Pacific Island Fisheries; 2021 U.S. Territorial Longline Bigeye Tuna Catch Limits for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, 47596-47597 [2021-18365]

Download as PDF 47596 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 163 / Thursday, August 26, 2021 / Rules and Regulations Judge Qualifications and Scoring Criteria (5) Comment: Six of the seven comments did not oppose the alignment of the qualifications for selection as a judge and the scoring criteria for the Contest with the removal of the permanent theme and requirement for inclusion of a mandatory waterfowl hunting accessory in Contest entries. One comment stated that given the change in the Contest rules, the Service should eliminate the qualification that a judge be familiar with the wildlife sporting world in which the Duck Stamp is used. Several comments addressed other changes to the judging panel and process that are beyond the scope of this rule. Service Response: The Service made no changes to the final rule in response to these comments. An understanding of the wildlife sporting world in which the Duck Stamp is used is only one of several qualifications that an individual may possess in order to qualify to be a judge. jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with RULES Amendments to Existing Regulations The Service made no changes to the final rule in response to the comments we received on the proposed rule. As we proposed on June 23, 2021, at 86 FR 32878, this rule removes the permanent theme of ‘‘celebrating our waterfowl hunting heritage’’ and the mandatory inclusion of a waterfowl hunting-related scene or accessory in Contest entries and accordingly revises the qualifications for selection as a judge and the scoring criteria for the Contest, beginning with the 2022 Contest. Accordingly, this rule sets forth amended regulations for: • The Contest restrictions on subject matter for entries at 50 CFR 91.14. • Judge qualifications at 50 CFR 91.21(b). • Scoring criteria at 50 CFR 91.23. These regulatory amendments allow artists more freedom of expression when designing their Contest entries and better engage the nonhunting audience in understanding that Duck Stamps are a vital tool available for all to contribute to habitat conservation. The Service acknowledges that waterfowl hunters remain the primary customers of Duck Stamps, as these hunters must carry an annual signed stamp as part of their licensing requirements, and rather than mandating a permanent theme for the Contest and the inclusion of a huntingrelated accessory in Contest entries, we will develop other methods to promote the wildlife and habitat conservation contributions by waterfowl hunters. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:18 Aug 25, 2021 Jkt 253001 Required Determinations For this final rule, we affirm the following required determinations provided in our June 23, 2021, proposed rule (86 FR 32878): • National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); • Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); • Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.); • Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (5 U.S.C. 804(2)); • Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.); • Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); and • Executive Orders 12630, 12866, 12988, 13132, 13175, 13211, and 13563. List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 91 Hunting, Wildlife. Regulation Promulgation Accordingly, we amend part 91, subchapter G of chapter I, title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as follows: PART 91—MIGRATORY BIRD HUNTING AND CONSERVATION STAMP CONTEST 1. The authority citation for part 91 continues to read as follows: ■ § 91.21 Selection and qualification of contest judges. * * * * * (b) Qualifications. The panel of five judges will comprise individuals who have one or more of the following prerequisites: Recognized art credentials, knowledge of the anatomical makeup and the natural habitat of the eligible waterfowl species, an understanding of the wildlife sporting world in which the Duck Stamp is used, an awareness of philately and the role the Duck Stamp plays in stamp collecting, and demonstrated support for the conservation of waterfowl and wetlands through active involvement in the conservation community. * * * * * ■ 4. Revise § 91.23 to read as follows: § 91.23 Scoring criteria for contest. Entries will be judged on the basis of anatomical accuracy, artistic composition, and suitability for reduction in the production of a stamp. Shannon A. Estenoz, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. [FR Doc. 2021–18479 Filed 8–24–21; 11:15 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 16 U.S.C. 718j; 31 U.S.C. 9701. ■ 2. Revise § 91.14 to read as follows: § 91.14 entry. A live portrayal of any bird(s) of the five or fewer identified eligible waterfowl species must be the dominant feature of the design. The design may depict more than one of the eligible species. The judges’ overall mandate is to select the best design that will make an interesting, useful, and attractive duck stamp that will be accepted and prized by hunters, stamp collectors, conservationists, and others. The design must be the contestant’s original handdrawn creation. The entry design may not be copied or duplicated from previously published art, including photographs, or from images in any format published on the internet. Photographs, computer-generated art, or art produced from a computer printer or other computer/mechanical output device (airbrush method excepted) are not eligible to be entered into the contest and will be disqualified. An entry submitted in a prior contest that was not selected for a Federal or State stamp design may be submitted in the current contest if the entry meets the criteria set forth in this section. ■ 3. Amend § 91.21 by revising paragraph (b) to read as follows: PO 00000 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Restrictions on subject matter for Frm 00056 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 665 [RTID 0648–XB264] Pacific Island Fisheries; 2021 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 1,500 metric tons (t) of the 2021 bigeye tuna limit for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to 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 was valid as of July 15, 2021. The start SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\26AUR1.SGM 26AUR1 jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with RULES Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 163 / Thursday, August 26, 2021 / Rules and Regulations date for attributing 2021 bigeye tuna catch to the CNMI is August 30, 2021. ADDRESSES: The Fishery Ecosystem Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific (FEP) describes specified fishing agreements and 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. 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– 2020–0010, are available from https:// www.regulations.gov/search/ docket?filter=NOAA-NMFS-2020-0010, or from Michael D. Tosatto, Regional Administrator, NMFS Pacific Islands Region (PIR), 1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg. 176, Honolulu, HI 96818. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynn Rassel, NMFS PIRO Sustainable Fisheries, 808–725–5184. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a final rule published on January 12, 2021, NMFS specified a 2021 limit of 2,000 t of longline-caught bigeye tuna for each of the U.S. Pacific Island territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the CNMI (86 FR 2297). NMFS allows each territory to allocate up to 1,500 t of the 2,000 t limit to U.S. longline fishing vessels identified in a valid specified fishing agreement, but the total allocation among all territories may not exceed 3,000 t. On June 25, 2021, NMFS received from the Council a specified fishing agreement between the CNMI and the Hawaii Longline Association. The Council’s Executive Director advised that the agreement is consistent with the FEP and its implementing regulations. On July 15, 2021, NMFS reviewed the agreement and determined that it is consistent with the FEP, implementing regulations, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and other applicable laws. In accordance with 50 CFR 300.224(d) and 50 CFR 665.819(c)(9), vessels in the agreement may retain and land bigeye tuna in the western and central Pacific Ocean under the CNMI attribution specified in the fishing agreement. On August 30, 2021, NMFS began attributing bigeye tuna caught by vessels in the agreement to the CNMI. If NMFS determines that the fishery will reach the 1,500 t allocation specified in the CNMI agreement, we will restrict the retention of bigeye tuna caught by vessels in the agreement, unless the vessels are included in a subsequent VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:08 Aug 25, 2021 Jkt 253001 specified fishing agreement with another U.S. territory. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: August 20, 2021. Kelly Denit, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2021–18365 Filed 8–25–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 210210–0018; RTID 0648– XB337] Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish Fishery by Non-Rockfish Program Catcher Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Western and Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of closure. AGENCY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for groundfish, other than pollock, by non-Rockfish Program catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully use the 2021 groundfish total allowable catch available for non-Rockfish Program catcher vessels directed fishing for groundfish, other than pollock, using trawl gear in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA. DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 24, 2021, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2021. Comments must be received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., September 7, 2021. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA– NMFS–2020–0140, by any of the following methods: • Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and enter NOAA–NMFS–2020–0140 in the Search box. Click on the ‘‘Comment’’ icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. • Mail: Submit written comments to Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 47597 Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn: Records Office. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668. Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the public record and NMFS will post the comments for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907–586–7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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. NMFS prohibited directed fishing for groundfish, other than pollock, by nonRockfish Program catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA, effective 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 26, 2021 (86 FR 16677, March 31, 2021) under § 679.21(i)(8)(ii). On August 20, 2021, NMFS published an inseason adjustment (86 FR 46792, August 20, 2021) that reapportioned 1,350 Chinook salmon prohibited species catch limit to the non-Rockfish Program catcher vessel sector participating in the directed fishery for groundfish, other than pollock, in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA that is available from August 18, 2021 until December 31, 2021 (§ 679.21(h)(5)(iii)). Therefore, in accordance with § 679.25(a)(1)(i)), (a)(2)(i)(C), and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize the 2021 groundfish total allowable catch available for nonRockfish Program catcher vessels directed fishing for groundfish, other than pollock, using trawl gear in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and is opening directed fishing for non-Rockfish Program catcher vessels directed fishing for groundfish, other than pollock, using E:\FR\FM\26AUR1.SGM 26AUR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 163 (Thursday, August 26, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47596-47597]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-18365]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 665

