Fishing Capacity Reduction Program for the Longline Catcher Processor Subsector of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Non Pollock Groundfish Fishery, 83898-83899 [2020-28361]

Download as PDF 83898 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 247 / Wednesday, December 23, 2020 / Notices Notice of SEDAR 71 South Atlantic Gag Grouper Assessment Webinar III. jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES ACTION: SUMMARY: The SEDAR 71 assessment of the South Atlantic stock of gag grouper will consist of a data webinar and a series assessment webinars. DATES: The SEDAR 71 Gag Grouper Assessment Webinar III has been scheduled for Thursday, January 14, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., EDT. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held via webinar. The webinar is open to members of the public. Registration is available online at: https:// attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/ 3102956364955419152. SEDAR address: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, N. Charleston, SC 29405; www.sedarweb.org. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen Howington, SEDAR Coordinator, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, North Charleston, SC 29405; phone: (843) 571–4371; email: Kathleen.Howington@safmc.net. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and Caribbean Fishery Management Councils, in conjunction with NOAA Fisheries and the Atlantic and Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commissions, have implemented the Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) process, a multi-step method for determining the status of fish stocks in the Southeast Region. SEDAR is a threestep process including: (1) Data Workshop; (2) Assessment Process utilizing webinars; and (3) Review Workshop. The product of the Data Workshop is a data report which compiles and evaluates potential datasets and recommends which datasets are appropriate for assessment analyses. The product of the Assessment Process is a stock assessment report which describes the fisheries, evaluates the status of the stock, estimates biological benchmarks, projects future population conditions, and recommends research and monitoring needs. The assessment is independently peer reviewed at the Review Workshop. The product of the Review Workshop is a Summary documenting panel opinions regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the stock assessment and input data. Participants for SEDAR Workshops are appointed by the Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and Caribbean Fishery Management Councils and NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office, Highly Migratory Species Management Division, and Southeast Fisheries VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:21 Dec 22, 2020 Jkt 253001 Science Center. Participants include: Data collectors and database managers; stock assessment scientists, biologists, and researchers; constituency representatives including fishermen, environmentalists, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs); international experts; and staff of Councils, Commissions, and state and federal agencies. The items of discussion at the SEDAR 71 Gag Grouper Assessment Webinar III are as follows: • Discuss data issues as needed • Discuss modeling issues as needed Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come before this group for discussion, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this meeting. Action will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in this notice and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, provided the public has been notified of the intent to take final action to address the emergency. Special Accommodations This meeting is accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for auxiliary aids should be directed to the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council office (see ADDRESSES) at least 5 business days prior to the meeting. Note: The times and sequence specified in this agenda are subject to change. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: December 17, 2020. Rey Israel Marquez, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2020–28297 Filed 12–22–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XA633] Fishing Capacity Reduction Program for the Longline Catcher Processor Subsector of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Non Pollock Groundfish Fishery National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Commerce. ACTION: Notice of fee rate adjustment. AGENCY: SUMMARY: NMFS issues this notice to inform the public that there will be an PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 increase of the fee rate required to repay the $35,000,000 reduction loan financing the non-pollock groundfish fishing capacity reduction program. Effective January 1, 2021, NMFS is increasing the Loan A fee rate to $0.024 per pound to ensure timely repayment of the loan. The fee rate for Loan B will remain unchanged at $0.001 per pound. The increased Loan A fee rate is due to the 20 percent decrease in non-pollock groundfish Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for 2021. DATES: The non-pollock groundfish program fee rate increase will begin with landings on January 1, 2021. The first due date for fee payments with the increased rate will be February 15, 2021. ADDRESSES: Send questions about this notice to Elaine Saiz, Chief, Financial Services Division, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910– 3282. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elaine Saiz, (301) 427–8752. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Sections 312(b)–(e) of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1861 et seq.) generally authorizes fishing capacity reduction programs. In particular, section 312(d) authorizes industry fee systems for repaying reduction loans which finance reduction program costs. Subpart L of 50 CFR part 600 is the framework rule generally implementing section 312(b)–(e). Sections 1111 and 1112 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 App. U.S.C. 1279f and 1279g) generally authorize reduction loans. Enacted on December 8, 2004, section 219, Title II, of FY 2005 Appropriations Act, Public Law 104–447 (Act) authorizes a fishing capacity reduction program implementing capacity reduction plans submitted to NMFS by catcher processor subsectors of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) non-pollock groundfish fishery (reduction fishery) as set forth in the Act. The longline catcher processor subsector (Longline Subsector) is among the catcher processor subsectors eligible to submit to NMFS a capacity reduction plan under the terms of the Act. The longline subsector non-pollock groundfish reduction program’s objective was to reduce the number of vessels and permits endorsed for longline subsector of the non-pollock groundfish fishery. All post-reduction fish landings from the reduction fishery are subject to the longline subsector non-pollock groundfish program’s fee. E:\FR\FM\23DEN1.SGM 23DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 247 / Wednesday, December 23, 2020 / Notices NMFS proposed the implementing notice on August 11, 2006 (71 FR 46364), and published the final notice on September 29, 2006 (71 FR 57696). NMFS allocated the $35,000,000 reduction loan (A Loan) to the reduction fishery and this loan is repayable by fees from the fishery. On September 24, 2007, NMFS published in the Federal Register (72 FR 54219), the final rule to implement the industry fee system for repaying the non-pollock groundfish program’s reduction loan and established October 24, 2007, as the effective date when fee collection and loan repayment began. The regulations implementing the program are located at § 600.1012. NMFS published a final rule to implement a second $2,700,000 reduction loan (B Loan) for this fishery in the Federal Register on September 24, 2012 (77 FR 58775). The loan was disbursed December 18, 2012 with fee collection of $0.001 per pound to begin January 1, 2013. This fee is in addition to the A Loan fee. jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES Purpose The purpose of this notice is to adjust the fee rate for the reduction fishery in accordance with the framework rule’s § 600.1013(b). Section 600.1013(b) directs NMFS to recalculate the fee rate that will be reasonably necessary to ensure reduction loan repayment within the specified 30 year term. NMFS has determined for the reduction fishery that the current fee rate of $0.021 per pound is less than that needed to service the A Loan. Therefore, NMFS is increasing the Loan A fee rate to $0.024 per pound which NMFS has determined is sufficient to ensure timely loan repayment. The fee rate for Loan B will remain $0.001 per pound. Subsector members may continue to use Pay.gov to disburse collected fee deposits at: https://www.pay.gov/paygov/ . Please visit the NMFS website for additional information at: https:// www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/ funding-and-financial-services/longlinecatcher-processor-subsector-bering-seaand-aleutian-islands-non-pollock. Notice The new fee rate for the non-pollock groundfish fishery will begin on January 1, 2021. From and after this date, all subsector members paying fees on the non-pollock groundfish fishery shall begin paying non-pollock groundfish fishery program fees at the revised rate. Fee collection and submission shall follow previously established methods VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:21 Dec 22, 2020 Jkt 253001 in § 600.1013 of the framework rule and in the final fee rule published in the Federal Register on September 24, 2007 (72 FR 54219). Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1861 et seq.; Pub. L. 108–447. Dated: December 17, 2020. Brian T. Pawlak, Chief Financial Officer/Chief Administrative Officer, Director, Office of Management and Budget, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2020–28361 Filed 12–22–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [Docket No.: 200918–0249] RIN 0648–BJ52 Endangered and Threatened Species; Critical Habitat for the Threatened Indo-Pacific Corals, Public Hearings and Extension of Public Comment Period National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public hearings, extension of comment period. AGENCY: SUMMARY: We, NMFS, will hold two public hearings related to our proposed rule to designate critical habitat for seven threatened corals in U.S. waters in the Indo-Pacific (Acropora globiceps, Acropora jacquelineae, Acropora retusa, Acropora speciosa, Euphyllia paradivisa, Isopora crateriformis, and Seriatopora aculeata) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We are also extending the public comment period for this proposed rule by 30 days to February 25, 2021. DATES: Public hearings on the proposed rule to designate critical habitat for the seven threatened Indo-Pacific corals will be held online on the following dates, during the early evening hours of the affected jurisdictions (Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa). Times are given in Chamorro Standard Time (GMT+10:00), Samoa Standard Time (GMT–11:00), and Hawaii Standard Time (GMT–10:00). • The first hearing is scheduled for the early evening in Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, from 4 to 7 p.m. Chamorro Standard Time on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 (7 to 10 p.m. Samoa Standard Time on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, and PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 83899 8 to 11 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time on Tuesday, January 19, 2021). • The second hearing is scheduled for the early evening in American Samoa, from 4 to 7 p.m. Samoa Standard Time on Thursday, January 21, 2021 (1 to 4 p.m. Chamorro Standard Time on Friday, January 22, 2021, and 5 to 8 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time on Thursday, January 21, 2021). Since the hearings will be held online, any member of the public can join by internet or phone regardless of location. Instructions for joining the hearings are provided under ADDRESSES below. The proposed rule to designate critical habitat for the seven ESA-listed corals was issued on November 27, 2020 (85 FR 76262), and provided for a public comment period to end on January 26, 2021. The comment period is now extended 30 days and will close on February 25, 2021. Comments must be received by February 25, 2021, as specified under ADDRESSES. Comments received after this date may not be accepted. ADDRESSES: Both public hearings will be conducted as Webex meetings. You may join the Webex meetings using a web browser, the Webex desktop app (app installation required), a mobile app on a phone (app installation required), or audio-only using just a phone call, as specified below. • To join the first hearing, click on the link https://noaanmfs-meets.webex. com/noaanmfs-meets/onstage/ g.php?MTID=ecfe01efe62d246f 452d3bf93c907008a Password: ‘‘coral’’. If you do not have internet access, you may join by phone: US Toll +1–415– 527–5035 Access code: 199 477 7805 • To join the second hearing, click on link https://noaanmfs-meets.webex. com/noaanmfs-meets/onstage/ g.php?MTID=e616fdb7791f ad92917495cd0002b23bd Password: ‘‘coral’’. If you do not have internet access, you may join by phone: US Toll +1–415–527–5035 Access code: 199 394 4864 More information about the public hearings is provided under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. You may submit comments verbally or in writing at the public hearings, or in writing by any of the following methods. Comments must be received by February 25, 2021: • Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D= NOAA-NMFS-2016-0131 click the ‘‘Comment Now’’ icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. E:\FR\FM\23DEN1.SGM 23DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 23, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 83898-83899]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-28361]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XA633]


