International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; Vessel Register Required Information, International Maritime Organization Numbering Scheme, 65683-65686 [2015-27258]
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 207 / Tuesday, October 27, 2015 / Proposed Rules
In addition, the SIP is not approved
to apply on any Indian reservation land
or in any other area where the EPA or
an Indian tribe has demonstrated that a
tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of
Indian country, the rule does not have
tribal implications as specified by
Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249,
November 9, 2000), nor will it impose
substantial direct costs on tribal
governments or preempt tribal law.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations,
Ozone, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: October 15, 2015.
Dennis J. McLerran,
Regional Administrator, Region 10.
[FR Doc. 2015–27165 Filed 10–26–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 55
[EPA–R03–OAR–2014–0568; FRL–9917–70–
Region 3]
Outer Continental Shelf Air
Regulations Consistency Update for
Maryland
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) proposes to update a
portion of the Outer Continental Shelf
(OCS) Air Regulations. Requirements
applying to OCS sources located within
25 miles of States’ seaward boundaries
must be updated periodically to remain
consistent with the requirements of the
corresponding onshore area (COA), as
mandated by the Clean Air Act, as
amended in 1990 (the Act). The portion
of the OCS air regulations that is being
updated pertains to the requirements for
OCS sources for which Maryland is the
designated COA. In the Final Rules
section of this Federal Register, EPA is
taking this action as a direct final rule
without prior proposal because the
Agency views this as a noncontroversial
submittal and anticipates no adverse
comments. A detailed rationale for the
approval is set forth in the direct final
rule. If no adverse comments are
received in response to this action, no
further activity is contemplated. If EPA
receives adverse comments, the direct
final rule will be withdrawn and all
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
SUMMARY:
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public comments received will be
addressed in a subsequent final rule
based on this proposed rule. EPA will
not institute a second comment period.
Any parties interested in commenting
on this action should do so at this time.
DATES: Comments must be received in
writing by November 27, 2015.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID Number EPA–
R03–OAR–2014–0568 by one of the
following methods:
A. www.regulations.gov. Follow the
on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
B. Email: campbell.dave@epa.gov.
C. Mail: EPA–R03–OAR–2014–0568,
Dave Campbell, Associate Director,
Office of Permits and Air Toxics,
Mailcode 3AP10, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Region III, 1650
Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
19103.
D. Hand Delivery: At the previouslylisted EPA Region III address. Such
deliveries are only accepted during the
Docket’s normal hours of operation, and
special arrangements should be made
for deliveries of boxed information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to
Docket ID No. EPA–R03–OAR–2014–
0568. EPA’s policy is that all comments
received will be included in the public
docket without change, and may be
made available online at
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided, unless
the comment includes information
claimed to be Confidential Business
Information (CBI) or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Do not submit information that you
consider to be CBI or otherwise
protected through www.regulations.gov
or email. The www.regulations.gov Web
site is an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system,
which means EPA will not know your
identity or contact information unless
you provide it in the body of your
comment. If you send an email
comment directly to EPA without going
through www.regulations.gov, your
email address will be automatically
captured and included as part of the
comment that is placed in the public
docket and made available on the
Internet. If you submit an electronic
comment, EPA recommends that you
include your name and other contact
information in the body of your
comment and with any disk or CD–ROM
you submit. If EPA cannot read your
comment due to technical difficulties
and cannot contact you for clarification,
EPA may not be able to consider your
comment. Electronic files should avoid
the use of special characters, any form
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65683
of encryption, and be free of any defects
or viruses.
Docket: All documents in the
electronic docket are listed in the
www.regulations.gov index. Although
listed in the index, some information is
not publicly available, i.e., CBI or other
information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Certain other
material, such as copyrighted material,
is not placed on the Internet and will be
publicly available only in hard copy
form. Publicly available docket
materials are available either
electronically in www.regulations.gov or
in hard copy during normal business
hours at the Air Protection Division,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Region III, 1650 Arch Street,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103.