[RTID 0648-XB264]


Pacific Island Fisheries; 2021 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 1,500 metric tons (t) of the 2021 bigeye tuna limit for 
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to 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 was valid as of July 15, 2021. 
The start

[[Page 47597]]

date for attributing 2021 bigeye tuna catch to the CNMI is August 30, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: The Fishery Ecosystem Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the 
Western Pacific (FEP) describes specified fishing agreements and 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.
    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-2020-0010, are available from https://www.regulations.gov/search/docket?filter=NOAA-NMFS-2020-0010, or from 
Michael D. Tosatto, Regional Administrator, NMFS Pacific Islands Region 
(PIR), 1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg. 176, Honolulu, HI 96818.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynn Rassel, NMFS PIRO Sustainable 
Fisheries, 808-725-5184.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a final rule published on January 12, 
2021, NMFS specified a 2021 limit of 2,000 t of longline-caught bigeye 
tuna for each of the U.S. Pacific Island territories of American Samoa, 
Guam, and the CNMI (86 FR 2297). NMFS allows each territory to allocate 
up to 1,500 t of the 2,000 t limit to U.S. longline fishing vessels 
identified in a valid specified fishing agreement, but the total 
allocation among all territories may not exceed 3,000 t.
    On June 25, 2021, NMFS received from the Council a specified 
fishing agreement between the CNMI and the Hawaii Longline Association. 
The Council's Executive Director advised that the agreement is 
consistent with the FEP and its implementing regulations. On July 15, 
2021, NMFS reviewed the agreement and determined that it is consistent 
with the FEP, implementing regulations, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act, and other applicable laws.
    In accordance with 50 CFR 300.224(d) and 50 CFR 665.819(c)(9), 
vessels in the agreement may retain and land bigeye tuna in the western 
and central Pacific Ocean under the CNMI attribution specified in the 
fishing agreement. On August 30, 2021, NMFS began attributing bigeye 
tuna caught by vessels in the agreement to the CNMI. If NMFS determines 
that the fishery will reach the 1,500 t allocation specified in the 
CNMI agreement, we will restrict the retention of bigeye tuna caught by 
vessels 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: August 20, 2021.
Kelly Denit,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-18365 Filed 8-25-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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