
possession limit restrictions, specified
in §§ 648.4, 648.80, 648.82, 648.86,
648.87, 648.91, 648.92, and 648.94,
respectively, while transiting the U.S.
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) with
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Jkt 235001
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
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, provided:
1. The vessel operator has a letter of
authorization issued by the Regional
Administrator on board the vessel;
2. 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;
3. When transiting the U.S. EEZ, all
gear is properly stowed and not
available for immediate use as defined
under § 648.2; and
4. The vessel operator complies with
the provisions, conditions, and
restrictions specified on the HSFCA
permit and all NAFO Conservation and
Enforcement Measures while fishing in
the NAFO Regulatory Area.
Relevant NAFO Conservation and
Enforcement Measures include, but are
not limited to, maintenance of a fishing
logbook with NAFO-designated entries;
adherence to NAFO hail system
requirements; presence of an on-board
observer; deployment of a functioning,
autonomous vessel monitoring system
authorized by issuance of the HSFCA
permit; and adherence to all relevant
minimum size, gear, bycatch, and other
requirements. 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 2015 NAFO
Conservation and Enforcement
Measures on the Internet (see
ADDRESSES).
Dated: January 28, 2015.
Paul Doremus,
Acting Director, Office of International Affairs
and Seafood Inspection, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015–01967 Filed 1–30–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management
Council; Public Meeting
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of a public meeting.
AGENCY:
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery
Management Council (Council) will
hold a meeting of the Shrimp Permit
Moratorium Working Group.
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\02FEN1.SGM
02FEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 21 (Monday, February 2, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5516-5518]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-01967]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XD743
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS announces fishing opportunities in the Northwest Atlantic
Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Regulatory Area. This action is necessary
to make fishing privileges available on an equitable basis.
DATES: Effective January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015.
Expressions of interest regarding fishing opportunities in NAFO will be
accepted through February 17, 2015.
ADDRESSES: Expressions of interest regarding U.S. fishing opportunities
in NAFO should be made in writing to Douglas W. Christel in the NMFS
Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office at 55 Great Republic Drive,
Gloucester, MA 01930 (phone: 978-281-9141, email:
Douglas.Christel@noaa.gov).
Information relating to chartering vessels of another NAFO
Contracting Party, or transferring NAFO fishing opportunities to or
from another NAFO Contracting Party is available from Patrick E. Moran
in the NMFS Office of International Affairs at 1315 East-West Highway,
Silver Spring, MD 20910 (phone: 301-427-8370, fax: 301-713-2313, email:
Pat.Moran@noaa.gov). Information relating to NAFO fishing
opportunities, NAFO Conservation and Enforcement Measures, and the High
Seas Fishing Compliance Act (HSFCA) Permit is available from Douglas
Christel, in the NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office at 55
Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 (phone: 978-281-9141, fax:
978-281-9135, email: douglas.christel@noaa.gov) and from NAFO on the
World Wide Web at https://www.nafo.int.
[[Page 5517]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Douglas W. Christel, 978-281-9141.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
What fishing opportunities are available?
The principal species managed by NAFO are cod, flounder, redfish,
American plaice, Greenland halibut, hake, capelin, shrimp, skates and
Illex squid. NAFO maintains conservation measures for fishery resources
in its Regulatory Area, including, for those principal species, total
allowable catches (TACs) that are allocated among NAFO Contracting
Parties. At the 2014 NAFO Annual Meeting, the United States received
national quota allocations for two NAFO stocks to be fished during
2015. The species, location, and allocation (in metric tons (mt)) of
these 2015 U.S. fishing opportunities, as found in Annexes I.A, I.B,
and I.C of the 2015 NAFO Conservation and Enforcement Measures (CEM),
are as follows:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Redfish...................... NAFO Division 3M... 69 mt.
2. Squid (Illex)................ NAFO Subareas 3 & 4 453 mt.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additionally, the United States may be transferred up to 1,000 mt
of NAFO Division 3LNO yellowtail flounder from Canada's quota
allocation if requested before January 1 of each year, or any
succeeding year through 2018, based upon a bilateral arrangement with
Canada. The United States has already requested this 1,000 mt of
Division 3LNO yellowtail flounder from Canada for 2015. The arrangement
for the transfer of Canadian yellowtail flounder quota would enable
U.S. vessels to harvest American plaice as bycatch in the yellowtail
flounder fishery in an amount equal to 15 percent of the total catch on
board of regulated species listed in Annex I.A of the 2015 NAFO CEM .
Additional quota for these and other stocks managed within the NAFO
Regulatory Area may be available to U.S. vessels through industry-
initiated chartering arrangements or transfers of quota from other NAFO
Contracting Parties.
U.S. fishermen may also access stocks in which the United States
has not received a national quota (also known as the ``Others''
allocation), including: Division 3M cod (55 mt); Division 3LN redfish
(63 mt); Division 3O redfish (100 mt); Division 3NO witch flounder (10
mt); Division 3NO white hake (59 mt); and Division 3LNO skates (258
mt). Note that the United States shares these allocations with other
NAFO Contracting Parties, and access to such stocks is on a first-come-
first-served basis. Fishing is halted by NAFO when the ``Others''
allocation for a particular stock has been fully harvested.
U.S. fishermen interested in harvesting species not listed in
Annexes I.A or I.B of the 2015 NAFO CEM, but occurring within the NAFO
Regulatory Area, should contact the NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional
Fisheries Office (see ADDRESSES) for information. Authorization to fish
for such species will include appropriate conditions or restrictions,
such as, but not limited to, minimum size requirements and catch
limits, as may be appropriate 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 by consensus.