Copies of the State submittal are
available at the Maryland Department of
the Environment, 1800 Washington
Boulevard, Suite 705, Baltimore,
Maryland 21230.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Cathleen Van Osten, (215) 814–2746, or
by email at vanosten.cathleen@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For
further information, please see the
information provided in the direct final
action, with the same title, that is
located in the ‘‘Rules and Regulations’’
section of this Federal Register
publication.
Dated: March 10, 2015
William C. Early,
Acting, Regional Administrator, Region III.
Editorial Note: This document was
received for publication by the Office of the
Federal Register on October 21, 2015.
[FR Doc. 2015–27159 Filed 10–26–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 300
[Docket No. 150902807–5949–01]
RIN 0648–BE99
International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna
Fisheries; Vessel Register Required
Information, International Maritime
Organization Numbering Scheme
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule; request for
comments.
AGENCY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 207 / Tuesday, October 27, 2015 / Proposed Rules
NMFS proposes to implement
a resolution adopted by the InterAmerican Tropical Tuna Commission
(IATTC) by requiring U.S. vessels,
fishing for tuna and tuna-like species
with a capacity equal to or greater than
100 gross resister tons (GRT), to have an
International Maritime Organization
(IMO) number. The IMO numbers will
be included with information the
United States sends to the IATTC for
vessels authorized to fish in the IATTC
Convention Area for tuna and tuna-like
species, and will enable more effective
tracking of vessels that may be engaging
in illegal, unreported, and unregulated
(IUU) fishing.
DATES: Comments must be submitted in
writing by November 27, 2015. A public
hearing will be held from 1 p.m. to 4
p.m. PST, on November 12, 2015, in
Long Beach, CA.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
on this proposed rule and supporting
documents, including the Regulatory
Flexibility Act certification and
Regulatory Impact Review, identified by
NOAA–NMFS–2015–0129, by any of the
following methods:
• Electronic Submission: Submit all
electronic public comments via the
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
www.regulations.gov/
#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-20150129, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon,
complete the required fields, and enter
or attach your comments.
• Mail: Attn: Chris Fanning, NMFS
West Coast Region, 501 W. Ocean Blvd.,
Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802.
Include the identifier ‘‘NOAA–NMFS2015-0129’’ in the comments.
• Public hearing: The public is
welcome to attend a public hearing and
offer comments on this proposed rule
from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. PST, on November
12, 2015, at 501 W. Ocean Boulevard,
Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802. The
public may also participate in the public
hearing via conference line: 1–888–790–
6181, passcode 47596.
Instructions: NMFS may not consider
comments sent by any other method, to
any other address or individual, or
received after the end of the comment
period. 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.), confidential
business information, or otherwise
sensitive information submitted
voluntarily by the sender will be
publicly accessible. NMFS will accept
anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in
the required fields if you wish to remain
anonymous).
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
SUMMARY:
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Chris Fanning, NMFS, West Coast
Region, 562–980–4198.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS is
issuing a proposed rule under the
authority of the Tuna Conventions Act
of 1950, as amended (TCA), to
implement the new regional vessel
register (RVR) requirements in
Resolution C–14–01 (Resolution
(Amended) on a Regional Vessel
Register) adopted by the IATTC at its
June 2014 annual meeting. U.S. vessels
that have been authorized to fish for
tuna and tuna-like species in the IATTC
Convention Area of the eastern Pacific
Ocean must be included on the RVR.
NMFS adds authorized vessels to the
RVR by submitting vessel information to
the Secretariat of the IATTC. The
Convention Area includes the waters
bounded by the coast of the Americas,
the 50 °N. and 50 °S. parallels, and the
150 °W. meridian. The proposed rule
would require that U.S. fishing vessels
of 100 GRT (or 100 gross tonnage (GT))
or greater operating in the IATTC
Convention Area obtain IMO numbers.
An IMO number is a unique vessel
identifier that is permanently associated
with the vessel hull, even if the vessel
name changes or the vessel is reflagged
to another nation. IMO numbers enable
more effective tracking of vessels that
may be engaging in IUU fishing. An
estimated 120 U.S. vessels would be
subject to this rule, of which
approximately 90 percent already have
an IMO number.
