Presidential Task Force on Combating Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing and Seafood Fraud Action Plan for Implementing Recommendations 14/15; Commerce Trusted Trader Program, 25646-25648 [2016-10005]

Download as PDF 25646 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 83 / Friday, April 29, 2016 / Notices Dated: April 21, 2016. Julia Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016–10036 Filed 4–28–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XE553 Presidential Task Force on Combating Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing and Seafood Fraud Action Plan for Implementing Recommendations 14/15; Commerce Trusted Trader Program National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; request for comments. AGENCY: The National Ocean Council Committee on IUU Fishing and Seafood Fraud (NOC Committee) is seeking public input on the design and implementation of a Commerce Trusted Trader Program as part of an effective seafood traceability process to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud. The Commerce Trusted Trader Program will establish within the previously proposed Seafood Import Monitoring Program such benefits as reduced targeting and inspections, and enhanced streamlined entry into U.S. commerce for holders of an International Fisheries Trade Permit that are certified for participation in the Commerce Trusted Trader Program. DATES: Comments must be received by June 28, 2016. Public webinars will take place from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. eastern daylight time on May 4, 2016, 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. eastern daylight time on May 10, 2016, and 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. eastern daylight time on June 6, 2016. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by Docket NOAA–NMFS–2014–0090, by either of the following methods: • Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-20140090, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. • Mail: Submit written comments to Melissa Beaudry, Quality Officer, Office of International Affairs and Seafood asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:31 Apr 28, 2016 Jkt 238001 Inspection, 1315 East-West Highway, Suite 9511, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the comment period, may not be considered. All comments received are 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. Anonymous comments will be accepted (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in the required field if you wish to remain anonymous). Information on joining the public webinars will be posted online at www.iuufishing.noaa.gov/. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa Beaudry, Quality Officer, Office of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection; 301–427–8308. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On June 17, 2014, the White House released a Presidential Memorandum entitled ‘‘Establishing a Comprehensive Framework to Combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing and Seafood Fraud.’’ Among other actions, the Memorandum established a Presidential Task Force on Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing and Seafood Fraud (Task Force), co-chaired by the Departments of State and Commerce, with membership including a number of other Federal agency and White House Offices: The Departments of Agriculture, Defense, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Interior, and Justice; the Federal Trade Commission; the U.S. Agency for International Development; the Council on Environmental Quality; the Office of Science and Technology Policy; the National Security Council; and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. The Task Force was directed to report to the President ‘‘recommendations for the implementation of a comprehensive framework of integrated programs to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud that emphasizes areas of greatest need.’’ Those recommendations were provided to the President through the National Ocean Council, and NMFS requested comments from the public on how to effectively implement the recommendations of the Task Force (79 FR 75536, December 18, 2014). Oversight for implementing the recommendations of the Task Force has PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 been charged to the National Ocean Council Standing Committee on IUU Fishing and Seafood Fraud (NOC Committee). On March 15, 2015, the Task Force published its Action Plan for Implementing the Task Force Recommendations (https:// www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ia/iuu/ taskforce.html). Recommendation 14 concerns the development of a risk-based traceability program as a means to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud. Recommendation 15 calls for the implementation of the first phase of that risk-based traceability program that tracks fish and fish products identified as being at risk of IUU fishing or seafood fraud from point of harvest to point of entry into U.S. commerce. The first step taken to address Recommendations 14 and 15 was the identification of those species likely to be at risk of IUU fishing or seafood fraud. The second step taken was proposed rulemaking (81 FR 6210, February 5, 2016), which would establish data reporting, recordkeeping, and related operational requirements at the point of entry into U.S. commerce for imported fish and fish products of at-risk species. The data reporting and recordkeeping requirements for at-risk species imports would apply to importers of record, who would be required to obtain an International Fisheries Trade Permit. The importers of record are the importers as identified in CBP entry filings for shipments containing the designated at-risk species. Customs brokers may fulfill these requirements on behalf of the importer of record at the importer of record’s request. The next step is to develop and implement a trusted trader program whereby the Secretary of Commerce will collaborate with the Secretary of Homeland Security and other agencies as relevant to assist in developing a voluntary Commerce Trusted Trader Program for importers of the species covered by the final rule to be issued to establish a Seafood Import Monitoring Program. The Commerce Trusted Trader Program will provide benefits such as reduced targeting and inspections and enhanced streamlined entry into U.S. commerce for certified importers. With this notice, the Committee is soliciting comments on the design and implementation of this Commerce Trusted Trader Program. Scope As proposed, the Seafood Import Monitoring Program holds the importer of record responsible for certain reporting and recordkeeping