Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; North Pacific Halibut and Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota Cost Recovery Programs, 60379-60382 [2017-27336]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 243 / Wednesday, December 20, 2017 / Notices included a thorough evaluation of the potential range of environmental effects that could result from the various restoration approaches and techniques analyzed in the PDARP; (2) the analysis of the environmental consequences of those approaches and techniques in the PDARP remains valid; (3) the effects of the restoration approaches and techniques, including the project selected for further planning and environmental review, evaluated in this SRP/EA are within the range of impacts evaluated in the PDARP; and (4) any new information regarding the environmental consequences of the restoration approaches and techniques, including the projects selected for further planning and environmental review, evaluated within this SRP/EA are within the range of and consistent with the environmental impacts identified and analyzed within the PDARP. Next Steps The public is encouraged to review and comment on the Draft SRP/EA. A public meeting has been scheduled to also help facilitate the public review and comment process. After the public comment period ends, the Louisiana TIG will consider the comments received before issuing a Final SRP/EA. A summary of comments received and the Louisiana TIG’s responses and any revisions to the document, as appropriate, will be included in the final document. Administrative Record The documents comprising the Administrative Record for the Draft SRP/EA can be viewed electronically at https://www.doi.gov/deepwaterhorizon/ adminrecord. Authority The authority for this action is OPA (33 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.), the OPA NRDA regulations at 15 CFR part 990, and NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES Dated: December 14, 2017. Carrie Selberg, Deputy Director, Office of Habitat Conservation, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017–27295 Filed 12–19–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:36 Dec 19, 2017 Jkt 244001 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XF877 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; North Pacific Halibut and Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota Cost Recovery Programs National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of standard prices and fee percentage. AGENCY: NMFS publishes the individual fishing quota (IFQ) standard prices and fee percentage for cost recovery for the IFQ Program for the halibut and sablefish fisheries of the North Pacific (IFQ Program). The fee percentage for 2017 is 2.2 percent. This action is intended to provide holders of halibut and sablefish IFQ permits with the 2017 standard prices and fee percentage to calculate the required payment for IFQ cost recovery fees due by January 31, 2018. DATES: Valid on December 20, 2017. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carl Greene, Fee Coordinator, 907–586–7105. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Background NMFS Alaska Region administers the IFQ Program in the North Pacific. The IFQ Program is a limited access system authorized by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) and the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982. Fishing under the IFQ Program began in March 1995. Regulations implementing the IFQ Program are set forth at 50 CFR part 679. In 1996, the Magnuson-Stevens Act was amended to, among other purposes, require the Secretary of Commerce to ‘‘collect a fee to recover the actual costs directly related to the management and enforcement of any . . . individual quota program.’’ This requirement was further amended in 2006 to include collection of the actual costs of data collection, and to replace the reference to ‘‘individual quota program’’ with a more general reference to ‘‘limited access privilege program’’ at section 304(d)(2)(A). Section 304(d)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act also specifies an upper limit on these fees, when the fees must be collected, and where the fees must be deposited. On March 20, 2000, NMFS published regulations in § 679.45 implementing PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 60379 cost recovery for the IFQ Program (65 FR 14919). Under the regulations, an IFQ permit holder must pay a cost recovery fee for every pound of IFQ halibut and IFQ sablefish that is landed on his or her IFQ permit(s). The IFQ permit holder is responsible for selfcollecting the fee for all IFQ halibut and IFQ sablefish landings on his or her permit(s). The IFQ permit holder is also responsible for submitting IFQ fee payment(s) to NMFS on or before the due date of January 31 of the year following the year in which the IFQ landings were made. The total dollar amount of the fee due is determined by multiplying the NMFS published fee percentage by the ex-vessel value of all IFQ landings made on the permit(s) during the IFQ fishing year. As required by § 679.45(d)(1) and (d)(3)(i), NMFS publishes this notice of the fee percentage for the halibut and sablefish IFQ fisheries in the Federal Register during or before the last quarter of each year. Standard Prices The fee is based on the sum of all payments made to fishermen for the sale of the fish during the year. This includes any retro-payments (e.g., bonuses, delayed partial payments, post-season payments) made to the IFQ permit holder for previously landed IFQ halibut or sablefish. For purposes of calculating IFQ cost recovery fees, NMFS distinguishes between two types of ex-vessel value: Actual and standard. Actual ex-vessel value is the amount of all compensation, monetary or non-monetary, that