International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; 2017 and 2018 Commercial Fishing Restrictions for Pacific Bluefin Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, 5508-5512 [2017-00623]

Download as PDF 5508 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 11 / Wednesday, January 18, 2017 / Proposed Rules Similarly, the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, Pub. L. 96–39, as amended by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act, Pub. L. 103–465, prohibits Federal agencies from establishing any standards or engaging in related activities that create unnecessary obstacles to the foreign commerce of the United States. For purposes of these requirements, Federal agencies may participate in the establishment of international standards, so long as the standards have a legitimate domestic objective, such as providing for safety, and do not operate to exclude imports that meet this objective. The statute also requires consideration of international standards and, where appropriate, that they be the basis for U.S. standards. PHMSA participates in the establishment of international standards in order to protect the safety of the American public, and PHMSA has assessed the effects of the proposed rule to ensure that it does not cause unnecessary obstacles to foreign trade. Accordingly, this rulemaking is consistent with Executive Order 13609 and PHMSA’s obligations under the Trade Agreement Act, as amended. PHMSA welcomes any data or information related to international impacts that may result if Petition P– 1669 is adopted, as well as possible alternatives and their international impacts. Please describe the impacts and the basis for the comment. I. Statutory/Legal Authority for This Rulemaking This ANPRM is published under the authority of 49 U.S.C. 5103(b), which authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to ‘‘prescribe regulations for the safe transportation, including security, of hazardous materials in intrastate, interstate, and foreign commerce.’’ The intent of this ANPRM is to address the safety concerns raised by Petition P–1669 in respect to the transportation of hazardous materials in commerce. Our goal in this ANPRM is to gather the necessary information to determine a course of action in a potential Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS J. Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) A regulation identifier number (RIN) is assigned to each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulations. The Regulatory Information Service Center publishes the Unified Agenda in April and October of each year. The RIN contained in the heading of this document can be used to crossreference this action with the Unified Agenda. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:51 Jan 17, 2017 Jkt 241001 K. Executive Order 13211 Executive Order 13211, 66 FR 28355 (May 22, 2001), requires Federal agencies to prepare a Statement of Energy Effects for any ‘‘significant energy action.’’ Under the executive order, a ‘‘significant energy action’’ is defined as any action by an agency (normally published in the Federal Register) that promulgates, or is expected to lead to the promulgation of, a final rule or regulation (including a notice of inquiry, ANPRM, and NPRM) that (1)(i) is a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866 or any successor order and (ii) is likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy; or (2) is designated by the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs as a significant energy action. PHMSA welcomes any data or information related to energy impacts that may result if P–1669 is adopted, as well as possible alternatives and their energy impacts. Please describe the impacts and the basis for the comment. Issued in Washington, DC, on January 10, 2017, under the authority of 49 U.S.C. 5103(b). Anthony R. Foxx, Secretary of Transportation. [FR Doc. 2017–00913 Filed 1–17–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–60–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 300 [Docket No. 161031999–7017–01] RIN 0648–BG41 International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; 2017 and 2018 Commercial Fishing Restrictions for Pacific Bluefin Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments. AGENCY: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is proposing regulations under the Tuna Conventions Act to implement Resolution C–16–08 (Measures for the Conservation and Management of Bluefin Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean). This InterAmerican Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) Resolution establishes annual and trip catch limits on commercial SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00078 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 catch of Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) in waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) for 2017 and 2018. This action is necessary for the United States to satisfy its obligations as a member of the IATTC. DATES: Comments on the proposed rule and supporting documents must be submitted in writing by February 17, 2017. You may submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA– NMFS–2016–0141, 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–2016– 0141, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. • Mail: Submit written comments to Celia Barroso, NMFS West Coast Region Long Beach Office, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802. Include the identifier ‘‘NOAA–NMFS– 2016–0141’’ in the comments. Instructions: Comments must be submitted by one of the above methods to ensure they are received, documented, and considered by NMFS. Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.) submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. Do not submit confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive or protected information. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). Copies of the draft Regulatory Impact Review (RIR) and other supporting documents are available via the Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov, docket NOAA– NMFS–2016–0141, or contact with the Regional Administrator, Barry A. Thom, NMFS West Coast Region, 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite 1100, Portland, OR 97232–1274, or RegionalAdministrator.WCRHMS@ noaa.gov. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Celia Barroso, NMFS, 562–432–1850, Celia.Barroso@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\18JAP1.SGM 18JAP1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 11 / Wednesday, January 18, 2017 / Proposed Rules Background on the IATTC The United States is a member of the IATTC, which was established in 1949 and operates under the Convention for the Strengthening of the IATTC Established by the 1949 Convention between the United States of America and the Republic of Costa Rica (Antigua Convention). See: www.iattc.org/ PDFFiles2/Antigua_Convention_Jun_ 2003.pdf. The IATTC consists of 21 member nations and four cooperating nonmember nations, and facilitates scientific research into, as well as the conservation and management of, tuna and tuna-like species in the IATTC Convention Area (Convention Area). The Convention Area is defined as waters of the EPO within the area bounded by the west coast of the Americas and by 50° N. latitude, 150° W. longitude, and 50° S. latitude. The IATTC maintains a scientific research and fishery monitoring program, and regularly assesses the status of tuna, sharks, and billfish stocks in the EPO to determine appropriate catch limits and other measures deemed necessary to promote sustainable fisheries and prevent the overexploitation of these stocks. International Obligations of the United States Under the Convention As a Party to the Antigua Convention and a member of the IATTC, the United States is legally bound to implement decisions of the IATTC. The Tuna Conventions Act (16 U.S.C. 951 et seq.) directs the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of State and, with respect to enforcement measures, the U.S. Coast Guard, to promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the United States’ obligations under the Antigua Convention, including recommendations and decisions adopted by the IATTC. The authority of the Secretary of Commerce to promulgate such regulations has been delegated to NMFS. mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS Pacific Bluefin Tuna Stock Status In 2011, NMFS determined overfishing was occurring on Pacific bluefin tuna (76 FR 28422, May 17, 2011), which is considered a single Pacific-wide stock. Based on the results of a 2012 stock assessment conducted by the International Scientific Committee for Tuna and Tuna-like Species in the North Pacific Ocean (ISC), NMFS determined Pacific bluefin tuna was not only subject to overfishing, but was also overfished (78 FR 41033, July 9, 2013). Subsequently, based on VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:51 Jan 17, 2017 Jkt 241001 the results of the 2014 ISC stock assessment, NMFS determined that Pacific bluefin tuna continued to be overfished and subject to overfishing (80 FR 12621, March 10, 2015). Pacific Bluefin Tuna Resolution Recognizing the need to reduce fishing mortality of Pacific bluefin tuna, the IATTC has adopted catch limits in the Convention Area since 2012 (see the final rule implementing Resolution C– 14–06 for more information on previous management measures (80 FR 38986, July 8, 2015)). At its resumed 90th Meeting in October 2016, the IATTC adopted Resolution C–16–08. The resolution and subject of this rulemaking was approved by the Secretary of State, thereby prompting implementation by NMFS. Resolution C–16–08 reaffirms that, ‘‘. . . the IATTC scientific staff recommend[ed] extending the measures established in the current resolution [Resolution C– 14–06] for two more years.’’ In 2015, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), which has purview over the management of highly migratory fish stocks in the western and central Pacific Ocean, revised a 2014 conservation and management measure for Pacific bluefin tuna intended to decrease the level of fishing mortality (CMM 2015–04). Additionally, the IATTC and the WCPFC have agreed to hold annual joint working group meetings intended to develop a Pacific-wide approach to the management of Pacific bluefin tuna. The first meeting took place August 29 through September 2, 2016, and the second meeting is scheduled for late August 2017. Future conservation measures adopted by the IATTC and WCPFC for Pacific bluefin tuna are also expected to be based, in part, on information and advice from the ISC, which recently completed a stock assessment in 2016 and intends to provide an update in 2018. Similar to Resolution C–14–06 (applicable 2015 to 2016), the main objective of Resolution C–16–08 is to reduce overfishing and to conserve and rebuild the stock by setting limits on the commercial catch of Pacific bluefin tuna in the IATTC Convention Area during 2017 and 2018. C–16–08 establishes a combined catch limit of 600 metric tons (mt) for 2017 and 2018 applicable to commercial vessels of each member or cooperating non-member, except Mexico, with a historical record of Pacific bluefin tuna catch from the EPO (such as the United States). Total catch is not to exceed 425 mt in a single year. PO 00000 Frm 00079 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 5509 Council Recommendations for the Implementation of C–16–08 In accordance with a November 2014 Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) recommendation, NMFS established trip limits when implementing Resolution C–14–06. At its November 2016 meeting, the Council again recommended that the same two trip limits be established: (1) an initial 25 mt trip limit from the start of the year until catch is within 50 mt of the catch limit and (2) a 2 mt trip limit through the end of the year (or until fishing is closed) when the catch for the year is within 50 mt of the catch limit. Pacific Bluefin Tuna Catch History While Pacific bluefin tuna catch by U.S. commercial vessels fishing in the Convention Area exceeded 1,000 mt per year in the early 1990s, annual catches have remained below 500 mt for more than a decade. The U.S. commercial catch of Pacific bluefin tuna in the Convention Area for the years 2002 to 2016 can be found in Table 1 below. The average annual Pacific bluefin tuna catch landed by U.S. commercial vessels fishing in the Convention Area from 2011 to 2015 represents only one percent of the average annual landings for all fleets fishing in the Convention Area during that period. For information on Pacific bluefin tuna harvests in the Convention Area through 2015, see https://isc.fra.go.jp/fisheries_statistics/ index.html; for preliminary information on Pacific bluefin tuna harvest in the Convention Area in 2016, see www.iattc.org/ CatchReportsDataENG.htm. TABLE 1—ANNUAL U.S. COMMERCIAL CATCH, IN METRIC TONS (MT), OF PACIFIC BLUEFIN TUNA IN THE EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN FROM 2002 TO 2016 Year 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 E:\FR\FM\18JAP1.SGM .................................................... .................................................... .................................................... .................................................... .................................................... .................................................... .................................................... .................................................... .................................................... .................................................... .................................................... .................................................... .................................................... .................................................... 18JAP1 Catch (mt) 62 40 11 208 2 44 1 416 1 118 42 11 408 96 5510 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 11 / Wednesday, January 18, 2017 / Proposed Rules TABLE 1—ANNUAL U.S. COMMERCIAL CATCH, IN METRIC TONS (MT), OF PACIFIC BLUEFIN TUNA IN THE EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN FROM 2002 TO 2016—Continued Catch (mt) Year 2016 .................................................... *343 mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS Source: Highly Migratory Species Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation: www.pcouncil.org/highly-migratory-species/ stock-assessment-and-fishery-evaluation-safedocuments/current-hms-safe-document/ *Preliminary estimate of 2016 Pacific bluefin tuna landed catch by United States based on communications with California Department of Fish and Wildlife on December 9, 2016. Proposed Regulations for Pacific Bluefin Tuna for 2017–2018 This proposed rule would establish catch limits for U.S. commercial vessels that catch Pacific bluefin tuna in the Convention Area for 2017 and 2018. In 2017, the catch limit for the entire U.S. fleet is 425 mt. In 2018, NMFS will announce the catch limit in a Federal Register notice, which will be calculated to correspond with the limits established in Resolution C–16–08 (i.e., not to exceed 425 mt in a year). The 2018 catch limit will be calculated as the remainder from 2017 (i.e., how much of 425 mt was not caught) added to 175 mt, except as follows: 1) if 175 mt or less is caught in 2017, then the 2018 catch limit is 425 mt; or 2) if greater than 425 mt is caught in 2017, then the catch limit in 2018 will be further reduced by the amount in excess of 425 mt (i.e., the remainder of the 600 mt limit for 2017–2018). In each year, a 25 mt trip limit would be in effect until catch is within 50 mt of the annual limit, at which time NMFS would impose a 2 mt trip limit through the end of the year or until fishing is closed. NMFS will publish a notice in the Federal Register when the 2 mt trip limit is imposed. When NMFS determines that the catch limit is expected to be reached in 2017 or 2018 (based on landings receipts, data submitted in logbooks, and other available fishery information), NMFS will prohibit commercial fishing for, or retention of, Pacific bluefin tuna for the remainder of the calendar year. NMFS will also publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing that the targeting, retaining, transshipping or landing of Pacific bluefin tuna will be prohibited on a specified effective date through the end of that calendar year. Upon that effective date, a commercial fishing vessel of the United States may not be used to target, retain on board, transship, or land Pacific bluefin tuna VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:51 Jan 17, 2017 Jkt 241001 captured in the Convention Area during the period specified in the announcement. However, any Pacific bluefin tuna already on board a fishing vessel on the effective date may be retained on board, transshipped, and/or landed, to the extent authorized by applicable laws and regulations, provided that they are landed within 14 days after the effective date. NMFS is also proposing to revise a paragraph in the prohibitions section solely to update its reference to another paragraph—the proposed revised Pacific bluefin tuna regulations. Proposed Catch Monitoring NMFS would provide updates on Pacific bluefin tuna catches in the Convention Area to the public via the IATTC listserv and the NMFS West Coast Region Web site: www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/ fisheries/migratory_species/bluefin_ tuna_harvest_status.html. NMFS would also report preliminary estimates of Pacific bluefin tuna