E:\FR\FM\29APN1.SGM 29APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 83 / Friday, April 29, 2016 / Notices requirements. The Committee has therefore identified the universe of International Fishery Trade Permit (IFTP) holders as falling within the scope of a Commerce Trusted Trader Program. The Committee seeks comments on whether this is the appropriate scope and how the scope of the program might be expanded to include entities with a role in securing the supply chain that are not directly responsible for record keeping and reporting and who may not be required to hold an IFTP. For example, might a Trusted Trader Program include customs brokers acting on behalf of importers of record, freight forwarders, foreign harvesters, foreign processors or a foreign exporting company? The Committee seeks comments on what other roles in the supply chain and import process might benefit from reduced inspections and a streamlined entry process. asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Criteria The Committee seeks comment on scope of criteria for evaluating and certifying permit holders as ‘‘trusted traders’’. Such criteria might include, among other considerations, the compliance record of the applicant for other federal programs, the extent to which the certified permit holder has measures in place to verify the source and chain of custody of imported fish and fish products, and the nature and complexity of the supply chains from which the permit holder sources their imports. Additionally, the Committee seeks comment as to how the criteria within the scope of a Trusted Trader program should be weighted when considering certification of a permit holder. The Committee also seeks comment on which attributes of a supply chain covered by the scope of the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (harvest, landing, shipment, processing, storage, import entry, etc.), if any, can be considered as criteria for inclusion in a Trusted Trader program. As with the Seafood Import Monitoring Program itself, implementation of a Commerce Trusted Trader Program must be compliant with United States international trade obligations. Benefits and Incentives The Task Force Action Plan describes the Commerce Trusted Trader Program as ‘‘provid[ing] benefits such as reduced targeting and inspections and enhanced streamlined entry into U.S. commerce . . .’’ The Committee seeks comments on these and other potential benefits that may expedite the flow of trade, reduce the burden of compliance for VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:31 Apr 28, 2016 Jkt 238001 certified permit holders, and improve implementation and enforcement efficiency. Additionally, the Committee seeks comment on how those benefits will incentivize participation in the Commerce Trusted Trader Program while ensuring the continued effectiveness of the Seafood Import Monitoring Program. Evaluation and Verification of Certified Permit Holders The Committee seeks recommendations on the potential scope and process of evaluating permit holders for certification. Commenters are encouraged to describe how permit holders should be evaluated against recommended criteria. The Committee also seeks recommendations on the potential scope and process of verifying a certified permit holder’s ongoing compliance with certification criteria. Commenters are encouraged to describe process and frequency by which certified Trusted Traders and other entities that may be included in the Commerce Trusted Trader Program are evaluated for compliance with certification criteria. Relationship to Other Trusted Trader or Federal Import Programs NOAA administers several other trade monitoring programs requiring importers of record to obtain an IFTP, report information at time of entry, and maintain records describing the imported product’s chain of custody. These include the Highly Migratory Species Catch Documentation Program and the Antarctic Marine Living Resources Import/Export Certification Program. The Committee seeks comment on the extent to which these programs can or should be included in a Commerce Trusted Trader Program. Comments are also requested regarding the potential coordination of other federal trusted trader or import monitoring programs as a means of expediting the entry of fish products, reducing overall regulatory burden, and improving the efficiency of implementation and enforcement. Additionally, the Committee seeks comment on how coordination, or integration, with other federal Trusted Trader programs will incentivize participation in the Commerce Trusted Trader Program while ensuring the continued effectiveness of the Seafood Import Monitoring Program. NMFS notes, however, that the Tuna Tracking and Verification Program (TTVP) requires certain reporting and recordkeeping requirements regarding imports of tuna products on the part of U.S. processors, importers, and others PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 25647 for purposes of the dolphin safe labeling requirements for tuna product. See 50 CFR part 216, subpart H. These requirements were recently amended by interim final rule. See 81 FR 15444, March 23, 2016. The dolphin safe labeling, reporting and recordkeeping requirements fall outside the scope of the Commerce Trusted Trader program and those dolphin safe labeling requirements would continue to apply for tuna product regardless of whether the importer qualifies as a trusted trader under this program. Third Party Traceability Systems The Committee is aware of private efforts by seafood producers, traders, wholesalers, retailers, and third parties to trace and track seafood products and seeks comment regarding the consideration of those traceability efforts in the design and implementation of a Commerce Trusted Trader Program. The committee also seeks recommendations for operational standards for such systems should they be included in a Commerce Trusted Trader Program. Timing and Implementation While the IUU Task Force Action Plan calls for the Commerce Trusted Trader Program to be finalized by September 2016, the timing of actual implementation may be affected by, among other factors, timing of the implementation of the Seafood Import Monitoring Program final rule, completion of the structure and elements of the Commerce Trusted Trader Program, and the timeframe for completion of Commerce Trusted Trader Program business rules in the International Trade Data System, as necessary for implementation. NMFS will in any case make its best effort to implement the Seafood Import Monitoring Program and the associated Commerce Trusted Trader Program simultaneously. The Committee seeks comment on the potential impacts and benefits of implementing the Commerce Trusted Trader Program some