Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fishery; 2018-2020 Fishing Quotas, 5212-5214 [2018-02321]
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<![CDATA[
5212
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 25 / Tuesday, February 6, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
through August, and vessels are still
limited to 750 hooks rigged for fishing.
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES
Classification
The Regional Administrator,
Southeast Region, NMFS has
determined that this final rule is
consistent with the framework action,
the FMP, the Magnuson-Stevens Act,
and other applicable law.
This final rule has been determined to
be not significant for purposes of
Executive Order 12866.
This final rule is considered a
deregulatory action under Executive
Order 13771.
The Magnuson-Stevens Act provides
the statutory basis for this rule. No
duplicative, overlapping, or conflicting
Federal rules have been identified. In
addition, no new reporting, recordkeeping, or other compliance
requirements are introduced by this
final rule.
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 rule
would not have a significant adverse
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. The factual
basis for this determination was
published in the proposed rule and is
not repeated here. No public comments
were made related to the economic
implications and potential impacts on
small businesses. As a result, a final
regulatory flexibility analysis was not
required and none was prepared.
This rule is exempt from the
requirement to delay the effectiveness of
a final rule by 30 days after publication
in the Federal Register, under 5 U.S.C.
553(d)(1), because the measure
implemented by this final rule relieves
a restriction on the regulated
community. Specifically, this rule
removes the restriction on the number
of unrigged hooks that a commercial
reef fish vessel with a bottom longline
endorsement is allowed on board. This
is expected to improve fishers’ ability to
maintain the maximum number of
rigged hooks over the duration of a trip
and to make trips more economical by
allowing fishing with the maximum
number of hooks to continue without
having to return to port or request
additional hooks from other vessels.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:43 Feb 05, 2018
Jkt 244001
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 622
Bottom longline gear, Fisheries,
Fishing, Gulf of Mexico, Reef fish.
Dated: February 1, 2018.
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 622 is to be
amended as follows:
PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE
CARIBBEAN, GULF OF MEXICO, AND
SOUTH ATLANTIC
1. The authority citation for part 622
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
2. In § 622.35, revise the first sentence
of paragraph (b)(3) to read as follows:
■
§ 622.35
Gear restricted areas.
*
*
*
*
*
(b) * * *
(3) Within the Gulf EEZ east of 85°30′
W long., a vessel for which a valid
eastern Gulf reef fish bottom longline
endorsement has been issued that is
fishing bottom longline gear or has
bottom longline gear on board cannot
possess more than 750 hooks rigged for
fishing at any given time. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
[FR Doc. 2018–02314 Filed 2–5–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 648
[Docket No. 170818784–8080–02]
RIN 0648–XF641
Fisheries of the Northeastern United
States; Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean
Quahog Fishery; 2018–2020 Fishing
Quotas
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
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This final rule implements
status quo commercial quotas for the
Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog
fisheries for 2018 and projected status
quo quotas for 2019 and 2020. This
action is necessary to establish
allowable harvest levels of Atlantic
surfclams and ocean quahogs that will
prevent overfishing and allow
harvesting of optimum yield. This
action also continues to suspend the
minimum shell size for Atlantic
surfclams for the 2018 fishing year. The
intended effect of this action is to
provide benefit to the industry from
stable quotas to maintain a consistent
market.
SUMMARY:
This rule is effective March 8,
2018, through December 31, 2018.
DATES:
Copies of the
Environmental Assessment (EA),
Supplemental Information Request
(SIR), and other supporting documents
for these specifications are available
from the Mid-Atlantic Fishery
Management Council, 800 North State
Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901.
ADDRESSES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Erin
Wilkinson, Fishery Management
Specialist, 301–427–8561.
