[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 175 (Monday, September 11, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47142-47144]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-22510]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 677

[Docket No. 950822211-5211-01; I.D. 080395A]
RIN 0648-AD80


North Pacific Fisheries Research Plan

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; public hearing by teleconference.

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SUMMARY: NMFS issues a proposed rule to implement Amendment 1 to the 
North Pacific Fisheries Research Plan (Research Plan). Regulations 
implementing this amendment would delay full implementation of the 
Research Plan until 1997 and establish 1996 observer coverage 
requirements for the Research Plan fisheries. This delay is necessary 
to provide the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) 
additional time to address certain issues presented by implementation 
of the Research Plan. To remain consistent with the Council's intent, 
observer coverage requirements in regulations that implement Amendment 
35 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Groundfish Fishery of 
the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area are proposed to be extended 
through 1996.

DATES: Comments on this proposed rule must be received by November 6, 
1995. A public hearing on the proposed rule will be held by 
teleconference on Monday, September 18, 1995, at 1 p.m., Alaska local 
time.

ADDRESSES: Comments on this proposed rule may be sent to Ronald J. 
Berg, Chief, Fisheries Management Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, 709 
West 9th Street, Juneau, AK 99801, or P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-
1668, Attn: Lori J. Gravel. Copies of the Observer Plan may also be 
obtained from this address.
    Copies of the Research Plan as revised by proposed Amendment 1, the 
environmental assessment/regulatory impact review prepared for the 
Research Plan, and the final report ``Establishing the Fee Percentage 
and Standard Exvessel Prices for 1995'' may be obtained from the North 
Pacific Fishery Management Council, P.O. Box 103136, Anchorage, AK 
99510.
    Locations where interested persons may participate in the September 
18, 1995, public hearing by teleconference are as follows:
    1. Anchorage--North Pacific Fishery Management Council, 600 West 
4th Avenue, Anchorage, AK (907-271-2809);
    2. Juneau--National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Region, 706 
West 9th Street, Juneau, AK (907-271-7228);
    3. Seattle--Alaska Fisheries Science Center, 7600 Sand Point Way 
Northeast, Building 4, Room 7600, Seattle, WA (206-526-4197);
    4. Newport--Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, 2040 Southeast 
Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR (503-867-0300).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Salveson, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Regulations implementing the Research Plan became effective October 
6, 1994 (59 FR 46126, September 6, 1994). A regulatory amendment was 
published in the Federal Register on January 9, 1995 (60 FR 2344), that 
clarified 1995 observer coverage requirements and revised the 
definition of certain terms set out under Sec. 677.2. Two additional 
rules have been published in the Federal Register that make other minor 
substantive changes to the regulations implementing the Research Plan. 
A final rule published on July 5, 1995 (60 FR 34904), and required 
vessels and shoreside processors to facilitate transmission of observer 
data. Finally, a proposed rule published on August 16, 1995 (60 FR 
42470) revised 1995 observer coverage requirements for crab catcher 
vessels and exempted certain crab catcher vessels required to obtain 
observer coverage from paying 1995 Research Plan fees.
    The Research Plan adopted by the Council at its December 1993 
meeting established a two-phase implementation strategy for the 
Research Plan. The first phase is occurring in 1995 and serves to 
collect start-up funding for full implementation of the Research Plan. 
During 1995, NMFS is assessing and collecting Research Plan fees. 
Participants in the Research Plan fisheries are continuing 
independently to obtain required observer coverage 