weeks or months following the implementation of the Seafood Import Monitoring Program. The committee also seeks recommendations for design and implementation of the Commerce Trusted Trader Program regarding measures that can be taken to minimize the cost and burden of those impacts and capture available benefits. The Committee will address outstanding design and implementation issues associated with the Commerce Trusted Trader Program in its December 2016 report on the implementation of the Seafood Traceability Program. E:\FR\FM\29APN1.SGM 29APN1 25648 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 83 / Friday, April 29, 2016 / Notices Following the public comment period, the NOC Committee will take the input received into consideration while finalizing recommendations that will be sent forward for appropriate agency action, as outlined in the implementation plan for Task Force Recommendations 14 and 15. Dated: April 25, 2016. John Henderschedt, Director, Office for International Affairs and Seafood Inspection, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016–10005 Filed 4–28–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XE593 New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; public meeting. AGENCY: The New England Fishery Management Council (Council), Atlantic Herring Committee, Atlantic Herring Advisory Panel and Atlantic Herring Plan Development Team is scheduling a public workshop on the Atlantic Herring Acceptable Biological Catch Control Rule Management Strategy Evaluation to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate. DATES: This workshop will be held on Monday, May 16, 2016 at 10 a.m. and Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at 9 a.m. ADDRESSES: The workshop will be held at the Holiday Inn by the Bay, 88 Spring Street, Portland, ME 04101; phone: (207) 775–2311; fax: (207) 772–4017. Council address: New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council; telephone: (978) 465–0492. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: Agenda The Council is currently developing Amendment 8 to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan. Through Amendment 8, the Council expects to establish a long-term control rule for VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:31 Apr 28, 2016 Jkt 238001 specifying acceptable biological catch (ABC) for the Atlantic herring fishery. A control rule is a formulaic approach for establishing an annual limit or target fishing level that is based on the best available scientific information. An objective of Amendment 8 is to develop and implement an ABC control rule that manages Atlantic herring within an ecosystem context and addresses the goals of Amendment 8, which are to: Account for the role of Atlantic herring within the ecosystem, including its role as forage; to stabilize the fishery at a level designed to achieve optimum yield; to address localized depletion in inshore waters. In January 2016, the Council approved conducting a Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) to support the development of alternatives regarding the ABC control rule. MSE is a collaborative decision-making process, involving upfront public input and technical analysis than the normal amendment development process. MSE can take many forms, but here, the MSE will be used to help determine how a range of control rules may perform relative to potential objectives. An early step of the MSE is this public workshop to develop recommendations for Council consideration for a range of potential objectives of the Atlantic herring ABC control rule, how these objectives may be tested (i.e., associated performance metrics), and the range of control rules that would undergo testing. Workshop Goals The Council is hosting this MSE workshop to develop a common understanding of Management Strategy Evaluation; develop recommendations to the Council for: A range of potential objectives of the Atlantic herring ABC control rule, quantitative metrics to evaluate the performance of control rules relative to the objectives, and a range of control rules to be evaluated and/or the general characteristics of a control rule; develop a common understanding of the potentials and limitations of models that may affect simulation testing, and given those, identify which uncertainties are most important to resolve; provide an opportunity for stakeholders of the Atlantic herring fishery to provide greater input than typically possible at Council meetings, in an environment that supports constructive and open dialogue between users of the resource, scientific experts, fishery managers, and other interested members of the public. Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come before this group for discussion, those PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 issues may not be the subject of formal action during these meetings. Action will be restricted to those issues specifically listed in this notice and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under section 305(c) of the MagnusonStevens Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council’s intent to take final action to address the emergency. Special Accommodations These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, at (978) 465–0492, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: April 26, 2016. Jeffrey N. Lonergan, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016–10074 Filed 4–28–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XE597 Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meetings and hearings. AGENCY: The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Mariana Archipelago Advisory Panel (AP) and its Guam Mariana Archipelago AP to discuss and make recommendations on issues in Guam, CNMI and the Western Pacific region. DATES: The CNMI AP meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, between 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. The Guam AP meeting will be held on Friday, May 20, 2016, between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. All times listed are local times. For agendas, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. ADDRESSES: The CNMI AP meeting will be held at the CNMI Division of Fish & Wildlife Conference Room, Lower Base, Saipan, MP, 96950 and the Guam AP meeting will be held at the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa, 202 Hilton Road, Tumon Bay, GU 96913. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\29APN1.SGM 29APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 83 (Friday, April 29, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25646-25648]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-10005]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE553


