[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 4, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10583-10586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5185]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 980212037-8037-01; I.D. 012798A]
RIN 0648-AJ87


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Halibut 
Donation Program

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS proposes regulations to implement Amendment 50 to the 
Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska and 
Amendment 50 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery 
of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area (FMPs) that have been 
submitted by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) for 
Secretarial review. This rule would authorize the limited retention of 
Pacific halibut taken as bycatch in the groundfish trawl fisheries off 
Alaska for distribution to economically disadvantaged individuals by 
tax-exempt organizations through a NMFS-authorized distributor. This 
action would support industry initiatives to reduce regulatory discards 
in the groundfish fisheries by processing halibut bycatch for human 
consumption. This action is necessary to promote the goals and 
objectives of the FMPs that govern the commercial groundfish fisheries 
off Alaska.

DATES: Comments on the proposed rule must be received by April 20, 
1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted to the Assistant Regional 
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, 
P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802, Attn: Lori Gravel, or delivered to 
the Federal Building, 709 West 9th Street, Juneau, AK, Attn: Lori 
Gravel. Copies of the proposed Amendments to the FMP and the 
Environmental Assessment/Regulatory Impact Review (EA/RIR) and related 
economic analysis prepared for the proposed action are available from 
NMFS at the above address or by calling the Alaska Region, NMFS, at 
907-586-7228. Send comments regarding burden estimates or any other 
aspect of the data requirements, including suggestions for reducing 
burdens to NMFS and to the Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Washington, DC 20503, 
Attn: NOAA Desk Officer.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alan Kinsolving, NMFS, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Management Background and Need for Action

    The domestic groundfish fisheries in the exclusive economic zone of 
the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management 
area are managed by NMFS under the FMPs. The FMPs were prepared by the 
North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) under the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). 
Regulations governing the Alaska groundfish fisheries appear at 50 CFR 
parts 600 and 679.
    The Council has submitted Amendments 50/50 to the FMPs for 
Secretarial review and a Notice of Availability of the FMP amendments 
was published on February 4, 1998 (63 FR 5777) with comments on the FMP 
amendments invited through April 6, 1998. All written comments received 
by April 6, 1998, whether specifically directed to the FMP amendments, 
the proposed rule, or both, will be considered in the approval/
disapproval decision on the FMP amendments.
     Pacific halibut are taken incidentally to the Alaska groundfish 
fisheries. Vessels participating in these fisheries typically use 
trawl, hook-and-line, or pot gear. Trawl gear accounts for most of the 
groundfish catch, and for about 84 percent of the halibut bycatch 
mortality. A portion of this bycatch is landed dead at shoreside 
processing facilities because sorting of catch at sea is not always 
feasible. Such bycatch must then be returned to Federal waters for 
disposal as a prohibited species. Total halibut bycatch mortality in 
the Alaska groundfish fisheries was estimated to be 6,757 metric tons 
during 1996.
    In general, no information exists to indicate that the current 
level of halibut bycatch landed at shoreside processing sites in the 
Alaska trawl fisheries presents critical conservation issues. The 
International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) has recommended 
enhanced data collection at shoreside processing plants to assess the 
levels of shoreside landings of trawl halibut bycatch.
    At its January 1996 Annual Meeting, the IPHC endorsed a pilot 
program allowing limited retention of halibut bycatch for donation to 
the needy through food bank organizations. The pilot program was 
intended to explore ways to reduce discard of dead halibut and to 
improve bycatch records. However, NMFS was not able to identify an 
acceptable administrative procedure for transferring halibut bycatch 
from shoreside processing plants to the government for distribution to 
foodbank organizations. At its 1997 Annual Meeting, the IPHC requested 
that its staff work with NMFS to develop an acceptable administrative 
procedure for limited retention of halibut bycatch landed at shoreside 
processing plants. NMFS recommended that amendments to the FMPs be 
prepared to allow a NMFS authorized distributor(s) to receive and 
distribute halibut bycatch. The program would be similar to the current 
salmon donation program authorized at 50 CFR 679.26. The IPHC staff 
further recommended that regulations implementing the FMP amendments be 
effective only for a 3-year period so that management agencies may 
assess the halibut donation program prior to determining whether to 
continue it under a future regulatory amendment.
    At its April 1997 meeting, the Council adopted Amendments 50/50 and 
recommended that they be implemented on a temporary basis, to assess 
the feasibility of a donation program for halibut bycatch landed dead 
at shoreside processors. The Council's recommendation endorses the 
policy of reducing unnecessary discard of dead, but wholesome, fish, 
thereby benefitting the public by allowing fish that would otherwise be 
discarded to be retained for processing and delivery to food bank 
organizations. The Council's intent in making its recommendation was to

