Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; North Pacific Halibut and Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota Cost Recovery Program, 89667-89670 [2023-28707]
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 248 / Thursday, December 28, 2023 / Notices
and Electricity Benchmarks
IX. Analysis of Programs
X. Recommendation
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Appendix II
Companies with Respect to Which
Commerce Is Rescinding Its Review
1. Anhui Boya Bamboo & Wood Products Co.,
Ltd.
2. Anhui Longhua Bamboo Product Co., Ltd.
3. Anhui Yaolong Bamboo & Wood Products
Co. Ltd.
4. Armstrong Wood Products (Kunshan) Co.,
Ltd.
5. Benxi Flooring Factory (General
Partnership)
6. Benxi Wood Company
7. Changzhou Hawd Flooring Co., Ltd.
8. Dalian Guhua Wooden Product Co., Ltd.
9. Dalian Huilong Wooden Products Co., Ltd.
10. Dalian Jaenmaken Wood Industry Co.,
Ltd.
11. Dalian Jiahong Wood Industry Co., Ltd.
12. Dalian Kemian Wood Industry Co., Ltd.
13. Dalian Qianqiu Wooden Product Co., Ltd.
14. Dalian Shengyu Science and Technology
Development Co., Ltd.
15. Dalian T-Boom Wood Products Co., Ltd.
16. Dongtai Fuan Universal Dynamics, LLC
17. Dun Hua Sen Tai Wood Co., Ltd.
18. Dunhua City Dexin Wood Industry Co.,
Ltd.
19. Dunhua City Hongyuan Wood Industry
Co., Ltd.
20. Dunhua City Jisen Wood Industry Co.,
Ltd.
21. Dunhua Shengda Wood Industry Co., Ltd.
22. Fusong Jinqiu Wooden Product Co., Ltd.
23. Guangzhou Homebon Timber
Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
24. HaiLin LinJing Wooden Products Co.,
Ltd.
25. Hangzhou Hanje Tec Company Limited
26. Hangzhou Zhengtian Industrial Co., Ltd.
27. Hong Kong Chuanshi International
28. Hunchun Forest Wolf Wooden Industry
Co., Ltd.
29. Hunchun Xingjia Wooden Flooring Inc.
30. Huzhou Chenghang Wood Co., Ltd.
31. Huzhou Sunergy World Trade Co., Ltd.
32. Jiangsu Keri Wood Co., Ltd.
33. Jiangsu Mingle Flooring Co., Ltd.
34. Jiangsu Simba Flooring Co., Ltd.
35. Jiangsu Yuhui International Trade Co.,
Ltd.
36. Jiashan On-Line Lumber Co., Ltd.
37. Jiaxing Hengtong Wood Co., Ltd.
38. Jilin Xinyuan Wooden Industry Co., Ltd.
39. Karly Wood Product Limited
40. Kember Flooring, Inc. (also known as
Kember Hardwood Flooring, Inc.)
41. Kemian Wood Industry (Kunshan) Co.,
Ltd.
42. Kingman Wood Industry Co., Ltd.
43. Kornbest Enterprises Limited
44. Les Planchers Mercier, Inc.
45. Linyi Anying Wood Co., Ltd.
46. Linyi Youyou Wood Co., Ltd. (successorin-interest to Shanghai Lizhong Wood
Products Co., Ltd.) (a/k/a TheLizhong
Wood Industry Limited Company of
Shanghai)
47. Logwin Air and Ocean Hong Kong
48. Muchsee Wood (Chuzhou) Co., Ltd.
49. Power Dekor Group Co. Ltd.
50. Power Dekor North America Inc.
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51. Samling Elegant Living Trading (Labuan)
Ltd.
52. Samling Global USA, Inc.
53. Scholar Home (Shanghai) New Material
Co. Ltd.
54. Shanghai Lairunde Wood
55. Shanghaifloor Timber (Shanghai) Co.,
Ltd.
56. Sino-Maple (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd.
57. Suzhou Dongda Wood Co., Ltd.
58. Tech Wood International Ltd.
59. Tongxiang Jisheng Import and Export Co.,
Ltd.