Presidential Task Force on Combating Illegal Unreported and 
Unregulated (IUU) Fishing and Seafood Fraud Action Plan for 
Implementing Recommendations 14/15; Commerce Trusted Trader Program

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

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The National Ocean Council Committee on IUU Fishing and 
Seafood Fraud (NOC Committee) is seeking public input on the design and 
implementation of a Commerce Trusted Trader Program as part of an 
effective seafood traceability process to combat IUU fishing and 
seafood fraud. The Commerce Trusted Trader Program will establish 
within the previously proposed Seafood Import Monitoring Program such 
benefits as reduced targeting and inspections, and enhanced streamlined 
entry into U.S. commerce for holders of an International Fisheries 
Trade Permit that are certified for participation in the Commerce 
Trusted Trader Program.

DATES: Comments must be received by June 28, 2016. Public webinars will 
take place from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. eastern daylight time on May 4, 2016, 
2:00 to 3:30 p.m. eastern daylight time on May 10, 2016, and 2:30 to 
4:00 p.m. eastern daylight time on June 6, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by 
Docket NOAA-NMFS-2014-0090, by either of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2014-0090, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to Melissa Beaudry, Quality 
Officer, Office of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection, 1315 
East-West Highway, Suite 9511, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the comment period, may not be 
considered. All comments received are 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. Anonymous comments will be accepted (enter ``N/A'' 
in the required field if you wish to remain anonymous).
    Information on joining the public webinars will be posted online at 
www.iuufishing.noaa.gov/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa Beaudry, Quality Officer, 
Office of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection; 301-427-8308.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On June 17, 2014, the White House released a Presidential 
Memorandum entitled ``Establishing a Comprehensive Framework to Combat 
Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing and Seafood Fraud.'' Among 
other actions, the Memorandum established a Presidential Task Force on 
Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing and 
Seafood Fraud (Task Force), co-chaired by the Departments of State and 
Commerce, with membership including a number of other Federal agency 
and White House Offices: The Departments of Agriculture, Defense, 
Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Interior, and Justice; 
the Federal Trade Commission; the U.S. Agency for International 
Development; the Council on Environmental Quality; the Office of 
Science and Technology Policy; the National Security Council; and the 
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
    The Task Force was directed to report to the President 
``recommendations for the implementation of a comprehensive framework 
of integrated programs to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud that 
emphasizes areas of greatest need.'' Those recommendations were 
provided to the President through the National Ocean Council, and NMFS 
requested comments from the public on how to effectively implement the 
recommendations of the Task Force (79 FR 75536, December 18, 2014). 
Oversight for implementing the recommendations of the Task Force has 
been charged to the National Ocean Council Standing Committee on IUU 
Fishing and Seafood Fraud (NOC Committee). On March 15, 2015, the Task 
Force published its Action Plan for Implementing the Task Force 
Recommendations (https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ia/iuu/taskforce.html).
    Recommendation 14 concerns the development of a risk-based 
traceability program as a means to combat IUU fishing and seafood 
fraud. Recommendation 15 calls for the implementation of the first 
phase of that risk-based traceability program that tracks fish and fish 
products identified as being at risk of IUU fishing or seafood fraud 
from point of harvest to point of entry into U.S. commerce.
    The first step taken to address Recommendations 14 and 15 was the 