Resolution C–14–01 requires each
member of the IATTC, including the
United States, to maintain a record of its
fishing vessels authorized to fish for
tuna and tuna-like species in the IATTC
Convention Area and to share the
information in its record with the
IATTC periodically for purposes of
maintaining the RVR. In 2014, the
IATTC decided to require an additional
piece of information in members’
records for fishing vessels of 100 GRT
(or 100 gross tonnage (GT)) or greater:
Either the IMO number or Lloyd’s
Register number. An IMO number, also
known as an IMO ship identification
number, is the number issued for a ship
or vessel under the ship identification
number scheme adopted by the IMO. As
used in C–14–01, ‘‘Lloyd’s Register
number,’’ or ‘‘LR number,’’ has the same
meaning as an IMO number except that
an LR number refers to the number
issued for a vessel not required to have
an IMO number under IMO agreements.
Accordingly, C–14–01 now requires
IATTC members to ensure that IMO
numbers or Lloyd’s Register numbers
are issued for such vessels. The
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administrator of the IMO ship
identification number scheme issues
both types of numbers using the same
numbering scheme. Hereafter, ‘‘IMO
number’’ is used to refer to both IMO
numbers and Lloyd’s Register numbers.
IHS Maritime, located in Surrey,
England, currently issues IMO numbers
via their Web site at: https://
www.imonumbers.lrfairplay.com/
default.aspx.
For each of the subject fishing vessels,
the proposed rule would require that the
owner of the fishing vessel either ensure
that an IMO number has been issued for
the vessel or apply to NMFS for an
exemption from the requirement.
Resolution C–14–01 (at footnote 1)
allows for an exemption from the IMO
number requirement in extraordinary
circumstances if the vessel owner has
followed all appropriate procedures to
obtain a number. In the event that a
fishing vessel owner, after following the
instructions given by the designated
manager of the IMO ship identification
number scheme, is unable to ensure that
an IMO number is issued for the fishing
vessel, the fishing vessel owner may
request an exemption from the
requirement from the West Coast
Regional Administrator. Upon receipt of
a request for an exemption, the West
Coast Regional Administrator will assist
the fishing vessel owner in requesting
an IMO number. If the West Coast
Regional Administrator determines that
the fishing vessel owner has followed
all appropriate procedures and yet is
unable to obtain an IMO number for the
fishing vessel, he or she will issue an
exemption from the requirements for the
vessel and its owner, and notify the
owner of the exemption. NMFS notes
that IHS Maritime is a private third
party, and it is conceivable that an
eligible vessel may not be able to
complete the necessary steps and
supply the required information,
resulting in a denied vessel number
request.
To minimize the burden on affected
U.S. businesses, NMFS is not proposing
to require that vessel owners report the
IMO numbers associated with their
vessel to NMFS. NMFS will collect that
information via data available from the
United States Coast Guard and IHS
Maritime directly.
Classification
The NMFS Assistant Administrator
has determined that this proposed rule
is consistent with the TCA 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.
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srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 207 / Tuesday, October 27, 2015 / Proposed Rules
Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility
Act, 5 U.S.C. 605(b), the Chief Counsel
for Regulation of the Department of
Commerce certified to the Chief Counsel
for Advocacy of the Small Business
Administration that this action would
not have a significant economic impact
on a substantial number of small
entities.
The small entities to which the
proposed action would apply are all
U.S. commercial fishing vessels that
may target tuna and tuna-like species in
the IATTC Convention Area. As of
August 2015, there are 1,798 Pacific
Highly Migratory Species permits. Of
these, 118 vessels are 100 GRT or greater
and 104 of the vessels have already been
issued an IMO number. Thus, the
proposed action would initially require
14 vessels to obtain IMO numbers. For
these 14 vessels, the average annual
revenue per vessel from all finfish
fishing activities since 2010 has been
$1.3 million, and less than $20.5 million
when considering both an individual
vessel or per vessel average. Complying
with the IMO number requirement in
this proposed action requires no out-ofpocket expenses because applications
are free. The 30 minutes estimated to
apply for an IMO number would not
result in a significant opportunity cost
to the fisherman considering it is a onetime occurrence for the life of the vessel
hull. The rule is not expected to change
fishery operations. Accordingly, the
impact of this rule on the affected vessel
owners’ and operators’ income is
expected to be de minimis.
