Pacific Island Fisheries; 2017 Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures, 58129-58132 [2017-26624]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 236 / Monday, December 11, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 58129 SUBSTITUTES THAT ARE ACCEPTABLE SUBJECT TO USE CONDITIONS End-use Substitute Decision Use conditions Further information Isobutane (R600a) Propane (R290) R-41A. Household refrigerators, freezers, and combination refrigerators and freezers (New equipment only). Acceptable subject to use conditions. As of March 12, 2018: 9 These refrigerants may be used only in new equipment designed specifically and clearly identified for the refrigerant (i.e., none of these substitutes may be used as a conversion or ‘‘retrofit’’ refrigerant for existing equipment designed for a different refrigerant). These refrigerants may be used only in a refrigerator or freezer, or combination refrigerator and freezer, that meets all requirements listed in the 2nd edition of the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Standard for Safety: Household and Similar Electrical Appliances—Safety—Part 2–24: Particular Requirements for Refrigerating Appliances, Ice-Cream Appliances and Ice-Makers, UL 60335–2–24, dated April 28, 2017. Applicable OSHA requirements at 29 CFR part 1910 must be followed, including those at 29 CFR 1910.106 (flammable and combustible liquids), 1910.110 (storage and handling of liquefied petroleum gases), 1910.157 (portable fire extinguishers), and 1910.1000 (toxic and hazardous substances).Proper ventilation should be maintained at all times during the manufacture and storage of equipment containing hydrocarbon refrigerants through adherence to good manufacturing practices as per 29 CFR 1910.106. If refrigerant levels in the air surrounding the equipment rise above onefourth of the lower flammability limit, the space should be evacuated and re-entry should occur only after the space has been properly ventilated. Technicians and equipment manufacturers should wear appropriate personal protective equipment, including chemical goggles and protective gloves, when handling these refrigerants. Special care should be taken to avoid contact with the skin since these refrigerants, like many refrigerants, can cause freeze burns on the skin. A Class B dry powder type fire extinguisher should be kept nearby. Technicians should only use spark-proof tools when working on refrigerators and freezers with these refrigerants. Any recovery equipment used should be designed for flammable refrigerants. Any refrigerant releases should be in a well-ventilated area, such as outside of a building. Only technicians specifically trained in handling flammable refrigerants should service refrigerators and freezers containing these refrigerants. Technicians should gain an understanding of minimizing the risk of fire and the steps to use flammable refrigerants safely. * * * * * * * Note: The use conditions in this appendix contain references to certain standards from Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL). The standards are incorporated by reference, and the referenced sections are made part of the regulations in part 82: 1. UL 471. Commercial Refrigerators and Freezers. 10th edition. Supplement SB: Requirements for Refrigerators and Freezers Employing a Flammable Refrigerant in the Refrigerating System. Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. November 24, 2010. 2. UL 484. Room Air Conditioners. 8th edition. Supplement SA: Requirements for Room Air Conditioners Employing a Flammable Refrigerant in the Refrigerating System and Appendices B through F. December 21, 2007, with changes through August 3, 2012. 3. UL 541. Refrigerated Vending Machines. 7th edition. Supplement SA: Requirements for Refrigerated Venders Employing a Flammable Refrigerant in the Refrigerating System. December 30, 2011 4. UL Standard 60335–2–24. Standard for Safety: Requirements for Household and Similar Electrical Appliances,—Safety—Part 2–24: Particular Requirements for Refrigerating Appliances, Ice-Cream Appliances and Ice-Makers, Second edition, dated April 28, 2017. The Director of the Federal Register approves the incorporation by reference of the material under ‘‘Use Conditions’’ in the table ‘‘SUBSTITUTES THAT ARE ACCEPTABLE SUBJECT TO USE CONDITIONS’’ (5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51). Copies of UL Standards 60335–2–24, 471, 484, and 541 may be purchased by mail at: COMM 2000, 151 Eastern Avenue, Bensenville, IL 60106; Email: orders@shopulstandards.com; Telephone: 1–888–853–3503 in the U.S. or Canada (other countries dial 1–415–352–2178); Internet address: https://www.shopulstandards.com/Catalog.aspx. You may inspect a copy at U.S. EPA’s Air Docket; EPA West Building, Room 3334; 1301 Constitution Ave. NW.; Washington, DC or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For questions regarding access to these standards, the telephone number of EPA’S Air Docket is 202–566–1742. For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. * * * * * DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [FR Doc. 2017–26085 Filed 12–8–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P 50 CFR Part 665 [Docket No. 170120106–7999–01] RIN 0648–XF186 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES 9 Prior to this date, manufacturers of new household refrigerants and freezers must comply with the use conditions in EPA’s previous hydrocarbon refrigerants rules (76 FR 78832, December 20, 2011; 80 FR 19454, April 10, 2015), codified at 40 CFR part 82, Appendix R to subpart G, which include a charge limit of 57 grams for each separate refrigerant circuit and a requirement to meet Supplement SA to the UL 250 Standard, 10th edition, for household refrigerators and freezers. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:23 Dec 08, 2017 Jkt 244001 Pacific Island Fisheries; 2017 Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce. ACTION: Final specifications. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 In this final rule, NMFS specifies annual catch limits (ACLs) for Pacific Island crustacean, precious coral, and territorial bottomfish fisheries, and accountability measures (AMs) to correct or mitigate any overages of catch limits. The ACLs and AMs will be effective for fishing year 2017. Although the 2017 fishing year has nearly ended for most stocks, we will evaluate 2017 catches against these final ACLs when data become available in mid-2018. The proposed ACLs and AMs support the long-term sustainability of fishery resources of the U.S. Pacific Islands. DATES: The final specifications are effective January 10, 2018. The final specifications are applicable from January 1, 2017, through December 31, SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\11DER1.SGM 11DER1 58130 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 236 / Monday, December 11, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 2017, except for precious coral fisheries, which are applicable from July 1, 2017, through June 30, 2018. ADDRESSES: Copies of the Fishery Ecosystem Plans for the Hawaiian Archipelago, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands are available from the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, tel 808–522–8220, fax 808–522– 8226, or www.wpcouncil.org. Copies of the environmental analyses and other supporting documents for this action, identified by NOAA–NMFS–2017–0012, are available at https://www.regulations. gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS2017-0012, or from Michael D. Tosatto, Regional Administrator, NMFS Pacific Islands Region (PIR), 1845 Wasp Blvd. Bldg. 176, Honolulu, HI 96818. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Ellgen, NMFS PIR Sustainable Fisheries, 808–725–5173. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS is specifying ACLs and AMs for the crustacean and precious corals MUS in American Samoa, Guam, the CNMI, and Hawaii, and the bottomfish MUS in American Samoa, Guam, and the CNMI for fishing year 2017. NMFS proposed these specifications on October 30, 2017 (82 FR 50112), and the final specifications do not differ from those proposed. The 2017 fishing year began on January 1 and ended on December 31, except for precious coral fisheries, which began on July 1, 2017, and ends on June 30, 2018. The final 2017 ACLs and AMs are identical to those that NMFS specified for 2016 (82 FR 18716, April 21, 2017). The 2017 ACL for CNMI slipper lobsters is identical to the 2016 ACL, even though 2016 fishery data indicate that catch exceeded the 2016 ACL. For these lobsters, there is no estimate of the overfishing limit or maximum sustainable yield. Prior to 2016, there were only three years (2007–2009) of available catch information, so in 2014, the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee recommended a proxy for calculating the ACL for CNMI slipper lobsters. Using a catch-to-habitat proxy with data from the Hawaii slipper lobster fishery (the only area that has specifically documented harvesting of slipper lobsters) the Council recommended setting an ACL for CNMI slipper lobsters in 2016–2018 at the allowable biological catch (60 lb). At its June 2017 meeting, the Council reviewed the 2016 CNMI slipper lobster catch and noted that the 304 lb reported catch, combined with zero reported catch in the previous two years, resulted in a three-year average catch of 101 lb, which exceeded the ACL. The Council determined that the increase in reported catch was due to the Territory Science Initiative (a pilot program to improve commercial vendor reporting in the CNMI) and the associated improvements in catch reporting, not due to actual increase in harvest. The Council also concluded that, based on current stock data, the overage was not likely to have had an impact on stock sustainability or result in overfishing. The Council concluded that applying the 2016 AM (which would have reduced the 2017 ACL by the amount of the overage) was not necessary and, instead, recommended maintaining the 2017 CNMI slipper lobster ACL at 60 lb. The three-year average catch of the other fisheries identified in this action did not exceed their respective ACLs. In this action, NMFS is not specifying 2017 ACLs for Hawaii Kona crab and Hawaii non-Deep 7 bottomfish, or coral reef ecosystem MUS in any island area. This is because NMFS has new information that requires additional environmental analyses to support the Council’s ACL recommendations for those MUS. NMFS may propose those ACL specifications in a separate action(s). In addition, NMFS has already specified the 2017–2018 ACL and AM for Hawaii Deep 7 bottomfish (82 FR 29778, June 30, 2017). NMFS is also not specifying ACLs for MUS that are currently subject to Federal fishing moratoria or prohibitions. They include all species of gold coral (78 FR 32181, May 29, 2013), the three Hawaii seamount