In June
2017, the Council voted to recommend
maintaining for 2018–2020 the status
quo quota levels of 5.33 million bu (288
million L) for the ocean quahog fishery,
3.40 million bu (181 million L) for the
Atlantic surfclam fishery, and 100,000
Maine bu (3.52 million L) for the Maine
ocean quahog fishery. As further
discussed below, NMFS received six
comments on the proposed rule (82 FR
58164) published on December 11,
2017. Additional detail on the Council’s
recommendations and background on
the surfclam and ocean quahog
specifications is provided in the
proposed rule and not repeated here.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
2018 and Projected 2019–2020
Specifications
Tables 1 and 2 show quotas for 2018
and projected quotas for the 2019–2020
Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog
fishery. NMFS will publish a notice in
the Federal Register before the 2019 and
2020 fishing years notifying the public
of the final quota for each year.
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 25 / Tuesday, February 6, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 1—2018 AND PROJECTED 2019–2020 ATLANTIC SURFCLAM MEASURES
Allowable
biological
catch (ABC)
(mt)
Year
Annual catch
limit (ACL)
(mt)
Annual catch
target (ACT)
(mt)
Commercial quota
Atlantic surfclam
2017 (current) .......................................................
2018 ......................................................................
2019–2020 (Projected) .........................................
44,469
29,363
29,363
44,469
29,363
29,363
29,364
29,363
29,363
3.4 million bushels (181 million L).
3.4 million bushels (181 million L).
3.4 million bushels (181 million L).
TABLE 2—2018 AND PROJECTED 2019–2020 OCEAN QUAHOG MEASURES
ABC
(mt)
Year
ACL
(mt)
ACT
(mt)
Commercial quota
Ocean quahog
2017 (current) .......................................................
26,100
26,100
26,035
2018 ......................................................................
44,695
44,695
25,924
2019 (Projected) ...................................................
46,146
46,146
25,924
2020 (Projected) ...................................................
45,783
45,783
25,924
The Atlantic surfclam and ocean
quahog quotas are specified in
‘‘industry’’ bushels of 1.88 ft3 (53.24 L)
per bushel, while the Maine ocean
quahog quota is specified in Maine
bushels of 1.24 ft3 (35.24 L) per bushel.
Because Maine ocean quahogs are the
same species as ocean quahogs, both
fisheries are assessed under the same
overfishing definition. When the two
quota amounts (ocean quahog and
Maine ocean quahog) are added, the
total allowable harvest is below the
level that would result in overfishing for
the entire stock.
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES
Surfclam
The Atlantic surfclam stock is not
overfished, and overfishing is not
occurring. This rule maintains the status
quo surfclam quota of 3.40 million bu
(181 million L) for 2018 and projects
that same quota for 2019 and 2020 (see
table 1).
Ocean Quahog
The 2018 non-Maine quota for ocean
quahog is the status quo quota of 5.33
million bu (288 million L).
The 2018 quota for Maine ocean
quahogs is the status quo level of
100,000 Maine bu (3.52 million L). The
quota represents the maximum
allowable quota under the FMP. NMFS
projects that these quota levels will be
maintained for the 2019 and 2020 ocean
quahog fisheries.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
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Maine quota: 100,000 Maine
million L); Non-Maine quota:
lion bu (288 million L).
Maine quota: 100,000 Maine
million L); Non-Maine quota:
lion bu (288 million L).
Maine quota: 100,000 Maine
million L); Non-Maine quota:
lion bu (288 million L).
Maine quota: 100,000 Maine
million L); Non-Maine quota:
lion bu (288 million L).
bu (3.52
5.33 milbu (3.52
5.33 milbu (3.52
5.33 milbu (3.52
5.33 mil-
Surfclam Minimum Size
Comments
The minimum size limit has been
suspended annually since 2005.
Minimum size limit may not be
suspended unless discard, catch, and
biological sampling data indicate that 30
percent or less of the Atlantic surfclam
resource have a shell length less than
4.75 inches (120 mm), and the overall
reduced size is not attributable to
harvest from beds where growth of the
individual clams has been reduced
because of density-dependent factors.
Commercial surfclam data for 2017
were analyzed to determine the
percentage of surfclams that were
smaller than the minimum size
requirement. The analysis indicated that
10.4 percent of the overall commercial
landings, to date, were composed of
surfclams that were less than the 4.75inch (120-mm) default minimum size.