[[Page 47143]]
from NMFS-certified observer contractors. ``Double payments'' for 
observer services and the Research Plan fee liability are avoided in 
1995 through either catcher vessel exemptions from the fee liability or 
processor credits up to each processor's Research Plan fee liability. 
Under the Research Plan adopted by the Council and NMFS, the Research 
Plan would be fully implemented starting in 1996, and observer coverage 
would be provided to participants in Research Plan fisheries through 
contractual arrangements between NMFS and companies awarded contracts 
to provide observer services for the Research Plan fisheries.
    The Council, at its April 1995 meeting, raised some concerns about 
proceeding with the Research Plan and requested NMFS to delay the 
solicitation process for awarding contracts to provide observers under 
the Research Plan during 1996. The Council also requested NMFS to 
initiate an amendment to the Research Plan that would delay full 
implementation of the Research Plan for at least 6 months.
    NMFS informed the Council that the design and implementation of the 
Research Plan and its specification process are tied to an annual 
cycle. Mid-year implementation of the Research Plan would create 
significant administrative and operational problems. Therefore, NMFS 
suggested a 1-year delay of the full implementation of the Research 
Plan, rather than the 6-month delay requested by the Council. During a 
May 16, 1995, teleconference, the Council reaffirmed its desire to 
delay the Research Plan and agreed to extend the delay for a 1-year 
period. The Council sought a delay in full implementation of the 
Research Plan in order to provide additional time to reconsider certain 
elements of the Research Plan that were previously adopted by the 
Council. The Council's concerns are as follows: Minimum levels of 
observer insurance coverage, minimum number of contractors that will 
provide observer coverage, duration of contracts, notification 
requirements for obtaining observer coverage, allowances for emergency 
replacement of observers as well as transfer of observers among 
vessels, adequate monitoring and control of industry compliance with 
observer coverage requirements, and ability of supplemental or 
voluntary observer programs to meet increased compliance monitoring 
requirements of future management programs under consideration by the 
Council.
    The Council also expressed its intent to continue the fee 
collection program implemented for 1995 for the remainder of the year, 
so that adequate start-up funds may be collected for full 
implementation of the Research Plan in 1997. This means that NMFS will 
continue to assess fees through early 1996 for fish harvested and 
retained in the Research Plan fisheries during the last few months of 
1995. Collected funds would continue to be held in an interest-bearing 
account and would be used to award contracts to provide observers under 
the Research Plan starting in 1997.
    The current Research Plan allows a delay in the full implementation 
of the plan beyond 1995, only if insufficient funds exist to support 
contract awards for the first half of 1996. NMFS believes that the 1995 
fee collection program will provide sufficient funds to support 
contract awards to initiate full implementation of the Research Plan.
    Through mid-July 1995, NMFS had collected $4.2 million in Research 
Plan fees. The final report ``Establishing the Fee Percentage and 
Standard Exvessel Prices for 1995'' (see ADDRESSES) estimates that $4.8 
million will be needed for start-up funding to support contractual 
arrangements for observer coverage during the first 6 months of full 
implementation of the Research Plan. NMFS anticipates that this amount 
will be collected in 1995 and that full implementation of the Research 
Plan can be pursued for 1997.
    Therefore, the Council's request to delay full implementation of 
the Research Plan requires an amendment to the Research Plan. At its 
June 1995 meeting, the Council requested that the date for full 
implementation of the Research Plan be established by regulations 
rather than by the Research Plan. The intent of this request was to 
allow for a revision of this date through a regulatory amendment, 
rather than an amendment to the Research Plan.
    Given that adequate start-up funds will be collected during 1995, 
no reason exists to continue the fee collection program during 1996. As 
a result, Research Plan fees will not be assessed for fish caught in 
1996. The annual Research Plan specification process becomes 
unnecessary for 1996, because no reason exists to establish a 1996 fee 
percentage or standard exvessel prices on which to base fee 
assessments. The Council intends that 1996 observer coverage levels 
remain unchanged from 1995 levels. These observer coverage requirements 
for the groundfish and crab fisheries are set out at Sec. 677.10(a). As 
in 1995, participants in the groundfish and crab Research Plan 
fisheries would be responsible for making their own arrangements and 
paying for required observer coverage. As a result, specifications for 
observer embarkment/disembarkment ports for observers also are 
unnecessary for 1996.
    The Council's intent to maintain 1995 observer coverage levels 
through 1996 would also apply to mothership processor vessel and 
shoreside processor observer coverage requirements set out in 
regulations implementing Amendment 35 to the FMP for the Groundfish 
Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area. Final regulations 
implementing Amendment 35, published on July 5, 1995 (60 FR 34904) and 
codified at 50 CFR 675.25(b), are effective through December 31, 1995. 
In keeping with the Council's intent to maintain 1995 observer coverage 
levels in 1996, NMFS proposes to extend the Amendment 35 requirements 
through 1996 by including them under regulations implementing 1996 
Research Plan observer coverage requirements at Sec. 677.10(a)(1). NMFS 
also proposes to clarify that the additional observer coverage 
requirements implemented under Amendment 35 are effective only through 
October 15 of the second pollock season defined under 50 CFR 675.23(e).
    NMFS notes that regulations at Sec. 677.10(g) set out vessel safety 
requirements applicable in 1996 and beyond. No changes to these 
requirements are proposed, however, the regulatory text would be 
revised to clarify that these requirements apply to vessels required to 
carry observers in 1996 under Sec. 677.10(a).
    NMFS further notes that the following sections of the Observer Plan 
still would be in effect until full implementation of the Research Plan 
in 1997: (1) Standards of observer conduct; and (2) Description, 
specifications, and work statement for certified domestic observer 
contractors, including conflict of interest standards for NMFS-
certified observers and contractors and conditions for contractor and 
observer certification revocation. Copies of the Observer Plan dated 
May 1994 are available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES).
    Public comments on the proposed amendment to the Research Plan and 
its implementing regulations are invited for 60 days. During this 
comment period, NMFS will conduct public hearings, as required by 
section 313(c)(2) of the Magnuson Act, in Alaska, Oregon, and 
Washington to receive public comments on the proposed regulations (see 
DATES and ADDRESSES for dates and locations). NMFS will consider the 
public comments received in preparing the final rule implementing the 
amendment.