groundfish, that is pelagic armorhead, alfonsin, and raftfish (75 FR 69015, November 10, 2010), and all species of deep-water precious corals at the Westpac Bed Refugia (75 FR 2198, January 14, 2010). The current prohibitions on fishing for these MUS serve as a functional equivalent of an ACL of zero. Additionally, NMFS is not specifying ACLs for bottomfish, crustacean, precious coral, or coral reef ecosystem MUS identified in the Pacific Remote Islands Area (PRIA) FEP. This is because fishing is prohibited in the EEZ within 12 nm of emergent land, unless authorized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), pending the USFWS sending NMFS fishery data during consultation with NMFS and the Council (78 FR 32996, June 3, 2013). To date, NMFS has not received fishery data that would support any such approvals. There is also no suitable habitat for these stocks beyond the 12nm no-fishing zone, except at Kingman Reef, where fishing for these resources does not occur. Therefore, the current prohibitions on fishing serve as the functional equivalent of an ACL of zero. However, NMFS will continue to monitor authorized fishing within the PRIA Monument in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and may develop additional fishing requirements, including monumentspecific catch limits for species that may require them. NMFS is not specifying ACLs for pelagic MUS because we previously determined that pelagic species are subject to international fishery agreements or have a life cycle of approximately one year and, therefore, have statutory exceptions to the ACL requirements. In addition, NMFS specified the 2017–2018 ACL and AM for Hawaii Deep 7 bottomfish earlier this year (82 FR 29778, June 30, 2017). 2017 Annual Catch Limits Tables 1–4 specify the 2017 ACLs. TABLE 1—AMERICAN SAMOA Proposed ACL specification (lb) sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES Fishery Management unit species Bottomfish ................................................. Crustacean ............................................... Bottomfish multi-species stock complex .................................................................... Deepwater shrimp ...................................................................................................... Spiny lobster ............................................................................................................... Slipper lobster ............................................................................................................ Kona crab ................................................................................................................... Black coral .................................................................................................................. Precious corals in the American Samoa Exploratory Area ....................................... Precious Coral .......................................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:23 Dec 08, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\11DER1.SGM 11DER1 106,000 80,000 4,845 30 3,200 790 2,205 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 236 / Monday, December 11, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 58131 TABLE 2—GUAM Proposed ACL specification (lb) Fishery Management unit species Bottomfish ................................................. Crustaceans .............................................. Bottomfish multi-species stock complex .................................................................... Deepwater shrimp ...................................................................................................... Spiny lobster ............................................................................................................... Slipper lobster ............................................................................................................ Kona crab ................................................................................................................... Black coral .................................................................................................................. Precious corals in the Guam Exploratory Area ......................................................... Precious Coral .......................................... 66,000 48,488 3,135 20 1,900 700 2,205 TABLE 3—CNMI Proposed ACL specification (lb) Fishery Management unit species Bottomfish ................................................. Crustacean ............................................... Bottomfish multi-species stock complex .................................................................... Deepwater shrimp ...................................................................................................... Spiny lobster ............................................................................................................... Slipper lobster ............................................................................................................ Kona crab ................................................................................................................... Black coral .................................................................................................................. Precious corals in the CNMI Exploratory Area .......................................................... Precious Coral .......................................... 