catch between monthly intervals if and when total catch approaches the limits to help participants in the U.S. commercial fishery plan for the possibility of the catch limit being reached. Endangered Species Act Petition In June 2016, NMFS received a petition to list Pacific bluefin tuna as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. NMFS subsequently found that the petition may be warranted and has initiated a status review (81 FR 70074, October 11, 2016). The petition under the Endangered Species Act regarding a scientific determination about the status of Pacific bluefin tuna is distinct from this proposed rulemaking to restrict commercial fisheries under the Tuna Conventions Act. Classification The NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that this proposed rule is consistent with the Tuna Conventions Act and other applicable laws. This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866. Additionally, although there are no new collection-of-information requirements associated with this action that are subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act, existing collection-ofinformation requirements associated with the Fishery Management Plan for U.S. West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species (HMS FMP) still apply. These requirements have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget under Control Number PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 0648–0204. Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, and no person shall be subject to penalty for failure to comply with, a collection-ofinformation subject to the requirements of the PRA, unless that collection-ofinformation displays a currently valid OMB control number. Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), 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 (SBA) that this proposed rule, if adopted, would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The rationale for the certification is provided in the following paragraphs. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) defines a ‘‘small business’’ (or ‘‘small entity’’) as one with annual revenue that meets or is below an established size standard. On December 29, 2015, NMFS issued a final rule establishing a small business size standard of $11 million in annual gross receipts for all businesses primarily engaged in the commercial fishing industry (NAICS 11411) for Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) compliance purposes only (80 FR 81194). The $11 million standard became effective on July 1, 2016, and is to be used in place of the U.S. SBA current standards of $20.5 million, $5.5 million, and $7.5 million for the finfish (NAICS 114111), shellfish (NAICS 114112), and other marine fishing (NAICS 114119) sectors of the U.S. commercial fishing industry in all NMFS rules subject to the RFA after July 1, 2016. Id. at 81194. U.S. commercial catch of Pacific bluefin tuna from the Convention Area is primarily made in waters off of California by the coastal pelagic small purse seine fleet, which targets Pacific bluefin tuna opportunistically, and other fleets (e.g., California large-mesh drift gillnet, surface hook-and-line, west coast longline, and Hawaii’s pelagic fisheries), which catch Pacific bluefin tuna incidentally. The small entities the proposed action would directly affect are all U.S. commercial fishing vessels that may target (e.g., coastal pelagic purse seine vessels) or incidentally catch (e.g., drift gillnet) Pacific bluefin tuna in the Convention Area; however, not all vessels that have participated in this fishery decide to do so every year. Implementation of the annual catch limits for 2017 and 2018 in this proposed action is not expected to result in changes in current fishery operations as the annualized catch limit is above recent annual average catch by all fleets E:\FR\FM\18JAP1.SGM 18JAP1 mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 11 / Wednesday, January 18, 2017 / Proposed Rules (average annual catch from 2006 to 2015 was 114 mt). Additionally, from 2006 to 2015, incidental landings of Pacific bluefin tuna have not exceeded 2 mt per trip. Revenues of coastal purse seine vessels are not expected to be significantly altered as a result of this proposed rule. Since 2006, the average annual revenue per vessel from all finfish fishing activities for the U.S. purse seine fleet that have landed Pacific bluefin tuna has been less than $11 million, whether considering an individual vessel or per vessel average. Since 2006, in years Pacific bluefin tuna was landed, purse seine vessels that caught Pacific bluefin tuna had an average annual income of about $1.7 million per vessel (based on all species landed). Annually, from 2011 to 2015, the number of small coastal pelagic purse seine vessels that landed Pacific bluefin tuna in the Convention Area ranged from zero to five. In 2011 and 2012, fewer than three vessels targeted Pacific bluefin tuna; therefore, their landings and revenue are confidential. In 2013, the coastal purse seine fishery did not land Pacific bluefin tuna. In 2014 and 2015, four and five vessels landed Pacific bluefin tuna, respectively. In 2014, eight purse seine vessels fishing in the Convention Area landed HMS in California, but only four of them were involved in landing roughly 401 mt of Pacific bluefin tuna, worth about $588,000, in west coast ports. Similarly, in 2015, 11 vessels fishing in the Convention Area landed HMS in California, but only 5 vessels landed approximately 86 mt of Pacific bluefin tuna, worth about $75,000. The revenue derived from Pacific bluefin tuna is a fraction of the overall revenue for coastal pelagic purse seine vessels (3.9 percent annually from 2006–2015) as they typically harvest other species, including Pacific sardine, Pacific mackerel, squid, and anchovy. The value of Pacific bluefin tuna in coastal pelagic purse seine fishery from 2006–2015 is $1.31/kilogram. This amount is negligible relative to the fleet’s annual revenue resulting from other species. Prior to 2015, the Pacific bluefin tuna fishery was not subject to trip limits. From 2006 through 2014, 62.5 percent of trips by coastal purse seine vessels targeting Pacific bluefin tuna landed greater than 25 mt of Pacific bluefin tuna. However, landings did not exceed 25 mt in 2015 after the trip limits became effective on July 9, 2015. Future regulatory discards, if any, will be negligible both in volume and value because a vessel is likely to end fishing for Pacific bluefin tuna when the 25 mt trip limit is met. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:51 Jan 17, 2017 Jkt 241001 Since 2006, the average annual revenue per vessel from all finfish fishing activities for the U.S. fleet with incidental landings of Pacific bluefin tuna has been less than $11 million. These vessels include drift gillnet, surface hook-and-line, and longline gear-types. As stated earlier, the revenues of these vessels are also not expected to be significantly altered by the rule. From 2011 to 2015, the number of drift gillnet, surface hook-and-line, and longline vessels that participated in this fishery range from 11 to 12, 1 to 50, and 1 to 8, respectively. During these years, vessels with incidental landings landed an annual average of 6.3 mt of Pacific bluefin tuna, worth approximately $32,600, without exceeding 2 mt per trip. As a result, it is anticipated that the annual and trip limits will not impact vessels landing incidentally-caught Pacific bluefin tuna. Pursuant to the RFA and NMFS’ December 29, 2015, final rule (80 FR 81194), this certification was developed for this action using NMFS’ revised size standards. NMFS considers all entities subject to this action to be small entities as defined by both the former, lower size standards and the revised size standards. Because each affected vessel is a small business, there are no disproportional affects to small versus large entities. Based on profitability analysis above, the proposed action, if adopted, will not have significant adverse economic impacts on these small business entities. As a result, an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is not required, and was not prepared for this proposed rule. List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 300 Administrative practice and procedure, Fish, Fisheries, Fishing, Marine resources, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Treaties. Dated: January 9, 2017. 