Department of Commerce March 16, 2018 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels greater than or equal to 50 feet length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2018 Pacific cod total allowable catch apportioned to catcher vessels greater than or equal to 50 feet LOA using hook-and-line gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its advisory committees will meet April 2 through April 10, 2018, in Anchorage, AK.

The Department of Commerce (Commerce) determines that the mandatory respondents GITI Tire Global Trading Pte. Ltd./GITI Tire (USA) Ltd./GITI Radial Tire (Anhui) Company Ltd. (GITI Anhui Radial)/ GITI Tire (Fujian) Company Ltd (GITI Fujian)/GITI Tire (Hualin) Company Ltd. (GITI Hualin) (collectively, GITI) and Cooper (Kunshan) Tire Co., Ltd. (Cooper), exporters of passenger vehicle and light truck tires from the People's Republic of China (China) received countervailable subsidies during the period of review (POR) December 1, 2014, through December 31, 2015. We also find that Zhongce Rubber Group Company Limited (Zhongce) received countervailable subsidies during the POR, based on adverse facts available.

On September 7, 2017, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) published in the Federal Register the preliminary results of the fourth administrative review of the antidumping duty order on large power transformers from the Republic of Korea. The period of review is August 1, 2015, through July 31, 2016. Based on our analysis of the comments and information received, we continue to find that the application of facts available with an adverse inference is warranted for Hyosung Corporation (Hyosung) and Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (Hyundai). For the final weighted-average dumping margins, see the ``Final Results of Review'' section below.

Based upon a request from DAK Americas, LLC, Nan Ya Plastics Corporation, America, Auriga Polymers, and Palmetto Synthetics LLC (i.e., the domestic producers), the Department of Commerce (Commerce) is initiating changed circumstances reviews to consider the possible revocation, in part, of the antidumping duty (AD) orders on polyester staple fiber (PSF) from the Republic of Korea (Korea) and Taiwan with respect to low-melt PSF.

Based on affirmative final determinations by the Department of Commerce (Commerce) and the International Trade Commission (ITC), Commerce is issuing countervailing duty orders on fine denier polyester staple fiber (fine denier PSF) from the People's Republic of China (China) and India. Also, as explained in this notice, Commerce is amending its final affirmative determination with respect to China to correct the rates assigned to Jiangyin Hailun Chemical Fiber Co. Ltd. (Hailun Chemical) and All-Others.

Notice is hereby given that the NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC), 2725 Montlake Boulevard East, Seattle, WA 98112-2097, (Responsible Party: M. Bradley Hanson, Ph.D.) has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals.

NMFS announces the receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from Salty Bones Fisheries, Inc. If granted, the EFP would authorize the deployment of modified wood and wire spiny lobster traps and non-containment purse traps in the Federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) and South Atlantic. The project would seek to determine the effectiveness of these gear types, as applicable, for attracting and collecting invasive lionfish while avoiding impacts to non-target species, protected species, and habitats.

We, NMFS, announce our intent to conduct a 5-year review for the threatened Gulf of Maine distinct population segment (DPS) of Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus), the endangered New York Bight DPS of Atlantic sturgeon, the endangered Chesapeake Bay DPS of Atlantic sturgeon, the endangered Carolina DPS of Atlantic sturgeon and the endangered South Atlantic DPS of Atlantic sturgeon under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). We are required by the ESA to conduct 5-year reviews to ensure that the listing classification of the species remains accurate. The 5-year review must be based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review; therefore, we are requesting submission of such information on the status of each DPS, particularly information on population trends, distribution, abundance, habitat amount and suitability, threats, and conservation measures for any DPS that has become available since their original listings under the ESA in 2012. Based on the results of this 5-year review, we will make the requisite findings under the ESA.