Who can apply for these fishing opportunities?
Expressions of interest to fish for any or all of the 2015 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 Douglas
W. Christel (see ADDRESSES).
What information is required in an application letter?
Expressions of interest should include a detailed description of
anticipated fishing operations in 2015. This includes, but is not
limited to, the following elements: Intended target species; proposed
dates of fishing operations; vessels to be used to harvest fish,
including the name, registration, and home port of the intended
harvesting vessel, as appropriate; the number of fishing personnel
involved in vessel operations; intended landing port; for landing ports
outside of the United States, whether or not the product will be
shipped to the United States for processing; processing facilities to
be employed; target market for harvested fish; and evidence
demonstrating the ability of the applicant to successfully prosecute
fishing operations in the NAFO Regulatory Area. Note that U.S.
applicant vessels must be in possession of, or eligible for, a valid
HSFCA permit, which is 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 transfer U.S.
allocations to 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 Douglas W. Christel (see
ADDRESSES).
What criteria will be used in identifying successful applicants?
Applicants demonstrating the greatest benefits to the United States
through their intended operations will be most successful. Such
benefits might include (but are not limited to): The use of U.S.
vessels; detailed, positive impacts on U.S. employment; use of U.S.
processing facilities; transport, marketing and sales of product within
the United States; other benefits to U.S. businesses; and documentation
of the physical characteristics and economics of the fishery for future
use by the U.S. fishing industry. A documented history of successful
fishing operations in NAFO or other similar fisheries will also be
considered. After reviewing all requests for allocations submitted,
NMFS may decide not to grant any allocations if it is determined that
no requests adequately meet the criteria described in this notice. To
ensure equitable access by U.S. fishing interests, NMFS may provide
additional guidance or procedures, or may promulgate regulations
designed to allocate fishing interests to one or more U.S. applicants
from among qualified applicants.
All applicants will be notified of the allocation decision as soon
as possible. Once allocations have been awarded, NMFS will immediately
take appropriate steps to notify NAFO and other appropriate actions to
facilitate operations by U.S. fishing interests.
What if I want to charter 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 or I.B, the United States may
enter into a chartering arrangement with a vessel from any other NAFO
[[Page 5518]]
Contracting Party. Prior notification to the NAFO Executive Secretary
is necessary in either case. Expressions of interest intending to make
use of another NAFO Contracting Party vessel under chartering
arrangements should provide the following information: The name and
registration number of the intended 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). Note that 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.
Any vessel 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 Conservation and Enforcement
Measures. 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 2015; 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 Conservation and Enforcement Measures, before
entering into a chartering arrangement. More details on NAFO
requirements for chartering operations are available from Patrick E.
Moran (see ADDRESSES).
What if I want to arrange for a transfer of U.S. quota allocations to
another NAFO party?
Under NAFO rules in effect for 2015, the United States may transfer
fishing opportunities with the consent of the receiving NAFO
Contracting Party and with prior notification to the NAFO Executive
Secretary. An applicant may request to arrange for any of the above
U.S. opportunities to be transferred to another NAFO party, although
such applications will likely to 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 Conservation and Enforcement
Measures, before entering agreeing to a transfer. More details on NAFO
requirements for transferring NAFO allocations are available from
Patrick E. Moran (see ADDRESSES).
What if I want to arrange to receive a transfer of NAFO quota
allocations from another NAFO party?
Under NAFO rules in effect for 2015, the United States may receive
transfers of additional fishing opportunities from other NAFO
Contracting Parties. The United States is required to provide a letter
of consent to this transfer and prior notification to the NAFO
Executive Secretary. In the event that an applicant is able to arrange
for the transfer of additional fishing opportunities from another NAFO
Contracting Party, the United States may agree to facilitate such a
transfer insofar as fulfilling the NAFO requirements for such transfers
after soliciting additional public input on such transfers as
appropriate. 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
Conservation and Enforcement Measures, 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 transferring
NAFO allocations, contact Patrick E. Moran (see ADDRESSES).
What rules must I follow while fishing?
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. Note that vessels issued valid HSFCA permits
under 50 CFR part 300 are exempt from the Northeast multispecies and
monkfish permit, mesh size, effort-control, and possession limit
restrictions, specified in Sec. Sec. 648.4, 648.80, 648.82, 648.86,
648.87, 648.91, 648.92, and 648.94, respectively, while transiting the
U.S. exclusive economic zone (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, provided:
1. The vessel operator has a letter of authorization issued by the
Regional Administrator on board the vessel;
2. 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;
3. When transiting the U.S. EEZ, all gear is properly stowed and
not available for immediate use as defined under Sec. 648.2; and
4. The vessel operator complies with the provisions, conditions,
and restrictions specified on the HSFCA permit and all NAFO
Conservation and Enforcement Measures while fishing in the NAFO
Regulatory Area.
Relevant NAFO Conservation and Enforcement Measures include, but
are not limited to, maintenance of a fishing logbook with NAFO-
designated entries; adherence to NAFO hail system requirements;
presence of an on-board observer; deployment of a functioning,
autonomous vessel monitoring system authorized by issuance of the HSFCA
permit; and adherence to all relevant minimum size, gear, bycatch, and
other requirements. 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 2015 NAFO Conservation
and Enforcement Measures on the Internet (see ADDRESSES).
Dated: January 28, 2015.
Paul Doremus,
Acting Director, Office of International Affairs and Seafood
Inspection, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-01967 Filed 1-30-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