This proposed rule contains a
collection-of-information requirement
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act
(PRA), which has been approved by the
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) under control numbers 0648–
0387. A request for revision to account
for the additional information that
would be required pursuant this rule is
under OMB review. Public reporting
burden for obtaining an IMO number, or
for making an IMO exemption request
are each estimated to average 30
minutes per response, including the
time for reviewing instructions,
searching existing data sources,
gathering and maintaining the data
needed, and completing and reviewing
the collection of information. Send
comments regarding this burden
estimate, or any other aspect of this data
collection, including suggestions for
reducing the burden, to NMFS (see
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17:30 Oct 26, 2015
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ADDRESSES) and to Office of Information
and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA_
Submission@omb.eop.gov or fax to 202–
395–7285).
Notwithstanding any other provision
of the law, no person is required to
respond to, nor shall any person be
subject to a 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.
All currently approved NOAA
collections of information may be
viewed at: https://www.cio.noaa.gov/
services_programs/prasubs.html.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 300
Administrative practice and
procedure, Fish, Fisheries, Fishing,
Marine resources, Vessels, Reporting
and record keeping requirements,
Treaties.
Dated: October 21, 2015.
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 300, subpart C,
is proposed to be amended as follows:
PART 300—INTERNATIONAL
FISHERIES REGULATIONS
Subpart C—Eastern Pacific Tuna
Fisheries
1. The authority citation for 50 CFR
part 300, subpart C, continues to read as
follows:
■
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 951 et seq.
2. In § 300.22, revise paragraph (b)(3)
to read as follows:
■
§ 300.22 Eastern Pacific fisheries
recordkeeping and written reports.
*
*
*
*
*
(b) * * *
(3) Vessel information. (i) Information
on each commercial fishing vessel or
CPFV authorized to use purse seine,
longline, drift gillnet, harpoon, troll, rod
and reel, or pole and line fishing gear
to fish for tuna and tuna-like species in
the Convention Area for sale shall be
collected by the Regional Administrator
to conform to IATTC resolutions
governing the Vessel Register. This
information initially includes, but is not
limited to, the vessel name and
registration number; the name and
business address of the owner(s) and
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65685
managing owner(s); a photograph of the
vessel with the registration number
legible; previous vessel name(s) and
previous flag (if known and if any); port
of registry; International Radio Call
Sign; vessel length, beam, and moulded
depth; gross tonnage, fish hold capacity
in cubic meters, and carrying capacity
in metric tons and cubic meters; engine
horsepower; date and place where built;
and type of fishing method or methods
used. The required information shall be
collected as part of existing information
collections as described in this and
other parts of the CFR.
(ii) IMO numbers. For the purpose of
this section, an ‘‘IMO number’’ is the
unique six or seven digit number issued
for a vessel under the ship identification
number scheme adopted by the
International Maritime Organization
(IMO) and managed by the entity
identified by the IMO (currently IHS
Maritime) and is also known as a
Lloyd’s Register number.
(iii) Requirement for IMO number.
The owner of a fishing vessel of the
United States used for commercial
fishing for tuna and tuna-like species in
the IATTC Convention Area shall
ensure that an IMO number has been
issued for the vessel if the vessel’s
Certificate of Documentation issued
under 46 CFR part 67 indicates that the
vessel’s total internal volume is 100
gross register tons or greater. A vessel
owner may request that an IMO number
be issued for a vessel by following the
instructions given by the administrator
of the IMO ship identification number
scheme; those instructions are currently
available on the Web site of IHS
Maritime.
(iv) Request for exemption. In the
event that a fishing vessel owner, after
following the instructions given by the
designated manager of the IMO ship
identification number scheme, is unable
to ensure that an IMO number is issued
for the fishing vessel, the fishing vessel
owner may request an exemption from
the requirement from the West Coast
Regional Administrator. The request
must be sent by mail to NMFS West
Coast Region, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Suite
4200, Long Beach, CA 90802, and must
include the vessel’s name, the vessel’s
official number, a description of the
steps taken to request an IMO number,
and a description of any responses from
the administrator of the IMO ship
identification number scheme.