identification of those species likely to be at risk of IUU fishing or 
seafood fraud. The second step taken was proposed rulemaking (81 FR 
6210, February 5, 2016), which would establish data reporting, 
recordkeeping, and related operational requirements at the point of 
entry into U.S. commerce for imported fish and fish products of at-risk 
species. The data reporting and recordkeeping requirements for at-risk 
species imports would apply to importers of record, who would be 
required to obtain an International Fisheries Trade Permit. The 
importers of record are the importers as identified in CBP entry 
filings for shipments containing the designated at-risk species. 
Customs brokers may fulfill these requirements on behalf of the 
importer of record at the importer of record's request.
    The next step is to develop and implement a trusted trader program 
whereby the Secretary of Commerce will collaborate with the Secretary 
of Homeland Security and other agencies as relevant to assist in 
developing a voluntary Commerce Trusted Trader Program for importers of 
the species covered by the final rule to be issued to establish a 
Seafood Import Monitoring Program. The Commerce Trusted Trader Program 
will provide benefits such as reduced targeting and inspections and 
enhanced streamlined entry into U.S. commerce for certified importers. 
With this notice, the Committee is soliciting comments on the design 
and implementation of this Commerce Trusted Trader Program.

Scope

    As proposed, the Seafood Import Monitoring Program holds the 
importer of record responsible for certain reporting and recordkeeping

[[Page 25647]]

requirements. The Committee has therefore identified the universe of 
International Fishery Trade Permit (IFTP) holders as falling within the 
scope of a Commerce Trusted Trader Program. The Committee seeks 
comments on whether this is the appropriate scope and how the scope of 
the program might be expanded to include entities with a role in 
securing the supply chain that are not directly responsible for record 
keeping and reporting and who may not be required to hold an IFTP. For 
example, might a Trusted Trader Program include customs brokers acting 
on behalf of importers of record, freight forwarders, foreign 
harvesters, foreign processors or a foreign exporting company? The 
Committee seeks comments on what other roles in the supply chain and 
import process might benefit from reduced inspections and a streamlined 
entry process.

Criteria

    The Committee seeks comment on scope of criteria for evaluating and 
certifying permit holders as ``trusted traders''. Such criteria might 
include, among other considerations, the compliance record of the 
applicant for other federal programs, the extent to which the certified 
permit holder has measures in place to verify the source and chain of 
custody of imported fish and fish products, and the nature and 
complexity of the supply chains from which the permit holder sources 
their imports. Additionally, the Committee seeks comment as to how the 
criteria within the scope of a Trusted Trader program should be 
weighted when considering certification of a permit holder.
    The Committee also seeks comment on which attributes of a supply 
chain covered by the scope of the Seafood Import Monitoring Program 
(harvest, landing, shipment, processing, storage, import entry, etc.), 
if any, can be considered as criteria for inclusion in a Trusted Trader 
program. As with the Seafood Import Monitoring Program itself, 
implementation of a Commerce Trusted Trader Program must be compliant 
with United States international trade obligations.

Benefits and Incentives

    The Task Force Action Plan describes the Commerce Trusted Trader 
Program as ``provid[ing] benefits such as reduced targeting and 
inspections and enhanced streamlined entry into U.S. commerce . . .'' 
The Committee seeks comments on these and other potential benefits that 
may expedite the flow of trade, reduce the burden of compliance for 
certified permit holders, and improve implementation and enforcement 
efficiency. Additionally, the Committee seeks comment on how those 
benefits will incentivize participation in the Commerce Trusted Trader 
Program while ensuring the continued effectiveness of the Seafood 
Import Monitoring Program.

