Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; North Pacific Halibut and Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota Cost Recovery Program, 79869-79872 [2022-28261]
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 248 / Wednesday, December 28, 2022 / Notices
Agency: National Oceanic &
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
Title: Statement of Financial Interests
for Regional Fishery Management
Councils.
OMB Control Number: 0648–0192.
Form Number(s): NOAA Form 88–
195.
Type of Request: Regular (revision
and extension of a current information
collection).
Number of Respondents: 330.
Average Hours per Response: 45
minutes.
Total Annual Burden Hours: 248
hours.
Needs and Uses: The Magnuson
Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens
Act) authorizes the establishment of
eight Regional Fishery Management
Councils to manage fisheries within
regional jurisdictions. Section 302(j) of
the Magnuson-Stevens Act requires that
affected individuals, including Council
members appointed by the Secretary of
Commerce, Scientific and Statistical
Committee (SSC) members appointed by
a Council, and individuals nominated
by the State Governor, Territorial
Governor or Tribal Government for
possible appointment as a Council
member (50 CFR 600.235), must
disclose their financial interest in any
Council fishery. Financial interests
include harvesting, processing,
lobbying, advocacy, or marketing
activity that is being, or will be,
undertaken within any fishery over
which the Council concerned has
jurisdiction. Information on financial
interests must be disclosed on NOAA
Form 88–195, Statement of Financial
Interests, under OMB collection 0648–
0192. The information collected is used
to assess potential conflicts of interest
and to make determinations about when
recusals from Council voting decisions
are necessary to avoid such conflicts.
NOAA Fisheries and Council offices are
required to maintain current Statement
of Financial Interests forms on file that
are publically available for
transparency. The Statement of
Financial Interests form is being revised
at this time for consistency with the
final rule to clarify guidance on council
members’ financial disclosures and
voting recusals (50 CFR 600.235; as
amended at 85 FR 56177, Sept. 11,
2020).
Affected Public: Individuals or
households.
Frequency: Annual.
Respondent’s Obligation: Mandatory.
Legal Authority: Magnuson-Stevens
Act section 302(j) and 50 CFR 600.235.
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This information collection request
may be viewed at www.reginfo.gov.
Follow the instructions to view the
Department of Commerce collections
currently under review by OMB.
Written comments and
recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be
submitted within 30 days of the
publication of this notice on the
following website www.reginfo.gov/
public/do/PRAMain. Find this
particular information collection by
selecting ‘‘Currently under 30-day
Review—Open for Public Comments’’ or
by using the search function and
entering either the title of the collection
or the OMB Control Number 0648–0192.
Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of
the Chief Information Officer, Commerce
Department.
[FR Doc. 2022–28215 Filed 12–27–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[RTID 0648–XC404]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone off Alaska; North Pacific Halibut
and Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota
Cost Recovery Program
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 2022 is 1.9 percent. This
action is intended to provide holders of
halibut and sablefish IFQ permits with
the 2022 standard prices and fee
percentage to calculate the required
payment for IFQ cost recovery fees due
by January 31, 2023.
DATES: The standard prices and fee
percentages are valid on December 28,
2022.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Charmaine Weeks, Fee Coordinator,
907–586–7231.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
Background
NMFS Alaska Region administers the
IFQ Program in the North Pacific. The
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79869
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
(Halibut Act). 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) of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act. 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 at § 679.45 to implement
cost recovery for the IFQ Program (65
FR 14919, March 20, 2000). Under the
regulations, an IFQ permit holder must
pay a cost recovery fee for every pound
of IFQ halibut and sablefish that is
landed on their IFQ permit(s). The IFQ
permit holder is responsible for selfcollecting the fee for all IFQ halibut and
sablefish landings on their permit(s).
The IFQ permit holder is also
responsible for submitting IFQ fee
payments(s) to NMFS on or before
January 31 of the year following the year
in which the IFQ landings were made.
The total dollar amount of the fee is
determined by multiplying the NMFS
published fee percentage by the exvessel 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 IFQ halibut
and sablefish fisheries in the Federal
Register during or prior to 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,
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 248 / Wednesday, December 28, 2022 / Notices
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
specified in 50 CFR 300.65(c)(5)(ii)(E).
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 halibut and sablefish IFQ
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, NMFS determined that
the percentage of management costs to
fishery value for the 2022 calendar year
is 1.9 percent of the standard ex-vessel
value. An IFQ permit holder is to use
the fee percentage of 1.9 percent to
calculate their fee for IFQ equivalent
pound(s) landed during the 2022 halibut
and sablefish IFQ fishing season. An
IFQ permit holder is responsible for
submitting the 2022 IFQ fee payment to
NMFS on or before January 31, 2023.