228,000 275,570 7,410 60 6,300 2,100 2,205 TABLE 4—HAWAII Proposed ACL specification (lb) Fishery Management unit species Crustacean ............................................... Deepwater shrimp ...................................................................................................... Spiny lobster ............................................................................................................... Slipper lobster ............................................................................................................ Auau Channel black coral .......................................................................................... Makapuu Bed—Pink coral .......................................................................................... Makapuu Bed—Bamboo coral ................................................................................... 180 Fathom Bank—Pink coral ................................................................................... 180 Fathom Bank—Bamboo coral ............................................................................. Brooks Bank—Pink coral ........................................................................................... Brooks Bank—Bamboo coral ..................................................................................... Kaena Point Bed—Pink coral ..................................................................................... Kaena Point Bed—Bamboo coral .............................................................................. Keahole Bed—Pink coral ........................................................................................... Keahole Bed—Bamboo coral ..................................................................................... Precious corals in the Hawaii Exploratory Area ........................................................ Precious Coral .......................................... sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES Accountability Measures Federal logbook entries and required catch reporting from fisheries in Federal waters are not sufficient to monitor and track catches towards the ACL specifications accurately. This is because most fishing for bottomfish, crustacean, precious coral, and coral reef ecosystem MUS occurs in state waters, generally 0–3 nm from shore. For these reasons, NMFS will apply a moving 3-year average catch to evaluate fishery performance against the ACLs. Specifically, NMFS and the Council will use the average catch during fishing year 2015, 2016, and 2017 to evaluate fishery performance against the appropriate 2017 ACL. At the end of each fishing year, the Council will review catches relative to each ACL. If VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:23 Dec 08, 2017 Jkt 244001 NMFS and the Council determine that the three-year average catch for the fishery exceeds the specified ACL, NMFS and the Council will reduce the ACL for that fishery by the amount of the overage in 2018. You may review additional background information on this action in the preamble to the proposed specifications (82 FR 50112; October 30, 2017); we do not repeat that information here. Comments and Responses The comment period for the proposed specifications ended on November 14, 2017. NMFS received no public comments. NMFS specifically invited public comments addressing the impact, if any, of the proposed specifications on PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 250,773 15,000 280 5,512 2,205 551 489 123 979 245 148 37 148 37 2,205 cultural fishing practices in American Samoa. NMFS received no comments for these specifications regarding cultural fishing practices or impacts to such fishing practices in American Samoa. NMFS has no information that these ACLs and AMs will have any impact on American Samoa cultural fishing practices. Changes From the Proposed Specifications There are no changes in the final specifications from the proposed specifications. Classification The Regional Administrator, NMFS PIR, determined that this action is necessary for the conservation and management of Pacific Island fisheries, E:\FR\FM\11DER1.SGM 11DER1 58132 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 236 / Monday, December 11, 2017 / Rules and Regulations sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES and that it is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and other applicable laws. The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration during the proposed rule stage that this action would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:23 Dec 08, 2017 Jkt 244001 entities. NMFS published the factual basis for certification in the proposed specifications, and does not repeat it here. NMFS did not receive comments regarding the certification and has no reason to think that anything has changed to affect it. As a result, a final regulatory flexibility analysis is not required, and one was not prepared. This action is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: December 6, 2017. Alan D. Risenhoover, Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017–26624 Filed 12–8–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\11DER1.SGM 11DER1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 236 (Monday, December 11, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58129-58132]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26624]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 665