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 is proposed to be amended as follows: PART 300—INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES REGULATIONS 1. The authority citation for part 300, subpart C, continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 16 U.S.C. 951et seq. 2. In § 300.24, revise paragraph (u) to read as follows: ■ § 300.24 * PO 00000 * Prohibitions. * Frm 00081 * Fmt 4702 * Sfmt 4702 5511 (u) Use a United States commercial fishing vessel in the Convention Area to target, retain on board, transship or land Pacific bluefin tuna in contravention of § 300.25(g)(3) through (5). * * * * * ■ 4. In § 300.25, revise paragraph (g) to read as follows: § 300.25 Eastern Pacific fisheries management. * * * * * (g) Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) commercial catch limits in the eastern Pacific Ocean for 2017– 2018. The following is applicable to the U.S. commercial fishery for Pacific bluefin tuna in the Convention Area in the years 2017 and 2018. (1) For the calendar year 2017, all commercial fishing vessels of the United States combined may capture, retain, transship, or land no more than 425 metric tons in the Convention Area. (2) In 2018, NMFS will publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing the 2018 catch limit. For the calendar year 2018, all commercial fishing vessels of the United States combined may capture, retain on board, transship, or land no more than the 2018 annual catch limit. The 2018 catch limit is calculated by adding any amount of the 425 metric ton catch limit that was not caught in 2017, as determined by NMFS, to 175 metric tons, except as follows: (i) If 175 metric tons or less are caught in 2017, as determined by NMFS, then the 2018 catch limit is 425 metric tons; or, (ii) If greater than 425 metric tons are caught in 2017, as determined by NMFS, then the 2018 catch limit is calculated by subtracting the amount caught in 2017 from 600 metric tons. (3) In 2017 and 2018, a 25 metric ton trip limit will be in effect until NMFS anticipates that catch will be within 50 metric tons of the catch limit, after which a 2 metric ton trip limit will be in effect upon publication of a notice in the Federal Register by NMFS. (4) After NMFS determines that the catch limits under paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this section are expected to be reached by a future date, NMFS will publish a fishing closure notice in the Federal Register announcing the effective date that targeting, retaining on board, transshipping or landing Pacific bluefin tuna in the Convention Area shall be prohibited as described in paragraph (g)(5) of this section. (5) Beginning on the date announced in the fishing closure notice published under paragraph (g)(4) of this section through the end of the calendar year, a commercial fishing vessel of the United E:\FR\FM\18JAP1.SGM 18JAP1 5512 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 11 / Wednesday, January 18, 2017 / Proposed Rules States may not be used to target, retain on board, transship, or land Pacific bluefin tuna captured in the Convention Area, with the exception that any Pacific bluefin tuna already on board a fishing vessel on the effective date of the notice may be retained on board, transshipped, and/or landed, to the extent authorized by applicable laws and regulations, provided such Pacific bluefin tuna is landed within 14 days after the effective date published in the fishing closure notice. * * * * * [FR Doc. 2017–00623 Filed 1–13–17; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 622 [Docket No. 161020986–7012–01] RIN 0648–BG38 Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; SnapperGrouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region; Amendment 36 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. AGENCY: Proposed rule; request for comments. ACTION: NMFS proposes regulations to implement Amendment 36 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region as prepared and submitted by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council). If implemented, this proposed rule would modify the FMP framework procedures to allow spawning special management zones (SMZs) to be established or modified through the framework process; establish spawning SMZs off North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida; establish transit and anchoring provisions in the spawning SMZs; and establish a sunset provision for most of the spawning SMZs. This proposed rule would also move the boundary of the existing Charleston Deep Artificial Reef Marine Protected Area (MPA). The purpose of this proposed rule is to protect spawning snapper-grouper species and their spawning habitat, and to reduce bycatch and bycatch mortality for snapper-grouper species, including speckled hind and warsaw grouper. mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:51 Jan 17, 2017 Jkt 241001 Written comments on the proposed rule must be received by February 17, 2017. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the proposed rule, identified by ‘‘NOAA–NMFS–2016–0153,’’ by either 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–2016– 0153, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. • Mail: Submit written comments to Frank Helies, NMFS Southeast Regional Office, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NMFS. 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 required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). Electronic copies of Amendment 36 may be obtained from www.regulations.gov or the Southeast Regional Office Web site at https:// sero.nmfs.noaa.gov. Amendment 36 includes an environmental assessment, Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) analysis, regulatory impact review, and fishery impact statement. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Helies, NMFS Southeast Regional Office, telephone: 727–824–5305, or email: frank.helies@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The snapper-grouper fishery in the South Atlantic region is managed under the FMP and includes speckled hind and warsaw grouper, along with other snapper-grouper species. The FMP was prepared by the Council and is implemented by NMFS through regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). DATES: Background The Council developed Amendment 36 to protect spawning snapper-grouper species and their spawning habitat by prohibiting fishing for or harvest of snapper-grouper species in certain areas PO 00000 Frm 00082 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 year-round in Federal waters of the South Atlantic. Areas designated for protection would include habitat characteristics, bottom topography (hard and live bottom), and currents that provide essential fish habitat important for spawning snapper-grouper species. The Council determined that protecting spawning snapper-grouper and their associated habitats would allow these species to produce more larvae, and may subsequently increase snappergrouper populations. The Council also developed Amendment 36 to reduce bycatch and bycatch mortality of snapper-grouper species, including speckled hind and warsaw grouper. The snapper-grouper fishery in the South Atlantic is a highly regulated, multi-species fishery. Discards in the fishery can occur due to regulations, such as closed seasons, possession or size limits, or from catch and release of these species. For snapper-grouper species prohibited from harvest, such as speckled hind and warsaw grouper, fish discarded due to regulations are considered bycatch. The deep-water snapper-grouper species are further impacted due to high discard mortality rates (low survivability due to barotrauma). The Council concluded that prohibiting the use of certain fishing gear in specified areas where snapper-grouper are known to occur and possibly spawn would reduce encounters with these species and subsequently provide protection for reproduction. Spawning SMZs could provide long-term beneficial biological and socio-economic effects if spawning fish are sufficiently protected. The Council has identified a total of five areas proposed to be considered as spawning SMZs in the South Atlantic off North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida. These areas have been identified based on the documented occurrence of snapper-grouper species and analysis of spawning data, recommendations from the Council’s MPA Expert Work Group and SnapperGrouper Advisory Panel, as well as cooperative research and public recommendations. Amendment 36 also contains a 10year sunset provision that would apply to most of the proposed spawning SMZs. The sunset provision would allow for most of the spawning SMZs to expire 10 years following the implementation date unless they are renewed. When deciding whether to renew a spawning SMZ, the Council may consider the evidence of spawning by snapper-grouper species in the spawning SMZ and whether a spawning SMZ is being monitored. The Council concluded that a 10-year sunset E:\FR\FM\18JAP1.SGM 18JAP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 18, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5508-5512]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-00623]