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 207 / Tuesday, October 27, 2015 / Proposed Rules
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
(v) Exemption process. Upon receipt
of a request for an exemption under
paragraph (b)(3)(iv) of this section, the
West Coast Regional Administrator will,
to the extent he or she determines
appropriate, assist the fishing vessel
owner in requesting an IMO number. If
the West Coast Regional Administrator
determines that the fishing vessel owner
has followed all appropriate procedures
and yet is unable to obtain an IMO
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17:30 Oct 26, 2015
Jkt 238001
number for the fishing vessel, he or she
will issue an exemption from the
requirements of paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of
this section for the vessel and its owner
and notify the owner of the exemption.
The West Coast Regional Administrator
may limit the duration of the
exemption. The West Coast Regional
Administrator may rescind an
exemption at any time. If an exemption
is rescinded, the fishing vessel owner
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Sfmt 9990
must comply with the requirements of
paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section
within 30 days of being notified of the
rescission. If the ownership of a fishing
vessel changes, an exemption issued to
the former fishing vessel owner becomes
void.
*
*
*
*
*
[FR Doc. 2015–27258 Filed 10–26–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 207 (Tuesday, October 27, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 65683-65686]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-27258]
=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 300
[Docket No. 150902807-5949-01]
RIN 0648-BE99
International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; Vessel Register
Required Information, International Maritime Organization Numbering
Scheme
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 65684]]
SUMMARY: NMFS proposes to implement a resolution adopted by the Inter-
American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) by requiring U.S. vessels,
fishing for tuna and tuna-like species with a capacity equal to or
greater than 100 gross resister tons (GRT), to have an International
Maritime Organization (IMO) number. The IMO numbers will be included
with information the United States sends to the IATTC for vessels
authorized to fish in the IATTC Convention Area for tuna and tuna-like
species, and will enable more effective tracking of vessels that may be
engaging in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
DATES: Comments must be submitted in writing by November 27, 2015. A
public hearing will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. PST, on November 12,
2015, in Long Beach, CA.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this proposed rule and supporting
documents, including the Regulatory Flexibility Act certification and
Regulatory Impact Review, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2015-0129, by any of
the following methods:
Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2015-0129, click the
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or
attach your comments.
Mail: Attn: Chris Fanning, NMFS West Coast Region, 501 W.
Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802. Include the identifier
``NOAA-NMFS-2015-0129'' in the comments.
Public hearing: The public is welcome to attend a public
hearing and offer comments on this proposed rule from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
PST, on November 12, 2015, at 501 W. Ocean Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long
Beach, CA 90802. The public may also participate in the public hearing
via conference line: 1-888-790-6181, passcode 47596.
Instructions: NMFS may not consider comments sent by any other
method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end
of the comment period. 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.), confidential business
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain
anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Fanning, NMFS, West Coast
Region, 562-980-4198.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS is issuing a proposed rule under the
authority of the Tuna Conventions Act of 1950, as amended (TCA), to
implement the new regional vessel register (RVR) requirements in
Resolution C-14-01 (Resolution (Amended) on a Regional Vessel Register)
adopted by the IATTC at its June 2014 annual meeting. U.S. vessels that
have been authorized to fish for tuna and tuna-like species in the
IATTC Convention Area of the eastern Pacific Ocean must be included on
the RVR. NMFS adds authorized vessels to the RVR by submitting vessel
information to the Secretariat of the IATTC. The Convention Area
includes the waters bounded by the coast of the Americas, the 50
[deg]N. and 50 [deg]S. parallels, and the 150 [deg]W. meridian. The
proposed rule would require that U.S. fishing vessels of 100 GRT (or
100 gross tonnage (GT)) or greater operating in the IATTC Convention
Area obtain IMO numbers.
An IMO number is a unique vessel identifier that is permanently
associated with the vessel hull, even if the vessel name changes or the
vessel is reflagged to another nation. IMO numbers enable more
effective tracking of vessels that may be engaging in IUU fishing. An
estimated 120 U.S. vessels would be subject to this rule, of which
approximately 90 percent already have an IMO number.