Based on the information available, the
minimum size limit for Atlantic
surfclams is suspended in the upcoming
fishing year (January 1 through
December 31, 2018). The Council will
re-evaluate if the minimum size should
be suspended for 2019 and 2020 prior
to each of those fishing years. NMFS
will notify the public if the minimum
size is suspended for those fishing
years.
We received six comments on the
proposed rule; one from the general
public and five from industry
representatives. One comment from the
public was not relevant to the
rulemaking. All other comments are in
support of the quotas and size
suspension in the proposed rule.
Some comments received from
industry expressed concern that an
overfishing limit (OFL) for surfclams
has not been specified. A reported OFL
estimate for surfclams was considered
highly uncertain, and deemed in the
assessment report to be unreliable.
Absolute estimates of fishing mortality
rate or current stock size were not
endorsed by collective scientists
conducting the assessment or the
assessment peer review panel, so no
OFL was estimated.
Some comments from industry were
also concerned that the lack of an OFL
means that the Council was not able to
develop an Allowable Biological Catch
(ABC) for surfclam using its standard
approach. The Council’s Scientific and
Statistical Committee recommended an
ABC of 29,363 mt, which was adopted
by the Council. This ABC is based on a
commercial quota of 26,218 mt and 12
percent incidental mortality. This catch
level has been sustained by the stock
historically, and has prevented
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 25 / Tuesday, February 6, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
overfishing and kept the stock from
becoming overfished.
This final rule maintains status quo
quotas and the minimum surfclam size
is suspended for 2018.
Changes From Proposed to Final Rule
There are no changes from the
proposed to final rule.
Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act, the Assistant
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, has
determined that this rule is consistent
with the Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean
Quahog FMP, other provisions of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other
applicable law.
This action does not introduce any
new reporting, recordkeeping, or other
compliance requirements. This rule
does not duplicate, overlap, or conflict
with other Federal rules.
This rule is exempt from the
requirements of E.O. 12866.
This rule is not expected to be an E.O.
13771 regulatory action because this
rule is not significant under E.O. 12866.
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. The factual basis for this
certification was published in the
proposed rule and is not repeated here.
No comments were received regarding
this certification. As a result, a
regulatory flexibility analysis was not
required and none was prepared.
Dated: February 1, 2018.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018–02321 Filed 2–5–18; 8:45 am]
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:43 Feb 05, 2018
Jkt 244001
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 160920866–7167–02]
RIN 0648–XF905
Classification
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by
Vessels Using Pot Gear in the Western
Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
AGENCY:
NMFS is prohibiting directed
fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using
pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area
of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action
is necessary to prevent exceeding the A
season allowance of the 2018 Pacific
cod total allowable catch apportioned to
vessels using pot gear in the Western
Regulatory Area of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), February 1, 2018,
through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10,
2018.
SUMMARY:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Josh
Keaton, 907–586–7228.
NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
GOA exclusive economic zone
according to the Fishery Management
Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of
Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North
Pacific Fishery Management Council
under authority of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act. Regulations governing
fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance
with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50
CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
Regulations governing sideboard
protections for GOA groundfish
fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR
part 680.
The A season allowance of the 2018
Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC)
apportioned to vessels using pot gear in
the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA
is 1,092 metric tons (mt), as established
by the final 2017 and 2018 harvest
specifications for groundfish of the GOA
(82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017) and
inseason adjustment (82 FR 60327,
December 20, 2017).
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i),
the Administrator, Alaska Region,
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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NMFS (Regional Administrator) has
determined that the A season allowance
of the 2018 Pacific cod TAC
apportioned to vessels using pot gear in
the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA
will soon be reached. Therefore, the
Regional Administrator is establishing a
directed fishing allowance of 1,082 mt
and is setting aside the remaining 10 mt
as bycatch to support other anticipated
groundfish fisheries. In accordance with
§ 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional
Administrator finds that this directed
fishing allowance has been reached.
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting
directed fishing for Pacific cod by
vessels using pot gear in the Western
Regulatory Area of the GOA. After the
effective date of this closure the
maximum retainable amounts at
§ 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time
during a trip.