=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 300

[Docket No. 161031999-7017-01]
RIN 0648-BG41

International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; 2017 and 2018
Commercial Fishing Restrictions for Pacific Bluefin Tuna in the Eastern
Pacific Ocean

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is proposing
regulations under the Tuna Conventions Act to implement Resolution C-
16-08 (Measures for the Conservation and Management of Bluefin Tuna in
the Eastern Pacific Ocean). This Inter-American Tropical Tuna
Commission (IATTC) Resolution establishes annual and trip catch limits
on commercial catch of Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) in
waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) for 2017 and 2018. This
action is necessary for the United States to satisfy its obligations as
a member of the IATTC.

DATES: Comments on the proposed rule and supporting documents must be
submitted in writing by February 17, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by
NOAA-NMFS-2016-0141, 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-2016-0141, click the
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or
attach your comments.
Mail: Submit written comments to Celia Barroso, NMFS West
Coast Region Long Beach Office, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long
Beach, CA 90802. Include the identifier ``NOAA-NMFS-2016-0141'' in the
comments.
Instructions: Comments must be submitted by one of the above
methods to ensure they are received, documented, and considered by
NMFS. Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or
individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be
considered. All comments received are a part of the public record and
will generally be posted for public viewing on www.regulations.gov
without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name,
address, etc.) submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly
accessible. Do not submit confidential business information, or
otherwise sensitive or protected information. NMFS will accept
anonymous comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to
remain anonymous).
Copies of the draft Regulatory Impact Review (RIR) and other
supporting documents are available via the Federal eRulemaking Portal:
www.regulations.gov, docket NOAA-NMFS-2016-0141, or contact with the
Regional Administrator, Barry A. Thom, NMFS West Coast Region, 1201 NE
Lloyd Blvd., Suite 1100, Portland, OR 97232-1274, or
RegionalAdministrator.WCRHMS@noaa.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Celia Barroso, NMFS, 562-432-1850,
Celia.Barroso@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 5509]]

Background on the IATTC

The United States is a member of the IATTC, which was established
in 1949 and operates under the Convention for the Strengthening of the
IATTC Established by the 1949 Convention between the United States of
America and the Republic of Costa Rica (Antigua Convention). See:
www.iattc.org/PDFFiles2/Antigua_Convention_Jun_2003.pdf.
The IATTC consists of 21 member nations and four cooperating non-
member nations, and facilitates scientific research into, as well as
the conservation and management of, tuna and tuna-like species in the
IATTC Convention Area (Convention Area). The Convention Area is defined
as waters of the EPO within the area bounded by the west coast of the
Americas and by 50[deg] N. latitude, 150[deg] W. longitude, and 50[deg]
S. latitude. The IATTC maintains a scientific research and fishery
monitoring program, and regularly assesses the status of tuna, sharks,
and billfish stocks in the EPO to determine appropriate catch limits
and other measures deemed necessary to promote sustainable fisheries
and prevent the overexploitation of these stocks.