[[Page 10584]]

reduce regulatory discard and protein waste in the groundfish trawl 
fisheries and provide additional opportunity to collect biological 
samples and scientific data. Any costs associated with this recommended 
action would be borne by voluntarily participating shoreside processors 
and the NMFS authorized distributors.
    Amendments 50/50 would expand the existing Salmon Donation Program 
(SDP) to create a Prohibited Species Donation (PSD) program that 
includes Pacific halibut as well as salmon. These amendments and this 
proposed rule to implement them would authorize the distribution of 
halibut taken as bycatch in the groundfish trawl fishery to 
economically disadvantaged individuals by tax-exempt organizations 
through a NMFS authorized distributor. These amendments and this 
proposed rule would support industry initiatives to reduce regulatory 
discards and help improve the diets of people who often have access 
only to meager and inadequate food.
    The Council further adopted the IPHC's recommendation to limit the 
effective period of the regulations implementing Amendments 50/50. This 
would allow the Council, in consultation with the IPHC and NMFS, to 
assess the effectiveness of the halibut donation program relative to 
the program's objectives before the Council took an action to extend 
the program by regulatory amendment. Accordingly, the rule would expire 
December 31, 2000.

Selection Process for Authorized Distributors

    The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator) 
would select an authorized distributor(s) from qualified applicants, 
announce the NMFS-authorized distributor(s) in the Federal Register, 
and issue a PSD permit to each selected applicant. A PSD permit would 
be effective until December 31, 2000.
    Factors that would be considered by the Regional Administrator when 
selecting an authorized distributor are listed at proposed 
Sec. 679.26(b)(1). The number of authorized distributors selected by 
the Regional Administrator would be based on the criteria listed at 
proposed Sec. 679.26(b)(2).

Responsibilities of an Authorized Distributor

    An authorized distributor would be responsible for monitoring the 
retention and processing of halibut donated by shoreside processors. An 
authorized distributor also would coordinate the processing, storage, 
transportation, and distribution of halibut to hunger relief agencies, 
food bank networks, and food bank distributors.
    Prior to retaining any halibut under the PSD program, the 
authorized distributor would provide the Regional Administrator with a 
list of all participants in the halibut PSD program, including a list 
of all shoreside processors and a list of hunger relief agencies, food 
bank networks, and food distributors participating in the PSD program. 
The list of processors would include the following information: (1) A 
Federal processor permit number, (2) the name of the owner or 
responsible manager, and (3) a telephone number or fax number. If an 
authorized distributor modifies the list of participants in the PSD 
program or changes delivery locations, the authorized distributor would 
be required to submit a revised list of participants to the Regional 
Administrator before halibut bycatch could be retained by any new 
participant.

Reporting Requirements--Documentation and Labeling

    Participants in the halibut PSD program would have to comply with 
new documentation and labeling requirements. All packages would be 
required to be labeled with the date of processing, the name of the 
processing facility, the contents, and the weight of the halibut 
contained in the package, and the words, ``NMFS PROHIBITED SPECIES 
DONATION PROGRAM - NOT FOR SALE - PERISHABLE PRODUCT - KEEP FROZEN''.
    A processor or authorized distributor retaining or receiving 
halibut under the PSD program would keep on file and make available for 
inspection by an authorized officer all documentation including receipt 
and cargo manifests setting forth the origin, weight, and destination 
of all halibut. Such documentation would be retained until 1 year after 
the effective period of the PSD permit (December 31, 2001).

Responsibilities of Participating Shoreside Processors

    All donated halibut would be required to be processed so that it is 
fit for human consumption. Participation in the PSD program would not 
relieve any processor from any existing reporting requirements.