Classification
This action responds to the best
available information recently obtained
from the fishery. The Assistant
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA
(AA), finds good cause to waive the
requirement to provide prior notice and
opportunity for public comment
pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is
impracticable and contrary to the public
interest. This requirement is
impracticable and contrary to the public
interest as it would prevent NMFS from
responding to the most recent fisheries
data in a timely fashion and would
delay the directed fishing closure of
Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in
the Western Regulatory Area of the
GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a
notice providing time for public
comment because the most recent,
relevant data only became available as
of January 31, 2018.
The AA also finds good cause to
waive the 30-day delay in the effective
date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
the reasons provided above for waiver of
prior notice and opportunity for public
comment.
This action is required by § 679.20
and is exempt from review under
Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: February 1, 2018.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018–02304 Filed 2–1–18; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 6, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5212-5214]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-02321]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 648
[Docket No. 170818784-8080-02]
RIN 0648-XF641
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Surfclam
and Ocean Quahog Fishery; 2018-2020 Fishing Quotas
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This final rule implements status quo commercial quotas for
the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries for 2018 and projected
status quo quotas for 2019 and 2020. This action is necessary to
establish allowable harvest levels of Atlantic surfclams and ocean
quahogs that will prevent overfishing and allow harvesting of optimum
yield. This action also continues to suspend the minimum shell size for
Atlantic surfclams for the 2018 fishing year. The intended effect of
this action is to provide benefit to the industry from stable quotas to
maintain a consistent market.
DATES: This rule is effective March 8, 2018, through December 31, 2018.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the Environmental Assessment (EA), Supplemental
Information Request (SIR), and other supporting documents for these
specifications are available from the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management
Council, 800 North State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin Wilkinson, Fishery Management
Specialist, 301-427-8561.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In June 2017, the Council voted to
recommend maintaining for 2018-2020 the status quo quota levels of 5.33
million bu (288 million L) for the ocean quahog fishery, 3.40 million
bu (181 million L) for the Atlantic surfclam fishery, and 100,000 Maine
bu (3.52 million L) for the Maine ocean quahog fishery. As further
discussed below, NMFS received six comments on the proposed rule (82 FR
58164) published on December 11, 2017. Additional detail on the
Council's recommendations and background on the surfclam and ocean
quahog specifications is provided in the proposed rule and not repeated
here.
2018 and Projected 2019-2020 Specifications
Tables 1 and 2 show quotas for 2018 and projected quotas for the
2019-2020 Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fishery. NMFS will publish
a notice in the Federal Register before the 2019 and 2020 fishing years
notifying the public of the final quota for each year.
[[Page 5213]]
Table 1--2018 and Projected 2019-2020 Atlantic Surfclam Measures
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allowable
biological Annual catch Annual catch
Year catch (ABC) limit (ACL) target (ACT) Commercial quota
(mt) (mt) (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atlantic surfclam
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2017 (current).......................... 44,469 44,469 29,364 3.4 million bushels (181 million L).
2018.................................... 29,363 29,363 29,363 3.4 million bushels (181 million L).
2019-2020 (Projected)................... 29,363 29,363 29,363 3.4 million bushels (181 million L).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 2--2018 and Projected 2019-2020 Ocean Quahog Measures
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ABC (mt) ACL (mt) ACT (mt) Commercial quota
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ocean quahog
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2017 (current).......................... 26,100 26,100 26,035 Maine quota: 100,000 Maine bu (3.52 million L); Non-Maine
quota: 5.33 million bu (288 million L).
2018.................................... 44,695 44,695 25,924 Maine quota: 100,000 Maine bu (3.52 million L); Non-Maine
quota: 5.33 million bu (288 million L).
2019 (Projected)........................ 46,146 46,146 25,924 Maine quota: 100,000 Maine bu (3.52 million L); Non-Maine
quota: 5.33 million bu (288 million L).