International Obligations of the United States Under the Convention

As a Party to the Antigua Convention and a member of the IATTC, the
United States is legally bound to implement decisions of the IATTC. The
Tuna Conventions Act (16 U.S.C. 951 et seq.) directs the Secretary of
Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of State and, with respect
to enforcement measures, the U.S. Coast Guard, to promulgate such
regulations as may be necessary to carry out the United States'
obligations under the Antigua Convention, including recommendations and
decisions adopted by the IATTC. The authority of the Secretary of
Commerce to promulgate such regulations has been delegated to NMFS.

Pacific Bluefin Tuna Stock Status

In 2011, NMFS determined overfishing was occurring on Pacific
bluefin tuna (76 FR 28422, May 17, 2011), which is considered a single
Pacific-wide stock. Based on the results of a 2012 stock assessment
conducted by the International Scientific Committee for Tuna and Tuna-
like Species in the North Pacific Ocean (ISC), NMFS determined Pacific
bluefin tuna was not only subject to overfishing, but was also
overfished (78 FR 41033, July 9, 2013). Subsequently, based on the
results of the 2014 ISC stock assessment, NMFS determined that Pacific
bluefin tuna continued to be overfished and subject to overfishing (80
FR 12621, March 10, 2015).

Pacific Bluefin Tuna Resolution

Recognizing the need to reduce fishing mortality of Pacific bluefin
tuna, the IATTC has adopted catch limits in the Convention Area since
2012 (see the final rule implementing Resolution C-14-06 for more
information on previous management measures (80 FR 38986, July 8,
2015)). At its resumed 90th Meeting in October 2016, the IATTC adopted
Resolution C-16-08. The resolution and subject of this rulemaking was
approved by the Secretary of State, thereby prompting implementation by
NMFS. Resolution C-16-08 reaffirms that, ``. . . the IATTC scientific
staff recommend[ed] extending the measures established in the current
resolution [Resolution C-14-06] for two more years.''
In 2015, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission
(WCPFC), which has purview over the management of highly migratory fish
stocks in the western and central Pacific Ocean, revised a 2014
conservation and management measure for Pacific bluefin tuna intended
to decrease the level of fishing mortality (CMM 2015-04). Additionally,
the IATTC and the WCPFC have agreed to hold annual joint working group
meetings intended to develop a Pacific-wide approach to the management
of Pacific bluefin tuna. The first meeting took place August 29 through
September 2, 2016, and the second meeting is scheduled for late August
2017. Future conservation measures adopted by the IATTC and WCPFC for
Pacific bluefin tuna are also expected to be based, in part, on
information and advice from the ISC, which recently completed a stock
assessment in 2016 and intends to provide an update in 2018.
Similar to Resolution C-14-06 (applicable 2015 to 2016), the main
objective of Resolution C-16-08 is to reduce overfishing and to
conserve and rebuild the stock by setting limits on the commercial
catch of Pacific bluefin tuna in the IATTC Convention Area during 2017
and 2018. C-16-08 establishes a combined catch limit of 600 metric tons
(mt) for 2017 and 2018 applicable to commercial vessels of each member
or cooperating non-member, except Mexico, with a historical record of
Pacific bluefin tuna catch from the EPO (such as the United States).
Total catch is not to exceed 425 mt in a single year.

Council Recommendations for the Implementation of C-16-08

In accordance with a November 2014 Pacific Fishery Management
Council (Council) recommendation, NMFS established trip limits when
implementing Resolution C-14-06. At its November 2016 meeting, the
Council again recommended that the same two trip limits be established:
(1) an initial 25 mt trip limit from the start of the year until catch
is within 50 mt of the catch limit and (2) a 2 mt trip limit through
the end of the year (or until fishing is closed) when the catch for the
year is within 50 mt of the catch limit.

Pacific Bluefin Tuna Catch History

While Pacific bluefin tuna catch by U.S. commercial vessels fishing
in the Convention Area exceeded 1,000 mt per year in the early 1990s,
annual catches have remained below 500 mt for more than a decade. The
U.S. commercial catch of Pacific bluefin tuna in the Convention Area
for the years 2002 to 2016 can be found in Table 1 below. The average
annual Pacific bluefin tuna catch landed by U.S. commercial vessels
fishing in the Convention Area from 2011 to 2015 represents only one
percent of the average annual landings for all fleets fishing in the
Convention Area during that period. For information on Pacific bluefin
tuna harvests in the Convention Area through 2015, see https://isc.fra.go.jp/fisheries_statistics/; for preliminary
information on Pacific bluefin tuna harvest in the Convention Area in
2016, see www.iattc.org/CatchReportsDataENG.htm.

Table 1--Annual U.S. Commercial Catch, in Metric Tons (mt), of Pacific
Bluefin Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean From 2002 to 2016
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Catch (mt)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002........................................... 62
2003........................................... 40
2004........................................... 11
2005........................................... 208
2006........................................... 2
2007........................................... 44
2008........................................... 1
2009........................................... 416
2010........................................... 1
2011........................................... 118
2012........................................... 42
2013........................................... 11
2014........................................... 408
2015........................................... 96

[[Page 5510]]

2016........................................... *343
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: Highly Migratory Species Stock Assessment and Fishery
Evaluation: www.pcouncil.org/highly-migratory-species/stock-assessment-and-fishery-evaluation-safe-documents/current-hms-safe-document/
*Preliminary estimate of 2016 Pacific bluefin tuna landed catch by
United States based on communications with California Department of
Fish and Wildlife on December 9, 2016.