an IFQ permit holder received as payment for his or her IFQ fish sold. Standard exvessel value is the default value used to calculate the fee. IFQ permit holders have the option of using actual ex-vessel value if they can satisfactorily document it; otherwise, the standard ex-vessel value is used. Section 679.45(b)(3)(iii) requires the Regional Administrator to publish IFQ standard prices during the last quarter of each calendar year. These standard prices are used, along with estimates of IFQ halibut and IFQ sablefish landings, to calculate standard ex-vessel values. The standard prices are described in U.S. dollars per IFQ equivalent pound for IFQ halibut and IFQ sablefish landings made during the year. According to § 679.2, IFQ equivalent pound(s) means the weight amount, recorded in pounds, and calculated as round weight for sablefish and headed and gutted weight for halibut, for an IFQ landing. The weight of halibut in pounds landed as guided angler fish is converted to IFQ equivalent pound(s) as E:\FR\FM\20DEN1.SGM 20DEN1 60380 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 243 / Wednesday, December 20, 2017 / Notices specified in § 300.65(c) of this title. NMFS calculates the standard prices to closely reflect the variations in the actual ex-vessel values of IFQ halibut and IFQ sablefish landings by month and port or port-group. The standard prices for IFQ halibut and IFQ sablefish are listed in the tables that follow the next section. Data from ports are combined as necessary to protect confidentiality. Fee Percentage NMFS calculates the fee percentage each year according to the factors and methods described at § 679.45(d)(2). NMFS determines the fee percentage that applies to landings made in the previous year by dividing the total costs directly related to the management, data collection, and enforcement of the IFQ Program (management costs) during the previous year by the total standard exvessel value of IFQ halibut and IFQ sablefish landings made during the previous year (fishery value). NMFS captures the actual management costs associated with certain management, data collection, and enforcement functions through an established accounting system that allows staff to track labor, travel, contracts, rent, and procurement. NMFS calculates the fishery value as described under the section, Standard Prices. Using the fee percentage formula described above, the estimated percentage of management costs to fishery value for the 2017 calendar year is 2.2 percent of the standard ex-vessel value, which is below the 3.0 maximum fee percentage allowed under section 304(d)(2)(B) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. An IFQ permit holder is to use the fee percentage of 2.2 percent to calculate his or her fee for IFQ equivalent pound(s) landed during the 2017 halibut and sablefish IFQ fishing season. An IFQ permit holder is responsible for submitting the 2017 IFQ fee payment to NMFS on or before January 31, 2018. Payment must be made in accordance with the payment methods set forth in § 679.45(a)(4). NMFS no longer accepts credit card information by phone or inperson for fee payments. NMFS has determined that the practice of accepting credit card information by phone or in-person no longer meets agency standards for protection of personal financial information (81 FR 23645, April 22, 2016). The 2017 fee percentage of 2.2 percent is lower than the 2016 fee percentage of 3.1 percent, which was capped at 3.0 percent (81 FR 89900, December 13, 2016). The change can be attributed to an estimated 9.8 percent increase in the value of the IFQ Program fisheries from 2016 to 2017, along with a corresponding 21.2% drop in management costs over the same period. TABLE 1—REGISTERED BUYER STANDARD EX-VESSEL PRICES BY LANDING LOCATION FOR THE 2017 IFQ SEASON 1 Landing location Period ending Halibut standard ex-vessel price Sablefish standard ex-vessel price Homer ........................................................................... March 31 ....................................................................... April 30 ......................................................................... May 31 .......................................................................... June 30 ......................................................................... July 31 .......................................................................... August 31 ..................................................................... September 30 ............................................................... October 31 .................................................................... November 30 ................................................................ March 31 ....................................................................... April 30 ......................................................................... May 31 .......................................................................... June 30 ......................................................................... July 31 .......................................................................... August 31 ..................................................................... September 30 ............................................................... October 31 .................................................................... November 30 ................................................................ March 31 ....................................................................... April 30 ......................................................................... May 31 .......................................................................... June 30 ......................................................................... July 31 .......................................................................... August 31 ..................................................................... September 30 ............................................................... October 31 .................................................................... November 30 ................................................................ March 31 ....................................................................... April 30 ......................................................................... May 31 .......................................................................... June 30 ......................................................................... July 31 .......................................................................... August 31 ..................................................................... September 30 ............................................................... October 31 .................................................................... November 30 ................................................................ March 31 ....................................................................... April 30 ......................................................................... May 31 .......................................................................... June 30 ......................................................................... July 31 .......................................................................... August 31 ..................................................................... ........................ 6.49 6.58 6.52 6.60 6.40 5.91 5.91 5.91 ........................ 6.71 6.57 6.59 6.53 6.49 6.63 6.63 6.63 6.53 6.44 6.51 6.41 6.30 6.14 5.88 5.88 5.88 ........................ 6.64 ........................ 6.53 ........................ 6.69 ........................ ........................ ........................ 6.75 6.48 ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ 4.38 4.51 ........................ 4.52 ........................ 5.00 5.00 5.00 ........................ ........................ 4.93 ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ 4.59 4.53 4.75 5.10 4.94 5.13 5.13 5.13 ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ Ketchikan ...................................................................... Kodiak ........................................................................... sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES Petersburg .................................................................... Seward .......................................................................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:36 Dec 19, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\20DEN1.SGM 20DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 243 / Wednesday, December 20, 2017 / Notices 60381 TABLE 1—REGISTERED BUYER STANDARD EX-VESSEL PRICES BY LANDING LOCATION FOR THE 2017 IFQ SEASON 1— Continued Period ending Halibut standard ex-vessel price Sablefish standard ex-vessel price September 30 ............................................................... October 31 .................................................................... November 30 ................................................................ Sitka .............................................................................. March 31 ....................................................................... April 30 ......................................................................... May 31 .......................................................................... June 30 ......................................................................... July 31 .......................................................................... August 31 ..................................................................... September 30 ............................................................... October 31 .................................................................... November 30 ................................................................ March 31 ....................................................................... April 30 ......................................................................... May 31 .......................................................................... June 30 ......................................................................... July 31 .......................................................................... August 31 ..................................................................... September 30 ............................................................... October 31 .................................................................... November 30 ................................................................ March 31 ....................................................................... April 30 ......................................................................... May 31 .......................................................................... June 30 ......................................................................... July 31 .......................................................................... August 31 ..................................................................... September 30 ............................................................... October 31 .................................................................... November 30 ................................................................ March 31 ....................................................................... April 30 ......................................................................... May 31 .......................................................................... June 30 ......................................................................... July 31 .......................................................................... August 31 ..................................................................... September 30 ............................................................... October 31 .................................................................... November 30 ................................................................ March 31 ....................................................................... April 30 ......................................................................... May 31 .......................................................................... June 30 ......................................................................... July 31 .......................................................................... August 31 ..................................................................... September 30 ............................................................... October 31 .................................................................... November 30 ................................................................ March 31 ....................................................................... April 30 ......................................................................... May 31 .......................................................................... June 30 ......................................................................... July 31 .......................................................................... August 31 ..................................................................... September 30 ............................................................... October 31 .................................................................... November 30 ................................................................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ 6.57 ........................ 6.55 ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ 5.71 6.04 6.15 5.96 5.73 5.94 5.94 5.94 6.66 6.45 6.49 6.46 6.46 6.33 5.96 5.96 5.96 6.77 6.57 6.52 6.54 6.58 6.64 6.46 6.46 6.46 6.72 6.48 6.47 6.44 6.34 6.24 6.08 6.08 6.08 6.72 6.48 6.47 6.44 6.34 6.24 6.08 6.08 6.08 ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ 5.21 ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ 3.93 4.03 4.69 4.86 4.70 4.58 4.58 4.58 4.69 4.62 4.61 4.67 4.87 4.79 4.93 4.93 4.93 4.80 4.77 5.07 5.18 5.15 5.36 5.30 5.30 5.30 4.70 4.65 4.71 4.84 4.94 4.88 5.01 5.01 5.01 4.70 4.65 4.71 4.84 4.94 4.88 5.01 5.01 5.01 Landing location Port Group Bering Sea 2 ............................................... Port Group Central Gulf 3 ............................................. Port Group Southeast 4 ................................................ All-Alaska 5 .................................................................... sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES All 6 ................................................................................ 1 Note: In many instances prices have not been reported to comply with confidentiality guidelines that prevent price reports when there are fewer than three processors operating in a location during a month. 2 Landing locations Within Port Group—Bering Sea: Adak, Akutan, Akutan Bay, Atka, Bristol Bay, Chefornak, Dillingham, Captains Bay, Dutch Harbor, Egegik, Ikatan Bay, Hooper Bay, King Cove, King Salmon, Kipnuk, Mekoryuk, Naknek, Nome, Quinhagak, Savoonga, St. George, St. Lawrence, St. Paul, Togiak, Toksook Bay, Tununak, Beaver Inlet, Ugadaga Bay, Unalaska. 3 Landing Locations Within Port Group—Central Gulf of Alaska: Anchor Point, Anchorage, Alitak, Chignik, Cordova, Eagle River, False Pass, West Anchor Cove, Girdwood, Chinitna Bay, Halibut Cove, Homer, Kasilof, Kenai, Kenai River, Alitak, Kodiak, Port Bailey, Nikiski, Ninilchik, Old Harbor, Palmer, Sand Point, Seldovia, Resurrection Bay, Seward, Valdez, Whittier. 4 Landing Locations Within Port Group—Southeast Alaska: Angoon, Baranof Warm Springs, Craig, Edna Bay, Elfin Cove, Excursion Inlet, Gustavus, Haines, Hollis, Hoonah, Hyder, Auke Bay, Douglas, Tee Harbor, Juneau, Kake, Ketchikan, Klawock, Metlakatla, Pelican, Petersburg, Portage Bay, Port Alexander, Port Graham, Port Protection, Point Baker, Sitka, Skagway, Tenakee Springs, Thorne Bay, Wrangell, Yakutat. VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:36 Dec 19, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\20DEN1.SGM 20DEN1 60382 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 243 / Wednesday, December 20, 2017 / Notices 5 Landing Locations Within Port Group—All: For Alaska: All landing locations included in 2, 3, and 4. For California: Eureka, Fort Bragg, Other California. For Oregon: Astoria, Aurora, Lincoln City, Newport, Warrenton, Other Oregon. For Washington: Anacortes, Bellevue, Bellingham, Nagai Island, Edmonds, Everett, Granite Falls, Ilwaco, La Conner, Port Angeles, Port Orchard, Port Townsend, Rainier, Fox Island, Mercer Island, Seattle, Standwood, Other Washington. For Canada: Port Hardy, Port Edward, Prince Rupert, Vancouver, Haines Junction, Other Canada. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: December 14, 2017. Alan D. Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017–27336 Filed 12–19–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Proposed New Space Lease for the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory in Princeton, NJ Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce (DOC). ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an EA; request for comments. AGENCY: NOAA announces its intention to prepare an EA, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, for a new space lease to be occupied by the NOAA/OAR Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory. DATES: Written comments must be received on or before January 15, 2018. ADDRESSES: Written comments on suggested alternatives and potential impacts should be sent to Stephen F. Mayle, Administrative Officer, NOAA/ OAR/GFDL, 201 Forrestal Road, Princeton, NJ 08540. Comments may also be submitted via facsimile to 609– 452–5395 or by email to Steve.Mayle@ noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed action would involve a lease for space for the offices, seminar rooms, meeting rooms, etc. and computing facilities used by the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL). The current facilities, located in the Princeton, New Jersey area, are part of NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR). Research conducted at this laboratory includes development and use of mathematical models and computer simulations to improve our understanding and prediction of the behavior of the atmosphere and the oceans. GFDL scientists focus on model-building relevant for society, such as hurricane research, weather and ocean prediction, sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:36 Dec 19, 2017 Jkt 244001 and forecasting on the continuum of time and space scales. GFDL also collaborates with visiting scientists and students from academic and non-profit institutions with whom NOAA has partnered to further its mission goals. The current physical space for GFDL consists of two buildings that together provide office space, teaching/seminar space, high performance computing space, a command/control center, and mechanical and electrical plants. The current GFDL facilities are approximately 68,675 square feet. Current space can house up to 215 staff, including full-time employees, visiting scientists and students, and contract employees. The current facilities are in need of repairs and renovations in order to continue to be effectively and safely occupied by GFDL. The existing space is also insufficient to accommodate visiting scientists and students, for example approximately 40 such staff utilize nearby overflow space, and to effectively store and stage necessary equipment for current levels of effort. It also does not allow space to expand to continue to meet NOAA’s mission in collaboration with our institutional partners. NOAA is contracting with an architectural and engineering firm to conduct a space programming and planning study, or a Program of Requirements, that will more specifically identify GFDL’s space needs. This study is expected to be completed on or about April 1, 2018, and will also inform the alternatives to be considered in an EA. The purpose of the public scoping process for this EA is to determine relevant issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including potential alternatives, and the extent to which those issues and impacts will be analyzed in the EA. Federal, state, and local agencies, along with other stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by NOAA’s decision on this project are invited to participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may request or be requested by NOAA to participate as a cooperating agency. Dated: November 28, 2017. David Holst, Chief Financial Officer/CAO, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. [FR Doc. 2017–27387 Filed 12–19–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–KD–P PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION [Docket ID ED–2017–OCO–0139] Request for Information on Obtaining Input From Rural Schools and Local Educational Agencies Office of Communications and Outreach, Department of Education. ACTION: Request for information. AGENCY: In accordance with section 5005 of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the Secretary seeks information from the public regarding actions the Department of Education (Department) can take to improve how it considers the unique needs of rural schools and local educational agencies (LEAs) as it develops and implements its policies and programs. The Secretary intends to use this information in issuing a final report, required under section 5005, describing the actions it will take to increase the consideration and participation of rural schools and LEAs in the development and execution of the Department’s processes, procedures, policies, and regulations. DATES: We must receive your comments no later than February 20, 2018. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments through the Federal eRulemaking Portal or via postal mail, commercial delivery, hand delivery, or email. To ensure that we do not receive duplicate copies, please submit your comments only once. In addition, please include the Docket ID at the top of your comments. Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov to submit your comments electronically. Information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing agency documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket, is available on the site under the ‘‘Help’’ tab. Postal Mail, Commercial Delivery, Hand Delivery, or Email: The Department encourages commenters to submit their comments through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. However, if you mail or deliver your comments in response to this request, address them to Michael Chamberlain, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 5E260, Washington, DC 20202. If you email your comments, send them to rural@ed.gov. Privacy Note: The Department’s policy is to make all comments received from members of the public available for public viewing in their entirety on the SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\20DEN1.SGM 20DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 20, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60379-60382]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-27336]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF877