Resolution C-14-01 requires each member of the IATTC, including the
United States, to maintain a record of its fishing vessels authorized
to fish for tuna and tuna-like species in the IATTC Convention Area and
to share the information in its record with the IATTC periodically for
purposes of maintaining the RVR. In 2014, the IATTC decided to require
an additional piece of information in members' records for fishing
vessels of 100 GRT (or 100 gross tonnage (GT)) or greater: Either the
IMO number or Lloyd's Register number. An IMO number, also known as an
IMO ship identification number, is the number issued for a ship or
vessel under the ship identification number scheme adopted by the IMO.
As used in C-14-01, ``Lloyd's Register number,'' or ``LR number,'' has
the same meaning as an IMO number except that an LR number refers to
the number issued for a vessel not required to have an IMO number under
IMO agreements. Accordingly, C-14-01 now requires IATTC members to
ensure that IMO numbers or Lloyd's Register numbers are issued for such
vessels. The administrator of the IMO ship identification number scheme
issues both types of numbers using the same numbering scheme.
Hereafter, ``IMO number'' is used to refer to both IMO numbers and
Lloyd's Register numbers. IHS Maritime, located in Surrey, England,
currently issues IMO numbers via their Web site at: https://www.imonumbers.lrfairplay.com/default.aspx.
For each of the subject fishing vessels, the proposed rule would
require that the owner of the fishing vessel either ensure that an IMO
number has been issued for the vessel or apply to NMFS for an exemption
from the requirement. Resolution C-14-01 (at footnote 1) allows for an
exemption from the IMO number requirement in extraordinary
circumstances if the vessel owner has followed all appropriate
procedures to obtain a number. In the event that a fishing vessel
owner, after following the instructions given by the designated manager
of the IMO ship identification number scheme, is unable to ensure that
an IMO number is issued for the fishing vessel, the fishing vessel
owner may request an exemption from the requirement from the West Coast
Regional Administrator. Upon receipt of a request for an exemption, the
West Coast Regional Administrator will assist the fishing vessel owner
in requesting an IMO number. If the West Coast Regional Administrator
determines that the fishing vessel owner has followed all appropriate
procedures and yet is unable to obtain an IMO number for the fishing
vessel, he or she will issue an exemption from the requirements for the
vessel and its owner, and notify the owner of the exemption. NMFS notes
that IHS Maritime is a private third party, and it is conceivable that
an eligible vessel may not be able to complete the necessary steps and
supply the required information, resulting in a denied vessel number
request.
To minimize the burden on affected U.S. businesses, NMFS is not
proposing to require that vessel owners report the IMO numbers
associated with their vessel to NMFS. NMFS will collect that
information via data available from the United States Coast Guard and
IHS Maritime directly.
Classification
The NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that this proposed
rule is consistent with the TCA 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.
[[Page 65685]]
Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 605(b), the
Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce certified to
the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration
that this action would not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities.
The small entities to which the proposed action would apply are all
U.S. commercial fishing vessels that may target tuna and tuna-like
species in the IATTC Convention Area. As of August 2015, there are
1,798 Pacific Highly Migratory Species permits. Of these, 118 vessels
are 100 GRT or greater and 104 of the vessels have already been issued
an IMO number. Thus, the proposed action would initially require 14
vessels to obtain IMO numbers. For these 14 vessels, the average annual
revenue per vessel from all finfish fishing activities since 2010 has
been $1.3 million, and less than $20.5 million when considering both an
individual vessel or per vessel average. Complying with the IMO number
requirement in this proposed action requires no out-of-pocket expenses
because applications are free. The 30 minutes estimated to apply for an
IMO number would not result in a significant opportunity cost to the
fisherman considering it is a one-time occurrence for the life of the
vessel hull. The rule is not expected to change fishery operations.
Accordingly, the impact of this rule on the affected vessel owners' and
operators' income is expected to be de minimis.
This proposed rule contains a collection-of-information requirement
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), which has been approved
by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under control numbers
0648-0387. A request for revision to account for the additional
information that would be required pursuant this rule is under OMB
review. Public reporting burden for obtaining an IMO number, or for
making an IMO exemption request are each estimated to average 30
minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions,
searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data
needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.