60. Xiamen Yung De Ornament Co., Ltd.
61. Xuzhou Shenghe Wood Co., Ltd.
62. Yekalon Industry, Inc.
63. Yihua Lifestyle Technology Co., Ltd.
(successor-in-interest to Guangdong
Yihua Timber Industry Co., Ltd.)
64. Yingyi-Nature (Kunshan) Wood Industry
Co., Ltd.
65. Zhejiang Dadongwu Green Home Wood
Co., Ltd.
66. Zhejiang Jiechen Wood Industry Co., Ltd.
67. Zhejiang Longsen Lumbering Co., Ltd.
68. Zhejiang Shiyou Timber Co., Ltd.
69. Zhejiang Shuimojiangnan New Material
Technology Co., Ltd.
70. Zhejiang Simite Wooden Co., Ltd.
Appendix III
Non-Selected Companies Under Review
1. Dalian Penghong Floor Products Co., Ltd.
2. Dalian Shumaike Floor Manufacturing Co.,
Ltd.
3. Fine Furniture (Shanghai) Limited 17
4. Fusong Jinlong Wooden Group Co., Ltd.
5. Fusong Qianqiu Wooden Product Co., Ltd.
6. Huzhou Fulinmen Imp. & Exp. Co., Ltd.
7. Huzhou Jesonwood Co., Ltd.
8. Jiangsu Guyu International Trading Co.,
Ltd.
9. Jiashan HuiJiaLe Decoration Material Co.,
Ltd.
10. Metropolitan Hardwood Floors, Inc.
11. Pinge Timber Manufacturing (Zhejiang)
Co., Ltd.
12. Zhejiang Fuerjia Wooden Co., Ltd.
[FR Doc. 2023–28630 Filed 12–27–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[RTID 0648–XD570]
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.
AGENCY:
17 Commerce previously found Great Wood
(Tonghua) Ltd. and Fine Furniture Plantation
(Shishou) Ltd. to be cross-owned with Fine
Furniture (Shanghai) Limited. See Multilayered
Wood Flooring from the People’s Republic of China:
Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty
Determination,76 FR 64313 (October 18, 2011).
PO 00000
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89667
Notice of standard prices and
fee percentage.
ACTION:
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 2023 is 3.0 percent. This
action is intended to provide holders of
halibut and sablefish IFQ permits with
the 2023 standard prices and fee
percentage to calculate the required
payment for IFQ cost recovery fees due
by January 31, 2024.
DATES: The standard prices and fee
percentages are valid on December 28,
2023.
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
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), including
any halibut that is landed as guided
angler fish. 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
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 248 / Thursday, December 28, 2023 / Notices
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 from for example, fish
processors, 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,
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 2023 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 identifies 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 2023 calendar year
is 3.4 percent of the standard ex-vessel
value; however, the fee percentage must
not exceed 3.0 percent pursuant to
§ 304(d)(2)(B) of the Magnuson-Stevens
Act. Therefore, the 2023 fee percentage
is set at 3.0 percent. An IFQ permit
holder is to use the fee percentage of 3.0
percent to calculate their fee for IFQ
equivalent pound(s) landed during the
2023 halibut and sablefish IFQ fishing
season. An IFQ permit holder is
responsible for submitting the 2023 IFQ
fee payment to NMFS on or before
January 31, 2024. 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 inperson for fee payments.
The 2023 fee percentage of 3.0 percent
is higher than the 2022 fee percentage
of 1.9 percent (87 FR 79869, December
28, 2022). Between 2022 and 2023 there
was a net increase in management costs
and a net decrease in fishery value.
Management costs increased by
approximately 15 percent while fishery
value decreased by approximately 34
percent. The net decrease in value was
due to lower 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 2023 IFQ SEASON 1
Landing location
Halibut
standard ex
vessel price
Period ending
Sablefish
standard ex
vessel price
HOMER:
March 31 .......................................................................
April 30 .........................................................................
May 31 ..........................................................................
June 30 .........................................................................
July 31 ..........................................................................
August 31 .....................................................................
September 30 ...............................................................
October 31 ....................................................................
November 30 ................................................................
December 31 ................................................................
6.00
6.02
5.48
6.08
5.87
5.26
4.81
4.81
4.81
4.81
1.27
1.19
1.02
3.12
........................
