Pacific Island Pelagic Fisheries; 2018 U.S. Territorial Longline Bigeye Tuna Catch Limits for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, 55641 [2018-24278]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 216 / Wednesday, November 7, 2018 / Rules and Regulations the Federal Register on February 6, 2018 (83 FR 5212), remain effective for the 2019 fishing year. Classification This action is authorized by 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. [FR Doc. 2018–24368 Filed 11–6–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 665 RIN 0648–XG025 Pacific Island Pelagic Fisheries; 2018 U.S. Territorial Longline Bigeye Tuna Catch Limits for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Announcement of a valid specified fishing agreement. AGENCY: NMFS announces a valid specified fishing agreement that allocates up to 1,000 metric tons (t) of the 2018 bigeye tuna limit for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to identified U.S. longline fishing vessels. The agreement supports the long-term sustainability of fishery resources of the U.S. Pacific Islands, and fisheries development in the CNMI. DATES: The specified fishing agreement is valid on November 6, 2018. ADDRESSES: NMFS prepared environmental analyses that describe the potential impacts on the human environment that would result from the action. The analyses, identified by NOAA–NMFS–2018–0026, are available from https://www.regulations.gov/ docket?D=NOAA-NMFS-2018-0026, or from Michael D. Tosatto, Regional Administrator, NMFS Pacific Islands Region (PIR), 1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg. 176, Honolulu, HI 96818. The Fishery Ecosystem Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific (Pelagic FEP) is available from the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, tel amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES 16:15 Nov 06, 2018 Jkt 247001 In a final rule published on October 23, 2018, NMFS specified a 2018 limit of 2,000 t of longline-caught bigeye tuna for the U.S. Pacific Island territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the CNMI (83 FR 53399). NMFS allows each territory to allocate up to 1,000 t of the 2,000 t limit to U.S. longline fishing vessels identified in a valid specified fishing agreement. On October 22, 2018, NMFS received from the Council a specified fishing agreement between the CNMI and Quota Management, Inc. (QMI). The Council’s Executive Director advised that the specified fishing agreement was consistent with the criteria set forth in 50 CFR 665.819(c)(1). NMFS reviewed the agreement and determined that it is consistent with the Pelagic FEP, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, implementing regulations, and other applicable laws. In accordance with 50 CFR 300.224(d) and 50 CFR 665.819(c)(9), vessels identified in the agreement may retain and land bigeye tuna in the western and central Pacific Ocean under the CNMI limit. NMFS will begin attributing bigeye tuna caught by vessels identified in the agreement to the CNMI starting on October 25, 2018. If NMFS determines that the fishery will reach the attribution limit of 1,000 t, we will restrict the retention of bigeye tuna caught by vessels identified in the agreement, unless the vessels are included in a subsequent specified fishing agreement with another U.S. territory. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dated: November 2, 2018. Karen H. Abrams, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. VerDate Sep<11>2014 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rebecca Walker, NMFS PIRO Sustainable Fisheries, 808–725–5184. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. SUMMARY: 808–522–8220, fax 808–522–8226, or https://www.wpcouncil.org. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: November 1, 2018. Karen H. Abrams, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018–24278 Filed 11–6–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 55641 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 170817779–8161–02] RIN 0648–XG116 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. AGENCY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the Eastern Aleutian district (EAI) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery. This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2018 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean perch in the EAI allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), November 2, 2018, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2018. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the BSAI exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the Magnuson-Stevens 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. The 2018 TAC of Pacific ocean perch, in the EAI, allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery was established as a directed fishing allowance of 794 metric tons by the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27, 2018). 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 ocean perch in the EAI by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\07NOR1.SGM 07NOR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 7, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 55641]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-24278]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 665

RIN 0648-XG025


Pacific Island Pelagic Fisheries; 2018 U.S. Territorial Longline 
Bigeye Tuna Catch Limits for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
Islands

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

ACTION: Announcement of a valid specified fishing agreement.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces a valid specified fishing agreement that 
allocates up to 1,000 metric tons (t) of the 2018 bigeye tuna limit for 
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to identified 
U.S. longline fishing vessels. The agreement supports the long-term 
sustainability of fishery resources of the U.S. Pacific Islands, and 
fisheries development in the CNMI.

DATES: The specified fishing agreement is valid on November 6, 2018.

ADDRESSES: NMFS prepared environmental analyses that describe the 
potential impacts on the human environment that would result from the 
action. The analyses, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2018-0026, are available 
from https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=NOAA-NMFS-2018-0026, or from 
Michael D. Tosatto, Regional Administrator, NMFS Pacific Islands Region 
(PIR), 1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg. 176, Honolulu, HI 96818.
    The Fishery Ecosystem Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western 
Pacific (Pelagic FEP) is 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 https://www.wpcouncil.org.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rebecca Walker, NMFS PIRO Sustainable 
Fisheries, 808-725-5184.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a final rule published on October 23, 
2018, NMFS specified a 2018 limit of 2,000 t of longline-caught bigeye 
tuna for the U.S. Pacific Island territories of American Samoa, Guam, 
and the CNMI (83 FR 53399). NMFS allows each territory to allocate up 
to 1,000 t of the 2,000 t limit to U.S. longline fishing vessels 
identified in a valid specified fishing agreement.
    On October 22, 2018, NMFS received from the Council a specified 
fishing agreement between the CNMI and Quota Management, Inc. (QMI). 
The Council's Executive Director advised that the specified fishing 
agreement was consistent with the criteria set forth in 50 CFR 
665.819(c)(1). NMFS reviewed the agreement and determined that it is 
consistent with the Pelagic FEP, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act, implementing regulations, and other 
applicable laws.
    In accordance with 50 CFR 300.224(d) and 50 CFR 665.819(c)(9), 
vessels identified in the agreement may retain and land bigeye tuna in 
the western and central Pacific Ocean under the CNMI limit. NMFS will 
begin attributing bigeye tuna caught by vessels identified in the 
agreement to the CNMI starting on October 25, 2018. If NMFS determines 
that the fishery will reach the attribution limit of 1,000 t, we will 
restrict the retention of bigeye tuna caught by vessels identified in 
the agreement, unless the vessels are included in a subsequent 
specified fishing agreement with another U.S. territory.

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

    Dated: November 1, 2018.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-24278 Filed 11-6-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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