Send comments regarding this burden estimate, or any other aspect of
this data collection, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to
NMFS (see ADDRESSES) and to Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs (OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov or fax to 202-395-7285).
Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a 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. All currently approved NOAA
collections of information may be viewed at: https://www.cio.noaa.gov/services_programs/prasubs.html.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 300
Administrative practice and procedure, Fish, Fisheries, Fishing,
Marine resources, Vessels, Reporting and record keeping requirements,
Treaties.
Dated: October 21, 2015.
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 300, subpart
C, is proposed to be amended as follows:
PART 300--INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES REGULATIONS
Subpart C--Eastern Pacific Tuna Fisheries
0
1. The authority citation for 50 CFR part 300, subpart C, continues to
read as follows:
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 951 et seq.
0
2. In Sec. 300.22, revise paragraph (b)(3) to read as follows:
Sec. 300.22 Eastern Pacific fisheries recordkeeping and written
reports.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(3) Vessel information. (i) Information on each commercial fishing
vessel or CPFV authorized to use purse seine, longline, drift gillnet,
harpoon, troll, rod and reel, or pole and line fishing gear to fish for
tuna and tuna-like species in the Convention Area for sale shall be
collected by the Regional Administrator to conform to IATTC resolutions
governing the Vessel Register. This information initially includes, but
is not limited to, the vessel name and registration number; the name
and business address of the owner(s) and managing owner(s); a
photograph of the vessel with the registration number legible; previous
vessel name(s) and previous flag (if known and if any); port of
registry; International Radio Call Sign; vessel length, beam, and
moulded depth; gross tonnage, fish hold capacity in cubic meters, and
carrying capacity in metric tons and cubic meters; engine horsepower;
date and place where built; and type of fishing method or methods used.
The required information shall be collected as part of existing
information collections as described in this and other parts of the
CFR.
(ii) IMO numbers. For the purpose of this section, an ``IMO
number'' is the unique six or seven digit number issued for a vessel
under the ship identification number scheme adopted by the
International Maritime Organization (IMO) and managed by the entity
identified by the IMO (currently IHS Maritime) and is also known as a
Lloyd's Register number.
(iii) Requirement for IMO number. The owner of a fishing vessel of
the United States used for commercial fishing for tuna and tuna-like
species in the IATTC Convention Area shall ensure that an IMO number
has been issued for the vessel if the vessel's Certificate of
Documentation issued under 46 CFR part 67 indicates that the vessel's
total internal volume is 100 gross register tons or greater. A vessel
owner may request that an IMO number be issued for a vessel by
following the instructions given by the administrator of the IMO ship
identification number scheme; those instructions are currently
available on the Web site of IHS Maritime.
(iv) Request for exemption. In the event that a fishing vessel
owner, after following the instructions given by the designated manager
of the IMO ship identification number scheme, is unable to ensure that
an IMO number is issued for the fishing vessel, the fishing vessel
owner may request an exemption from the requirement from the West Coast
Regional Administrator. The request must be sent by mail to NMFS West
Coast Region, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802, and
must include the vessel's name, the vessel's official number, a
description of the steps taken to request an IMO number, and a
description of any responses from the administrator of the IMO ship
identification number scheme.
[[Page 65686]]
(v) Exemption process. Upon receipt of a request for an exemption
under paragraph (b)(3)(iv) of this section, the West Coast Regional
Administrator will, to the extent he or she determines appropriate,
assist the fishing vessel owner in requesting an IMO number. If the
West Coast Regional Administrator determines that the fishing vessel
owner has followed all appropriate procedures and yet is unable to
obtain an IMO number for the fishing vessel, he or she will issue an
exemption from the requirements of paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this
section for the vessel and its owner and notify the owner of the
exemption. The West Coast Regional Administrator may limit the duration
of the exemption. The West Coast Regional Administrator may rescind an
exemption at any time. If an exemption is rescinded, the fishing vessel
owner must comply with the requirements of paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of
this section within 30 days of being notified of the rescission. If the
ownership of a fishing vessel changes, an exemption issued to the
former fishing vessel owner becomes void.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2015-27258 Filed 10-26-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