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; North 
Pacific Halibut and Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota Cost Recovery 
Programs

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

ACTION: Notice of standard prices and fee percentage.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS publishes the individual fishing quota (IFQ) standard 
prices and fee percentage for cost recovery for the IFQ Program for the 
halibut and sablefish fisheries of the North Pacific (IFQ Program). The 
fee percentage for 2017 is 2.2 percent. This action is intended to 
provide holders of halibut and sablefish IFQ permits with the 2017 
standard prices and fee percentage to calculate the required payment 
for IFQ cost recovery fees due by January 31, 2018.

DATES: Valid on December 20, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carl Greene, Fee Coordinator, 907-586-
7105.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    NMFS Alaska Region administers the IFQ Program in the North 
Pacific. The IFQ Program is a limited access system authorized by the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-
Stevens Act) and the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982. Fishing 
under the IFQ Program began in March 1995. Regulations implementing the 
IFQ Program are set forth at 50 CFR part 679.
    In 1996, the Magnuson-Stevens Act was amended to, among other 
purposes, require the Secretary of Commerce to ``collect a fee to 
recover the actual costs directly related to the management and 
enforcement of any . . . individual quota program.'' This requirement 
was further amended in 2006 to include collection of the actual costs 
of data collection, and to replace the reference to ``individual quota 
program'' with a more general reference to ``limited access privilege 
program'' at section 304(d)(2)(A). Section 304(d)(2) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act also specifies an upper limit on these fees, when the fees 
must be collected, and where the fees must be deposited.
    On March 20, 2000, NMFS published regulations in Sec.  679.45 
implementing cost recovery for the IFQ Program (65 FR 14919). Under the 
regulations, an IFQ permit holder must pay a cost recovery fee for 
every pound of IFQ halibut and IFQ sablefish that is landed on his or 
her IFQ permit(s). The IFQ permit holder is responsible for self-
collecting the fee for all IFQ halibut and IFQ sablefish landings on 
his or her permit(s). The IFQ permit holder is also responsible for 
submitting IFQ fee payment(s) to NMFS on or before the due date of 
January 31 of the year following the year in which the IFQ landings 
were made. The total dollar amount of the fee due is determined by 
multiplying the NMFS published fee percentage by the ex-vessel value of 
all IFQ landings made on the permit(s) during the IFQ fishing year. As 
required by Sec.  679.45(d)(1) and (d)(3)(i), NMFS publishes this 
notice of the fee percentage for the halibut and sablefish IFQ 
fisheries in the Federal Register during or before the last quarter of 
each year.

Standard Prices

    The fee is based on the sum of all payments made to fishermen for 
the sale of the fish during the year. This includes any retro-payments 
(e.g., bonuses, delayed partial payments, post-season payments) made to 
the IFQ permit holder for previously landed IFQ halibut or sablefish.
    For purposes of calculating IFQ cost recovery fees, NMFS 
distinguishes between two types of ex-vessel value: Actual and 
standard. Actual ex-vessel value is the amount of all compensation, 
monetary or non-monetary, that an IFQ permit holder received as payment 
for his or her IFQ fish sold. Standard ex-vessel value is the default 
value used to calculate the fee. IFQ permit holders have the option of 
using actual ex-vessel value if they can satisfactorily document it; 
otherwise, the standard ex-vessel value is used.
    Section 679.45(b)(3)(iii) requires the Regional Administrator to 
publish IFQ standard prices during the last quarter of each calendar 
year. These standard prices are used, along with estimates of IFQ 
halibut and IFQ sablefish landings, to calculate standard ex-vessel 
values. The standard prices are described in U.S. dollars per IFQ 
equivalent pound for IFQ halibut and IFQ sablefish landings made during 
the year. According to Sec.  679.2, IFQ equivalent pound(s) means the 
weight amount, recorded in pounds, and calculated as round weight for 
sablefish and headed and gutted weight for halibut, for an IFQ landing. 
The weight of halibut in pounds landed as guided angler fish is 
converted to IFQ equivalent pound(s) as

[[Page 60380]]

specified in Sec.  300.65(c) of this title. NMFS calculates the 
standard prices to closely reflect the variations in the actual ex-
vessel values of IFQ halibut and IFQ sablefish landings by month and 
port or port-group. The standard prices for IFQ halibut and IFQ 
sablefish are listed in the tables that follow the next section. Data 
from ports are combined as necessary to protect confidentiality.

Fee Percentage

    NMFS calculates the fee percentage each year according to the 
factors and methods described at Sec.  679.45(d)(2). NMFS determines 
the fee percentage that applies to landings made in the previous year 
by dividing the total costs directly related to the management, data 
collection, and enforcement of the IFQ Program (management costs) 
during the previous year by the total standard ex-vessel value of IFQ 
halibut and IFQ sablefish landings made during the previous year 
(fishery value). NMFS captures the actual management costs associated 
with certain management, data collection, and enforcement functions 
through an established accounting system that allows staff to track 
labor, travel, contracts, rent, and procurement. NMFS calculates the 
fishery value as described under the section, Standard Prices.
    Using the fee percentage formula described above, the estimated 
percentage of management costs to fishery value for the 2017 calendar 
year is 2.2 percent of the standard ex-vessel value, which is below the 
3.0 maximum fee percentage allowed under section 304(d)(2)(B) of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act. An IFQ permit holder is to use the fee percentage 
of 2.2 percent to calculate his or her fee for IFQ equivalent pound(s) 
landed during the 2017 halibut and sablefish IFQ fishing season. An IFQ 
permit holder is responsible for submitting the 2017 IFQ fee payment to 
NMFS on or before January 31, 2018. Payment must be made in accordance 
with the payment methods set forth in Sec.  679.45(a)(4). NMFS no 
longer accepts credit card information by phone or in-person for fee 
payments. NMFS has determined that the practice of accepting credit 
card information by phone or in-person no longer meets agency standards 
for protection of personal financial information (81 FR 23645, April 
22, 2016).
    The 2017 fee percentage of 2.2 percent is lower than the 2016 fee 
percentage of 3.1 percent, which was capped at 3.0 percent (81 FR 
89900, December 13, 2016). The change can be attributed to an estimated 
9.8 percent increase in the value of the IFQ Program fisheries from 
2016 to 2017, along with a corresponding 21.2% drop in management costs 
over the same period.

