[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 189 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57696-57713]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-8354]



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Part IV





Department of Commerce





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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration



50 CFR Part 600



Fishing Capacity Reduction Program for the Longline Catcher Processor 
Subsector of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Non-pollock Groundfish 
Fishery; Final Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 189 / Friday, September 29, 2006 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 57696]]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 600

[Docket No. 060731207-6242-02; I.D. 051706F]
RIN 0648-AU42


Fishing Capacity Reduction Program for the Longline Catcher 
Processor Subsector of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Non-pollock 
Groundfish Fishery

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: NMFS issues a final rule implementing the Bering Sea and 
Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Catcher Processor Capacity Reduction Program 
(Reduction Program) for the longline catcher processor subsector of the 
BSAI non-pollock groundfish fishery (Reduction Fishery), in compliance 
with the FY 2005 Appropriations Act. This program is voluntary and 
permit holders of the Reduction Fishery (Subsector Members) are 
eligible to participate. Subsector Members must sign and abide by the 
Capacity Reduction Agreement (Reduction Agreement) and, if their offers 
are selected, a Fishing Capacity Reduction Contract (Reduction 
Contract) with the U.S. Government. These key components of the 
Capacity Reduction Plan (Reduction Plan) were prepared by the Freezer 
Longline Conservation Cooperative (FLCC) and are implemented by the 
final regulations. The aggregate of all Reduction Agreements and those 
Reduction Contracts signed by Subsector Members whose offers were 
accepted by \2/3\ votes of the Subsector Members, will together with 
the FLCC's supporting documents and rationale that these offers 
represent the expenditure of the least money for the greatest capacity 
reduction, constitute the Reduction Plan to be submitted to the 
Secretary of Commerce for approval. Subsector Members participating in 
the Reduction Program will receive up to $36 million in exchange for 
relinquishing valid non-interim Federal License Limitation Program BSAI 
groundfish licenses endorsed for catcher processor fishing activity, 
Catcher/Processor (C/P), Pacific cod, and hook and line gear, as well 
as any present or future claims of eligibility for any fishing 
privilege based on such permit (the Groundfish Reduction Permit) and 
additionally, any future fishing privilege of the vessel named on the 
permit. Individual fishing quota (IFQ) quota shares would be excluded 
from relinquishment. Following submission of the Reduction Plan and 
approval by the Secretary, NMFS will conduct an industry referendum to 
determine the industry's willingness to repay a fishing capacity 
reduction loan to effect the Reduction Plan. A \2/3\ majority vote in 
favor would bind all parties and complete the reduction process. NMFS 
will issue a 30-year loan to be repaid by those harvesters remaining in 
the Reduction Fishery. The intent of this final rule is to permanently 
reduce harvesting capacity in the Reduction Fishery. This should result 
in increased harvesting productivity for post-reduction Subsector 
Members and help with conservation and management of the Reduction 
Fishery.

DATES: This rule is effective October 30, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Environmental Assessment/Regulatory Impact 
Review/Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (EA/RIR/FRFA) prepared for 
this action may be obtained from the mailing address listed here or by 
calling Michael A. Sturtevant (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
    Send comments regarding the burden-hour estimates or other aspects 
of the collection-of-information requirements contained in this final 
rule to Michael A. Sturtevant at the address specified above and also 
to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB), Washington, DC 20503 (Attention: NOAA Desk 
Officer) or e-mail to [email protected], or fax to (202) 395-
7825.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael A. Sturtevant at 301-713-2390, 
fax 301-713-1306, or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Electronic Access. This Federal Register 
document is also accessible via the Internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su-docs/aces/aces140.html.

Statutory and Regulatory Background

    NMFS published the proposed rule for this action in the Federal 
Register on August 11, 2006 (71 FR 46364) with a public comment period 
through September 11, 2006. NMFS received comments from three 
commenters and the comments and responses are discussed under the 
succeeding Comments and Responses section of this preamble.
    The portions of the preamble to the proposed rule explaining the 
Reduction Program, Approval of the Reduction Plan, the Referenda, and 
the Contract are crucial to understanding this final regulatory action 
and are repeated here. For additional information on underlying 
authority in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act, management of BSAI fisheries, and NMFS' framework and specific 
fishing capacity reduction regulations, persons can consult the 
preamble to the proposed rule.
    The measures contained in this final rule to establish the 
Reduction Program are authorized by Title II, Section 219 of the FY 
2005 Appropriations Act (Act) (Public Law 108-447; 2004 enacted H.R. 
4818, December 8, 2004), and in particular by Section 219(e) of the 
Act. Also, Public Law 108-199 provided the initial $500,000 subsidy 
cost to fund a $50 million loan and Public Law 108-447 provided an 
additional $250,000 subsidy cost to fund $25 million more (in addition 
to providing for the buyback program itself). While the Act authorizes 
the establishment of fishing capacity reduction programs for catcher 
processor subsectors within the Alaska groundfish fisheries (i.e., the 
longline catcher processor subsector, the American Fisheries Act (AFA) 
trawl catcher processor subsector, the non-AFA trawl catcher processor 
subsector, and the pot catcher processor subsector) based on capacity 
reduction plans and contracts developed by industry and approved by 
NMFS, this final rule only addresses the longline catcher processor 
subsector of the Reduction Fishery. The remaining subsectors may later 
develop capacity reduction plans and contracts for the other three 
catcher processor subsectors.
    The FLCC on behalf of the Reduction Fishery drafted the Reduction 
Agreement which NMFS seeks to incorporate into its existing fishing 
capacity reduction regulations by this final rule. The Reduction 
Agreement, the Reduction Contract, and application of certain other 
existing Federal law and regulations referred to above are the basis 
for the Reduction Plan. The aggregate of all Reduction Agreements and 
Reduction Contracts signed by Subsector Members whose offers to 
participate in this buyback are ranked highest by the FLCC will 
constitute the Reduction Plan and will be submitted to NMFS for 
approval.
    The Reduction Agreement and the Reduction Contract are the two key 
components of the Reduction Plan and this final rule. Substantive 
provisions of the Reduction Agreement would be codified at 50 CFR 
600.1105 along with

[[Page 57697]]

a requirement for all members of the Reduction Fishery submitting 
offers to participate in the Reduction Program to execute the Reduction 
Contract (i.e., the requirement for an Offeror to execute a Reduction 
Contract will be codified and the Reduction Contract appended). 
Wherever the term Offeror is used in this preamble and regulation, it 
also includes any co-Offeror.
    The Act authorized not more than $36 million in loans (reduction 
loan) to fund the Reduction Program. NMFS' authority to make this loan 
resides in sections 1111 and 1112 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 
App. U.S.C. 1279f and 1279g) (MMA) (title XI).

Reduction Program--Overview

    Participation in the Reduction Program would be open to any member 
of the Longline Subsector. Each Subsector Member will receive a notice 
of the FLCC Reduction Agreement and Reduction Contract and enrollment 
documents by certified mail. The FLCC Reduction Program is essentially 
divided into four phases: (1) Enrollment; (2) offer selection; (3) plan 
submission; and (4) implementation, after approval by referendum. Only 
LLP licenses and other assets (including fishing history) voluntarily 
submitted for removal from the Reduction Fishery shall be subject to 
reduction. Because there exist what are commonly referred to as 
``latent licenses'' within the Reduction Fishery which the FLCC 
membership desires to remove, latent LLP licenses need not be 
associated with a vessel for inclusion as assets to be reduced under 
the Reduction Program. Fees for repayment of the loan which funds the 
Reduction Program will be collected from the Subsector Members who 
continue operations in the Reduction Fishery after implementation of 
the Reduction Program set forth in Sec.  600.1105.

Reduction Program--The Capacity Reduction Agreement

Basic Agreement

    On April 12, 2006, the FLCC submitted a Reduction Agreement, 
Reduction Contract, and Executive Summary for a Reduction Plan for the 
Reduction Fishery to NMFS. The Reduction Plan's express objective is to 
permanently reduce harvesting capacity in the Reduction Fishery by 
removal of Groundfish Reduction Permits, Reduction Fishing Privileges, 
and the Reduction Fishing Interests that are specified in the Reduction 
Contract (which is appended to Sec.  600.1105). The FLCC will implement 
the process of qualifying and enrolling Subsector Members and selecting 
offers from Subsector Members to remove fishing capacity by means of 
this buyback. Once the FLCC has completed the selection process, the 
highest ranking offers, the rationale for acceptance, the Reduction 
Agreements, the Reduction Contracts (from Subsector Members whose 
offers were selected), and any other supporting documents will be 
submitted as the Reduction Plan, by the FLCC to NMFS for approval, on 
behalf of the Secretary of Commerce, in compliance with Section 219(e) 
of the Act.
    Those Subsector Members submitting approved offers would give up 
all Federal fishery licenses, fishery permits, and area and species 
endorsements issued for any vessel named on the Groundfish Reduction 
Permit, as well as any present or future claims of eligibility for any 
fishery privilege based upon such permit. The Subsector Members would 
also have to relinquish Reduction Fishing History consisting of: (1) 
The Reduction Privilege Vessel's full and complete documented harvest 
of groundfish; (2) for any documented harvest of the Reduction 
Privilege Vessel, any right or privilege to make any claim related to 
any fishery privilege that might qualify for any future fishing license 
(see Section 8.b. of the Contract for additional details); (3) any 
documented harvest on any other vessel (Reduction Fishing Vessel) that 
gave rise to the Groundfish Reduction Permit; and (4) all fishing 
history associated with the latent LLP license identified on the 
Selected Offer and any fishing history associated with the fishing 
vessel that gave rise to the latent LLP license that remains in the 
Offeror's possession as of August 11, 2006 (i.e., date of publication 
of the proposed rule in the Federal Register).
    Regarding the vessel named on the Groundfish Reduction Permit (the 
Reduction Privilege Vessel), the Offeror will accept the imposition of 
Federal vessel documentation restrictions that have the effect of 
permanently revoking the Reduction Privilege Vessel's legal ability to 
fish anywhere in the world as well as its legal ability to operate 
under foreign registry or control--including the Reduction Privilege 
Vessel's: fisheries trade endorsement under the Commercial Fishing 
Industry Vessel Anti-Reflagging Act (46 U.S.C. 12108); eligibility for 
the approval required under section 9(c)(2) of the Shipping Act, 1916 
(46 U.S.C. App. 808(c)(2)), for the placement of a vessel under foreign 
flag or registry, as well as its operation under the authority of a 
foreign country; and the privilege otherwise to ever fish again 
anywhere in the world (the Reduction Fishing Privilege).
    The Reduction Fishing Interest that would be removed would not 
include any: Right, title and/or interest to harvest, process or 
otherwise utilize individual fishing quota (``IFQ'') quota share in the 
halibut, sablefish and crab fisheries pursuant to 50 CFR parts 679 and 
680.

Reduction Agreement Terms and Definitions

    Capitalized terms used in the Reduction Agreement are defined in 
Schedule A to the Reduction Agreement; other terms are defined within 
the text of the Reduction Agreement. Those Reduction Agreement terms 
that are essential to understanding the regulatory provisions are set 
forth in Sec.  600.1105(b) and include ``Application Form'', ``Capacity 
Reduction Agreement or Reduction Agreement'', ``Closing Vote'', 
``Current Offeror'', ``Fishing Capacity Reduction Contract or Reduction 
Contract'', ``FLCC Counsel'', ``LLP License'', ``Offer(s)'', ``Rejected 
Offer'', and ``Website''. Other terms important to understanding these 
regulations and the Reduction Contract, including ``Reduction Privilege 
Vessel'', are also set forth in Sec.  600.1105(b).

Reduction Agreement: Major Sections

    There are three major sections of the Reduction Agreement: 
Qualification and Enrollment of Subsector Members; Selection of Offers 
to Remove Fishing Capacity by the Reduction Plan; and Submission of 
Reduction Plan. NMFS codifies these provisions as Federal regulations 
in 50 CFR 600.1105.
    Qualification and Enrollment. Subsector Members may enroll in the 
Reduction Program at any time prior to closing the selection of offers 
to reduce capacity. Enrollment is accomplished by executing a Reduction 
Agreement and submitting specified supporting documents evidencing an 
applicant's status as a Subsector Member. Each of the supporting 
documents will be reviewed by Tagart Consulting who will serve as the 
Auditor for the Reduction Program. The Auditor will review all 
documents for strict compliance with the regulatory provisions of Sec.  
600.1105. Each Reduction Agreement becomes effective 10 days after 
written notice is sent by the Auditor to each holder of a LLP license 
endorsed for BS or AI catcher processor activity, C/P, Pacific cod and 
hook and line gear, informing that more than 70 percent of Subsector 
Members have submitted complete applications certified by the Auditor 
as complying with Sec.  600.1105. For more specific information on 
qualification and enrollment of Subsector Members, see Sec.  
600.1105(c) of this final rule.