2020 (Projected)........................ 45,783 45,783 25,924 Maine quota: 100,000 Maine bu (3.52 million L); Non-Maine
quota: 5.33 million bu (288 million L).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog quotas are specified in
``industry'' bushels of 1.88 ft\3\ (53.24 L) per bushel, while the
Maine ocean quahog quota is specified in Maine bushels of 1.24 ft\3\
(35.24 L) per bushel. Because Maine ocean quahogs are the same species
as ocean quahogs, both fisheries are assessed under the same
overfishing definition. When the two quota amounts (ocean quahog and
Maine ocean quahog) are added, the total allowable harvest is below the
level that would result in overfishing for the entire stock.
Surfclam
The Atlantic surfclam stock is not overfished, and overfishing is
not occurring. This rule maintains the status quo surfclam quota of
3.40 million bu (181 million L) for 2018 and projects that same quota
for 2019 and 2020 (see table 1).
Ocean Quahog
The 2018 non-Maine quota for ocean quahog is the status quo quota
of 5.33 million bu (288 million L).
The 2018 quota for Maine ocean quahogs is the status quo level of
100,000 Maine bu (3.52 million L). The quota represents the maximum
allowable quota under the FMP. NMFS projects that these quota levels
will be maintained for the 2019 and 2020 ocean quahog fisheries.
Surfclam Minimum Size
The minimum size limit has been suspended annually since 2005.
Minimum size limit may not be suspended unless discard, catch, and
biological sampling data indicate that 30 percent or less of the
Atlantic surfclam resource have a shell length less than 4.75 inches
(120 mm), and the overall reduced size is not attributable to harvest
from beds where growth of the individual clams has been reduced because
of density-dependent factors.
Commercial surfclam data for 2017 were analyzed to determine the
percentage of surfclams that were smaller than the minimum size
requirement. The analysis indicated that 10.4 percent of the overall
commercial landings, to date, were composed of surfclams that were less
than the 4.75-inch (120-mm) default minimum size. Based on the
information available, the minimum size limit for Atlantic surfclams is
suspended in the upcoming fishing year (January 1 through December 31,
2018). The Council will re-evaluate if the minimum size should be
suspended for 2019 and 2020 prior to each of those fishing years. NMFS
will notify the public if the minimum size is suspended for those
fishing years.
Comments
We received six comments on the proposed rule; one from the general
public and five from industry representatives. One comment from the
public was not relevant to the rulemaking. All other comments are in
support of the quotas and size suspension in the proposed rule.
Some comments received from industry expressed concern that an
overfishing limit (OFL) for surfclams has not been specified. A
reported OFL estimate for surfclams was considered highly uncertain,
and deemed in the assessment report to be unreliable. Absolute
estimates of fishing mortality rate or current stock size were not
endorsed by collective scientists conducting the assessment or the
assessment peer review panel, so no OFL was estimated.
Some comments from industry were also concerned that the lack of an
OFL means that the Council was not able to develop an Allowable
Biological Catch (ABC) for surfclam using its standard approach. The
Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee recommended an ABC of
29,363 mt, which was adopted by the Council. This ABC is based on a
commercial quota of 26,218 mt and 12 percent incidental mortality. This
catch level has been sustained by the stock historically, and has
prevented
[[Page 5214]]
overfishing and kept the stock from becoming overfished.
This final rule maintains status quo quotas and the minimum
surfclam size is suspended for 2018.
Changes From Proposed to Final Rule
There are no changes from the proposed to final rule.
Classification
Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, has determined that this
rule is consistent with the Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog FMP,
other provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable law.
This action does not introduce any new reporting, recordkeeping, or
other compliance requirements. This rule does not duplicate, overlap,
or conflict with other Federal rules.
This rule is exempt from the requirements of E.O. 12866.
This rule is not expected to be an E.O. 13771 regulatory action
because this rule is not significant under E.O. 12866.
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. The factual basis for this certification was published in the
proposed rule and is not repeated here. No comments were received
regarding this certification. As a result, a regulatory flexibility
analysis was not required and none was prepared.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: February 1, 2018.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-02321 Filed 2-5-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