[Docket No. 170120106-7999-01]
RIN 0648-XF186


Pacific Island Fisheries; 2017 Annual Catch Limits and 
Accountability Measures

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

ACTION: Final specifications.

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

SUMMARY: In this final rule, NMFS specifies annual catch limits (ACLs) 
for Pacific Island crustacean, precious coral, and territorial 
bottomfish fisheries, and accountability measures (AMs) to correct or 
mitigate any overages of catch limits. The ACLs and AMs will be 
effective for fishing year 2017. Although the 2017 fishing year has 
nearly ended for most stocks, we will evaluate 2017 catches against 
these final ACLs when data become available in mid-2018. The proposed 
ACLs and AMs support the long-term sustainability of fishery resources 
of the U.S. Pacific Islands.

DATES: The final specifications are effective January 10, 2018. The 
final specifications are applicable from January 1, 2017, through 
December 31,

[[Page 58130]]

2017, except for precious coral fisheries, which are applicable from 
July 1, 2017, through June 30, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Fishery Ecosystem Plans for the Hawaiian 
Archipelago, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands are 
available from the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council 
(Council), 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, tel 808-
522-8220, fax 808-522-8226, or www.wpcouncil.org. Copies of the 
environmental analyses and other supporting documents for this action, 
identified by NOAA-NMFS-2017-0012, are available at https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-0012, or from 
Michael D. Tosatto, Regional Administrator, NMFS Pacific Islands Region 
(PIR), 1845 Wasp Blvd. Bldg. 176, Honolulu, HI 96818.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Ellgen, NMFS PIR Sustainable 
Fisheries, 808-725-5173.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS is specifying ACLs and AMs for the 
crustacean and precious corals MUS in American Samoa, Guam, the CNMI, 
and Hawaii, and the bottomfish MUS in American Samoa, Guam, and the 
CNMI for fishing year 2017. NMFS proposed these specifications on 
October 30, 2017 (82 FR 50112), and the final specifications do not 
differ from those proposed. The 2017 fishing year began on January 1 
and ended on December 31, except for precious coral fisheries, which 
began on July 1, 2017, and ends on June 30, 2018. The final 2017 ACLs 
and AMs are identical to those that NMFS specified for 2016 (82 FR 
18716, April 21, 2017).
    The 2017 ACL for CNMI slipper lobsters is identical to the 2016 
ACL, even though 2016 fishery data indicate that catch exceeded the 
2016 ACL. For these lobsters, there is no estimate of the overfishing 
limit or maximum sustainable yield. Prior to 2016, there were only 
three years (2007-2009) of available catch information, so in 2014, the 
Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee recommended a proxy for 
calculating the ACL for CNMI slipper lobsters. Using a catch-to-habitat 
proxy with data from the Hawaii slipper lobster fishery (the only area 
that has specifically documented harvesting of slipper lobsters) the 
Council recommended setting an ACL for CNMI slipper lobsters in 2016-
2018 at the allowable biological catch (60 lb). At its June 2017 
meeting, the Council reviewed the 2016 CNMI slipper lobster catch and 
noted that the 304 lb reported catch, combined with zero reported catch 
in the previous two years, resulted in a three-year average catch of 
101 lb, which exceeded the ACL. The Council determined that the 
increase in reported catch was due to the Territory Science Initiative 
(a pilot program to improve commercial vendor reporting in the CNMI) 
and the associated improvements in catch reporting, not due to actual 
increase in harvest. The Council also concluded that, based on current 
stock data, the overage was not likely to have had an impact on stock 