Payment must be made in accordance
with the payment methods set forth in
§ 679.45(a)(4)(iv). Payment can be made
using credit card, debit card, or
electronic check via the pay.gov
program. NMFS does not accept credit
card information by phone or in-person
for fee payments.
The 2022 fee percentage of 1.9 percent
is less than the 2021 fee percentage of
2.3 percent (86 FR 74071, December 29,
2021). Between 2021 and 2022 there
was a net increase in management costs
as well as a net increase in fishery
value. Management costs increased by
approximately 6 percent while fishery
value increased by approximately 27
percent. The net increase in value was
due to higher ex-vessel prices and
landings for both halibut and sablefish
IFQ fisheries.
TABLE 1—REGISTERED BUYER STANDARD EX-VESSEL PRICES BY LANDING LOCATION FOR THE 2022 IFQ SEASON 1
Landing location
Period ending
Halibut
standard
ex-vessel price
Sablefish
standard
ex-vessel price
CORDOVA ....................................................................
March 31 .......................................................................
April 30 .........................................................................
May 31 ..........................................................................
June 30 .........................................................................
July 31 ..........................................................................
August 31 .....................................................................
September 30 ...............................................................
October 31 ....................................................................
November 30 ................................................................
December 31 ................................................................
March 31 .......................................................................
April 30 .........................................................................
May 31 ..........................................................................
June 30 .........................................................................
July 31 ..........................................................................
August 31 .....................................................................
September 30 ...............................................................
October 31 ....................................................................
November 30 ................................................................
December 31 ................................................................
March 31 .......................................................................
April 30 .........................................................................
May 31 ..........................................................................
June 30 .........................................................................
July 31 ..........................................................................
August 31 .....................................................................
September 30 ...............................................................
October 31 ....................................................................
November 30 ................................................................
December 31 ................................................................
March 31 .......................................................................
April 30 .........................................................................
May 31 ..........................................................................
........................
........................
6.51
3.74
2.86
4.40
4.14
4.14
4.14
4.14
8.06
8.21
8.20
7.77
7.92
7.43
6.47
6.47
6.47
6.47
........................
........................
7.98
7.91
........................
........................
8.07
8.07
8.07
8.07
........................
7.41
7.73
........................
........................
1.35
........................
........................
........................
2.73
2.73
2.73
2.73
........................
1.50
1.83
2.32
........................
2.27
2.36
2.36
2.36
2.36
........................
........................
........................
2.45
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
1.63
1.91
HOMER ........................................................................
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KETCHIKAN .................................................................
KODIAK ........................................................................
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 248 / Wednesday, December 28, 2022 / Notices
79871
TABLE 1—REGISTERED BUYER STANDARD EX-VESSEL PRICES BY LANDING LOCATION FOR THE 2022 IFQ SEASON 1—
Continued
Period ending
Halibut
standard
ex-vessel price
Sablefish
standard
ex-vessel price
June 30 .........................................................................
July 31 ..........................................................................
August 31 .....................................................................
September 30 ...............................................................
October 31 ....................................................................
November 30 ................................................................
December 31 ................................................................
March 31 .......................................................................
April 30 .........................................................................
May 31 ..........................................................................
June 30 .........................................................................
July 31 ..........................................................................
August 31 .....................................................................
September 30 ...............................................................
October 31 ....................................................................
November 30 ................................................................
December 31 ................................................................
March 31 .......................................................................
April 30 .........................................................................
May 31 ..........................................................................
June 30 .........................................................................
July 31 ..........................................................................
August 31 .....................................................................
September 30 ...............................................................
October 31 ....................................................................
November 30 ................................................................
December 31 ................................................................
March 31 .......................................................................
April 30 .........................................................................
May 31 ..........................................................................
June 30 .........................................................................
July 31 ..........................................................................
August 31 .....................................................................
September 30 ...............................................................
October 31 ....................................................................
November 30 ................................................................
December 31 ................................................................
March 31 .......................................................................
April 30 .........................................................................
May 31 ..........................................................................
June 30 .........................................................................
July 31 ..........................................................................
August 31 .....................................................................
September 30 ...............................................................
October 31 ....................................................................
November 30 ................................................................
December 31 ................................................................
March 31 .......................................................................
April 30 .........................................................................
May 31 ..........................................................................
June 30 .........................................................................
July 31 ..........................................................................
August 31 .....................................................................
September 30 ...............................................................
October 31 ....................................................................
November 30 ................................................................