Evaluation and Verification of Certified Permit Holders

    The Committee seeks recommendations on the potential scope and 
process of evaluating permit holders for certification. Commenters are 
encouraged to describe how permit holders should be evaluated against 
recommended criteria.
    The Committee also seeks recommendations on the potential scope and 
process of verifying a certified permit holder's ongoing compliance 
with certification criteria. Commenters are encouraged to describe 
process and frequency by which certified Trusted Traders and other 
entities that may be included in the Commerce Trusted Trader Program 
are evaluated for compliance with certification criteria.

Relationship to Other Trusted Trader or Federal Import Programs

    NOAA administers several other trade monitoring programs requiring 
importers of record to obtain an IFTP, report information at time of 
entry, and maintain records describing the imported product's chain of 
custody. These include the Highly Migratory Species Catch Documentation 
Program and the Antarctic Marine Living Resources Import/Export 
Certification Program. The Committee seeks comment on the extent to 
which these programs can or should be included in a Commerce Trusted 
Trader Program.
    Comments are also requested regarding the potential coordination of 
other federal trusted trader or import monitoring programs as a means 
of expediting the entry of fish products, reducing overall regulatory 
burden, and improving the efficiency of implementation and enforcement. 
Additionally, the Committee seeks comment on how coordination, or 
integration, with other federal Trusted Trader programs will 
incentivize participation in the Commerce Trusted Trader Program while 
ensuring the continued effectiveness of the Seafood Import Monitoring 
Program.
    NMFS notes, however, that the Tuna Tracking and Verification 
Program (TTVP) requires certain reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements regarding imports of tuna products on the part of U.S. 
processors, importers, and others for purposes of the dolphin safe 
labeling requirements for tuna product. See 50 CFR part 216, subpart H. 
These requirements were recently amended by interim final rule. See 81 
FR 15444, March 23, 2016. The dolphin safe labeling, reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements fall outside the scope of the Commerce 
Trusted Trader program and those dolphin safe labeling requirements 
would continue to apply for tuna product regardless of whether the 
importer qualifies as a trusted trader under this program.

Third Party Traceability Systems

    The Committee is aware of private efforts by seafood producers, 
traders, wholesalers, retailers, and third parties to trace and track 
seafood products and seeks comment regarding the consideration of those 
traceability efforts in the design and implementation of a Commerce 
Trusted Trader Program. The committee also seeks recommendations for 
operational standards for such systems should they be included in a 
Commerce Trusted Trader Program.

Timing and Implementation

    While the IUU Task Force Action Plan calls for the Commerce Trusted 
Trader Program to be finalized by September 2016, the timing of actual 
implementation may be affected by, among other factors, timing of the 
implementation of the Seafood Import Monitoring Program final rule, 
completion of the structure and elements of the Commerce Trusted Trader 
Program, and the timeframe for completion of Commerce Trusted Trader 
Program business rules in the International Trade Data System, as 
necessary for implementation. NMFS will in any case make its best 
effort to implement the Seafood Import Monitoring Program and the 
associated Commerce Trusted Trader Program simultaneously. The 
Committee seeks comment on the potential impacts and benefits of 
implementing the Commerce Trusted Trader Program some weeks or months 
following the implementation of the Seafood Import Monitoring Program. 
The committee also seeks recommendations for design and implementation 
of the Commerce Trusted Trader Program regarding measures that can be 
taken to minimize the cost and burden of those impacts and capture 
available benefits.
    The Committee will address outstanding design and implementation 
issues associated with the Commerce Trusted Trader Program in its 
December 2016 report on the implementation of the Seafood Traceability 
Program.

[[Page 25648]]

    Following the public comment period, the NOC Committee will take 
the input received into consideration while finalizing recommendations 
that will be sent forward for appropriate agency action, as outlined in 
the implementation plan for Task Force Recommendations 14 and 15.

    Dated: April 25, 2016.
John Henderschedt,
Director, Office for International Affairs and Seafood Inspection, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-10005 Filed 4-28-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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