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    Selection of Offers to Remove Fishing Capacity by the Reduction 
Plan. Once more than 70 percent of the Subsector Members have effective 
Reduction Agreements, the offer selection process begins. An offer is a 
binding offer to relinquish to the United States Government the assets 
identified in the offer in consideration of a dollar amount certain set 
by the Offeror, and may not be withdrawn once entered, unless it is 
rejected during the selection process.
    Essentially, during the offer process, Subsector Members will 
alternate on a weekly basis between Submission Periods (see Sec.  
600.1105(d)(3)(ii)) and Ranking Periods (see Sec.  600.1105(d)(5)(ii)). 
During any Submission Period, a Subsector Member may offer, for 
inclusion in the Reduction Program, its LLP license(s) and withdrawal 
of the vessel(s) designated on the LLP license(s) from all fisheries. 
During the Ranking Period, nonoffering Subsector Members may rank the 
offers submitted during the prior Submission Period. At the end of each 
Ranking Period, the Auditor will tabulate and post on a website the 
results of ranking the offers up to a total offer price of $36 million. 
Those offers ranked within the $36 million are Selected Offers and 
those that are not ranked within the $36 million are Rejected Offers 
with the Rejected Offers being voided and no longer binding on the 
offering member(s).
    Once the offer rankings are posted, a new Submission Period begins 
with the process repeated until at least \2/3\ of the Nonoffering 
Subsector Members call for a closing vote. If \2/3\ of the Nonoffering 
Members accept the Selected Offers proposed in the closing vote, the 
selection process to remove capacity by the Reduction Plan terminates. 
If not, the selection process resumes with a new Submission Period. For 
more specific information on ranking and selection of offers to remove 
capacity, see Sec.  600.1105(d).
    Plan Submission, Including Repayment. After the Selection Process 
is complete, the FLCC will develop the Reduction Plan in compliance 
with the Act, the MSA, and other applicable laws and regulations for 
submission to NMFS for approval on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce. 
The Reduction Plan will include the LLP licenses and other fishing 
interests selected by the offer process as the assets to be purchased 
in the Reduction Program, and provide for repayment over a 30-year 
term. The Reduction Plan must also include the FLCC's supporting 
documents and rationale for recognizing that these offers represent the 
expenditure of the least money for the greatest capacity reduction. 
Acceptance of the Offers are at the sole discretion of NMFS on behalf 
of the Secretary of Commerce. Further, the FLCC will give notice of the 
Reduction Plan to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council as 
required by the Act.
    Repayment of the loan will begin by collection of annual fees 
collected from the Subsector Members operating in the Reduction Fishery 
after implementation of the Reduction Program. The amount of such fee 
will be calculated on an annual basis as: the principal and interest 
payment amount necessary to amortize the loan over a 30-year term, 
divided by the Reduction Fishery portion of the BSAI Pacific cod 
initial total allowable catch (ITAC) allocation in metric tons 
(converted to pounds), provided that the fees should not exceed 5 
percent of the average ex-vessel production value of the Reduction 
Fishery. In the event that the total principal and interest due exceeds 
5 percent of the ex-vessel Pacific cod revenues, a penny per pound 
round weight fee will be calculated based on the latest available 
revenue records and NMFS conversion factors for pollock, arrowtooth 
flounder, Greenland turbot, skate, yellowfin sole and rock sole. For 
more specific information on submission of the Reduction Plan, 
including fees to repay the Reduction Loan, see Sec.  600.1105(e).

The Reduction Program--Other Matters Relating to the Reduction 
Agreement and Reduction Plan

Review/Disputes

    The Reduction Agreement (but not these final regulations) provides 
for an expedited process to review any decision by the Auditor and for 
settlement of disputes utilizing an expedited review process by pre-
selected legal counsel and, if necessary, binding arbitration. Also, 
all Offerors must comply with FLCC bylaws. By motion unanimously 
accepted by the members of the FLCC on February 21, 2005, the members 
of the FLCC approved the FLCC's development of a capacity reduction 
program in compliance with the Act (the Motion).

Decisions of the Auditor and the FLCC

    Under Sec.  600.1105(f), the Offerors are subject to the terms and 
conditions set forth in the Reduction Agreement to settle any disputes 
regarding the decisions of the Auditor or the FLCC. That section also 
explains the scope of the Auditor's examination.

Other Provisions of the Reduction Agreement

    Regulatory provisions mirroring the Reduction Agreement's 
provisions for Enforcement/Specific Performance, Miscellaneous, 
Amendment, and Warranties are specified at Sec. Sec.  600.1105(g), (h), 
(i), and (j), respectively.

Approval of the Reduction Plan

    The criteria for NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary, to approve any 
Reduction Plan are specified at Sec.  600.1105(k). Among other things, 
the Assistant Administrator of NMFS must find that the Reduction Plan 
is consistent with the Act and the MSA, and that it will result in the 
maximum sustained reduction in fishing capacity at the least cost and 
in the minimum amount of time.
    The FLCC has not yet submitted the Reduction Plan to NMFS for 
approval and cannot do so until after this final rule is published. If 
the FLCC submitted the Reduction Plan before the publication of this 
final rule, it may be necessary for the FLCC to revise and re-submit 
the Reduction Plan to conform with the provisions of the final rule.

The Referenda

    NMFS will conduct an industry referendum to determine the 
industry's willingness to repay a fishing capacity reduction loan to 
purchase the licenses, fishing rights, etc. identified in the Reduction 
Plan subsequent to the publication of this final rule. A successful 
referendum by 2/3 of the members of the Reduction Fishery would bind 
all parties and complete the reduction process.
    The current Fishing Capacity Reduction Framework regulatory 
provisions of Sec.  600.1010 stipulate procedural and other 
requirements for NMFS to conduct referenda on fishing capacity 
reduction programs. Section 600.1105(l) makes those framework referenda 
requirements applicable to the Reduction Program for the Longline 
Subsector. After approval of the Reduction Program via a referendum, 
the Reduction Program will be implemented.

The Contract

    An appendix to this Sec.  600.1105 sets forth the Contract 
component of the Reduction Program for the Longline Subsector. The 
appendix, or Contract, will also be codified along with the regulatory 
text of Sec.  600.1105.

Comments and Responses

    The public comment period on the subject proposed rule (71 FR 
46364)

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closed at midnight on September 11, 2006. A total of three commenters 
submitted comments (two via e-mail and one faxed comments to NMFS). Two 
comments were from individuals. One was a brief comment supporting the 
reduction of longlines and the rule. The other was a brief comment 
opposing the rule because it is voluntary and instead supports a 
mandatory reduction in fish catch. The third commenter was the legal 
counsel, Bauer Moynihan & Johnson LLP, who represents the Freezer 
Longline Conservation Cooperative (FLCC) in any review or arbitration 
under the Capacity Reduction Agreement. The comments by the FLCC's 
counsel raised three concerns: (1) The need to make clear that 
Reduction Contracts were not required to enroll in the Reduction 
Program and were only required of Selected Offerors; (2) that only 
fishing history connected to the license and/or vessels identified on a 
Selected Offer should be relinquished; and (3) that the description of 
the Reduction Plan was incomplete in the preamble's discussion of the 
Reduction Program. All comments are elaborated on below and NMFS 
responses are provided.
    Comment 1: The commenter expressed support for reducing longline 
fishing stating their belief that the fewer longlines there are, the 
better it would be for the ocean and all marine life living in it.
    Response: The rule is designed to reduce the number of permitted 
longline catcher processor vessels fishing in the BSAI non-pollock 
groundfish fishery, and will not necessarily reduce the number of 
longline sets. The commenter gave no specific rationale for their 
suggestion that the number of longlines be reduced. The purpose and 
need for this action is to reduce excess capacity in one of the major 
non-pollock groundfish sectors and help achieve the conservation and 
economic objectives of the fishery management plan. There is no known 
scientific basis for reducing the number of longlines as suggested by 
the commenter.
    Comment 2: The commenter is opposed to the reduction program in 
this fishery being voluntary and instead encourages that the program be 
made mandatory. The commenter supports a mandatory program to reduce 
the catch in the BSAI area to preserve fish for future generations.
    Response: The reduction program is required to be a voluntary 
program by statute (Title II, Section 219 of the FY 2005 Appropriations 
Act; Public Law 108-447). The rule is designed to reduce the number of 
licensed fishing vessels not the amount of catch. Each year the North 
Pacific Fishery Management Council and NMFS consider the best 
scientific information for the BSAI groundfish fishery, including any 
new stock assessment information, fishing mortality, natural mortality, 
and other pertinent scientific information in setting harvest quotas 
for the coming fishing year. Currently, no stocks of fish in the BSAI 
groundfish fishery are overfished or subject to overfishing. NMFS is 
confident that sound management currently practiced on these stocks 
will adequately preserve these stocks.
    Comment 3: The commenter pointed out that the Summary (at 71 FR 
46364) and Sec.  600.1105(c)(2) (at 71 FR 46369) of the proposed rule 
incorrectly indicates that each Subsector Member wanting to enroll with 
the FLCC to participate in the Reduction Program must execute and 
deliver a Reduction Contract as part of their application. The 
commenter states that the Reduction Agreement (designed by industry) is 
the mechanism whereby persons establish their eligibility to enroll and 
that only those Subsector Members whose offers are selected must 
execute a Reduction Contract. The commenter asks that the language 
regarding the requirements for enrollment as a Subsector Member be 
revised to delete the requirement that a Reduction Contract be executed 
as a condition to enrollment.
    Response: NMFS agrees that to participate in the process by 
enrolling with the FLCC in the Reduction Program, Subsector Members 
only need to sign a Reduction Agreement. While all members of the BSAI 
groundfish longline subsector are Subsector Members and all may vote on 
offers to relinquish permits in the buyback, only Subsector Members who 
have enrolled with the FLCC in the Reduction Program may submit offers. 
NMFS also agrees with the commenter that only those Subsector Members 
whose offers are selected must execute a Reduction Contract. Any 
Selected Offer by a participating Subsector Member must be submitted 
with a signed Reduction Contract. NMFS has modified the Summary and 
Sec.  600.1105(c)(2) of the rule to clarify that a Reduction Contract 
is only required for those Subsector Members submitting Selected 
Offers.
    Comment 4: The commenter is opposed to the Contract's Section 8.c. 
(actually Section 8.d.) requirement in the Appendix to Sec.  600.1105 
(at 71 FR 46375) that all fishing history associated with any latent 
license that remains in the Offeror's possession as of August 11, 2006, 
must be relinquished by any Offeror. The commenter states that this 
requirement is inconsistent with the Reduction Agreement and the intent 
of the FLCC, and that only fishing history connected to the license 
and/or vessels identified on a Selected Offer should be relinquished.
    Response: NMFS agrees that only fishing history associated with any 
latent permit that is identified on the Selected Offer (and 
subsequently on the Reduction Contract) should be relinquished rather 
than all fishing history associated with any latent license that was in 
the Offeror's possession on August 11, 2006. In the proposed rule, NMFS 
was attempting to collect all fishing history associated with latent 
permits held by the Offeror; however, NMFS recognizes the inconsistency 
with the Reduction Agreement and supports the intent of the FLCC to 
provide flexibility to Subsector Members, who hold more than one LLP 
license, in relinquishing their licenses. NMFS has modified the Section 
8.d. requirement in the Contract contained in the Appendix to Sec.  
600.1105 so that it is limited to relinquishing all fishing history 
associated with the latent LLP license identified on the Selected 
Offer, including any fishing history associated with the fishing vessel 
that gave rise to the latent LLP license that remained in the Offeror's 
possession as of August 11, 2006.
    Comment 5: The commenter indicated that the description of the 
Reduction Plan was incomplete in the preamble's discussion of the 
Reduction Program at 71 FR 46365. The commenter stated that the 
Reduction Agreements and Reduction Contracts, while elements of the 
Reduction Plan, do not by themselves constitute the Reduction Plan and 
referred to Sec.  600.1105(e) (at 71 FR 46372) of the proposed rule 
which identified other elements of the Reduction Plan.
    Response: NMFS has modified the description of the Reduction Plan 
in the preamble's discussion of the Reduction Program to include 
mention of the FLCC's supporting documents and rationale that these 
offers represent the expenditure of the least money for the greatest 
capacity reduction, together with the Reduction Agreements and 
Reduction Contracts, as constituting the Reduction Plan. This is now 
consistent with the Summary and Sec.  600.1105(e).

Classification

    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NMFS, determined that 
this final rule is consistent with Title II, Section 219 of the FY 2005 
Appropriations Act, Public Law 108-447, and with the Magnuson-Stevens

[[Page 57700]]

Fishery Conservation and Management Act, codified at 16 U.S.C. 1801 et 
seq.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, NMFS 
prepared an environmental assessment for this final rule. The 
assessment discusses the impact of this final rule on the natural and 
human environment and integrates a Regulatory Impact Review (RIR) and a 
Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA). NMFS will send the 
assessment, the review and analysis to anyone who requests a copy (see 
ADDRESSES).
    NMFS prepared a FRFA, as required by section 603 of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (RFA), to describe the economic impacts this final rule 
would have on small entities. NMFS intends the analysis to aid us in 
considering regulatory alternatives that could minimize the economic 
impact on affected small entities. The final rule does not duplicate or 
conflict with other Federal regulations.