December 31 ................................................................
March 31 .......................................................................
April 30 .........................................................................
May 31 ..........................................................................
June 30 .........................................................................
July 31 ..........................................................................
August 31 .....................................................................
September 30 ...............................................................
October 31 ....................................................................
November 30 ................................................................
December 31 ................................................................
March 31 .......................................................................
April 30 .........................................................................
7.67
7.66
7.36
6.35
6.35
6.35
6.35
........................
........................
7.79
7.80
7.62
7.27
7.20
7.20
7.20
7.20
........................
8.35
........................
........................
........................
7.60
........................
........................
........................
........................
7.48
5.69
7.41
7.04
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
7.13
7.15
7.20
7.24
7.04
7.04
7.04
7.04
7.66
8.05
7.97
7.75
7.41
7.13
6.35
6.35
6.35
6.35
7.67
7.57
7.96
7.92
7.64
7.56
6.95
6.95
6.95
6.95
7.67
7.78
2.38
2.54
2.46
2.21
2.21
2.21
2.21
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
1.80
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
1.97
2.04
1.90
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
1.77
2.17
1.46
1.95
2.02
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
1.87
1.82
1.87
2.29
2.44
2.36
2.31
2.31
2.31
2.31
2.15
2.23
2.22
2.45
2.68
2.64
2.72
2.72
2.72
2.72
2.10
1.99
Landing location
PETERSBURG .............................................................
SEWARD ......................................................................
SITKA ...........................................................................
BERING SEA 2 .............................................................
CENTRAL GULF OF ALASKA 3 ...................................
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SOUTHEAST ALASKA 4 ..............................................
ALL–ALASKA 5 .............................................................
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79872
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 248 / Wednesday, December 28, 2022 / Notices
TABLE 1—REGISTERED BUYER STANDARD EX-VESSEL PRICES BY LANDING LOCATION FOR THE 2022 IFQ SEASON 1—
Continued
Landing location
Period ending
ALL 5 .............................................................................
May 31 ..........................................................................
June 30 .........................................................................
July 31 ..........................................................................
August 31 .....................................................................
September 30 ...............................................................
October 31 ....................................................................
November 30 ................................................................
December 31 ................................................................
March 31 .......................................................................
April 30 .........................................................................
May 31 ..........................................................................
June 30 .........................................................................
July 31 ..........................................................................
August 31 .....................................................................
September 30 ...............................................................
October 31 ....................................................................
November 30 ................................................................
December 31 ................................................................
Halibut
standard
ex-vessel price
Sablefish
standard
ex-vessel price
7.92
7.73
7.41
7.24
6.66
6.66
6.66
6.66
7.67
7.89
8.03
7.84
7.41
7.27
6.66
6.66
6.66
6.66
2.06
2.01
2.27
2.34
2.44
2.44
2.44
2.44
2.10
2.01
2.09
2.01
2.27
2.34
2.44
2.44
2.44
2.44
1 Note: In many instances, prices are not shown in order to comply with confidentiality guidelines when there are fewer than three processors
operating in a location during a month. Additionally, landings at different harbors in the same general location (e.g., ‘‘Juneau, Douglas, and Auke
Bay’’) have been combined to report landings to the main port (e.g., ‘‘Juneau’’).
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.
5 Landing Locations Within Port Group—All: For Alaska: All landing locations included in 1, 2, and 3. 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, Ranier, 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 21, 2022.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022–28261 Filed 12–27–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
ddrumheller on DSK6VXHR33PROD with NOTICES
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Submission to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
Review and Approval; Comment
Request; Mandatory Shrimp Vessel
and Gear Characterization Survey
The Department of Commerce will
submit the following information
collection request to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
review and clearance in accordance
with the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995, on or after the date of publication
of this notice. We invite the general
public and other Federal agencies to
comment on proposed, and continuing
VerDate Sep<11>2014
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Jkt 259001
information collections, which helps us
assess the impact of our information
collection requirements and minimize
the public’s reporting burden. Public
comments were previously requested
via the Federal Register on September
30, 2022 (87 FR 59403) during a 60-day
comment period. This notice allows for
an additional 30 days for public
comments.
Agency: National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Association.
Title: Mandatory Shrimp Vessel and
Gear Characterization Survey.
OMB Control Number: 0648–0542.
Form Number(s): None.
Type of Request: Regular submission
(extension of a current information
collection).
Number of Respondents: 1,349.
Average Hours per Response: 30
minutes.
Total Annual Burden Hours: 674.5.