sustainability or result in overfishing. The Council concluded that 
applying the 2016 AM (which would have reduced the 2017 ACL by the 
amount of the overage) was not necessary and, instead, recommended 
maintaining the 2017 CNMI slipper lobster ACL at 60 lb. The three-year 
average catch of the other fisheries identified in this action did not 
exceed their respective ACLs.
    In this action, NMFS is not specifying 2017 ACLs for Hawaii Kona 
crab and Hawaii non-Deep 7 bottomfish, or coral reef ecosystem MUS in 
any island area. This is because NMFS has new information that requires 
additional environmental analyses to support the Council's ACL 
recommendations for those MUS. NMFS may propose those ACL 
specifications in a separate action(s). In addition, NMFS has already 
specified the 2017-2018 ACL and AM for Hawaii Deep 7 bottomfish (82 FR 
29778, June 30, 2017).
    NMFS is also not specifying ACLs for MUS that are currently subject 
to Federal fishing moratoria or prohibitions. They include all species 
of gold coral (78 FR 32181, May 29, 2013), the three Hawaii seamount 
groundfish, that is pelagic armorhead, alfonsin, and raftfish (75 FR 
69015, November 10, 2010), and all species of deep-water precious 
corals at the Westpac Bed Refugia (75 FR 2198, January 14, 2010). The 
current prohibitions on fishing for these MUS serve as a functional 
equivalent of an ACL of zero.
    Additionally, NMFS is not specifying ACLs for bottomfish, 
crustacean, precious coral, or coral reef ecosystem MUS identified in 
the Pacific Remote Islands Area (PRIA) FEP. This is because fishing is 
prohibited in the EEZ within 12 nm of emergent land, unless authorized 
by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), pending the USFWS 
sending NMFS fishery data during consultation with NMFS and the Council 
(78 FR 32996, June 3, 2013). To date, NMFS has not received fishery 
data that would support any such approvals. There is also no suitable 
habitat for these stocks beyond the 12-nm no-fishing zone, except at 
Kingman Reef, where fishing for these resources does not occur. 
Therefore, the current prohibitions on fishing serve as the functional 
equivalent of an ACL of zero. However, NMFS will continue to monitor 
authorized fishing within the PRIA Monument in consultation with the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and may develop additional fishing 
requirements, including monument-specific catch limits for species that 
may require them.
    NMFS is not specifying ACLs for pelagic MUS because we previously 
determined that pelagic species are subject to international fishery 
agreements or have a life cycle of approximately one year and, 
therefore, have statutory exceptions to the ACL requirements. In 
addition, NMFS specified the 2017-2018 ACL and AM for Hawaii Deep 7 
bottomfish earlier this year (82 FR 29778, June 30, 2017).

2017 Annual Catch Limits

    Tables 1-4 specify the 2017 ACLs.

                         Table 1--American Samoa
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Proposed ACL
            Fishery                  Management unit      specification
                                         species               (lb)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bottomfish.....................  Bottomfish multi-               106,000
                                  species stock complex.
Crustacean.....................  Deepwater shrimp......           80,000
                                 Spiny lobster.........            4,845
                                 Slipper lobster.......               30
                                 Kona crab.............            3,200
Precious Coral.................  Black coral...........              790
                                 Precious corals in the            2,205
                                  American Samoa
                                  Exploratory Area.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 58131]]