Fishing Capacity Reduction Program for the Longline Catcher 
Processor Subsector of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Non Pollock 
Groundfish Fishery

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

ACTION: Notice of fee rate adjustment.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS issues this notice to inform the public that there will 
be an increase of the fee rate required to repay the $35,000,000 
reduction loan financing the non-pollock groundfish fishing capacity 
reduction program. Effective January 1, 2021, NMFS is increasing the 
Loan A fee rate to $0.024 per pound to ensure timely repayment of the 
loan. The fee rate for Loan B will remain unchanged at $0.001 per 
pound. The increased Loan A fee rate is due to the 20 percent decrease 
in non-pollock groundfish Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for 2021.

DATES: The non-pollock groundfish program fee rate increase will begin 
with landings on January 1, 2021. The first due date for fee payments 
with the increased rate will be February 15, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Send questions about this notice to Elaine Saiz, Chief, 
Financial Services Division, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 
East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3282.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elaine Saiz, (301) 427-8752.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Sections 312(b)-(e) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 
and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1861 et seq.) generally authorizes 
fishing capacity reduction programs. In particular, section 312(d) 
authorizes industry fee systems for repaying reduction loans which 
finance reduction program costs. Subpart L of 50 CFR part 600 is the 
framework rule generally implementing section 312(b)-(e). Sections 1111 
and 1112 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 App. U.S.C. 1279f and 
1279g) generally authorize reduction loans.
    Enacted on December 8, 2004, section 219, Title II, of FY 2005 
Appropriations Act, Public Law 104-447 (Act) authorizes a fishing 
capacity reduction program implementing capacity reduction plans 
submitted to NMFS by catcher processor subsectors of the Bering Sea and 
Aleutian Islands (BSAI) non-pollock groundfish fishery (reduction 
fishery) as set forth in the Act.
    The longline catcher processor subsector (Longline Subsector) is 
among the catcher processor subsectors eligible to submit to NMFS a 
capacity reduction plan under the terms of the Act. The longline 
subsector non-pollock groundfish reduction program's objective was to 
reduce the number of vessels and permits endorsed for longline 
subsector of the non-pollock groundfish fishery. All post-reduction 
fish landings from the reduction fishery are subject to the longline 
subsector non-pollock groundfish program's fee.

[[Page 83899]]

    NMFS proposed the implementing notice on August 11, 2006 (71 FR 
46364), and published the final notice on September 29, 2006 (71 FR 
57696). NMFS allocated the $35,000,000 reduction loan (A Loan) to the 
reduction fishery and this loan is repayable by fees from the fishery.
    On September 24, 2007, NMFS published in the Federal Register (72 
FR 54219), the final rule to implement the industry fee system for 
repaying the non-pollock groundfish program's reduction loan and 
established October 24, 2007, as the effective date when fee collection 
and loan repayment began. The regulations implementing the program are 
located at Sec.  600.1012.
    NMFS published a final rule to implement a second $2,700,000 
reduction loan (B Loan) for this fishery in the Federal Register on 
September 24, 2012 (77 FR 58775). The loan was disbursed December 18, 
2012 with fee collection of $0.001 per pound to begin January 1, 2013. 
This fee is in addition to the A Loan fee.

Purpose

    The purpose of this notice is to adjust the fee rate for the 
reduction fishery in accordance with the framework rule's Sec.  
600.1013(b). Section 600.1013(b) directs NMFS to recalculate the fee 
rate that will be reasonably necessary to ensure reduction loan 
repayment within the specified 30 year term.
    NMFS has determined for the reduction fishery that the current fee 
rate of $0.021 per pound is less than that needed to service the A 
Loan. Therefore, NMFS is increasing the Loan A fee rate to $0.024 per 
pound which NMFS has determined is sufficient to ensure timely loan 
repayment. The fee rate for Loan B will remain $0.001 per pound.
    Subsector members may continue to use Pay.gov to disburse collected 
fee deposits at: https://www.pay.gov/paygov/.
    Please visit the NMFS website for additional information at: 
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/funding-and-financial-services/longline-catcher-processor-subsector-bering-sea-and-aleutian-islands-non-pollock.

Notice

    The new fee rate for the non-pollock groundfish fishery will begin 
on January 1, 2021.
    From and after this date, all subsector members paying fees on the 
non-pollock groundfish fishery shall begin paying non-pollock 
groundfish fishery program fees at the revised rate.
    Fee collection and submission shall follow previously established 
methods in Sec.  600.1013 of the framework rule and in the final fee 
rule published in the Federal Register on September 24, 2007 (72 FR 
54219).

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1861 et seq.; Pub. L. 108-447.

    Dated: December 17, 2020.
Brian T. Pawlak,
Chief Financial Officer/Chief Administrative Officer, Director, Office 
of Management and Budget, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-28361 Filed 12-22-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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