Summary of FRFA

    The Small Business Administration (SBA) has defined small entities 
as all fish harvesting businesses that are independently owned and 
operated, not dominant in its field of operation, and with annual 
receipts of $4 million or less. In addition, processors with 500 or 
fewer employees for related industries involved in canned or cured fish 
and seafood, or preparing fresh fish and seafood, are also considered 
small entities. Small entities within the scope of this final rule 
include individual U.S. vessels and dealers. There are no 
disproportionate impacts between large and small entities.
Description of the Number of Small Entities
    The FRFA uses the most recent year of data available to conduct the 
analysis (2003). The vessels that might be considered large entities 
were either affiliated under owners of multiple vessels or were catcher 
processors. However, little is known about the ownership structure of 
the vessels in the fleet, so it is possible that the FRFA overestimates 
the number of small entities. In the Reduction Fishery, 24 of the 39 
vessels meet the threshold for small entities. The remaining 13 vessels 
are not considered small entities for purposes of the RFA. There are 5 
additional fishermen with permits but no vessels in the Longline 
Subsector who would benefit if they later purchase vessels and 
participate in the post-Reduction Fishery because there will be less 
competition for the harvest. Also, they would benefit if they chose to 
be bought out; and there would be no impact to them if they did not buy 
a vessel and were not selected for the buyback. Implementation of the 
buyback program would not change the overall reporting structure and 
record keeping requirements of the vessels in the BSAI Pacific cod 
fisheries. However, this program would impose collection of information 
requirements totaling 16 hours 10 minutes.
    Most firms operating in the Reduction Fishery have annual gross 
revenues of less than $4 million. The FRFA analysis estimates that 24 
of the 39 active longline catcher processor vessels (i.e., 39 vessels 
constitute the Longline Subsector) that participated in 2003 are 
considered small entities. The ownership characteristics of vessels 
operating in the Reduction Fishery are not available and therefore it 
is not possible to determine with certainty, if they are independently 
owned and operated, or affiliated in one way or another with a larger 
parent company. Furthermore, because analysts cannot quantify the exact 
number of small entities that may be directly regulated by this action, 
a definitive finding of non-significance for this final action under 
the RFA is not possible. However, because the final rule will not 
result in changes to allocation percentages and participation is 
voluntary, net effects are expected to be minimal relative to the 
status quo.
    The final rule's impact will be positive for both those whose 
offers NMFS accepts and for post-reduction catcher processors whose 
landing fees repay the reduction loan because the Offerors and catcher 
processors would have voluntarily assumed the impact:
    1. Offerors would have volunteered to make offers at dollar amounts 
of their own choice. Presumably, no Offeror would volunteer to make an 
offer with an amount that is inconsistent with the Offeror's interest; 
and
    2. Reduction loan repayment landing fees would be authorized, and 
NMFS could complete the Reduction Program, only if at least two-thirds 
of Subsector Members voting in a post-offer referendum voted in favor 
of the Reduction Plan. Presumably, Subsector Members who are not 
Selected Offerors would not vote in favor of the Reduction Plan unless 
they concluded that the Reduction Program's prospective capacity 
reduction was sufficient to enable them to increase their post-
reduction revenues enough to justify the fee.
    Those participants remaining in the fishery after the buyback will 
incur additional fees of up to 5 percent of the ex-vessel production 
value of post-reduction landings. However, the additional costs could 
be mitigated by increased harvest opportunities by post-reduction 
fishermen.
    This final rule would affect neither authorized BSAI Pacific cod 
ITAC and other non-pollock groundfish harvest levels nor harvesting 
practices.
    NMFS rejected the no action alternative considered in the EA 
because NMFS would not be in compliance with the mandate of Section 219 
of the Act to establish a buyback program. In addition, the longline 
catcher processor subsector of the non-pollock groundfish fishery would 
remain overcapitalized. Although too many vessels compete to catch the 
current subsector total allowable catch (TAC) allocation, fishermen 
remain in the fishery because they have no other means to recover their 
significant capital investment. Overcapitalization reduces the 
potential net value that could be derived from the non-pollock 
groundfish resource, by dissipating rents, driving variable operating 
costs up, and imposing economic externalities. At the same time, excess 
capacity and effort diminish the effectiveness of current management 
measures (e.g. landing limits and seasons, bycatch reduction measures). 
Overcapitalization has diminished the economic viability of members of 
the fleet and increased the economic and social burden on fishery 
dependent communities.
    NMFS determined that this final rule is not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866 based on the RIR/FRFA.
    This final rule contains information collection requirements 
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) previously approved this information collection under 
OMB Control Number 0648-0376 with requirements for 878 respondents with 
a total response time of 38,653 hours.
    NMFS estimates that the public reporting burden for this 
information collection would average 4 hours for making an offer (which 
includes executing the Reduction Agreement and Reduction Contract) and 
4 hours for voting in a referendum. Persons affected by this final rule 
will also be subject to other collection-of-information requirements 
referred to in the final rule and also approved under OMB Control 
Number 0648-0376. These requirements and their associated response 
times are: completing and filing a fish ticket (10 minutes), submitting 
monthly fish buyer reports (2 hours), submitting annual fish buyer 
reports (4 hours), and fish buyer/fish seller reports when a person 
fails

[[Page 57701]]

either to pay or to collect the loan repayment fee (2 hours).
    These response estimates include the time for reviewing 
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
information collection. Public comment is sought regarding: whether 
this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance 
of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall 
have practical utility; the accuracy of the burden estimate; ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information, including through the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. Interested persons 
may send comments regarding this burden estimate, or any other aspect 
of this data collection, including suggestions for reducing the burden, 
to both NMFS and OMB (see ADDRESSES).
    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required 
to respond to, and no person is subject to a penalty for failure to 
comply with, an information collection subject to the PRA requirements 
unless that information collection displays a currently valid OMB 
control number.
    This action should not result in any adverse effects on endangered 
species or marine mammals.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 600

    Fisheries, Fishing capacity reduction, Fishing permits, Fishing 
vessels, Intergovernmental relations, Loan programs--business, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: September 21, 2006.
John Oliver,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Operations, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.

0
For the reasons set out in the preamble, NMFS amends 50 CFR part 600, 
subpart M, as follows:

PART 600--MAGNUSON-STEVENS ACT PROVISIONS

Subpart M--Specific Fishery or Program Fishing Capacity Reduction 
Regulations

0
1. The authority citation for 50 CFR part 600, subpart M, is revised to 
read as follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 561, 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq., 16 U.S.C. 
1861a(b) through (e), 46 App. U.S.C. 1279f and 1279g, section 144(d) 
of Division B of Pub. L. 106-554, section 2201 of Pub. L. 107-20, 
and section 205 of Pub. L. 107-117, Pub. L. 107-206, Pub. L. 108-7, 
Pub. L. 108-199, and Pub. L. 108-447.

0
2. Section 600.1105 is added to subpart M to read as follows:


Sec.  600.1105  Longline catcher processor subsector of the Bering Sea 
and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) non-pollock groundfish fishery program.

    (a) Purpose. This section implements the capacity reduction program 
that Title II, Section 219(e) of Public Law 108-447 enacted for the 
longline catcher processor subsector of the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands (BSAI) non-pollock groundfish fishery.
    (b) Definitions. Unless otherwise defined in this section, the 
terms defined in Sec.  600.1000 of subpart L of this part expressly 
apply to this section. The following terms have the following meanings 
for the purpose of this section:
    Act means Title II, Section 219 of Public Law 108-447.
    AI means the Aleutian Islands.
    Application Form means the form published on the FLCC's website 
that sets forth whether the qualifying LLP License is a Latent License 
and identifies the individual(s) authorized to execute and deliver 
Offers and Offer Ranking Ballots on behalf of the Subsector Member.
    Auditor means Jack V. Tagart, Ph.D., d.b.a. Tagart Consulting.
    Authorized Party means the individuals authorized by Subsector 
Members on the application form to execute and submit Offers, Rankings, 
protests and other documents and/or notices on behalf of Subsector 
Member.
    Ballot means the form found on the auditor's website used to cast a 
vote in favor of, or in opposition to, the currently Selected Offers.
    BS means the Bering Sea.
    BSAI means the Bering Sea and the Aleutian Islands.
    BSAI Pacific Cod ITAC means the Total Allowable Catch for Pacific 
cod after the subtraction of the 7.5 percent Community Development 
Program reserve.
    Capacity Reduction Agreement or Reduction Agreement means an 
agreement entered into by the Subsector Members and the FLCC under 
which the FLCC is permitted to develop and submit a Capacity Reduction 
Plan to the Secretary.
    Certificate of Documentation (COD) means a document issued by the 
U.S. Coast Guard's National Documentation Center that registers the 
vessel with the United States Government.
    Closing Vote means a vote held pursuant to paragraph (d)(7) of this 
section, after two-thirds (\2/3\) or more of the Nonoffering Subsector 
Members submit Ranking Forms electing to accept the Selected Offerors 
and close the Selection Process, and there are no unresolved Protests 
or Arbitrations.
    Current Offer means an Offer submitted by a Subsector Member to the 
Auditor during any Submission Period and, with regard to such Offer, 
Offeror has not become a Rejected Offeror. The term ``Current Offer'' 
includes Selected Offers.
    Current Offeror means an Offering Subsector Member that has 
submitted an Offer to the Auditor during any Submission Period and, 
with regard to such Offer, Offeror has not become a Rejected Offeror. 
The term ``Current Offeror'' includes Selected Offerors.
    Database means the online LLP License database maintained by NMFS 
as downloaded by the Auditor pursuant to paragraph (c)(1) of this 
section.
    Effective Date means the date the Capacity Reduction Agreement 
becomes effective pursuant to section 4.e of the Capacity Reduction 
Agreement.
    Fishing Capacity Reduction Contract or Reduction Contract means the 
contract that any Current Offeror must sign and agree to abide by if 
NMFS accepts the offer by signing the Reduction Contract.
    FLCC Counsel means Bauer Moynihan & Johnson LLP or other counsel 
representing the FLCC in any review or arbitration under the Capacity 
Reduction Agreement.
    Latent License means an LLP License on which a vessel was not 
designated at the time an Offer is submitted.
    LLP License means a Federal License Limitation Program groundfish 
license issued pursuant to Sec.  679.4(k) of this chapter or successor 
regulation that is noninterim and transferable, or that is interim and 
subsequently becomes noninterim and transferable, and that is endorsed 
for BS or AI catcher processor fishing activity, C/P, Pacific cod and 
hook and line gear.
    Longline Subsector means the longline catcher processor subsector 
of the BSAI non-pollock groundfish fishery as defined in the Act.
    Longline Subsector ITAC means the longline catcher processor 
subsector remainder of the Total Allowable Catch after the subtraction 
of the 7.5 percent Community Development Program reserve.
    Nonoffering Subsector Member shall have the meaning ascribed 
thereto in paragraph (d)(5)(i) of this section.
    Offer Content means all information included in Offers submitted to 
the Auditor pursuant to paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section.

[[Page 57702]]

    Offer Form means the form found on the Auditor's website used to 
make an offer.
    Offer(s) means a binding offer(s) from a Subsector Member to sell 
its LLP, right to participate in the fisheries, the fishing history 
associated with such LLP, and any vessel set forth on the Offer Form 
submitted by Offeror pursuant to the terms of this Capacity Reduction 
Agreement.
    Opening Date means the first Monday following the Effective Date 
set forth in paragraph (c)(3) of this section.
    Person includes any natural person(s) and any corporation, 
partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, 
association or any other entity whatsoever, organized under the laws of 
the United States or of a state.
    Prequalification Offer shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in 
paragraph (d)(2)(iii) of this section.
    Ranking Form means the form posted by the Auditor pursuant to 
paragraph (d)(5)(iii) of this section.
    Ranking Period shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in paragraph 
(d)(5)(ii) of this section.
    Reduction Fishery means the BSAI non-pollock groundfish fishery.
    Reduction Fishing Interests shall have the meaning ascribed thereto 
in the Fishing Capacity Reduction Contract.
    Reduction Plan means a business plan prepared by the Subsector 
Members in accordance with Section 1 of the Capacity Reduction 
Agreement and forwarded to the Secretary for approval.
    Reduction Privilege Vessel means the vessel listed on the Offeror's 
License Limitation Program license.
    Rejected Offer means an Offer that has been through one or more 
Rankings and is not a Selected Offer following the latest Ranking 
Period, with respect to which the Offering Subsector Member's 
obligations have terminated pursuant to paragraphs (d)(2)(i) and 
(d)(6)(v) of this section.
    Rejected Offeror means a Subsector Member that has submitted an 
Offer which has been ranked and was not posted as a Selected Offer 
pursuant to paragraph (d)(6)(ii) of this section.
    Restricted Access Management (RAM) means the Restricted Access 
Management Program in the Alaska Region, NMFS, located in Juneau, 
Alaska.
    Secretary means the Secretary of Commerce or a designee.
    Selected Offer shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in paragraph 
(d)(6)(iv) of this section.
    Selected Offeror means a Subsector Member that has submitted an 
Offer which has been ranked and is posted as a Selected Offer pursuant 
to paragraph (d)(6)(ii) of this section.
    Selection Process means the process set forth in paragraph (d) of 
this section for selecting the fishing capacity to be removed by the 
Reduction Plan.
    Submission Period(s) or Submitting Period(s) shall have the meaning 
ascribed thereto in paragraph (d)(3)(ii) of this section.
    Subsector Member(s) means a member(s) of the Longline Subsector.
    Web site means the internet Web site developed and maintained on 
behalf of the FLCC for implementation of the Selection Process 
described herein with a URL address of http://www.freezerlonglinecoop.org.
    (c) Qualification and enrollment of subsector members--
    (1) Distribution. A copy of the Reduction Agreement, Application 
Form, and Reduction Contract shall be mailed to each holder of record 
of an LLP License endorsed for BS or AI catcher processor activity, C/
P, Pacific cod and hook and line gear, as the Auditor determines from 
the Database downloaded by the Auditor as of January 30, 2006, 
regardless of whether the LLP License is indicated in the Database as 
noninterim and transferable or otherwise.
    (2) Application. Any person, regardless of whether having received 
the mailing described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, may as a 
Subsector Member apply to enroll with the FLCC to participate in the 
Reduction Program, by submitting all of the following documents:
    (i) Fully executed Reduction Agreement;
    (ii) Photocopy of the LLP License(s) evidencing Subsector Member's 
qualification as a member of the Longline Subsector;
    (iii) Unless applying as the holder of a Latent License, a 
photocopy of Federal Fisheries Permit for the vessel(s) designated on 
the LLP License(s) on the date the Reduction Agreement is signed by the 
Subsector Member;
    (iv) Unless applying as the holder of a Latent License, a photocopy 
of the Certificate of Documentation (COD) for the vessel(s) designated 
on the LLP License(s) on the date the Reduction Agreement is signed by 
the Subsector Member; and
    (v) An executed Application Form which sets forth whether the 
qualifying LLP License is a Latent License and identifies the 
individual(s) authorized to execute and deliver Offers and Offer 
Ranking Ballots on behalf of the Subsector Member.
    (3) Examination by Auditor--(i) In general. Each application must 
be submitted to the Auditor who will examine applications for 
completeness and inconsistencies, whether on the face of the documents 
or with the Database. Any application which is incomplete or which 
contains inconsistencies shall be invalid. The Auditor shall notify by 
e-mail or mail an applicant of the basis for the Auditor's finding an 
application invalid. An applicant may resubmit a revised application. 
If the application meets all requirements, the Auditor may accept the 
application as valid and enroll the applicant.
    (ii) Interim LLP Licenses. If an LLP License is interim and/or 
nontransferable, the applicant's enrollment shall be accepted as a 
Subsector Member and may fully participate in the Selection Process. 
However, any posting of an Offer submitted with respect to such LLP 
License shall note the status of such LLP License until that Subsector 
Member submits to the Auditor a letter from the RAM confirming that it 
is within the Subsector Member's control to cause the qualifying LLP 
License to be issued as noninterim and transferable upon withdrawal of 
all applicable appeals.
    (4) Enrollment period. Applications that meet all requirements will 
be accepted until the Selection Process is completed.
    (5) Effective date. The Effective Date of any Reduction Agreement 
shall be ten (10) calendar days after written notice is sent by the 
Auditor to each holder of record of an LLP License endorsed for BS or 
AI catcher processor activity, C/P, Pacific cod and hook and line gear 
(as determined by the Auditor from the Auditor's examination of the 
Database) advising that the number of Subsector Members that have 
delivered to the Auditor a complete Application, including a fully 
executed Reduction Agreement, exceeds seventy percent (70 percent) of 
the members of the Longline Subsector (as determined by the Auditor 
from the Auditor's examination of the Database).
    (6) Notice. All notices related to the effective date of the 
Reduction Agreement shall be sent by the Auditor via registered mail.
    (7) Withdrawal. A Subsector Member, unless such Subsector Member is 
a Current Offeror or Selected Offeror, may terminate the Reduction 
Agreement at any time with respect to that Subsector Member by giving 
ten (10) calendar days written notice to the Auditor preferably via e-
mail. Withdrawal of a Subsector Member shall not affect the validity of 
the Reduction Agreement with respect to any other Subsector Members. 
Once effective, the Reduction Agreement shall continue in full force 
and effect regardless of whether subsequent withdrawals reduce the 
number of