                              Table 2--Guam
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Proposed ACL
            Fishery                  Management unit      specification
                                         species               (lb)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bottomfish.....................  Bottomfish multi-                66,000
                                  species stock complex.
Crustaceans....................  Deepwater shrimp......           48,488
                                 Spiny lobster.........            3,135
                                 Slipper lobster.......               20
                                 Kona crab.............            1,900
Precious Coral.................  Black coral...........              700
                                 Precious corals in the            2,205
                                  Guam Exploratory Area.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                              Table 3--CNMI
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Proposed ACL
            Fishery                  Management unit      specification
                                         species               (lb)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bottomfish.....................  Bottomfish multi-               228,000
                                  species stock complex.
Crustacean.....................  Deepwater shrimp......          275,570
                                 Spiny lobster.........            7,410
                                 Slipper lobster.......               60
                                 Kona crab.............            6,300
Precious Coral.................  Black coral...........            2,100
                                 Precious corals in the            2,205
                                  CNMI Exploratory Area.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                             Table 4--Hawaii
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Proposed ACL
            Fishery                  Management unit      specification
                                         species               (lb)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crustacean.....................  Deepwater shrimp......          250,773
                                 Spiny lobster.........           15,000
                                 Slipper lobster.......              280
Precious Coral.................  Auau Channel black                5,512
                                  coral.
                                 Makapuu Bed--Pink                 2,205
                                  coral.
                                 Makapuu Bed--Bamboo                 551
                                  coral.
                                 180 Fathom Bank--Pink               489
                                  coral.
                                 180 Fathom Bank--                   123
                                  Bamboo coral.
                                 Brooks Bank--Pink                   979
                                  coral.
                                 Brooks Bank--Bamboo                 245
                                  coral.
                                 Kaena Point Bed--Pink               148
                                  coral.
                                 Kaena Point Bed--                    37
                                  Bamboo coral.
                                 Keahole Bed--Pink                   148
                                  coral.
                                 Keahole Bed--Bamboo                  37
                                  coral.
                                 Precious corals in the            2,205
                                  Hawaii Exploratory
                                  Area.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Accountability Measures

    Federal logbook entries and required catch reporting from fisheries 
in Federal waters are not sufficient to monitor and track catches 
towards the ACL specifications accurately. This is because most fishing 
for bottomfish, crustacean, precious coral, and coral reef ecosystem 
MUS occurs in state waters, generally 0-3 nm from shore. For these 
reasons, NMFS will apply a moving 3-year average catch to evaluate 
fishery performance against the ACLs. Specifically, NMFS and the 
Council will use the average catch during fishing year 2015, 2016, and 
2017 to evaluate fishery performance against the appropriate 2017 ACL. 
At the end of each fishing year, the Council will review catches 
relative to each ACL. If NMFS and the Council determine that the three-
year average catch for the fishery exceeds the specified ACL, NMFS and 
the Council will reduce the ACL for that fishery by the amount of the 
overage in 2018.
    You may review additional background information on this action in 
the preamble to the proposed specifications (82 FR 50112; October 30, 
2017); we do not repeat that information here.

Comments and Responses

    The comment period for the proposed specifications ended on 
November 14, 2017. NMFS received no public comments. NMFS specifically 
invited public comments addressing the impact, if any, of the proposed 
specifications on cultural fishing practices in American Samoa. NMFS 
received no comments for these specifications regarding cultural 
fishing practices or impacts to such fishing practices in American 
Samoa. NMFS has no information that these ACLs and AMs will have any 
impact on American Samoa cultural fishing practices.

Changes From the Proposed Specifications

    There are no changes in the final specifications from the proposed 
specifications.

Classification

    The Regional Administrator, NMFS PIR, determined that this action 
is necessary for the conservation and management of Pacific Island 
fisheries,

[[Page 58132]]

and that it is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act and other applicable laws.
    The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce 
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration during the proposed rule stage that this action would 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. NMFS published the factual basis for certification in the 
proposed specifications, and does not repeat it here. NMFS did not 
receive comments regarding the certification and has no reason to think 
that anything has changed to affect it. As a result, a final regulatory 
flexibility analysis is not required, and one was not prepared.
    This action is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: December 6, 2017.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-26624 Filed 12-8-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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