Proposed Regulations for Pacific Bluefin Tuna for 2017-2018

This proposed rule would establish catch limits for U.S. commercial
vessels that catch Pacific bluefin tuna in the Convention Area for 2017
and 2018. In 2017, the catch limit for the entire U.S. fleet is 425 mt.
In 2018, NMFS will announce the catch limit in a Federal Register
notice, which will be calculated to correspond with the limits
established in Resolution C-16-08 (i.e., not to exceed 425 mt in a
year). The 2018 catch limit will be calculated as the remainder from
2017 (i.e., how much of 425 mt was not caught) added to 175 mt, except
as follows: 1) if 175 mt or less is caught in 2017, then the 2018 catch
limit is 425 mt; or 2) if greater than 425 mt is caught in 2017, then
the catch limit in 2018 will be further reduced by the amount in excess
of 425 mt (i.e., the remainder of the 600 mt limit for 2017-2018).
In each year, a 25 mt trip limit would be in effect until catch is
within 50 mt of the annual limit, at which time NMFS would impose a 2
mt trip limit through the end of the year or until fishing is closed.
NMFS will publish a notice in the Federal Register when the 2 mt trip
limit is imposed.
When NMFS determines that the catch limit is expected to be reached
in 2017 or 2018 (based on landings receipts, data submitted in
logbooks, and other available fishery information), NMFS will prohibit
commercial fishing for, or retention of, Pacific bluefin tuna for the
remainder of the calendar year. NMFS will also publish a notice in the
Federal Register announcing that the targeting, retaining,
transshipping or landing of Pacific bluefin tuna will be prohibited on
a specified effective date through the end of that calendar year. Upon
that effective date, a commercial fishing vessel of the United States
may not be used to target, retain on board, transship, or land Pacific
bluefin tuna captured in the Convention Area during the period
specified in the announcement. However, any Pacific bluefin tuna
already on board a fishing vessel on the effective date may be retained
on board, transshipped, and/or landed, to the extent authorized by
applicable laws and regulations, provided that they are landed within
14 days after the effective date. NMFS is also proposing to revise a
paragraph in the prohibitions section solely to update its reference to
another paragraph--the proposed revised Pacific bluefin tuna
regulations.

Proposed Catch Monitoring

NMFS would provide updates on Pacific bluefin tuna catches in the
Convention Area to the public via the IATTC listserv and the NMFS West
Coast Region Web site: www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/migratory_species/bluefin_tuna_harvest_status.html. NMFS would also
report preliminary estimates of Pacific bluefin tuna catch between
monthly intervals if and when total catch approaches the limits to help
participants in the U.S. commercial fishery plan for the possibility of
the catch limit being reached.

Endangered Species Act Petition

In June 2016, NMFS received a petition to list Pacific bluefin tuna
as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C.
1531 et seq. NMFS subsequently found that the petition may be warranted
and has initiated a status review (81 FR 70074, October 11, 2016). The
petition under the Endangered Species Act regarding a scientific
determination about the status of Pacific bluefin tuna is distinct from
this proposed rulemaking to restrict commercial fisheries under the
Tuna Conventions Act.

Classification

The NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that this proposed
rule is consistent with the Tuna Conventions Act and other applicable
laws.
This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
Additionally, although there are no new collection-of-information
requirements associated with this action that are subject to the
Paperwork Reduction Act, existing collection-of-information
requirements associated with the Fishery Management Plan for U.S. West
Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species (HMS FMP) still apply.
These requirements have been approved by the Office of Management and
Budget under Control Number 0648-0204. Notwithstanding any other
provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, and no
person shall be subject to penalty for failure to comply with, a
collection-of-information subject to the requirements of the PRA,
unless that collection-of-information displays a currently valid OMB
control number.
Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), 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 (SBA) that this proposed rule, if adopted, would not
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities. The rationale for the certification is provided in the
following paragraphs.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) defines a ``small
business'' (or ``small entity'') as one with annual revenue that meets
or is below an established size standard. On December 29, 2015, NMFS
issued a final rule establishing a small business size standard of $11
million in annual gross receipts for all businesses primarily engaged
in the commercial fishing industry (NAICS 11411) for Regulatory
Flexibility Act (RFA) compliance purposes only (80 FR 81194). The $11
million standard became effective on July 1, 2016, and is to be used in
place of the U.S. SBA current standards of $20.5 million, $5.5 million,
and $7.5 million for the finfish (NAICS 114111), shellfish (NAICS
114112), and other marine fishing (NAICS 114119) sectors of the U.S.
commercial fishing industry in all NMFS rules subject to the RFA after
July 1, 2016. Id. at 81194.
U.S. commercial catch of Pacific bluefin tuna from the Convention
Area is primarily made in waters off of California by the coastal
pelagic small purse seine fleet, which targets Pacific bluefin tuna
opportunistically, and other fleets (e.g., California large-mesh drift
gillnet, surface hook-and-line, west coast longline, and Hawaii's
pelagic fisheries), which catch Pacific bluefin tuna incidentally. The
small entities the proposed action would directly affect are all U.S.
commercial fishing vessels that may target (e.g., coastal pelagic purse
seine vessels) or incidentally catch (e.g., drift gillnet) Pacific
bluefin tuna in the Convention Area; however, not all vessels that have
participated in this fishery decide to do so every year. Implementation
of the annual catch limits for 2017 and 2018 in this proposed action is
not expected to result in changes in current fishery operations as the
annualized catch limit is above recent annual average catch by all
fleets

[[Page 5511]]

