Implementation of Provisions of the Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Act of 2015, the Ensuring Access to Pacific Fisheries Act, and the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, 4710 [2025-00716]

Download as PDF 4710 Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 10 / Thursday, January 16, 2025 / Proposed Rules note the docket ID. Information not marked as CBI will be included in the public docket and the EPA’s electronic public docket without prior notice. Information marked as CBI will not be disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2. Our preferred method to receive CBI is for it to be transmitted electronically using email attachments, File Transfer Protocol (FTP), or other online file sharing services (e.g., Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive). Electronic submissions must be transmitted directly to the OAQPS CBI Office at the email address oaqps_cbi@epa.gov, and as described above, should include clear CBI markings, and note the docket ID. If assistance is needed with submitting large electronic files that exceed the file size limit for email attachments, and if you do not have your own file sharing service, please email oaqps_cbi@epa.gov to request a file transfer link. If sending CBI information through the postal service, please send it to the following address: OAQPS Document Control Officer (C404–02), OAQPS, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, P.O. Box 12055, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, Attention Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2017–0183. The mailed CBI material should be double wrapped and clearly marked. Any CBI markings should not show through the outer envelope. Penny Lassiter, Director, Sector Policies and Programs Division. [FR Doc. 2025–00648 Filed 1–15–25; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Parts 216 and 300 [Docket Number 250108–008] ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with PROPOSALS1 RIN 0648–BG11 Implementation of Provisions of the Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Act of 2015, the Ensuring Access to Pacific Fisheries Act, and the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal. AGENCY: NMFS formally withdraws a proposed rule on the Implementation of SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:25 Jan 15, 2025 Jkt 265001 Provisions of the Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Act of 2015 and the Ensuring Access to Pacific Fisheries Act, which was published in the Federal Register on July 8, 2022. This proposed rule would have implemented certain provisions of the two acts and amended the definition of illegal, unreported, or unregulated (IUU) fishing in the regulations that implement the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act (Moratorium Protection Act). After the proposed rule was issued, Congress amended the Moratorium Protection Act by the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (NDAA). NMFS has been developing a revised proposed rule in light of the NDAA to conform to the statutory changes, but does not have sufficient time to finalize the rule in this Administration. DATES: The National Marine Fisheries Service is withdrawing the proposed rule published July 8, 2022 (87 FR 40763) as of January 16, 2025. ADDRESSES: Office of International Affairs, Trade, and Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 EastWest Highway (F/IS5), Silver Spring, MD 20910. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terra Lederhouse, Office of International Affairs, Trade, and Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Service (phone: 301–427–8360; or email: terra.lederhouse@noaa.gov). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On July 8, 2022, NMFS published a proposed rule (87 FR 40763) on the Implementation of Provisions of the Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Act of 2015 and the Ensuring Access to Pacific Fisheries Act. The proposed rule would have implemented the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (PSMA) and certain other provisions of the Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Act of 2015, Public Law 114–81 (November 15, 2015), as well as certain provisions of the Ensuring Access to Pacific Fisheries Act, Public Law 114–327 (December 16, 2016). The purpose of this proposed rule was to establish or amend procedures intended to assist the United States in combatting IUU fishing. It would have implemented the PSMA, which is intended to enhance regional and international cooperation and the ability of nations to detect and intercept products of IUU fishing before they enter into national PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 9990 and international markets. It would have amended the definition of IUU fishing in the regulations that implement the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act as well as procedures to identify nations whose vessels undertake IUU fishing and other unsustainable fishing practices and negatively certify nations when they fail to take appropriate corrective actions. Finally, this proposed rule would also have amended the fisheries enforcement mechanisms of a number of existing statutes implementing U.S. obligations to regional fisheries management organizations and other international conservation organizations. After the proposed rule was issued, President Biden signed the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (NDAA), Public Law 117–263 (December 23, 2022). NMFS has been revising the July 8, 2022, proposed rule in light of amendments made to the Moratorium Protection Act by the NDAA to conform to the statutory changes. Combatting IUU fishing has been a top priority for NMFS, and NMFS has actively engaged with interagency partners and constituents on how best to address this critical issue through rulemaking and other means since the passage of the NDAA. Despite its best efforts, NMFS does not have sufficient time to finalize before the end of this Administration a revised version of the regulation that would appropriately address the statutory changes or to seek public input on those potential changes. Accordingly, NMFS hereby withdraws the July 2022 proposed rule and terminates this rulemaking proceeding. If, in the future, NMFS decides it is appropriate to issue regulations on this topic, it will do so via a new notice of proposed rulemaking, subject to the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 551, et seq. Authority: Pub. L. 114–81 (November 15, 2015); Pub. L. 114–327 (December 16, 2016); Pub. L. 117–263 (December 23, 2022); 16 U.S.C. 1826d–k; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 5501 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 2431 et seq.; 31 U.S.C. 9701 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1826a–1826c; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 5601 et seq.; the Pacific Salmon Treaty Act, 16 U.S.C. 3631 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 951 et seq., 16 U.S.C. 5501 et seq. Dated: January 8, 2025. Samuel D. Rauch, III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2025–00716 Filed 1–15–25; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\16JAP1.SGM 16JAP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 10 (Thursday, January 16, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 4710]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-00716]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Parts 216 and 300