[[Page 47144]]


Classification

    The Assistant General Counsel for Legislation and Regulation of the 
Department of Commerce certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of 
the Small Business Administration that this proposed rule, if adopted, 
would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities. An effect of the proposed rule would be to eliminate 
the 1996 fee assessment program authorized under the Research Plan.
    The vessel owners who will benefit from this delay are those owners 
whose vessels fall into the following categories: about 4,000 halibut 
vessels, 1,400 groundfish vessels less than 60 ft length overall (LOA), 
and approximately 270 crab catcher vessels; these owners will be 
relieved from having to pay the Research Plan fee and will not be 
required to have observer coverage. In addition, owners of all 
processors will benefit because they will pay the direct observer cost 
which is less than the Research Plan fee. Groundfish catcher vessels 
over 60 ft LOA will pay direct observer costs; these costs will equal 
or exceed the Research Plan fee. In general the direct observer costs 
are about 1.1 percent of the exvessel value of landings. About 30 crab 
catcher vessels are required to carry observers. Owners of most of 
these vessels will pay direct observer costs that may be 2 to 4 times 
higher than what they would pay in terms of Research Plan fees.
    Thus, while the proposed rule would affect a substantial number of 
small entities during 1996, the effect would not be economically 
significant. As a result, a regulatory flexibility analysis was not 
prepared. This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant 
for purposes of E.O. 12866.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 677

    Fisheries, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: September 5, 1995
Gary Matlock,
Program Management Officer, National Marine Fisheries Service.
    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 677 is 
proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 677--NORTH PACIFIC FISHERIES RESEARCH PLAN

    1. The authority citation for part 677 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    2. In Sec. 677.6, paragraph (b)(2) is redesignated as paragraph 
(b)(3), a new paragraph (b)(2) is added, and the heading to newly 
redesignated paragraph (b)(3) is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 677.6  Research Plan fee.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (2) Fee assessments during 1996. Processors of Research Plan 
fisheries will not be assessed fees based on catch from Research Plan 
fisheries that is retained during the 1996 calendar year.
    (3) Fee assessments applicable after December 31, 1996. * * *
* * * * *
    3. In Sec. 677.10, the headings for paragraphs (a) and (b) and the 
introductory text to paragraph (g) are revised, paragraphs (a)(1)(i)(C) 
through (a)(1)(i)(F) are redesignated as paragraphs (a)(1)(i)(D) 
through (a)(1)(i)(G), respectively and paragraphs (a)(1)(i)(C) and 
(a)(2)(iii) are added to read as follows:


Sec. 677.10  General requirements.

    (a) Observer requirements applicable through December 31, 1996. (1) 
* * *
    (i) * * *
    (C) Each mothership processor vessel that receives pollock 
harvested by catcher vessels in the catcher vessel operational area, 
defined at Sec. 675.22(g) of this chapter, during the second pollock 
season that starts on August 15 under Sec. 675.23(e) of this chapter, 
is required to have a second NMFS-certified observer aboard, in 
addition to the observer required under paragraphs (a)(1)(i)(A) and (B) 
of this section, for each day of the second pollock season until the 
chum salmon savings area is closed under Sec. 675.22(h)(2) of this 
chapter, or October 15, 1996, whichever occurs first.
* * * * *
    (2) * * *
    (iii) Each shoreside processor that offloads pollock at more than 
one location on the same dock and has distinct and separate equipment 
at each location to process those pollock and that receives pollock 
harvested by catcher vessels in the catcher vessel operational area, 
defined at Sec. 675.22(g) of this chapter, during the second pollock 
season that starts on August 15, under Sec. 675.23(e) of this chapter, 
is required to have a NMFS-certified observer, in addition to the 
observer required under paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section, 
at each location where pollock is offloaded, for each day of the second 
pollock season until the chum salmon savings area is closed under 
Sec. 675.22(h)(2) of this chapter, or October 15, 1996, whichever 
occurs first.
* * * * *
    (b) Observer requirements applicable after December 31, 1996. * * *
* * * * *
    (g) Vessel safety requirements applicable after December 31, 1995. 
Any vessel that is required to carry observers under paragraph (a) or 
(b)(1) of this section must have onboard either:
* * * * *
    4. In Sec. 677.11, paragraph (a)(4) is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 677.11  Annual Research Plan specifications.

    (a) * * *
    (4) Observer coverage. For the period January 1, 1995, through 
December 31, 1996, observer coverage levels in Research Plan fisheries 
will be as required by Sec. 677.10(a). After December 31, 1996, the 
level of observer coverage will be determined annually by NMFS, after 
consultation with the Council and the State of Alaska, and may vary by 
fishery and vessel or processor size, depending upon the objectives to 
be met for the groundfish, halibut, and king and Tanner crab fisheries. 
The Regional Director may change observer coverage inseason pursuant to 
Sec. 677.10(b)(2)(ii).
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 95-22510 Filed 9-6-95; 3:17 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F