[[Page 57703]]

Subsector Members below that level required to effectuate the Reduction 
Agreement. Attempted withdrawal by a Current Offeror or Selected 
Offeror shall be invalid, and such Offer shall remain a binding, 
irrevocable Offer, unaffected by the attempted withdrawal.
    (d) Selection of fishing capacity to be removed by Reduction Plan. 
The fishing capacity removed by the Reduction Plan will be the 
Reduction Fishing Interests voluntarily offered through the Reduction 
Plan by offering Subsector Members and as selected by the Nonoffering 
Subsector Members, up to an aggregate amount of thirty six million 
dollars ($36,000,000) as set forth in this paragraph (d).
    (1) Overview. The Selection Process will begin upon the Effective 
Date of the Reduction Agreement. The Selection Process will alternate 
on a weekly basis between:
    (i) Submitting Periods, during which individual Subsector Members 
may submit Offers of fishing capacity they wish to include in the 
Reduction Plan; and
    (ii) Ranking Periods, during which Nonoffering Subsector Members 
will rank the submitted Offers.
    (2) Offers--(i) Binding agreement. An Offer from a Subsector Member 
shall be a binding, irrevocable offer from a Subsector Member to 
relinquish to NMFS the Reduction Fishing Interests for the price set 
forth on the Offer contingent on such Offer being a Selected Offer at 
the closing of the Selection Process. Once submitted, an Offer may not 
be revoked or withdrawn while that Offer is a Current Offer or Selected 
Offer. An Offer that is submitted by a Subsector Member, but is not a 
Selected Offer during the subsequent Ranking Period, shall be deemed to 
be terminated and the Subsector Member shall have no further obligation 
with respect to performance of that Offer.
    (ii) Offer content. All Offers submitted to the Auditor shall 
include the following information: LLP License number; LLP License 
number(s) of any linked crab LLP Licenses; license MLOA (MLOA--maximum 
length overall of a vessel is defined at Sec.  679.2 of this chapter); 
the license area, gear and species endorsements; a summary of the 
Pacific cod catch history for the calendar years 1995-2004; and the 
offered price. The Offer shall also state whether a vessel is currently 
designated on the LLP License and as such will be withdrawn from all 
fisheries if the Offer is selected for reduction in the Reduction Plan. 
If so, the Offer shall identify such vessel by name, official number, 
and current owner. In addition, the Offer shall provide a summary of 
the Pacific cod catch history for the calendar years 1995-2004 of the 
vessel to be retired from the fisheries. All summary catch histories 
included in Offers shall be calculated utilizing both the weekly 
production report and best blend methodology and shall separately state 
for each methodology the Pacific cod catch in metric tons and as a 
percentage of the overall catch for the longline catcher processor 
subsector on an annual basis for each of the required years. If the 
vessel stated to be withdrawn from the fisheries is not owned by the 
LLP License owner of record, the Offer shall be countersigned by the 
owner of record of the vessel. An Offer offering a Latent License shall 
state on the Offer Form that the offered LLP License is a Latent 
License. The Offer Form shall also include a comment section for any 
additional information that Offerors wish to provide to the Subsector 
Members concerning the Offer.
    (iii) Prequalification of Offers. A Subsector Member may submit a 
Prequalification Offer to the Auditor at any time prior to the Opening 
Date. A Prequalification Offer shall contain all elements of an Offer, 
except that a price need not be provided. The Auditor shall notify the 
Subsector Member submitting a Prequalification Offer as to any 
deficiencies as soon as practicable. All details of a Prequalification 
Offer shall be kept confidential by the Auditor.
    (3) Submitting an Offer--(i) Offer submission. Commencing on the 
first Tuesday following the Opening Date and during all Submission 
Periods until the Selection Process is closed, any Subsector Member may 
submit an Offer. All Offers are to be on the applicable form provided 
on the FLCC website, executed by an Authorized Party and submitted to 
the Auditor by facsimile. Any Subsector Member may submit an Offer 
during any Submission Period, even if that Subsector Member has not 
submitted an Offer in any previous Submission Period. If a Subsector 
Member holds more than one LLP License, such Subsector Member may, but 
is not required to, submit an Offer for each LLP License held during a 
Submission Period.
    (ii) Submission Periods. The initial Submission Period shall 
commence at 9 a.m. (Pacific time) on the Tuesday following the Opening 
Date and end at 5 p.m. (Pacific time) on the Friday of that week. 
Subsequent Submission Periods shall commence at 9 a.m. (Pacific time) 
on the first Tuesday following the preceding Ranking Period and end at 
5 p.m. (Pacific time) on the Friday of that week. All times set forth 
in the Reduction Agreement and used in the Offer process shall be the 
time kept in the Pacific time zone as calculated by the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology.
    (iii) Validity of Offer. The Auditor shall examine each Offer for 
consistency with the Database and information contained in the 
enrollment documents. If there is an inconsistency in the information 
contained in the Offer, any of the elements required of an Offer 
pursuant to paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section are missing, or the 
Auditor does not receive the original Offer Form before the Offers are 
to be posted pursuant to paragraph (d)(4) of this section, the Auditor 
shall notify the offering Subsector Member by e-mail or mail that the 
Offer is nonconforming as soon as practicable after discovering the 
basis of invalidity. The Subsector Member may submit a revised, 
conforming Offer prior to the close of that Submission Period or, in 
any subsequent Submission Period. Only one Offer may be submitted with 
respect to an LLP License during a Submission Period. In the event a 
Subsector Member submits more than one Offer with respect to an LLP 
License during a Submission Period, the first conforming Offer received 
by the Auditor shall be binding and irrevocable and any subsequent 
Offers shall be deemed invalid.
    (iv) Warranty. By submitting an Offer, the Offering Subsector 
Member, warrants and represents that the Offering Subsector Member has 
read and understands the terms of the Reduction Agreement, the Offer, 
and the Reduction Contract and has had the opportunity to seek 
independent legal counsel regarding such documents and/or agreements 
and the consequences of submitting an Offer.
    (4) Posting Offers--(i) Current offers. For each Offer received 
during a Submission Period, the Auditor shall post on the Website no 
later than 5 p.m. (Pacific time) on the following Tuesday all of the 
details of such Offer as set forth on the Offer Form. In addition, the 
Auditor shall post, as available to Auditor, a summary by year of up to 
ten (10) years catch history during the period 1995-2004 in total round 
weight equivalents and percentage of Longline Subsector ITAC harvested 
for any vessel that is included in the Offer. Subsector Member (or 
vessel owner, if other than the Subsector Member) expressly authorizes 
Auditor to release the catch history summary information previously 
prepared for that Subsector Member or vessel owner by the Auditor as 
part of the analysis of FLCC's membership's

[[Page 57704]]

catch history previously conducted by the Auditor on behalf of the 
FLCC.
    (ii) Posting order. Offers shall be posted on the Website by the 
Auditor in alphabetical order of the Offering Subsector Member's name.
    (iii) Questions as to Offer. The Auditor shall respond to no 
questions from Subsector Member regarding Offers except to confirm that 
the posting accurately reflects the details of the Offer. If an 
Offering Subsector Member notices an error in an Offer posting on the 
Website, such Subsector Member shall notify the Auditor as soon as 
practicable. The Auditor shall review such notice, the posting and the 
original Offer. If an error was made in posting the Auditor shall 
correct the posting as soon as practicable and notify the Subsector 
Members via e-mail or mail of the correction. In the event such an 
error is not discovered prior to Ranking, an Offering Subsector Member 
shall be bound to the terms of the submitted Offer, not the terms of 
the posted Offer.
    (iv) Archive. The Auditor shall maintain on the Website an archive 
of prior Offers posted, which shall be available for review by all 
Subsector Members.
    (5) Ranking--(i) Eligibility. Each Subsector Member that has not 
submitted an Offer during the preceding Submission Period, or whose 
vessel is not included as a withdrawing vessel in an Offer during the 
preceding Submission Period (i.e., a Nonoffering Subsector Member), may 
submit to the Auditor a Ranking Form during a Ranking Period. With 
respect to Ranking, a Subsector Member that holds more than one LLP 
License may participate in the Ranking process for each LLP License not 
included in an Offer.
    (ii) Ranking Period. The initial Ranking Period shall commence 
immediately after the Offers from the preceding Submission Period have 
been posted and end at 5 p.m. (Pacific time) on the Friday of that 
week. Subsequent Ranking Periods shall commence immediately after the 
Offers from the preceding Submission Period have been posted and end at 
5 p.m. (Pacific time) on the Friday of that week.
    (iii) Ranking Form. Prior to each Ranking Period, the Auditor will 
post a Ranking Form on the Website in ``pdf'' file format. Each 
eligible Subsector Member wishing to rank the current Offers shall rank 
the Offers on the Ranking Form numerically in the Subsector Member's 
preferred order of purchase. The Offer that Subsector Member would most 
like to have accepted should be ranked number one (1), and subsequent 
Offers ranked sequentially until the Offer that the Subsector Member 
would least like to see accepted is ranked with the highest numerical 
score. A Subsector Member wishing to call for a Closing Vote shall, in 
lieu of ranking the Current Offers, mark the Ranking Form to accept the 
Selected Offers selected during the prior Ranking Period and close the 
Selection Process. To be valid, the Ranking Form must rank each Current 
Offer listed on the Ranking Form or, if applicable, be marked to call 
for a Closing Vote. Ranking Forms shall be submitted by sending a 
completed Ranking Form, signed by an Authorized Party, to the Auditor 
by facsimile or mail prior to the end of the Ranking Period. A 
Subsector Member is not required to rank the Offers during a Ranking 
Period or call for a Closing Vote.
    (iv) Validity of Subsector Member Ranking. The Auditor shall 
examine each Ranking Form for completeness, whether the form either 
ranks the Offers or calls for a Closing Vote (but not both), and 
authorized signature. Any incomplete or otherwise noncompliant Ranking 
Form(s) shall be invalid, and shall not be included in the Rankings of 
the Current Offers. The Auditor shall notify the Subsector Member of 
the reason for declaring any Ranking Form invalid as soon as 
practicable. A Subsector Member may cure the submission of an invalid 
Ranking Form by submitting a complying Ranking Form if accomplished 
before the end of the applicable Ranking Period.
    (6) Ranking results--(i) Compiling the rankings. Unless two-thirds 
(\2/3\) of the Nonoffering Subsector Members have called for a Closing 
Vote, the Auditor shall compile the results of the Ranking Forms by 
assigning one point for each position on a Ranking Form. That is, the 
Offer ranked number one (1) on a Ranking Form shall be awarded one (1) 
point, the Offer ranked two (2) shall receive two (2) points, and 
continuing on in this manner until all Offers have been assigned points 
correlating to its ranking on each valid Ranking Form. The Offer with 
the least number of total points assigned shall be the highest ranked 
Offer, and the Offer with the greatest total points assigned shall be 
the lowest ranked Offer.
    (ii) Posting rankings. The Auditor shall post the results of the 
compilation of the Ranking Forms on the Website in alphabetical order 
based on the Offering Subsector Member's name no later than 5 p.m. 
(Pacific time) on the Monday following the Ranking Period. The Auditor 
shall post the highest consecutive ranking Offers that total thirty six 
million dollars ($36,000,000) or less. Those Offering Subsector Members 
whose Offers are posted shall be deemed Selected Offerors and their 
Offers shall be deemed Selected Offers. Those Offering Subsector 
Members whose Offers are not posted shall be deemed Rejected Offerors.
    (iii) Selected Offer information or confidentiality. The Auditor 
shall post the name of the Offering Subsector Member, the amount of the 
Offer, and a summary of the total number of Ranking Forms received and 
the number of such forms on which the Members called for a Closing 
Vote. Other than the foregoing, the Auditor shall not post any details 
of the compilation of the Ranking Forms.
    (iv) Selected Offerors. Selected Offerors may not withdraw their 
Offers unless in subsequent rankings their Offers no longer are within 
the highest ranking Offers and they become Rejected Offerors. A 
Selected Offeror may, however, modify a Selected Offer solely to the 
extent such modification consists of a reduction in the Offer price. A 
Selected Offeror may submit a modified Offer to the Auditor during the 
next Offering Period as set forth in paragraph (d)(3) of this section. 
Unless a Selected Offeror becomes a Rejected Offeror in a subsequent 
Ranking, a Selected Offeror shall be bound by the terms of the lowest 
Selected Offer submitted as if such modified Offer had been the 
original Selected Offer. In the event a Selected Offeror submits a 
modified Offer and such Offer is not ranked because sufficient votes 
are received to call for a Closing Vote, the previously Selected Offer 
shall remain the Selected Offer.
    (v) Rejected Offerors. The Offer of a Rejected Offeror is 
terminated and the Rejected Offeror is no longer bound by the terms of 
its Offer. A Rejected Offeror may, at its sole discretion, resubmit the 
same Offer, submit a revised Offer, or elect not to submit an Offer 
during any subsequent Submission Period until the Selection Process is 
closed.
    (vi) Ties. In the event there is a tie with respect to Offers which 
results in the tied Offers exceeding thirty-six million dollars 
($36,000,000), the tied Offers and all Offers ranked lower than the 
tied Offers shall be deemed to be rejected and the Rejected Offerors 
may, at their option, submit an Offer in a subsequent Submission 
Period.
    (vii) Archive. Auditor shall maintain on the Website an archive of 
prior Offer Rankings as posted over the course of the Selection 
Process, which shall be available for Subsector Member review.
    (7) Closing. The Selection Process will close when two-thirds (\2/
3\) or more of the Nonoffering Subsector Members of the Longline 
Subsector, as determined by the Auditor, affirmatively vote to