Needs and Uses: The mandatory
vessel and gear characterization survey
is a census data collection effort of all
shrimp vessel owners or operators who
possess a valid Federal Gulf commercial
shrimp fishing permit. NMFS began
collecting these survey data in 2006
under OMB Control No. 0648–0542 per
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the final rule implementing Amendment
13 to the Fishery Management Plan for
the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of
Mexico (Amendment 13) (71 FR 56039,
September 26, 2006).
NMFS is currently collecting censuslevel information on fishing vessel and
gear characteristics in the Gulf of
Mexico (Gulf) commercial shrimp
fishery (Gulf shrimp fishery), which
operates in the Gulf exclusive economic
zone. NMFS uses this information to
conduct analyses that improve fishery
management decision-making and
ensure that national goals, objectives,
and requirements of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens
Act, 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), National
Environmental Policy Act, Regulatory
Flexibility Act, Endangered Species Act,
and Executive Order 12866 are met; and
quantify achievement of the
performance measures in the NMFS’
Operating Plans. This information is
vital in assessing the economic, social,
and environmental effects of fishery
management decisions and regulations
on individual shrimp fishing
enterprises, fishing communities, and
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 248 (Wednesday, December 28, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79869-79872]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-28261]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XC404]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; North
Pacific Halibut and Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota Cost Recovery
Program
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 2022 is 1.9 percent. This action is intended to
provide holders of halibut and sablefish IFQ permits with the 2022
standard prices and fee percentage to calculate the required payment
for IFQ cost recovery fees due by January 31, 2023.
DATES: The standard prices and fee percentages are valid on December
28, 2022.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charmaine Weeks, Fee Coordinator, 907-
586-7231.
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 (Halibut
Act). 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) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. 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 at Sec. 679.45 to
implement cost recovery for the IFQ Program (65 FR 14919, March 20,
2000). Under the regulations, an IFQ permit holder must pay a cost
recovery fee for every pound of IFQ halibut and sablefish that is
landed on their IFQ permit(s). The IFQ permit holder is responsible for
self-collecting the fee for all IFQ halibut and sablefish landings on
their permit(s). The IFQ permit holder is also responsible for
submitting IFQ fee payments(s) to NMFS on or before January 31 of the
year following the year in which the IFQ landings were made. The total
dollar amount of the fee 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 IFQ halibut and sablefish fisheries in the Federal
Register during or prior to 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,
[[Page 79870]]
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 specified in 50 CFR
300.65(c)(5)(ii)(E). 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
halibut and sablefish IFQ 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, NMFS determined
that the percentage of management costs to fishery value for the 2022
calendar year is 1.9 percent of the standard ex-vessel value. An IFQ
permit holder is to use the fee percentage of 1.9 percent to calculate
their fee for IFQ equivalent pound(s) landed during the 2022 halibut
and sablefish IFQ fishing season. An IFQ permit holder is responsible
for submitting the 2022 IFQ fee payment to NMFS on or before January
31, 2023. Payment must be made in accordance with the payment methods
set forth in Sec. 679.45(a)(4)(iv). Payment can be made using credit
card, debit card, or electronic check via the pay.gov program. NMFS
does not accept credit card information by phone or in-person for fee
payments.
The 2022 fee percentage of 1.9 percent is less than the 2021 fee
percentage of 2.3 percent (86 FR 74071, December 29, 2021). Between
2021 and 2022 there was a net increase in management costs as well as a
net increase in fishery value. Management costs increased by
approximately 6 percent while fishery value increased by approximately
27 percent. The net increase in value was due to higher ex-vessel
prices and landings for both halibut and sablefish IFQ fisheries.
Table 1--Registered Buyer Standard Ex-Vessel Prices by Landing Location for the 2022 IFQ Season \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut Sablefish
Landing location Period ending standard ex- standard ex-
vessel price vessel price
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CORDOVA....................................... March 31........................ .............. ..............
April 30........................ .............. ..............
May 31.......................... 6.51 1.35
June 30......................... 3.74 ..............
July 31......................... 2.86 ..............
August 31....................... 4.40 ..............
September 30.................... 4.14 2.73
October 31...................... 4.14 2.73
November 30..................... 4.14 2.73
December 31..................... 4.14 2.73
HOMER......................................... March 31........................ 8.06 ..............
April 30........................ 8.21 1.50
May 31.......................... 8.20 1.83
June 30......................... 7.77 2.32
July 31......................... 7.92 ..............
August 31....................... 7.43 2.27
September 30.................... 6.47 2.36
October 31...................... 6.47 2.36
November 30..................... 6.47 2.36
December 31..................... 6.47 2.36
KETCHIKAN..................................... March 31........................ .............. ..............