2.00
1.80
1.80
1.80
1.80
March 31 .......................................................................
April 30 .........................................................................
May 31 ..........................................................................
June 30 .........................................................................
July 31 ..........................................................................
August 31 .....................................................................
September 30 ...............................................................
October 31 ....................................................................
November 30 ................................................................
........................
6.60
6.76
........................
........................
6.16
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 248 / Thursday, December 28, 2023 / Notices
TABLE 1—REGISTERED BUYER STANDARD EX-VESSEL PRICES BY LANDING LOCATION FOR THE 2023 IFQ SEASON 1—
Continued
Period ending
Halibut
standard ex
vessel price
Sablefish
standard ex
vessel price
December 31 ................................................................
........................
........................
March 31 .......................................................................
April 30 .........................................................................
May 31 ..........................................................................
June 30 .........................................................................
July 31 ..........................................................................
August 31 .....................................................................
September 30 ...............................................................
October 31 ....................................................................
November 30 ................................................................
December 31 ................................................................
........................
5.22
5.06
5.13
5.18
5.10
4.42
4.42
4.42
4.42
........................
1.00
1.39
1.70
1.50
1.50
1.15
1.15
1.15
1.15
March 31 .......................................................................
April 30 .........................................................................
May 31 ..........................................................................
June 30 .........................................................................
July 31 ..........................................................................
August 31 .....................................................................
September 30 ...............................................................
October 31 ....................................................................
November 30 ................................................................
December 31 ................................................................
........................
........................
5.91
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
March 31 .......................................................................
April 30 .........................................................................
May 31 ..........................................................................
June 30 .........................................................................
July 31 ..........................................................................
August 31 .....................................................................
September 30 ...............................................................
October 31 ....................................................................
November 30 ................................................................
December 31 ................................................................
6.21
5.86
5.41
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
1.49
1.31
1.47
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
March 31 .......................................................................
April 30 .........................................................................
May 31 ..........................................................................
June 30 .........................................................................
July 31 ..........................................................................
August 31 .....................................................................
September 30 ...............................................................
October 31 ....................................................................
November 30 ................................................................
December 31 ................................................................
........................
5.59
5.41
........................
5.39
5.01
4.82
4.82
4.82
4.82
........................
1.26
1.48
1.18
1.04
1.32
1.35
1.35
1.35
1.35
March 31 .......................................................................
April 30 .........................................................................
May 31 ..........................................................................
June 30 .........................................................................
July 31 ..........................................................................
August 31 .....................................................................
September 30 ...............................................................
October 31 ....................................................................
November 30 ................................................................
December 31 ................................................................
6.03
5.79
5.32
5.81
5.74
5.27
4.73
4.73
4.73
4.73
1.16
1.29
1.45
1.84
1.60
1.67
1.33
1.33
1.33
1.33
March 31 .......................................................................
April 30 .........................................................................
May 31 ..........................................................................
June 30 .........................................................................
July 31 ..........................................................................
August 31 .....................................................................
September 30 ...............................................................
October 31 ....................................................................
November 30 ................................................................
December 31 ................................................................
6.87
6.22
5.93
5.86
5.81
5.75
5.26
5.26
5.26
5.26
2.21
1.90
1.85
2.06
2.36
2.57
1.91
1.91
1.91
1.91
March 31 .......................................................................
6.62
1.89
Landing location
KODIAK:
PETERSBURG:
SEWARD:
BERING SEA: 2
CENTRAL GULF OF ALASKA: 3
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SOUTHEAST ALASKA: 4
ALL-ALASKA: 5
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TABLE 1—REGISTERED BUYER STANDARD EX-VESSEL PRICES BY LANDING LOCATION FOR THE 2023 IFQ SEASON 1—
Continued
Landing location
Halibut
standard ex
vessel price
Period ending
Sablefish
standard ex
vessel price
April 30 .........................................................................
May 31 ..........................................................................
June 30 .........................................................................
July 31 ..........................................................................
August 31 .....................................................................
September 30 ...............................................................
October 31 ....................................................................
November 30 ................................................................
December 31 ................................................................
6.02
5.63
5.77
5.68
5.34
4.90
4.90
4.90
4.90
1.50
1.58
1.73
1.59
1.79
1.55
1.55
1.55
1.55
March 31 .......................................................................