[[Page 57705]]

accept the Selected Offerors selected during the prior Ranking Period 
as part of the Reduction Plan to be submitted to the Secretary.
    (i) Call for Vote. A Closing Vote will be held when: at least two-
thirds (\2/3\) of the Nonoffering Subsector Members submit Ranking 
Forms electing to accept the Selected Offerors and close the Selection 
Process in lieu of Ranking the current Offers; and there are no 
unresolved Protests or Arbitrations. The Auditor shall notify all 
Subsector Members by e-mail or mail and posting a notice on the Website 
as soon as practicable that a Closing Vote is to be held. Such notice 
shall state the starting and ending dates and times of the voting 
period, which shall be not less than three (3) nor more than seven (7) 
calendar days from the date of such notice. A voting period shall 
commence at 9 a.m. (Pacific time) on Monday and end at 5 p.m. on the 
Friday of that week.
    (ii) Voting. No less than three (3) calendar days prior to the 
voting period, the Auditor will post a Closing Ballot on the Website in 
``pdf'' file format. Each eligible Nonoffering Subsector Member wishing 
to vote shall print out the Closing Ballot, and, with respect to each 
of the currently Selected Offers on the Closing Ballot, vote either in 
favor of or opposed to accepting that Selected Offer and submit a 
completed and signed Closing Ballot to the Auditor preferably by 
facsimile prior to the end of the Voting Period.
    (iii) Ballot verification. The Auditor shall examine each submitted 
Closing Ballot for completeness and authorized signature. Any 
incomplete Closing Ballot shall be void, and shall not be included in 
the voting results. The Auditor shall not notify the Subsector Member 
of an invalid Closing Ballot.
    (iv) Voting results. The Auditor shall post the results of the Vote 
as soon as practicable after voting closes. Each Offer on the Closing 
Ballot that receives votes approving acceptance of such Offer from two-
thirds (\2/3\) or more of the total number of Nonoffering Subsector 
Members shall be a Selected Offeror and shall be the basis for the 
Reduction Plan submitted to NMFS. Any Offer on the Closing Ballot that 
does not receive such two-thirds (\2/3\) approval shall be rejected and 
shall not be included among the Offers included among the Reduction 
Plan submitted to NMFS.
    (v) Notification to NMFS. Upon closing of the Selection Process, 
FLCC shall notify NMFS in writing of the identities of the Selected 
Offerors and provide to NMFS a completed and fully executed original 
Reduction Agreement from each of the Selected Offerors and a certified 
copy of the fully executed Reduction Agreement and Reduction Contract.
    (e) Submission of Reduction Plan, including repayment. Upon 
completion of the offering process, the FLCC on behalf of the Subsector 
Members shall submit to NMFS the Reduction Plan which shall include the 
provisions set forth in this paragraph (e).
    (1) Capacity reduction. The Reduction Plan shall identify as the 
proposed capacity reduction, without auction process, the LLP Licenses 
as well as the vessels and the catch histories related to the LLP 
Licenses, linked crab LLP Licenses, and any other fishing rights or 
other interests associated with the LLP Licenses and vessels included 
in the Selected Offers. The aggregate of all Reduction Agreements and 
Reduction Contracts signed by Subsector Members whose offers to 
participate in this buyback were accepted by votes of the Subsector 
Members, will together with the FLCC's supporting documents and 
rationale for recognizing that these offers represent the expenditure 
of the least money for the greatest capacity reduction, constitute the 
Reduction Plan to be submitted to NMFS for approval on behalf of the 
Secretary of Commerce.
    (2) Loan repayment--(i) Term. As authorized by Section 219(B)(2) of 
the Act, the capacity reduction loan (the ``Reduction Loan'') shall be 
amortized over a thirty (30) year term. The Reduction Loan's original 
principal amount may not exceed thirty-six million dollars 
($36,000,000), but may be less if the reduction cost is less. Subsector 
Members acknowledge that in the event payments made under the Reduction 
Plan are insufficient to repay the actual loan, the term of repayment 
shall be extended by NMFS until the loan is paid in full.
    (ii) Interest. The Reduction Loan's interest rate will be the U.S. 
Treasury's cost of borrowing equivalent maturity funds plus 2 percent. 
NMFS will determine the Reduction Loan's initial interest rate when 
NMFS borrows from the U.S. Treasury the funds with which to disburse 
reduction payments. The initial interest rate will change to a final 
interest rate at the end of the Federal fiscal year in which NMFS 
borrows the funds from the U.S. Treasury. The final interest rate will 
be 2 percent plus a weighted average, throughout that fiscal year, of 
the U.S. Treasury's cost of borrowing equivalent maturity funds. The 
final interest rate will be fixed, and will not vary over the remainder 
of the reduction loan's 30-year term. The Reduction loan will be 
subject to a level debt amortization. There is no prepayment penalty.
    (iii) Fees. The Reduction Loan shall be repaid by fees collected 
from the Longline Subsector. The fee amount will be based upon: The 
principal and interest due over the next twelve months divided by the 
product of the Hook & Line, Catcher Processor (Longline Subsector; 
sometimes referred to as the ``H&LCP Subsector'') portion of the BSAI 
Pacific cod ITAC (in metric tons) set by the North Pacific Fishery 
Management Council (NPFMC) in December of each year multiplied by 2,205 
(i.e., the number of pounds in a metric ton). In the event that the 
Longline Subsector portion for the ensuing year is not available, the 
Longline Subsector portion forecast from the preceding year will be 
used to calculate the fee.
    (A) The fee will be expressed in cents per pound rounded up to the 
next one-tenth of a cent. For example: If the principal and interest 
due equal $2,900,000 and the Longline Subsector portion equals 100,000 
metric tons, then the fee per round weight pound of Pacific cod will 
equal 1.4 cents per pound. [2,900,000 /(100,000 x 2,205) = .01315]. The 
fee will be accessed and collected on Pacific cod to the extent 
possible and if not, will be accessed and collected as provided for in 
this paragraph (e).
    (B) Fees must be accessed and collected on Pacific cod used for 
bait or discarded. Although the fee could be up to 5 percent of the ex-
vessel production value of all post-reduction Longline Subsector 
landings, the fee will be less than 5 percent if NMFS projects that a 
lesser rate can amortize the fishery's reduction loan over the 
reduction loan's 30-year term. In the event that the total principal 
and interest due exceeds 5 percent of the ex-vessel Pacific cod 
revenues, a penny per pound round weight fee will be calculated based 
on the latest available revenue records and NMFS conversion factors for 
pollock, arrowtooth flounder, Greenland turbot, skate, yellowfin sole 
and rock sole.
    (C) The additional fee will be limited to the amount necessary to 
amortize the remaining twelve months principal and interest in addition 
to the 5 percent fee accessed against Pacific cod. The additional fee 
will be a minimum of one cent per pound. In the event that collections 
exceed the total principal and interest needed to amortize the payment 
due, the principal balance of the loan will be reduced. To verify that 
the fees collected do not exceed 5 percent of the fishery revenues, the 
annual total of principal and interest due will be compared to the 
latest available annual Longline Subsector revenues to ensure it is 
equal to or less

[[Page 57706]]

than 5 percent of the total ex-vessel production revenues. In the event 
that any of the components necessary to calculate the next year's fee 
are not available, or for any other reason NMFS believes the 
calculation must be postponed, the fee will remain at the previous 
year's amount until such a time that new calculations are made and 
communicated to the post reduction fishery participants.
    (D) It is possible that the fishery may not open during some years 
and no Longline Subsector portion of the ITAC is granted. Consequently, 
the fishery will not produce fee revenue with which to service the 
reduction loan during those years. However, interest will continue to 
accrue on the principal balance. When this happens, if the fee rate is 
not already at the maximum 5 percent, NMFS will increase the fisheries' 
fee rate to the maximum 5 percent of the revenues for Pacific cod and 
the species mentioned in paragraph (e)(2)(iii)(B), apply all subsequent 
fee revenue first to the payment of accrued interest, and continue the 
maximum fee rates until all principal and interest payments become 
current. Once all principal and interest payments are current, NMFS 
will make a determination about adjusting the fee rate.
    (iv) Reduction loan. NMFS has promulgated framework regulations 
generally applicable to all fishing capacity reduction programs (Sec.  
600.1000 et seq.). The reduction loan shall be subject to the 
provisions of Sec.  600.1012, except that: the borrower's obligation to 
repay the reduction loan shall be discharged by the owner of the 
Longline Subsector license regardless of which vessel catches fish 
under this license and regardless of who processes the fish in the 
reduction fishery in accordance with Sec.  600.1013. Longline Subsector 
license owners in the reduction fishery shall be obligated to collect 
the fee in accordance with Sec.  600.1013.
    (v) Collection. The LLP License holder of the vessel harvesting in 
the post-capacity reduction plan Longline Subsector shall be 
responsible for self-collecting the repayment fees owed by that LLP 
License holder. Fees shall be submitted to NMFS monthly and shall be 
due no later than fifteen (15) calendar days following the end of each 
calendar month.
    (vi) Record keeping and Reporting. The holder of the LLP License on 
which a vessel harvesting in the post-capacity reduction plan Longline 
Subsector is designated shall be responsible for compliance with the 
applicable record keeping and reporting requirements.
    (3) Agreement with Secretary. Each Selected Offeror, and vessel 
owner if not the Subsector Member, that has submitted a Selected Offer 
shall complete and deliver to the FLCC for inclusion in the Reduction 
Plan submitted to NMFS, designee for the Secretary, a completed and 
fully executed Reduction Contract. Any and all LLP License(s) and or 
vessels set forth on a Selected Offer shall be included as Reduction 
Fishing Interests in such Reduction Contract.
    (f) Decisions of the Auditor and the FLCC. Time is of the essence 
in developing and implementing a Reduction Plan and, accordingly, the 
Offerors shall be limited to, and bound by, the decisions of the 
Auditor and the FLCC.
    (1) The Auditor's examination of submitted applications, Offers, 
Prequalification Offers and Rankings shall be solely ministerial in 
nature. That is, the Auditor will verify whether the documents 
submitted by Subsector Members are, on their face, consistent with each 
other and the Database, in compliance with the requirements set forth 
in the Reduction Agreement, and, signed by an Authorized Party. The 
Auditor may presume the validity of all signatures on documents 
submitted. The Auditor shall not make substantive decisions as to 
compliance (e.g., whether an interim LLP License satisfies the 
requirements of the Act, or whether a discrepancy in the name appearing 
on LLP Licenses and other documents is material).
    (2) [Reserved]
    (g) Enforcement/specific performance. The parties to the Reduction 
Agreement have agreed that the opportunity to develop and submit a 
capacity reduction program for the Longline Subsector under the terms 
of the Act is both unique and finite and that failure of a Selected 
Offeror, and vessel owner, if not a Subsector Member, to perform the 
obligations provided by the Reduction Agreement will result in 
irreparable damage to the FLCC, the Subsector Members and other 
Selected Offerors. Accordingly, the parties to the Reduction Agreement 
expressly acknowledge that money damages are an inadequate means of 
redress and agree that upon the failure of the Selected Offeror, and 
vessel owner if not a Subsector Member, to fulfill its obligations 
under the Reduction Agreement that specific performance of those 
obligations may be obtained by suit in equity brought by the FLCC in 
any court of competent jurisdiction without obligation to arbitrate 
such action.
    (h) Miscellaneous--(1) Time/Holidays. All times related to the 
Selection Process shall be the time kept in the Pacific time zone as 
calculated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. In 
the event that any date occurring within the Selection Process is a 
Federal holiday, the date shall roll over to the next occurring 
business day.
    (2) Termination. The Reduction Agreement shall automatically 
terminate if no vote of acceptance is completed by December 31, 2007. 
The Reduction Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to approval 
of the Reduction Plan by NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary, by written 
notice from 50 percent of Subsector Members.
    (3) Choice of law/venue. The Reduction Agreement shall be construed 
and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington 
without regard to its choice of law provisions. The parties submit to 
the exclusive personal jurisdiction of the United States District Court 
located in Seattle, Washington, with respect to any litigation arising 
out of or relating to the Reduction Agreement or out of the performance 
of services hereunder.
    (4) Incorporation. All executed counterparts of the Reduction 
Agreement, Application Forms and Offers constitute the agreement 
between the parties with respect to the subject matter of the Reduction 
Agreement and are incorporated into the Reduction Agreement as if fully 
written.
    (5) Counterparts. The Reduction Agreement may be executed in 
multiple counterparts and will be effective as to signatories on the 
Effective Date. The Reduction Agreement may be executed in duplicate 
originals, each of which shall be deemed to be an original instrument. 
All such counterparts and duplicate originals together shall constitute 
the same agreement, whether or not all parties execute each 
counterpart.
    (i) The facsimile signature of any party to the Reduction Agreement 
shall constitute the duly authorized, irrevocable execution and 
delivery of the Reduction Agreement as fully as if the Reduction 
Agreement contained the original ink signatures of the party or parties 
supplying a facsimile signature.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (i) Amendment. Subsector Member acknowledges that the Reduction 
Agreement, the Reduction Contract, and the Reduction Plan may be 
subject to amendment to conform to the requirements for approval of the 
Reduction Plan by NMFS on behalf of the Secretary. The Auditor shall 
distribute to each Subsector Member in electronic format the amended 
form of