Classification

    At this time, NMFS has not determined that Amendments 50/50 are 
consistent with the national standards, other provisions of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable laws. NMFS, in making that 
determination, will take into account the data, views, and comments 
received during the comment period.
    NMFS prepared a regulatory impact review (RIR) that describes the 
impact this proposed rule, if adopted, would have on small entities. 
The RIR examined the economic effects of the proposed rule and 
concluded that it would not have a significant impact on a substantial 
number of small entities.
    The Small Business Administration has defined all fish-harvesting 
or hatchery businesses that are independently owned and operated, not 
dominant in their field of operation, with annual receipts not in 
excess of $3,000,000 as small businesses. In addition, seafood 
processors with 500 employees or fewer, wholesale industry members with 
100 employees or fewer, not-for-profit-enterprises, and government 
jurisdictions with a population of 50,000 or less are considered small 
entities. NMFS has determined that a ``substantial number'' of small 
entities would generally be 20 percent of the total universe of small 
entities affected by the regulation. A regulation would have a 
``significant economic impact'' on these small entities if it reduced 
annual gross revenues by more than 5 percent, increased total costs of 
production by more than 5 percent, resulted in compliance costs for 
small entities by at least 10 percent compared with compliance costs as 
a percent of sales for large entities, or resulted in 2 percent or more 
of the affected small entities being forced to cease operations.
    The Assistant General Council 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, 
will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities as follows.

    There are 56 shoreside processors in the State of Alaska, most 
have fewer than 500 employees and would be considered small 
entities. NMFS anticipates that 5 of these processors, or 6 percent, 
will choose to participate in the program. NMFS does not anticipate 
that any processor that qualifies as a small entity would elect to 
participate in the voluntary program if the cost of doing so would 
reduce gross annual receipts by 5 percent or more, would result in 
compliance costs at least 10 percent higher than such costs as a 
percent of sales for large entities, or would cause the entity to go 
out of business. Thus, this rule is not expected to have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.

    As a result, a regulatory flexibility analysis was not prepared.

[[Page 10585]]

    This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for 
the purposes of E.O. 12866.
    This proposed rule contains collection-of-information requirements 
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act. OMB approval for the 
collection-of-information requirement under the salmon donation program 
was obtained under OMB control number 0648-0316. The collection of 
information requirements contained in the proposed rule would revise 
OMB number 0648-0316 to include information submitted on an application 
to participate as an authorized distributor in the halibut donation 
program, documentation requirements for the authorized distributor(s) 
and processors participating in the PSD program, and packaging 
requirements for processors. Public reporting burden for these 
collections of information are estimated to average: 40 hours per 
response for a distributor to complete an application; 40 hours per 
year per distributor to comply with documentation requirements; 0.1 
hours per response for processors to properly label processed halibut; 
and 0.25 hours per response for the vessels/processors to list vessels/
processors.
    Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
NMFS, including whether the information shall have practical utility; 
(b) the accuracy of the estimate of the burden of the proposed 
collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, 
and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology. Send comments on these or any other 
aspects of the collection of information to NMFS and to OMB (see 
ADDRESSES).
    Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is 
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the PRA, unless that collection of information displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 679

    Alaska, Fisheries, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: February 20, 1998.
David L. Evans,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 679 is 
proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 679--FISHERIES OF THE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE OFF ALASKA

    1. The authority citation for 50 CFR part 679 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq., 1801 et seq., and 3631 et seq.

    2. In Sec. 679.2, the definitions of ``SDP'' and ``SDP permit'' are 
removed, the definitions of ``PSD program'' and ``PSD permit'' are 
added, and paragraph (1) of the definition of Catcher vessel is 
revised, in alphabetical order as follows:


Sec. 679.2  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Catcher vessel means:
    (1) With respect to groundfish recordkeeping and reporting, the PSD 
program and subpart E of this part, a vessel that is used for catching 
fish and that does not process fish on board.
* * * * *
    PSD Permit means a permit issued by NMFS to an applicant who 
qualifies as an authorized distributor for purposes of the PSD.
     PSD Program means the Prohibited Species Donation Program 
established under Sec. 679.26.
* * * * *
    3. In Sec. 679.7, paragraph (a)(12) is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 679.7  Prohibitions.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (12) Prohibited species donation program. Retain or possess 
prohibited species, defined at Sec. 679.21(b)(1), except as permitted 
to do so under the PSD program as provided by Sec. 679.26 of this part, 
or as authorized by other applicable law.
* * * * *
    4. Section 679.21 paragraph (c)(1) is amended by changing the word 
``SDP'' to the phrase ``PSD program''.
    5. In Sec. 679.26, the section heading is revised, paragraphs (a) 
through (c) are redesignated as paragraphs (b) through (d), 
redesignated paragraphs (b)(1)(xii), (b)(2) introductory text, 
(b)(2)(iii), (b)(3)(ii), (b)(3)(iv), (b)(3)(v), (c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(3) 
and (d)(4) are revised, and new paragraphs (a) and (b)(1)(xiv) are 
added to read as follows:


Sec. 679.26  Prohibited Species Donation Program.