April 30 .........................................................................
May 31 ..........................................................................
June 30 .........................................................................
July 31 ..........................................................................
August 31 .....................................................................
September 30 ...............................................................
October 31 ....................................................................
November 30 ................................................................
December 31 ................................................................
6.62
6.02
5.63
5.77
5.68
5.34
4.90
4.90
4.90
4.90
1.89
1.50
1.58
1.73
1.59
1.79
1.55
1.55
1.55
1.55
ALL: 5
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 22, 2023.
Everett Wayne Baxter,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–28707 Filed 12–27–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Air Force
[AIT–231220A–SL]
Notice of Availability of Software and
Documentation for Licensing
Department of the Air Force,
Department of Defense.
ACTION: Availability of WIFI Distinct
Native Attribute (DNA) Fingerprinting
Demonstration Code.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
AGENCY:
Pursuant to the provisions of
section 801 of Public Law 113–66 (2014
National Defense Authorization Act);
the Department of the Air Force
announces the availability of WIFI
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
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Distinct Native Attribute (DNA)
Fingerprinting Demonstration Code,
V23, dated 15 Nov 2023, to include
source code (MATLAB m-files),
experimentally collected WIFI data
(MATLAB mat-files), and operation
checking (Ops Check) documentation
software and related documentation for
to illustrate some basic elements of
Distinct Native Attribute (DNA)
fingerprinting. DNA fingerprints are
extracted from radio frequency device
emissions and used to discriminate
(uniquely identify) specific hardware
devices using machine learning (ML)
techniques. The demonstrated
discriminability is akin to using human
fingerprints and/or human DNA to
discriminate (identify) individuals. The
package includes a series of folders and
code for performing end-to-end DNA
fingerprinting. The folders are
sequentially numbered and include
some experimentally collected WiFi
signals; some 1D and 2D fingerprint
extraction/generation code, and some
machine learning code for performing
the discrimination. All of the code
PO 00000
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includes header information indicating
contributing researchers and
appropriate references for signals and
systems where the DNA fingerprinting
has been demonstrated.
Licensing interests should
be sent to AFIT ORTA, 2950 Hobson
Way, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433;
937–255–3633; or Email:
AFIT.CZ.ORTA@us.af.mil. Include
Docket No. AIT–231220–SL in the
subject line of the message.
ADDRESSES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
AFIT ORTA, 2950 Hobson Way, WrightPatterson AFB, OH 45433; 937–255–
3633; or Email: AFIT.CZ.ORTA@
us.af.mil.
None.
Authority: Section 801 of Public Law
113–66 (2014 National Defense
Authorization Act).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Tommy W. Lee,
Acting Air Force Federal Register Liaison
Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023–28624 Filed 12–27–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001–10–P
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 248 (Thursday, December 28, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 89667-89670]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-28707]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XD570]
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 2023 is 3.0 percent. This action is intended to
provide holders of halibut and sablefish IFQ permits with the 2023
standard prices and fee percentage to calculate the required payment
for IFQ cost recovery fees due by January 31, 2024.
DATES: The standard prices and fee percentages are valid on December
28, 2023.
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), including any halibut that is landed as
guided angler fish. 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
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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 from for example, fish
processors, 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,
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 2023 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 identifies 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 2023
calendar year is 3.4 percent of the standard ex-vessel value; however,
the fee percentage must not exceed 3.0 percent pursuant to Sec.
304(d)(2)(B) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Therefore, the 2023 fee
percentage is set at 3.0 percent. An IFQ permit holder is to use the
fee percentage of 3.0 percent to calculate their fee for IFQ equivalent
pound(s) landed during the 2023 halibut and sablefish IFQ fishing
season. An IFQ permit holder is responsible for submitting the 2023 IFQ
fee payment to NMFS on or before January 31, 2024. 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 2023 fee percentage of 3.0 percent is higher than the 2022 fee
percentage of 1.9 percent (87 FR 79869, December 28, 2022). Between
2022 and 2023 there was a net increase in management costs and a net
decrease in fishery value. Management costs increased by approximately
15 percent while fishery value decreased by approximately 34 percent.