[[Page 57707]]

the Reduction Agreement, the Reduction Contract, and the Reduction 
Plan, which amended documents in the form distributed by the Auditor 
and identified by the Auditor by date and version, the version of each 
such document then in effect at the time of any dispute arising or 
action taken shall be deemed binding upon the parties with respect to 
such dispute and/or action.
    (j) Warranties. Subsector Member must expressly warrant and 
represent in the Reduction Agreement that:
    (1) Subsector Member has had an opportunity to consult with 
Subsector Member's attorney or other advisors of Subsector Member with 
respect to the Reduction Agreement, the Reduction Contract, and the Act 
and the ramifications of the ratification of the Reduction Plan 
contemplated therein;
    (2) Subsector Member has full understanding and appreciation of the 
ramifications of executing and delivering the Reduction Agreement and, 
free from coercion of any kind by the FLCC or any of its members, 
officers, agents and/or employees, executes and delivers the Reduction 
Agreement as the free and voluntary act of Subsector Member;
    (3) The execution and delivery of the Reduction Agreement, does not 
and will not conflict with any provisions of the governing documents of 
Subsector Member;
    (4) The person executing the Reduction Agreement has been duly 
authorized by Subsector Member to execute and deliver the Reduction 
Agreement and to undertake and perform the actions contemplated herein; 
and
    (5) Subsector Member has taken all actions necessary for the 
Reduction Agreement to constitute the valid and binding obligation of 
Subsector Member, enforceable in accordance with its terms.
    (k) Approval of the Reduction Plan. Acceptance of the Offers are at 
the sole discretion of NMFS on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce. To 
be approved by NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary, any Reduction Plan 
developed and submitted in accordance with this section and Subpart M 
to this part must be found by the Assistant Administrator of NMFS, to:
    (1) Be consistent with the requirements of Section 219(e) of the FY 
2005 Appropriations Act (Public Law 108-447);
    (2) Be consistent with the requirements of Section 312(b) of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 
1861(a)) except for the requirement that a Council or Governor of a 
State request such a program (as set out in section 312(b)(1)) and for 
the requirements of section 312(b)(4);
    (3) Contain provisions for a fee system that provides for full and 
timely repayment of the capacity reduction loan by the Longline 
Subsector and that it provide for the assessment of such fees;
    (4) Not require a bidding or auction process;
    (5) Result in the maximum sustained reduction in fishing capacity 
at the least cost and in the minimum amount of time; and
    (6) Permit vessels in the Longline Subsector to be upgraded to 
achieve efficiencies in fishing operations provided that such upgrades 
do not result in the vessel exceeding the applicable length, tonnage, 
or horsepower limitations set out in Federal law or regulation.
    (l) Referenda. The provisions of Sec.  600.1010 (including 
Sec. Sec.  600.1004(a), 600.1008, 600.1009, 600.1013, 600.1014, and 
600.1017(a)(5), (6) and (7)) shall apply to the Reduction Plan of this 
section to the extent that they do not conflict with this section or 
with subpart M of this part.

Appendix to Sec.  600.1105--Fishing Capacity Reduction Contract: Bering 
Sea and Aleutian Islands Longline Catcher Processor Subsector

Fishing Capacity Reduction Contract: Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
Longline Catcher Processor Subsector

    This agreement, (the ``Reduction Contract'') is entered into by 
and between the party or parties named in section 46 of this 
contract entitled, ``Fishing Capacity Reduction Offer Submission 
Form and Reduction Fishing Interests Identification,'' as the 
qualifying Offeror and as the co-Offeror (if there is a co-Offeror) 
(collectively the ``Offeror'') and the United States of America, 
acting by and through the Secretary of Commerce, National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 
Financial Services Division (``NMFS''). The Reduction Contract is 
effective when NMFS signs the Reduction Contract and, thereby, 
accepts the Offeror's offer, subject to the condition subsequent of 
NMFS' formal notification of a successful referendum.

Witnesseth

    Whereas, Section 219, Title II, Division B of the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2005, as enacted on December 8, 2004, (the 
``Act'') authorizes a fishing capacity reduction program 
implementing capacity reduction plans submitted to NMFS by catcher 
processor subsectors of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
(``BSAI'') non-pollock groundfish fishery as set forth in the Act;
    Whereas, the longline catcher processor subsector (the 
``Longline Subsector'') is among the catcher processor subsectors 
eligible to submit to NMFS a capacity reduction plan under the terms 
of the Act;
    Whereas, the Freezer Longline Conservation Cooperative (the 
``FLCC'') has developed and is submitting to NMFS concurrently with 
this Reduction Contract a capacity reduction plan for the Longline 
Subsector (the ``Reduction Plan'');
    Whereas, the selection process will be pursuant to the fishing 
capacity Reduction Contract and the Reduction Plan;
    Whereas, the term ``Reduction Fishery'' is defined by the 
Reduction Plan as the longline catcher processor subsector of the 
BSAI non-pollock groundfish fishery;
    Whereas, the Reduction Plan's express objective is to 
permanently reduce harvesting capacity in the Reduction Fishery; 
Whereas, NMFS implements the Reduction Plan pursuant to Section 219 
of the Act as well as the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1861a(b)-(e))(as excepted by the Act, 
including inter alia, any requirement that the Reduction Plan 
include a bidding or auction process) and other applicable law;
    Whereas, NMFS has promulgated framework regulations generally 
applicable to all fishing capacity reduction programs, portions of 
which are applicable to the Reduction Plan, (50 CFR 600.1000 et 
seq.);
    Whereas, NMFS can implement the Reduction Plan only after giving 
notice to all members of the Longline Subsector of the Reduction 
Plan pursuant to Section 219(3)(b) of the Act and approval of the 
Reduction Plan by referendum of the Longline Subsector; and
    Whereas, this Reduction Contract is submitted by Offeror and the 
FLCC as an integral element of the Reduction Plan and is expressly 
subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the framework 
regulations, the final rule (as used in this contract ``final rule'' 
means the final rule promulgated by NMFS which sets forth the 
regulations implementing the Reduction Plan for the Longline 
Subsector) and applicable law.
    Now therefore, for good and valuable consideration and the 
premises and covenants hereinafter set forth the receipt and 
sufficiency of which the parties to the Reduction Contract hereby 
acknowledge, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties 
hereto agree as follows:
    1. Incorporation of Recitals. The foregoing recitals are true 
and correct and are expressly incorporated herein by this reference.
    2. Further Incorporation. The Act, framework regulations, final 
rule and any other rule promulgated pursuant to the Act are 
expressly incorporated herein by this reference. In the event of 
conflicting language, the framework regulations, the final rule and 
any other rule promulgated pursuant to the Act, take precedence over 
the Reduction Contract.
    3. Contract Form. By completing and submitting the Reduction 
Contract to NMFS the Offeror hereby irrevocably offers to relinquish 
its Reduction Fishing Interests. If NMFS discovers any deficiencies 
in the Offeror's submission to NMFS, NMFS may, at its sole 
discretion, contact the Offeror in an attempt to correct such offer 
deficiency.

[[Page 57708]]

``Reduction Fishing Interests'' means all of Offeror(s) rights, 
title and interest to the Groundfish Reduction Permit, Reduction 
Permit(s), Reduction Fishing Privilege and Reduction Fishing History 
as defined in this Reduction Contract.
    4. Groundfish Reduction Permit. Offeror expressly acknowledges 
that it hereby offers to permanently surrender, relinquish, and have 
NMFS permanently revoke the valid non-interim Federal License 
Limitation Program groundfish license issued pursuant to 50 CFR 
679.4(k) (or successor regulation) endorsed for Bering Sea or 
Aleutian Islands catcher processor fishing activity, C/P, Pacific 
cod, and hook and line gear identified in section 46 of this 
contract as well as any present or future claims of eligibility for 
any fishery privilege based upon such permit, including any Latent 
License and any offered and accepted interim permit that Offeror 
causes to become a non-interim permit, (the ``Groundfish Reduction 
Permit'').
    5. Reduction Permit(s). Offeror hereby acknowledges that it 
offers to permanently surrender, relinquish, and have NMFS 
permanently revoke any and all Federal fishery licenses, fishery 
permits, and area and species endorsements issued for any vessel 
named on the Groundfish Reduction Permit as well as any present or 
future claims of eligibility for any fishery privilege based upon 
such permit, including any Latent License, (the ``Reduction 
Permits'').
    6. Reduction Privilege Vessel. The Reduction Privilege Vessel is 
the vessel listed on the Offeror's License Limitation Program 
license.
    7. Reduction Fishing Privilege. If a vessel is specified in 
section 46 of this contract (the ``Reduction Privilege Vessel''), 
Offeror hereby acknowledges that Offeror offers to relinquish and 
surrender the Reduction Privilege Vessel's fishing privilege and 
consents to the imposition of Federal vessel documentation 
restrictions that have the effect of permanently revoking the 
Reduction Privilege Vessel's legal ability to fish anywhere in the 
world as well as its legal ability to operate under foreign registry 
or control--including the Reduction Privilege Vessel's: fisheries 
trade endorsement under the Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Anti-
Reflagging Act (46 U.S.C. 12108); eligibility for the approval 
required under section 9(c)(2) of the Shipping Act, 1916 (46 U.S.C. 
App. 808(c)(2)), for the placement of a vessel under foreign flag or 
registry, as well as its operation under the authority of a foreign 
country; and the privilege otherwise to ever fish again anywhere in 
the world (the ``Reduction Fishing Privilege''). Offeror agrees to 
instruct the United States Coast Guard's Vessel Documentation Center 
to remove the fishery endorsement from the Reduction Privilege 
Vessel. If the Reduction Privilege Vessel is not a federally 
documented vessel, the Offeror offers to promptly scrap the vessel 
and allow NMFS whatever access to the scrapping NMFS deems 
reasonably necessary to document and confirm the scrapping.
    8. Reduction Fishing History. Offeror surrenders, relinquishes, 
and consents to NMFS' permanent revocation of the following 
Reduction Fishing History (the ``Reduction Fishing History''):
    a. The Reduction Privilege Vessel's full and complete documented 
harvest of groundfish;
    b. For any documented harvest of the Reduction Privilege Vessel 
whatsoever, including that specified in section 8 of this contract, 
any right or privilege to make any claim in any way related to any 
fishery privilege derived in whole or in part from any such other 
and documented harvest which could ever qualify any party for any 
future limited access system fishing license, permit, and other 
harvest authorization of any kind; including without limitation crab 
LLP licenses linked to License Limitation Program (``LLP'') 
licenses, state fishing rights appurtenant to Reduction Fishing 
Vessels, and all fishing history associated therewith, but without 
prejudice to any party who before submission of this offer may have 
for value independently acquired the fishing history involving any 
such documented harvest;
    c. Any documented harvest on any other vessel (Reduction Fishing 
Vessel) that gave rise to the Groundfish Reduction Permit; and
    d. All fishing history associated with the latent LLP license 
identified on the Selected Offer and any fishing history associated 
with the fishing vessel that gave rise to the latent LLP license 
that remains in the Offeror's possession as of August 11, 2006 
(i.e., date of publication of the proposed rule in the Federal 
Register).
    9. Halibut, Sablefish and Crab IFQs Excluded. Notwithstanding 
any other provision of this Reduction Contract, no right, title and/
or interest to harvest, process or otherwise utilize individual 
fishing quota (``IFQ'') quota share in the halibut, sablefish and 
crab fisheries pursuant to 50 CFR parts 679 and 680, nor crab LLP 
license history to the extent necessary for the issuance of crab IFQ 
pursuant to 50 CFR part 680 as in effect as of the date of this 
Contract, shall be included among Offeror's Reduction Fishing 
Interests.
    10. Representations and Warranties. Offeror represents and 
warrants that, as of the date of submission of this Reduction 
Contract, Offeror is:
    a. The holder of record, according to NMFS' official fishing 
license records, at the time of offer, of the Groundfish Reduction 
Permit and the Reduction Permit(s).
    b. The Reduction Privilege Vessel's owner of record, according 
to the National Vessel Documentation Center's official vessel 
documentation records, at the time of offer, and that the Reduction 
Privilege Vessel is neither lost nor destroyed at the time of offer.
    c. In retention of and fully and legally entitled to offer and 
dispose of hereunder, full and complete rights to the Reduction 
Privilege Vessel's full and complete Reduction Fishing History 
necessary to fully and completely comply with the requirements of 
section 8 of this contract.
    11. Offer Amount. NMFS' payment to Offeror in the exact amount 
of the amount set forth by Offeror in section 46 of this contract is 
full and complete consideration for the Offeror's offer.
    12. Additional Offer Elements. Offeror shall include with its 
offer an exact photocopy of the Reduction Privilege Vessel's 
official vessel documentation or registration (i.e., the certificate 
of documentation the U.S. Coast Guard's National Vessel 
Documentation Center issued for federally documented vessels or the 
registration a State issues for State registered vessels) and an 
exact photocopy of the Groundfish Reduction Permit and all Reduction 
Permit(s). The Offeror shall also include with the offer all other 
information required in this Reduction Contract and otherwise comply 
with Reduction Contract requirements.
    13. Use of Official Fishing License or Permit Databases. Offeror 
expressly acknowledges that NMFS shall use the appropriate official 
governmental fishing license or permit database to:
    Determine the Offeror's address of record; verify the Offeror's 
qualification to offer; determine the holder of record of the 
Groundfish Reduction Permit and Reduction Permit(s); and verify the 
Offeror's inclusion in the offer of all permits and licenses 
required to be offered in the Offer.
    14. Use of National Vessel Documentation Center Database. 
Offeror expressly acknowledges that NMFS shall use the records of 
the National Vessel Documentation Center to determine the owner of 
record for a federally documented Reduction Privilege Vessel and the 
appropriate State records to determine the owner of record of a non-
federally documented Reduction Privilege Vessel.
    15. Offeror to Ensure Accurate Records. Offeror shall, to the 
best of its ability, ensure that the records of the databases 
relevant to sections 13 and 14 of this contract are true, accurate, 
and complete.
    16. Submissions are Irrevocable. The parties hereto expressly 
acknowledge as the essence hereof that the Offeror voluntarily 
submits to NMFS this firm and irrevocable offer. The Offeror 
expressly acknowledges that it hereby waives any privilege or right 
to withdraw, change, modify, alter, rescind, or cancel any portion 
of the Reduction Contract and that the receipt date and time which 
NMFS marks on the Reduction Contract constitutes the date and time 
of the offer's submission.
    17. Offer Rejection. NMFS shall reject an offer that NMFS deems 
is in any way unresponsive or not in conformance with the Reduction 
Contract, and the applicable law or regulations unless the Offeror 
corrects the defect and NMFS, in its sole discretion, accepts the 
correction.
    18. Notarized Offeror Signature(s) Required. NMFS shall deem as 
non-responsive and reject an offer whose Offer Submission Form does 
not contain the notarized signatures of all persons required to sign 
the form on behalf of the Offeror.
    19. Offer Rejections Constitute Final Agency Action. NMFS's 
offer rejections are conclusive and constitute final agency action 
as of the rejection date.
    20. Effect of Offer Submission. Submitting an irrevocable offer 
conforming to the requirements stated herein entitles the Offeror to 
have NMFS accept the offer if NMFS, in its sole discretion, deems 
that the offer is fully responsive and complies with the Act, the 
final rule and any other rule promulgated pursuant to the Act.