    (a) Authorized species. The PSD program applies only to the 
following species:
    (1) Salmon.
    (2) Halibut delivered by catcher vessels using trawl gear to 
shoreside processors (Applicable through December 31, 2000).
    (b) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (xii) A signed statement from the applicant and all persons listed 
under paragraph (b)(1)(xi) of this section who would conduct activities 
pursuant to the PSD permit waiving any and all claims against the 
United States and its agents and employees for any liability for 
personal injury, death, sickness, damage to property directly or 
indirectly due to activities conducted under the PSD program.
* * * * *
    (xiv) A separate application must be submitted for each species 
listed under paragraph (a) of this section that the applicant seeks to 
distribute.
    (2) Selection. The Regional Administrator may select one or more 
tax-exempt organizations to be authorized distributors under the PSD 
program based on the information submitted by applicants under 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section. The number of authorized distributors 
selected by the Regional Administrator will be based on the following 
criteria:
* * * * *
    (iii) The anticipated level of bycatch of prohibited species listed 
under paragraph (a) of this section.
* * * * *
    (3) PSD Permit.
* * * * *
    (ii) The Regional Administrator may impose additional terms and 
conditions on a PSD permit consistent with the objectives of the PSD 
program.
* * * * *
    (iv) Effective period. (1) Salmon. A PSD permit for salmon remains 
in effect for a 3-year period after the selection is published in the 
Federal Register unless suspended or revoked. A PSD permit issued to an 
authorized distributor may be renewed following the application 
procedures in this section.
    (2) A PSD permit issued for halibut will expire December 31, 2000.
    (v) If the authorized distributor modifies any information on the 
PSD permit application submitted under (b)(1)(xi) or (b)(1)(xiii) of 
this section, the authorized distributor must submit a modified list of 
participants or a modified list of delivery locations to the Regional 
Administrator.

[[Page 10586]]

    (c) * * *
    (1) A vessel or processor retaining fish under the PSD program must 
comply with all applicable recordkeeping and reporting requirements. A 
vessel or processor participating in the PSD program must comply with 
applicable regulations at Sec. 679.7(c)(1), and Sec. 679.21(c) that 
allow for the collection of data and biological sampling by a NMFS-
certified observer prior to processing any salmon under the PSD 
program.
    (2) Prohibited species retained under the PSD program must be 
packaged, and all packages must be labeled with the date of processing, 
the name of the processing facility, the contents and the weight of the 
fish contained in the package and the words, ``NMFS PROHIBITED SPECIES 
DONATION PROGRAM-NOT FOR SALE-PERISHABLE PRODUCT-KEEP FROZEN''.
    (3) A processor retaining or receiving fish under the PSD program 
and an authorized distributor must keep on file and make available for 
inspection by an authorized officer all documentation including receipt 
and cargo manifests setting forth the origin, weight, and destination 
of all prohibited species bycatch. Such documentation must be retained 
until 1 year after the effective period of the PSD permit.
* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (4) No prohibited species that has been sorted from a vessel's 
catch or landing may be retained by a vessel or processor, or delivered 
to a delivery location under this section, unless the vessel or 
processor and delivery location is included on the list provided to the 
Regional Administrator under paragraphs (b)(1)(xi), (b)(1)(xiii) or 
(b)(3)(v) of this section.
* * * * *


Sec. 679.26   [Amended]

    In addition to the amendments set forth, Sec. 679.26 is amended by 
making the following nomenclature changes:
    a. In paragraphs (b)(1)(vi), (b)(1)(viii), (b)(1)(xi), (d)(1) and 
(d)(3), the word ``SDP'' is removed and the phrase ``PSD program'' is 
added in its place.
    b. In paragraphs (b)(2)(i), (b)(3)(i) and (b)(3)(iii) the word 
``SDP'' is removed and the word ``PSD'' is added in its place.
    c. In paragraphs (b)(1)(ii), (b)(1)(v), (b)(i)(vi), (b)(1)(viii), 
(b)(1)(xiii), (b)(2)(ii), (c)(1), (d)(1) and (d)(2) the word ``salmon'' 
is removed and the word ``fish'' is added in its place.
    d. In paragraph (d)(3) the word ``salmon'' is removed and the 
phrase ``prohibited species'' is added in its place.
[FR Doc. 98-5185 Filed 3-3-98;8:45am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F