The net decrease in value was due to lower 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 2023 IFQ Season \1\
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Halibut Sablefish
Landing location Period ending standard ex standard ex
vessel price vessel price
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HOMER:
March 31........................ 6.00 1.27
April 30........................ 6.02 1.19
May 31.......................... 5.48 1.02
June 30......................... 6.08 3.12
July 31......................... 5.87 ..............
August 31....................... 5.26 2.00
September 30.................... 4.81 1.80
October 31...................... 4.81 1.80
November 30..................... 4.81 1.80
December 31..................... 4.81 1.80
KETCHIKAN:
March 31........................ .............. ..............
April 30........................ 6.60 ..............
May 31.......................... 6.76 ..............
June 30......................... .............. ..............
July 31......................... .............. ..............
August 31....................... 6.16 ..............
September 30.................... .............. ..............
October 31...................... .............. ..............
November 30..................... .............. ..............
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December 31..................... .............. ..............
KODIAK:
March 31........................ .............. ..............
April 30........................ 5.22 1.00
May 31.......................... 5.06 1.39
June 30......................... 5.13 1.70
July 31......................... 5.18 1.50
August 31....................... 5.10 1.50
September 30.................... 4.42 1.15
October 31...................... 4.42 1.15
November 30..................... 4.42 1.15
December 31..................... 4.42 1.15
PETERSBURG:
March 31........................ .............. ..............
April 30........................ .............. ..............
May 31.......................... 5.91 ..............
June 30......................... .............. ..............
July 31......................... .............. ..............
August 31....................... .............. ..............
September 30.................... .............. ..............
October 31...................... .............. ..............
November 30..................... .............. ..............
December 31..................... .............. ..............
SEWARD:
March 31........................ 6.21 1.49
April 30........................ 5.86 1.31
May 31.......................... 5.41 1.47
June 30......................... .............. ..............
July 31......................... .............. ..............
August 31....................... .............. ..............
September 30.................... .............. ..............
October 31...................... .............. ..............
November 30..................... .............. ..............
December 31..................... .............. ..............
BERING SEA: \2\
March 31........................ .............. ..............
April 30........................ 5.59 1.26
May 31.......................... 5.41 1.48
June 30......................... .............. 1.18
July 31......................... 5.39 1.04
August 31....................... 5.01 1.32
September 30.................... 4.82 1.35
October 31...................... 4.82 1.35
November 30..................... 4.82 1.35
December 31..................... 4.82 1.35
CENTRAL GULF OF ALASKA: \3\
March 31........................ 6.03 1.16
April 30........................ 5.79 1.29
May 31.......................... 5.32 1.45
June 30......................... 5.81 1.84
July 31......................... 5.74 1.60
August 31....................... 5.27 1.67
September 30.................... 4.73 1.33
October 31...................... 4.73 1.33
November 30..................... 4.73 1.33
December 31..................... 4.73 1.33
SOUTHEAST ALASKA: \4\
March 31........................ 6.87 2.21
April 30........................ 6.22 1.90
May 31.......................... 5.93 1.85
June 30......................... 5.86 2.06
July 31......................... 5.81 2.36
August 31....................... 5.75 2.57
September 30.................... 5.26 1.91
October 31...................... 5.26 1.91
November 30..................... 5.26 1.91
December 31..................... 5.26 1.91
ALL-ALASKA: \5\
March 31........................ 6.62 1.89
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April 30........................ 6.02 1.50
May 31.......................... 5.63 1.58
June 30......................... 5.77 1.73
July 31......................... 5.68 1.59
August 31....................... 5.34 1.79
September 30.................... 4.90 1.55
October 31...................... 4.90 1.55
November 30..................... 4.90 1.55
December 31..................... 4.90 1.55
ALL: \5\
March 31........................ 6.62 1.89
April 30........................ 6.02 1.50
May 31.......................... 5.63 1.58
June 30......................... 5.77 1.73
July 31......................... 5.68 1.59
August 31....................... 5.34 1.79
September 30.................... 4.90 1.55
October 31...................... 4.90 1.55
November 30..................... 4.90 1.55
December 31..................... 4.90 1.55
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\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 22, 2023.
Everett Wayne Baxter,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-28707 Filed 12-27-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