[[Page 57709]]

    21. Offeror Retains Use. After submitting an offer, the Offeror 
shall continue to hold, own, or retain unimpaired every aspect of 
any and all LLP License(s) and or vessels set forth on an Offer 
included as Reduction Fishing Interests, until such time as: NMFS 
notifies the Offeror that the Reduction Plan is not in compliance 
with the Act or other applicable law and will not be approved by 
NMFS; notifies the Offeror that the referendum was unsuccessful; 
NMFS tenders the reduction payment and the Offeror complies with its 
obligations under the Reduction Contract; or NMFS otherwise excuses 
the Offeror's performance.
    22. Acceptance by Referendum. NMFS shall formally notify the 
Offeror in writing whether the referendum is successful, which 
written notice shall inform Offeror that the condition subsequent 
has been satisfied. Therefore, Offeror expressly acknowledges that 
all parties must perform under the Reduction Contract and the 
Reduction Contract is enforceable against, and binding on, the 
Reduction Contract parties in accordance with the terms and 
conditions herein.
    23. Reduction Contract Subject to Federal Law. The Reduction 
Contract is subject to Federal law.
    24. Notice to Creditors. Upon NMFS' offer acceptance notice to 
the Offeror, Offeror agrees to notify all parties with secured 
interests in the Reduction Fishing Interests that the Offeror has 
entered into the Reduction Contract.
    25. Referendum. Offeror acknowledges that the outcome of the 
referendum of the Reduction Plan is an occurrence over which NMFS 
has no control.
    26. Unsuccessful Referendum Excuses Performance. An unsuccessful 
referendum excuses all parties hereto from every obligation to 
perform under the Reduction Contract. In such event, NMFS need not 
tender reduction payment and the Offeror need not surrender and 
relinquish or allow the revocation or restriction of any element of 
the Reduction Fishing Interest specified in the Reduction Contract. 
An unsuccessful referendum shall cause the Reduction Contract to 
have no further force or effect.
    27. Offeror Responsibilities upon Successful Referendum. Upon 
NMFS' formal notification to the Offeror that the referendum was 
successful and that NMFS had accepted the Reduction Contract, 
Offeror shall immediately become ready to surrender and relinquish 
and allow the revocation or restriction of (as NMFS deems 
appropriate) the Reduction Fishing Interests.
    28. Written Payment Instructions. After a successful referendum, 
NMFS shall tender reduction payment by requesting the Offeror to 
provide to NMFS, and the Offeror shall subsequently so provide, 
written payment instructions for NMFS' disbursement of the reduction 
payment to the Offeror or to the Offeror's order.
    29. Request for Written Payment Instructions Constitutes Tender. 
NMFS' request to the Offeror for written payment instructions 
constitutes reduction payment tender, as specified in 50 CFR 
600.1011.
    30. Offeror Responsibilities upon Tender. Upon NMFS' reduction 
payment tender to the Offeror, the Offeror shall immediately 
surrender and relinquish and allow the revocation or restriction of 
(as NMFS deems appropriate) the Reduction Fishing Interests. The 
Offeror must then return the original of its Groundfish Reduction 
Permit and Reduction Permit(s) to NMFS. Concurrently with NMFS' 
reduction payment tender, the Offeror shall forever cease all 
fishing for any species with the Reduction Privilege Vessel and 
immediately retrieve all fishing gear, irrespective of ownership, 
previously deployed from the Reduction Privilege Vessel. Offeror 
agrees to authorize the United States Coast Guard to cancel the 
fishery endorsement in the Reduction Privilege Vessel.
    31. Reduction Privilege Vessel Lacking Federal Documentation. 
Upon NMFS' reduction payment tender to the Offeror, the Offeror 
shall immediately scrap any vessel which the Offeror specified as a 
Reduction Privilege Vessel and which is documented solely under 
state law or otherwise lacks documentation under Federal law. The 
Offeror shall scrap such vessel at the Offeror's expense. The 
Offeror shall allow NMFS, its agents, or its appointees reasonable 
opportunity to observe and confirm such scrapping. The Offeror shall 
conclude such scrapping within a reasonable time.
    32. Future Harvest Privilege and Reduction Fishing History 
Extinguished. Upon NMFS' reduction payment tender to the Offeror, 
the Offeror shall surrender and relinquish and consent to the 
revocation, restriction, withdrawal, invalidation, or extinguishment 
by other means (as NMFS deems appropriate), of any claim in any way 
related to any fishing privilege derived, in whole or in part, from 
the use or holdership of the Groundfish Reduction Permits and the 
Reduction Permit(s), from the use or ownership of the Reduction 
Privilege Vessel (subject to and in accordance with the provisions 
of section 8 of this contract), and from any documented harvest 
fishing history arising under or associated with the same which 
could ever qualify the Offeror for any future limited access fishing 
license, fishing permit, and other harvest authorization of any 
kind.
    33. Post Tender Use of Federally Documented Reduction Privilege 
Vessel. After NMFS' reduction payment tender to the Offeror, the 
Offeror may continue to use a federally documented Reduction 
Privilege Vessel for any lawful purpose except ``fishing'' as 
defined under the Magnuson-Stevens Act and may transfer--subject to 
all restrictions in the Reduction Contract, other applicable 
regulations, and the applicable law--the vessel to a new owner. The 
Offeror or any subsequent owner shall only operate the Reduction 
Privilege Vessel under the United States flag and shall not operate 
such vessel under the authority of a foreign country. In the event 
the Offeror fails to abide by such restrictions, the Offeror 
expressly acknowledges and hereby agrees to allow NMFS to pursue any 
and all remedies available to it, including, but not limited to, 
recovering the reduction payment and seizing the Reduction Privilege 
Vessel and scrapping it at the Offeror's expense.
    34. NMFS' Actions upon Tender. Contemporaneously with NMFS' 
reduction payment tender to the Offeror, and without regard to the 
Offeror's refusal or failure to perform any of its Reduction 
Contract duties and obligations, NMFS shall: Permanently revoke the 
Offeror's Groundfish Reduction Permit and Reduction Permit(s); 
notify the National Vessel Documentation Center to permanently 
revoke the Reduction Privilege Vessel's fishery trade endorsement; 
notify the U.S. Maritime Administration to make the Reduction 
Privilege Vessel permanently ineligible for the approval of requests 
to place the vessel under foreign registry or operate the vessel 
under a foreign country's authority; record in the appropriate NMFS 
records that the Reduction Fishing History represented by any 
documented harvest fishing history accrued on, under, or as a result 
of the operation of the Reduction Privilege Vessel and/or Reduction 
Fishing Vessel (subject to and in accordance with the provisions of 
section 8 of this contract), the Groundfish Reduction Permit, and 
the Reduction Permit(s) which could ever qualify the Offeror for any 
future limited access fishing license, fishing permit, or other 
harvesting privilege of any kind shall never again be available to 
anyone for any fisheries purpose; and implement any other 
restrictions the applicable law or regulations impose.
    35. Material Disputes to be Identified. Members of the public 
shall, up until NMFS receives the Offeror's written payment 
instructions, be able to advise NMFS in writing of any material 
dispute with regard to any aspect of any accepted Reduction 
Contract. Such a material dispute shall neither relieve the Offeror 
of any Reduction Contract duties or obligations nor affect NMFS' 
right to enforce performance of the Reduction Contract terms and 
conditions.
    36. Reduction Payment Disbursement. Once NMFS receives the 
Offeror's written payment instructions and certification of 
compliance with the Reduction Contract, NMFS shall as soon as 
practicable disburse the reduction payment to the Offeror. Reduction 
payment disbursement shall be in strict accordance with the 
Offeror's written payment instructions. Unless the Offeror's written 
payment instructions direct NMFS to the contrary, NMFS shall 
disburse the whole of the reduction payment to the Offeror. If the 
qualifying Offeror offers with a co-Offeror, both the qualifying 
Offeror and the co-Offeror must approve and sign the written payment 
instructions.
    37. Reduction Payment Withheld for Scrapping or for Other 
Reasons. In the event that a Reduction Privilege Vessel which is not 
under Federal documentation must be scrapped, NMFS shall withhold 
from reduction payment disbursement an amount sufficient to scrap 
such vessel. NMFS shall withhold such sum until the vessel is 
completely scrapped before disbursing any amount withheld. NMFS may 
confirm, if NMFS so chooses, that the vessel has been scrapped 
before disbursing any amount withheld. If NMFS has reason to believe 
the Offeror has failed to comply with any of the Reduction Contract 
terms and conditions, NMFS shall also withhold reduction

[[Page 57710]]

payment disbursement until such time as the Offeror performs in 
accordance with the Reduction Contract terms and conditions.
    38. Offeror Assistance with Restriction. The Offeror shall, upon 
NMFS' request, furnish such additional documents, undertakings, 
assurances, or take such other actions as may be reasonably required 
to enable NMFS' revocation, restriction, invalidation, withdrawal, 
or extinguishment by other means (as NMFS deems appropriate) of all 
components of the Reduction Contract's Reduction Fishing Interest in 
accordance with the requirements of the Reduction Contract terms and 
conditions, applicable regulations and the applicable law.
    39. Recordation of Restrictions. Upon the Reduction Fishing 
Privilege's revocation, the Offeror shall do everything reasonably 
necessary to ensure that such revocation is recorded on the 
Reduction Privilege Vessel's Federal documentation (which the 
National Vessel Documentation Center maintains in accordance with 
Federal maritime law and regulations) in such manner as is 
acceptable to NMFS and as shall prevent the Reduction Privilege 
Vessel, regardless of its subsequent ownership, from ever again 
being eligible for a fishery trade endorsement or ever again 
fishing. The term ``fishing'' includes the full range of activities 
defined in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1802).
    40. Reduction Element Omission. In the event NMFS accepts the 
offer and the Offeror has failed, for any reason, to specify in the 
Reduction Contract any Groundfish Reduction Permit, non-Groundfish 
Reduction Permit(s), Reduction Privilege Vessel, Reduction Fishing 
Vessel, Reduction Fishing History, or any other element of the 
Reduction Fishing Interest which the Offeror should under Reduction 
Contract, applicable regulations and the applicable law have 
specified in Reduction Contract, such omitted element shall 
nevertheless be deemed to be included in the Reduction Contract and 
to be subject to the Reduction Contract's terms and conditions; and 
all Reduction Contract terms and conditions which should have 
applied to such omitted element had it not be omitted shall apply as 
if such element had not been omitted. Upon the Offeror discovering 
any such omission, the Offeror shall immediately and fully advise 
NMFS of such omission. Upon either NMFS or the Offeror discovering 
any such omission, the Offeror shall act in accordance with the 
Reduction Contract, applicable regulations and the applicable law.
    41. Remedy for Breach. Because money damages are not a 
sufficient remedy for the Offeror breaching any one or more of the 
Reduction Contract terms and conditions, the Offeror explicitly 
agrees to and hereby authorizes specific performance of the 
Reduction Contract, in addition to any money damages, as a remedy 
for such breach. In the event of such breach, NMFS shall take any 
reasonable action, including requiring and enforcing specific 
performance of the Reduction Contract, NMFS deems necessary to carry 
out the Reduction Contract, applicable regulations and the 
applicable law.
    42. Waiver of Data Confidentiality. The Offeror consents to the 
public release of any information provided in connection with the 
Reduction Contract or pursuant to Reduction Plan requirements, 
including any information provided in the Reduction Contract or by 
any other means associated with, or necessary for evaluation of, the 
Offeror's Reduction Contract if NMFS finds that the release of such 
information is necessary to achieve the Reduction Plan's authorized 
purpose. The Offeror hereby explicitly waives any claim of 
confidentiality otherwise afforded to catch, or harvest data and 
fishing histories otherwise protected from release under the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 
1881 a(b)) or any other law. In the event of such information 
release, the Offeror hereby forever fully and unconditionally 
releases and holds harmless the United States and its officers, 
agents, employees, representatives, of and from any and all claims, 
demands, debts, damages, duties, causes of action, actions and suits 
whatsoever, in law or equity, on account of any act, failure to act 
or event arising from, out of, or in any way related to, the release 
of any information associated with the Reduction Program.
    43. Oral Agreement Invalid. The Reduction Contract, any 
addendums to section 46 of this contract, and enclosures of 
photocopies of licenses and permits required under section 46 of 
this contract, contain the final terms and conditions of the 
agreement between the Offeror and NMFS and represent the entire and 
exclusive agreement between them. NMFS and the Offeror forever waive 
all right to sue, or otherwise counterclaim against each other, 
based on any claim of past, present, or future oral agreement 
between them.
    44. Severable Provisions. The Reduction Contract provisions are 
severable; and, in the event that any portion of the Reduction 
Contract is held to be void, invalid, non-binding, or otherwise 
unenforceable, the remaining portion thereof shall remain fully 
valid, binding, and enforceable against the Offeror and NMFS.
    45. Disputes. Any and all disputes involving the Reduction 
Contract, and any other Reduction Plan aspect affecting them shall 
in all respects be governed by the Federal laws of the United 
States; and the Offeror and all other parties claiming under the 
Offeror irrevocably submit themselves to the jurisdiction of the 
Federal courts of the United States and/or to any other Federal 
administrative body which the applicable law authorizes to 
adjudicate such disputes.
    46. Fishing Capacity Reduction Offer Submission Form and 
Reduction Fishing Interests Identification.
    a. Completion and Submission. The Offeror must fully, 
faithfully, and accurately complete this section 46 of this contract 
and thereafter submit the full and complete Reduction Contract to 
NMFS in accordance with the Reduction Contract. If completing this 
section requires inserting more information than the places provided 
for the insertion of such information allows, the Offeror should 
attach an addendum to the Reduction Contract that: Includes and 
identifies the additional information, states that the addendum is a 
part of the Reduction Fishing Interests Identification portion of 
the Reduction Contract, states (as a means of identifying the 
Reduction Contract to which the addendum relates) the NMFS license 
number designated on the Reduction Contract's Groundfish Reduction 
Permit, and is signed by all persons who signed the Reduction 
Contract as the Offeror.
    b. Offeror Information.
    (1) Offeror name(s). Insert in the table provided under this 
section 46.b(1) of this contract the name(s) of the qualifying 
Offeror and of the co-Offeror (if there is a co-Offeror), and check 
the appropriate box for each name listed.
    Each name the Offeror inserts must be the full and exact legal 
name of record of each person, partnership, corporation or other 
business entity identified on the offer. If any Reduction Fishing 
Interest element is co-owned by more than one person, partnership, 
corporation or other business entity, the Offeror must insert each 
co-owner's name.
    In each case, the Offeror is the holder of record, at the time 
of Offeror's execution of this Reduction Contract, of the Groundfish 
Reduction Permit and the Reduction Permit(s). A co-Offeror is not 
allowed for either the Groundfish Reduction Permit or the Reduction 
Permit(s). If the Offeror is also the owner of record, at the time 
of offering, of the Reduction Privilege Vessel, the qualifying 
Offeror is the sole Offeror. If, however, the owner of record, at 
the time of execution of this Reduction Contract, of the Reduction 
Privilege Vessel is not exactly the same as the Offeror, then the 
owner of record is the co-Offeror; and the Offeror and the co-
Offeror jointly offer together as the Offeror.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OFFEROR NAME(S)  If Offeror or co-Offeror consists of more                Check appropriate box for each name listed in the adjacent column
than one owner, use one row of this column to name each co----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Offeror. If not, use only one row for Offeror and one row
                    for any co-Offeror                                         Offeror                                  Co-Offeror  (if any)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 57711]]