[Docket Number 250108-008]
RIN 0648-BG11


Implementation of Provisions of the Illegal, Unreported, and 
Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Act of 2015, the Ensuring Access to 
Pacific Fisheries Act, and the James M. Inhofe National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023

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

ACTION:  Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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

SUMMARY:  NMFS formally withdraws a proposed rule on the Implementation 
of Provisions of the Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing 
Enforcement Act of 2015 and the Ensuring Access to Pacific Fisheries 
Act, which was published in the Federal Register on July 8, 2022. This 
proposed rule would have implemented certain provisions of the two acts 
and amended the definition of illegal, unreported, or unregulated (IUU) 
fishing in the regulations that implement the High Seas Driftnet 
Fishing Moratorium Protection Act (Moratorium Protection Act). After 
the proposed rule was issued, Congress amended the Moratorium 
Protection Act by the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (NDAA). NMFS has been developing a revised 
proposed rule in light of the NDAA to conform to the statutory changes, 
but does not have sufficient time to finalize the rule in this 
Administration.

DATES:  The National Marine Fisheries Service is withdrawing the 
proposed rule published July 8, 2022 (87 FR 40763) as of January 16, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: Office of International Affairs, Trade, and Commerce, 
National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway (F/IS5), 
Silver Spring, MD 20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terra Lederhouse, Office of 
International Affairs, Trade, and Commerce, National Marine Fisheries 
Service (phone: 301-427-8360; or email: [email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On July 8, 2022, NMFS published a proposed rule (87 FR 40763) on 
the Implementation of Provisions of the Illegal, Unreported, and 
Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Act of 2015 and the Ensuring Access to 
Pacific Fisheries Act. The proposed rule would have implemented the 
Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate 
Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (PSMA) and certain other 
provisions of the Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing 
Enforcement Act of 2015, Public Law 114-81 (November 15, 2015), as well 
as certain provisions of the Ensuring Access to Pacific Fisheries Act, 
Public Law 114-327 (December 16, 2016). The purpose of this proposed 
rule was to establish or amend procedures intended to assist the United 
States in combatting IUU fishing. It would have implemented the PSMA, 
which is intended to enhance regional and international cooperation and 
the ability of nations to detect and intercept products of IUU fishing 
before they enter into national and international markets. It would 
have amended the definition of IUU fishing in the regulations that 
implement the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act as 
well as procedures to identify nations whose vessels undertake IUU 
fishing and other unsustainable fishing practices and negatively 
certify nations when they fail to take appropriate corrective actions. 
Finally, this proposed rule would also have amended the fisheries 
enforcement mechanisms of a number of existing statutes implementing 
U.S. obligations to regional fisheries management organizations and 
other international conservation organizations.
    After the proposed rule was issued, President Biden signed the 
James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 
(NDAA), Public Law 117-263 (December 23, 2022). NMFS has been revising 
the July 8, 2022, proposed rule in light of amendments made to the 
Moratorium Protection Act by the NDAA to conform to the statutory 
changes. Combatting IUU fishing has been a top priority for NMFS, and 
NMFS has actively engaged with interagency partners and constituents on 
how best to address this critical issue through rulemaking and other 
means since the passage of the NDAA. Despite its best efforts, NMFS 
does not have sufficient time to finalize before the end of this 
Administration a revised version of the regulation that would 
appropriately address the statutory changes or to seek public input on 
those potential changes. Accordingly, NMFS hereby withdraws the July 
2022 proposed rule and terminates this rulemaking proceeding. If, in 
the future, NMFS decides it is appropriate to issue regulations on this 
topic, it will do so via a new notice of proposed rulemaking, subject 
to the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 551, 
et seq.
    Authority: Pub. L. 114-81 (November 15, 2015); Pub. L. 114-327 
(December 16, 2016); Pub. L. 117-263 (December 23, 2022); 16 U.S.C. 
1826d-k; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 5501 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 2431 
et seq.; 31 U.S.C. 9701 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1826a-1826c; 16 U.S.C. 1361 
et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 5601 et seq.; the Pacific 
Salmon Treaty Act, 16 U.S.C. 3631 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 951 et seq., 16 
U.S.C. 5501 et seq.

    Dated: January 8, 2025.
Samuel D. Rauch, III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-00716 Filed 1-15-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P


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