(average annual catch from 2006 to 2015 was 114 mt). Additionally, from
2006 to 2015, incidental landings of Pacific bluefin tuna have not
exceeded 2 mt per trip.
Revenues of coastal purse seine vessels are not expected to be
significantly altered as a result of this proposed rule. Since 2006,
the average annual revenue per vessel from all finfish fishing
activities for the U.S. purse seine fleet that have landed Pacific
bluefin tuna has been less than $11 million, whether considering an
individual vessel or per vessel average. Since 2006, in years Pacific
bluefin tuna was landed, purse seine vessels that caught Pacific
bluefin tuna had an average annual income of about $1.7 million per
vessel (based on all species landed). Annually, from 2011 to 2015, the
number of small coastal pelagic purse seine vessels that landed Pacific
bluefin tuna in the Convention Area ranged from zero to five. In 2011
and 2012, fewer than three vessels targeted Pacific bluefin tuna;
therefore, their landings and revenue are confidential. In 2013, the
coastal purse seine fishery did not land Pacific bluefin tuna. In 2014
and 2015, four and five vessels landed Pacific bluefin tuna,
respectively. In 2014, eight purse seine vessels fishing in the
Convention Area landed HMS in California, but only four of them were
involved in landing roughly 401 mt of Pacific bluefin tuna, worth about
$588,000, in west coast ports. Similarly, in 2015, 11 vessels fishing
in the Convention Area landed HMS in California, but only 5 vessels
landed approximately 86 mt of Pacific bluefin tuna, worth about
$75,000.
The revenue derived from Pacific bluefin tuna is a fraction of the
overall revenue for coastal pelagic purse seine vessels (3.9 percent
annually from 2006-2015) as they typically harvest other species,
including Pacific sardine, Pacific mackerel, squid, and anchovy. The
value of Pacific bluefin tuna in coastal pelagic purse seine fishery
from 2006-2015 is $1.31/kilogram. This amount is negligible relative to
the fleet's annual revenue resulting from other species. Prior to 2015,
the Pacific bluefin tuna fishery was not subject to trip limits. From
2006 through 2014, 62.5 percent of trips by coastal purse seine vessels
targeting Pacific bluefin tuna landed greater than 25 mt of Pacific
bluefin tuna. However, landings did not exceed 25 mt in 2015 after the
trip limits became effective on July 9, 2015. Future regulatory
discards, if any, will be negligible both in volume and value because a
vessel is likely to end fishing for Pacific bluefin tuna when the 25 mt
trip limit is met.
Since 2006, the average annual revenue per vessel from all finfish
fishing activities for the U.S. fleet with incidental landings of
Pacific bluefin tuna has been less than $11 million. These vessels
include drift gillnet, surface hook-and-line, and longline gear-types.
As stated earlier, the revenues of these vessels are also not expected
to be significantly altered by the rule. From 2011 to 2015, the number
of drift gillnet, surface hook-and-line, and longline vessels that
participated in this fishery range from 11 to 12, 1 to 50, and 1 to 8,
respectively. During these years, vessels with incidental landings
landed an annual average of 6.3 mt of Pacific bluefin tuna, worth
approximately $32,600, without exceeding 2 mt per trip. As a result, it
is anticipated that the annual and trip limits will not impact vessels
landing incidentally-caught Pacific bluefin tuna.
Pursuant to the RFA and NMFS' December 29, 2015, final rule (80 FR
81194), this certification was developed for this action using NMFS'
revised size standards. NMFS considers all entities subject to this
action to be small entities as defined by both the former, lower size
standards and the revised size standards. Because each affected vessel
is a small business, there are no disproportional affects to small
versus large entities. Based on profitability analysis above, the
proposed action, if adopted, will not have significant adverse economic
impacts on these small business entities. As a result, an Initial
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is not required, and was not prepared
for this proposed rule.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 300

Administrative practice and procedure, Fish, Fisheries, Fishing,
Marine resources, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Treaties.

Dated: January 9, 2017.
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 is
proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 300--INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES REGULATIONS

0
1. The authority citation for part 300, subpart C, continues to read as
follows:

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 951et seq.

0
2. In Sec. 300.24, revise paragraph (u) to read as follows:

Sec. 300.24 Prohibitions.

* * * * *
(u) Use a United States commercial fishing vessel in the Convention
Area to target, retain on board, transship or land Pacific bluefin tuna
in contravention of Sec. 300.25(g)(3) through (5).
* * * * *
0
4. In Sec. 300.25, revise paragraph (g) to read as follows:

Sec. 300.25 Eastern Pacific fisheries management.

* * * * *
(g) Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) commercial catch
limits in the eastern Pacific Ocean for 2017-2018. The following is
applicable to the U.S. commercial fishery for Pacific bluefin tuna in
the Convention Area in the years 2017 and 2018.
(1) For the calendar year 2017, all commercial fishing vessels of
the United States combined may capture, retain, transship, or land no
more than 425 metric tons in the Convention Area.
(2) In 2018, NMFS will publish a notice in the Federal Register
announcing the 2018 catch limit. For the calendar year 2018, all
commercial fishing vessels of the United States combined may capture,
retain on board, transship, or land no more than the 2018 annual catch
limit. The 2018 catch limit is calculated by adding any amount of the
425 metric ton catch limit that was not caught in 2017, as determined
by NMFS, to 175 metric tons, except as follows:
(i) If 175 metric tons or less are caught in 2017, as determined by
NMFS, then the 2018 catch limit is 425 metric tons; or,
(ii) If greater than 425 metric tons are caught in 2017, as
determined by NMFS, then the 2018 catch limit is calculated by
subtracting the amount caught in 2017 from 600 metric tons.
(3) In 2017 and 2018, a 25 metric ton trip limit will be in effect
until NMFS anticipates that catch will be within 50 metric tons of the
catch limit, after which a 2 metric ton trip limit will be in effect
upon publication of a notice in the Federal Register by NMFS.
(4) After NMFS determines that the catch limits under paragraphs
(g)(1) and (2) of this section are expected to be reached by a future
date, NMFS will publish a fishing closure notice in the Federal
Register announcing the effective date that targeting, retaining on
board, transshipping or landing Pacific bluefin tuna in the Convention
Area shall be prohibited as described in paragraph (g)(5) of this
section.
(5) Beginning on the date announced in the fishing closure notice
published under paragraph (g)(4) of this section through the end of the
calendar year, a commercial fishing vessel of the United

[[Page 5512]]

States may not be used to target, retain on board, transship, or land
Pacific bluefin tuna captured in the Convention Area, with the
exception that any Pacific bluefin tuna already on board a fishing
vessel on the effective date of the notice may be retained on board,
transshipped, and/or landed, to the extent authorized by applicable
laws and regulations, provided such Pacific bluefin tuna is landed
within 14 days after the effective date published in the fishing
closure notice.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2017-00623 Filed 1-13-17; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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