Department of Commerce June 29, 2018 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS issues regulations to modify specific provisions of the North Pacific Observer Program. The first two elements of this final rule implement requirements for an observer to obtain a nontrawl lead level 2 (LL2) deployment endorsement and implement a pre-cruise meeting requirement for vessels required to carry an observer with a nontrawl LL2 deployment endorsement. These two elements are intended to increase the number of observers that qualify for a nontrawl LL2 deployment endorsement and maintain observer safety and data quality. The third element of this final rule removes duplicative and unnecessary reporting requirements and makes minor changes to reduce observer requirements for specific vessels when participating in the Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) Program. This action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska, and the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, and other applicable law.

Commerce is considering revisions to its regulations for the licensing of private remote sensing space systems, currently administered by NOAA. These revisions would facilitate the continued growth of this critical industry and update the regulatory regime to address significant technological developments, new business models, and increased foreign competition since their last update in 2006. In support of this effort, the Department through NOAA seeks public comment on substantive and procedural matters involved in commercial remote sensing licensing. Based in part on this public input, and based on a potential public meeting, the Department may draft proposed regulations and issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

Notice is hereby given that Jooke Robbins, Ph.D., Center for Coastal Studies, 5 Holway Avenue, Provincetown, MA 02657, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on cetaceans.

The Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily determines that countervailable subsidies are being provided to producers and exporters of large diameter welded pipe (welded pipe) from the Republic of Korea (Korea) for the period of investigation of January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2017. Interested parties are invited to comment on this preliminary determination.

The Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily determines that countervailable subsidies are being provided to producers and exporters of large diameter welded pipe (welded pipe) from India for the period of investigation of January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2017. Interested parties are invited to comment on this preliminary determination.