       Table 1--Registered Buyer Standard Ex-Vessel Prices by Landing Location for the 2017 IFQ Season \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      Halibut        Sablefish
              Landing location                          Period ending              standard  ex-   standard  ex-
                                                                                   vessel  price   vessel  price
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Homer......................................  March 31...........................  ..............  ..............
                                             April 30...........................            6.49            4.38
                                             May 31.............................            6.58            4.51
                                             June 30............................            6.52  ..............
                                             July 31............................            6.60            4.52
                                             August 31..........................            6.40  ..............
                                             September 30.......................            5.91            5.00
                                             October 31.........................            5.91            5.00
                                             November 30........................            5.91            5.00
Ketchikan..................................  March 31...........................  ..............  ..............
                                             April 30...........................            6.71  ..............
                                             May 31.............................            6.57            4.93
                                             June 30............................            6.59  ..............
                                             July 31............................            6.53  ..............
                                             August 31..........................            6.49  ..............
                                             September 30.......................            6.63  ..............
                                             October 31.........................            6.63  ..............
                                             November 30........................            6.63  ..............
Kodiak.....................................  March 31...........................            6.53  ..............
                                             April 30...........................            6.44            4.59
                                             May 31.............................            6.51            4.53
                                             June 30............................            6.41            4.75
                                             July 31............................            6.30            5.10
                                             August 31..........................            6.14            4.94
                                             September 30.......................            5.88            5.13
                                             October 31.........................            5.88            5.13
                                             November 30........................            5.88            5.13
Petersburg.................................  March 31...........................  ..............  ..............
                                             April 30...........................            6.64  ..............
                                             May 31.............................  ..............  ..............
                                             June 30............................            6.53  ..............
                                             July 31............................  ..............  ..............
                                             August 31..........................            6.69  ..............
                                             September 30.......................  ..............  ..............
                                             October 31.........................  ..............  ..............
                                             November 30........................  ..............  ..............
Seward.....................................  March 31...........................            6.75  ..............
                                             April 30...........................            6.48  ..............
                                             May 31.............................  ..............  ..............
                                             June 30............................  ..............  ..............
                                             July 31............................  ..............  ..............
                                             August 31..........................  ..............  ..............

[[Page 60381]]