April 30........................ .............. ..............
May 31.......................... 7.98 ..............
June 30......................... 7.91 2.45
July 31......................... .............. ..............
August 31....................... .............. ..............
September 30.................... 8.07 ..............
October 31...................... 8.07 ..............
November 30..................... 8.07 ..............
December 31..................... 8.07 ..............
KODIAK........................................ March 31........................ .............. ..............
April 30........................ 7.41 1.63
May 31.......................... 7.73 1.91
[[Page 79871]]
June 30......................... 7.67 2.38
July 31......................... 7.66 2.54
August 31....................... 7.36 2.46
September 30.................... 6.35 2.21
October 31...................... 6.35 2.21
November 30..................... 6.35 2.21
December 31..................... 6.35 2.21
PETERSBURG.................................... March 31........................ .............. ..............
April 30........................ .............. ..............
May 31.......................... 7.79 ..............
June 30......................... 7.80 ..............
July 31......................... 7.62 ..............
August 31....................... 7.27 ..............
September 30.................... 7.20 ..............
October 31...................... 7.20 ..............
November 30..................... 7.20 ..............
December 31..................... 7.20 ..............
SEWARD........................................ March 31........................ .............. ..............
April 30........................ 8.35 1.80
May 31.......................... .............. ..............
June 30......................... .............. ..............
July 31......................... .............. ..............
August 31....................... 7.60 ..............
September 30.................... .............. ..............
October 31...................... .............. ..............
November 30..................... .............. ..............
December 31..................... .............. ..............
SITKA......................................... March 31........................ 7.48 1.97
April 30........................ 5.69 2.04
May 31.......................... 7.41 1.90
June 30......................... 7.04 ..............
July 31......................... .............. ..............
August 31....................... .............. ..............
September 30.................... .............. ..............
October 31...................... .............. ..............
November 30..................... .............. ..............
December 31..................... .............. ..............
BERING SEA \2\................................ March 31........................ .............. ..............
April 30........................ .............. 1.77
May 31.......................... 7.13 2.17
June 30......................... 7.15 1.46
July 31......................... 7.20 1.95
August 31....................... 7.24 2.02
September 30.................... 7.04 2.00
October 31...................... 7.04 2.00
November 30..................... 7.04 2.00
December 31..................... 7.04 2.00
CENTRAL GULF OF ALASKA \3\.................... March 31........................ 7.66 1.87
April 30........................ 8.05 1.82
May 31.......................... 7.97 1.87
June 30......................... 7.75 2.29
July 31......................... 7.41 2.44
August 31....................... 7.13 2.36
September 30.................... 6.35 2.31
October 31...................... 6.35 2.31
November 30..................... 6.35 2.31
December 31..................... 6.35 2.31
SOUTHEAST ALASKA \4\.......................... March 31........................ 7.67 2.15
April 30........................ 7.57 2.23
May 31.......................... 7.96 2.22
June 30......................... 7.92 2.45
July 31......................... 7.64 2.68
August 31....................... 7.56 2.64
September 30.................... 6.95 2.72
October 31...................... 6.95 2.72
November 30..................... 6.95 2.72
December 31..................... 6.95 2.72
ALL-ALASKA \5\................................ March 31........................ 7.67 2.10
April 30........................ 7.78 1.99
[[Page 79872]]
May 31.......................... 7.92 2.06
June 30......................... 7.73 2.01
July 31......................... 7.41 2.27
August 31....................... 7.24 2.34
September 30.................... 6.66 2.44
October 31...................... 6.66 2.44
November 30..................... 6.66 2.44
December 31..................... 6.66 2.44
ALL \5\....................................... March 31........................ 7.67 2.10
April 30........................ 7.89 2.01
May 31.......................... 8.03 2.09
June 30......................... 7.84 2.01
July 31......................... 7.41 2.27
August 31....................... 7.27 2.34
September 30.................... 6.66 2.44
October 31...................... 6.66 2.44
November 30..................... 6.66 2.44
December 31..................... 6.66 2.44
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Note: In many instances, prices are not shown in order to comply with confidentiality guidelines when there
are fewer than three processors operating in a location during a month. Additionally, landings at different
harbors in the same general location (e.g., ``Juneau, Douglas, and Auke Bay'') have been combined to report
landings to the main port (e.g., ``Juneau'').
\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.
\5\ Landing Locations Within Port Group--All: For Alaska: All landing locations included in 1, 2, and 3. 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, Ranier, 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 21, 2022.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-28261 Filed 12-27-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