 
(4)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Offeror address(s) of record. Insert in the table provided 
under this section 46.b(2) of this contract the Offeror's and the 
co-Offeror's (if there is a co-Offeror) full and exact address(s) of 
record, and check the appropriate box for each address listed.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 OFFEROR ADDRESS(S)  If Offeror or co-Offeror consists of               Check appropriate box for each address listed in the adjacent column
    more than one owner, use one row of this column for    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  address of each co-owner. If not, use only one row for
  Offeror and one row for any co-Offeror.  Always use the
   same row order as is Offeror Name(s) table in section                       Offeror                                  Co-Offeror  (if any)
46.b(1), i.e., address (1) is for name (1), address (2) is
      for name (2), address (3) is for name (3), etc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Offeror business telephone number(s). Insert in the table 
provided under this section 46.b(3) the Offeror's and the co-
Offeror's (if there is a co-Offeror) full and exact business 
telephone number(s), and check the appropriate box for each number 
listed.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  OFFEROR BUSINESS TELEPHONE NUMBER(S)  If Offeror or co-           Check appropriate box for each telephone number listed in the adjacent column
  Offeror consists of more than one owner, use one row of  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 this column for the telephone number of each co-owner. If
 not, use only one row for Offeror and one row for any co-
   Offeror.  Always use the same row order as is Offeror
 Name(s) table in section 46.b(1), i.e., telephone number                      Offeror                                  Co-Offeror  (if any)
(1) is for name (1), telephone number (2) is for name (2),
        telephone number (3) is for name (3), etc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (4) Offeror electronic mail address(s) (if available). Insert in 
the table printed under this section 46.b(4) the Offeror's and the 
co-Offeror's (if there is a co-Offeror) full and exact electronic 
mail (e-mail) address(s), and check the appropriate box for each 
address.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    OFFEROR E-MAIL ADDRESS(S)  If Offeror or co-Offeror              Check appropriate box for each e-mail address listed in the adjacent column
   consists of more than one owner, use one row of this    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  column for the e-mail address of each co-owner. If not,
   use only one row for Offeror and one row for any co-
 Offeror. Always use the same row order as is Offeror Name
 in section 46.b(1) of this contract, i.e., e-mail (1) is                      Offeror                                  Co-Offeror  (if any)
  for name (1), e-mail (2) is for name (2), e-mail (3) is
                     for name (3), etc
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 57712]]

    c. LLP license number for Groundfish Reduction Permit. Insert in 
the place this section 46.c provides the full and exact license 
number which NMFS designated on the LLP license which the Offeror 
specifies as the Groundfish Reduction Permit. Attach with the 
Reduction Contract an exact photocopy of such license.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 LLP LICENSE NUMBER(S) AND FISHERY(S) OF Of LLP LICENSE(S) SPECIFIED AS
                     GROUNDFISH REDUCTION PERMIT(S)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
          License  number(s)                       Fishery(s)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    d. License number(s) for Reduction Permit(s). Insert in the 
place this section 46.d provides the fishery(s) involved in, and the 
full and exact license number(s) with NMFS designated on the 
license(s) which the Offeror specifies in the Reduction Contract as 
the Reduction Permit(s). Enclose with the Reduction Contract an 
exact photocopy of each such license.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 LLP LICENSE NUMBER(S) AND FISHERY OF LICENSE(S) SPECIFIED AS REDUCTION
                                 PERMITS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
          License  number(s)                       Fishery(s)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    e. Reduction Fishing History. For all Reduction Fishing History 
insert in the place provided in the table under this section 46.e 
the chronological and other information with each column heading 
therein requires. The information required does not include any 
actual landing data. Any Offeror whose Groundfish Reduction Permit 
whose issuance NMFS based on the fishing history of a lost or 
destroyed vessel plus a replacement vessel must insert information 
for both vessels and meet the requirements of the framework 
regulations, final rule and any other regulations promulgated 
pursuant to the Act. Any Offeror whose Groundfish Reduction Permit 
whose issuance NMFS in any part based on acquisition of fishing 
history from another party must insert information regarding such 
catch history.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        FOR EACH FISHING HISTORY IN 2ND
                                                    COLUMN
   NAMES(S) AND                      -----------------------------------
 OFFICIAL NUMBER        FOR EACH                          If Reduction
   OF REDUCTION        REDUCTION       License No. of   Privilege Vessel
 PRIVILEGE VESSEL   PRIVILEGE VESSEL   each Groundfish  acquired fishing
 AND NAME(S) AND     IN 1ST COLUMN    Reduction Permit    history from
     OFFICIAL       PROVIDE FROM TO     and Reduction    another party,
 NUMBER(S) OF ANY     DATE OF EACH        Permit(s)      provide name of
VESSEL FROM WHICH   FISHING HISTORY    associated with  party, manner in
 FISHING HISTORY   OFFEROR POSSESSES     each vessel     which acquired,
   WAS ACQUIRED                           involved          and date
                                                            acquired
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    f. Reduction Privilege Vessel. Insert the full and exact name 
and official number which the National Vessel Documentation Center 
designated for the Reduction Privilege Vessel which the Offeror or 
the co-Offeror (if there is a co-Offeror) specifies in the Reduction 
Contract, and check the box appropriate for the vessel's ownership 
of record.
    Enclose with the Reduction Contract an exact photocopy of such 
vessel's official certificate of documentation.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  REDUCTION PRIVILEGE VESSEL                          Check appropriate ownership box below
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Official name                   Official No.                Offeror            Co-Offeror (if any)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      ........................  .......................  .......................
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    g. Offer Amount. Insert in the place this section 46.g provides 
the Offeror's full and exact offer amount, both in words and in 
numbers.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       OFFER AMOUNT [U.S. DOLLARS]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 In words                            In numbers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     h. Reduction Contract Signature. In compliance with the 
Reduction Contract, applicable regulations and the applicable law, 
the Offeror submits the Reduction Contract as the Offeror's 
irrevocable offer to NMFS for the permanent surrender and 
relinquishment and revocation, restriction, withdrawal, 
invalidation, or extinguishment by other means (as NMFS deems 
appropriate) of the Groundfish Reduction Permit, any Reduction 
Permit(s), the Reduction Fishing Privilege, and the Reduction 
Fishing History--all as identified in the Reduction Contract or as 
required under applicable regulations, or the applicable law.
    The Offeror expressly acknowledges that NMFS' acceptance of the 
Offeror's offer hereunder and NMFS' tender, following a successful 
referendum, of a reduction payment in the same amount specified in 
section 46.g of this contract (less any sum withheld for scrapping 
any Reduction Privilege Vessel lacking Federal documentation or for 
any other purpose) to the Offeror shall, among other things, render 
the Reduction Privilege Vessel permanently ineligible or any fishing 
worldwide, including, but not limited to, fishing on the high seas 
or in the jurisdiction of any foreign country while operating under 
United States flag, and shall impose or create other legal and 
contractual restrictions, impediments, limitations, obligations, or 
other provisions which restrict, revoke, withdraw, invalidate, or 
extinguish by other means (as NMFS deems appropriate) the complete 
Reduction Fishing Interest and any other fishery

[[Page 57713]]

privileges or claims associated with the Groundfish Reduction 
Permit, any Reduction Permit(s), the Reduction Privilege Vessel, and 
the Reduction Fishing History--all as more fully set forth in the 
Reduction Contract, applicable regulations, and the applicable law.
    By completing and signing the Reduction Contract, the Offeror 
expressly acknowledges that the Offeror has fully and completely 
read the entire Reduction Contract. The Offeror expressly states, 
declares, affirms, attests, warrants, and represents to NMFS that 
the Offeror is fully able to enter into the Reduction Contract and 
that the Offeror legally holds, owns, or retains, and is fully able 
under the Reduction Contract provisions to offer and dispose of, the 
full Reduction Fishing Interest which the Reduction Contract 
specifies and the applicable regulations, and the applicable law 
requires that any person or entity completing the Reduction Contract 
and/or signing the Reduction Contract on behalf of another person or 
entity, expressly attests, warrants, and represents to NMFS that 
such completing and/or signing person or entity has the express and 
written permission or other grant of authority to bind such other 
person or entity to the Reduction Contract's terms and conditions. 
The Offeror expressly attests, warrants, and represents to NMFS that 
every co-owner of the Offeror necessary to constitute the Offeror's 
full and complete execution of the Reduction Contract has signed the 
Reduction Contract. The Offeror expressly attests, warrants, and 
represents to NMFS that the Offeror: Fully understands the 
consequences of submitting the completed Reduction Contract of which 
it is a party to NMFS; pledges to abide by the terms and conditions 
of the Reduction Contract; and is aware of, understands, and 
consents to, any and all remedies available to NMFS for the 
Offeror's breach of the Reduction Contract or submission of an offer 
which fails to conform with the Reduction Contract, final rule, 
applicable regulations and the applicable law. The Offeror expressly 
attests, warrants, and represents to NMFS that all information which 
the Offeror inserted in the Reduction Contract is true, accurate, 
complete, and fully in accordance with the Reduction Contract, final 
rule, other applicable regulations and the applicable law.
    In witness whereof, the Offeror has, in the place provided 
below, executed the Reduction Contract either as an Offeror offering 
alone or as an Offeror and co-Offeror (if there is a co-Offeror) 
jointly offering together, in accordance with the requirements 
specified above, and on the date written below. The Reduction 
Contract is effective as of the date NMFS accepts the Offeror's 
offer by signing the Reduction Contract.
    The Offeror and co-Offeror (if there is a co-Offeror) must each 
sign the Reduction Contract exactly as instructed herein. Each co-
owner (if there is a co-owner) of each Offeror and co-Offeror (if 
there is a co-Offeror) must also sign the Reduction Contract exactly 
as instructed herein. A notary public must, for each person or 
entity signing on behalf of the Offeror, complete and sign the 
acknowledgment and certification provision associated with each such 
person or entity's signature.
    I. Offeror and co-Offeror's (if there is a co-Offeror) 
signature(s) and notary's acknowledgment(s) and certification(s).

------------------------------------------------------------------------
  OFFEROR'S SIGNATURE AND NOTARY'S ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND CERTIFICATION If
  Offeror or co-Offeror consists of more than one owner, use one row of
  column 1 for each co-owner's signature. If not, use only one row for
Offeror and one row for co-Offeror (if any). Always use same Offeror row
   order as in Offeror Name in the table under section 46.b(1) of this
contract (i.e., signature (1) is for name (1), signature (2) is for name
                (2) signature (3) is for name (3), etc.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
OFFEROR SIGNATURE   Check appropriate column for each   NOTARY SIGNATURE
  (1) Sign. (2)          signature in 1st column         (1) Sign. (2)
    Print: the    ------------------------------------     Print: the
  following: (a)                                         following: (a)
  signer's name,                                       name, (b) signing
   (b) signer's                                          date, (3) date
title (if signing                                          commission
 for corporation                                        expires, and (4)
or other business                                      State and county.
 entity), and (c)                                         Each notary
   signing date                                        signature attests
------------------                                     to the following:
                                                        ``I certify that
                                                         I know or have
                                                          satisfactory
                                                       evidence that the
                                                       person who signed
                                                       in the 1st column
                      Qualifying      Co-Offeror (if    of this same row
                        Offeror            any)        is the person who
                                                        appeared before
                                                          me and: (1)
                                                       acknowledged his/
                                                         her signature;
                                                          (2) on oath,
                                                        stated that he/
                                                            she was
                                                         authorized to
                                                         sign; and (3)
                                                       acknowledged that
                                                         he/she did so
                                                           freely and
                                                         voluntarily.''
                                                      ------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    II. United States of America's signature. United States of 
America, Acting by and through the Secretary of Commerce, National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, Financial Services Division.

Dated:----------------------------------------------------------
By:-------------------------------------------------------------

Leo C. Erwin, Chief,

Financial Services Division, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 06-8354 Filed 9-26-06; 11:08 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P