 
                                             September 30.......................  ..............  ..............
                                             October 31.........................  ..............  ..............
                                             November 30........................  ..............  ..............
                                             Sitka..............................  ..............  ..............
                                             March 31...........................            6.57  ..............
                                             April 30...........................  ..............  ..............
                                             May 31.............................            6.55            5.21
                                             June 30............................  ..............  ..............
                                             July 31............................  ..............  ..............
                                             August 31..........................  ..............  ..............
                                             September 30.......................  ..............  ..............
                                             October 31.........................  ..............  ..............
                                             November 30........................  ..............  ..............
Port Group Bering Sea \2\..................  March 31...........................  ..............  ..............
                                             April 30...........................            5.71            3.93
                                             May 31.............................            6.04            4.03
                                             June 30............................            6.15            4.69
                                             July 31............................            5.96            4.86
                                             August 31..........................            5.73            4.70
                                             September 30.......................            5.94            4.58
                                             October 31.........................            5.94            4.58
                                             November 30........................            5.94            4.58
Port Group Central Gulf \3\................  March 31...........................            6.66            4.69
                                             April 30...........................            6.45            4.62
                                             May 31.............................            6.49            4.61
                                             June 30............................            6.46            4.67
                                             July 31............................            6.46            4.87
                                             August 31..........................            6.33            4.79
                                             September 30.......................            5.96            4.93
                                             October 31.........................            5.96            4.93
                                             November 30........................            5.96            4.93
Port Group Southeast \4\...................  March 31...........................            6.77            4.80
                                             April 30...........................            6.57            4.77
                                             May 31.............................            6.52            5.07
                                             June 30............................            6.54            5.18
                                             July 31............................            6.58            5.15
                                             August 31..........................            6.64            5.36
                                             September 30.......................            6.46            5.30
                                             October 31.........................            6.46            5.30
                                             November 30........................            6.46            5.30
All-Alaska \5\.............................  March 31...........................            6.72            4.70
                                             April 30...........................            6.48            4.65
                                             May 31.............................            6.47            4.71
                                             June 30............................            6.44            4.84
                                             July 31............................            6.34            4.94
                                             August 31..........................            6.24            4.88
                                             September 30.......................            6.08            5.01
                                             October 31.........................            6.08            5.01
                                             November 30........................            6.08            5.01
All \6\....................................  March 31...........................            6.72            4.70
                                             April 30...........................            6.48            4.65
                                             May 31.............................            6.47            4.71
                                             June 30............................            6.44            4.84
                                             July 31............................            6.34            4.94
                                             August 31..........................            6.24            4.88
                                             September 30.......................            6.08            5.01
                                             October 31.........................            6.08            5.01
                                             November 30........................            6.08            5.01
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Note: In many instances prices have not been reported to comply with confidentiality guidelines that prevent
  price reports when there are fewer than three processors operating in a location during a month.
\2\ Landing locations Within Port Group--Bering Sea: Adak, Akutan, Akutan Bay, Atka, Bristol Bay, Chefornak,
  Dillingham, Captains Bay, Dutch Harbor, Egegik, Ikatan Bay, Hooper Bay, King Cove, King Salmon, Kipnuk,
  Mekoryuk, Naknek, Nome, Quinhagak, Savoonga, St. George, St. Lawrence, St. Paul, Togiak, Toksook Bay, Tununak,
  Beaver Inlet, Ugadaga Bay, Unalaska.
\3\ Landing Locations Within Port Group--Central Gulf of Alaska: Anchor Point, Anchorage, Alitak, Chignik,
  Cordova, Eagle River, False Pass, West Anchor Cove, Girdwood, Chinitna Bay, Halibut Cove, Homer, Kasilof,
  Kenai, Kenai River, Alitak, Kodiak, Port Bailey, Nikiski, Ninilchik, Old Harbor, Palmer, Sand Point, Seldovia,
  Resurrection Bay, Seward, Valdez, Whittier.
\4\ Landing Locations Within Port Group--Southeast Alaska: Angoon, Baranof Warm Springs, Craig, Edna Bay, Elfin
  Cove, Excursion Inlet, Gustavus, Haines, Hollis, Hoonah, Hyder, Auke Bay, Douglas, Tee Harbor, Juneau, Kake,
  Ketchikan, Klawock, Metlakatla, Pelican, Petersburg, Portage Bay, Port Alexander, Port Graham, Port
  Protection, Point Baker, Sitka, Skagway, Tenakee Springs, Thorne Bay, Wrangell, Yakutat.

[[Page 60382]]

 
\5\ Landing Locations Within Port Group--All: For Alaska: All landing locations included in 2, 3, and 4. For
  California: Eureka, Fort Bragg, Other California. For Oregon: Astoria, Aurora, Lincoln City, Newport,
  Warrenton, Other Oregon. For Washington: Anacortes, Bellevue, Bellingham, Nagai Island, Edmonds, Everett,
  Granite Falls, Ilwaco, La Conner, Port Angeles, Port Orchard, Port Townsend, Rainier, Fox Island, Mercer
  Island, Seattle, Standwood, Other Washington. For Canada: Port Hardy, Port Edward, Prince Rupert, Vancouver,
  Haines Junction, Other Canada.


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

    Dated: December 14, 2017.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-27336 Filed 12-19-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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