[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 130 (Thursday, July 7, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40012-40037]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-15475]





[[Page 40011]]



Vol. 76



Thursday,



No. 130



July 7, 2011



Part IV











Department of Commerce











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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda



  Federal Register / Vol. 76 , No. 130 / Thursday, July 7, 2011 / 

Unified Agenda  



[[Page 40012]]





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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE



Office of the Secretary



13 CFR Ch. III



15 CFR Subtitle A; Subtitle B, Chs. I, II, III, VII, VIII, IX and 

XI



19 CFR Ch. III



37 CFR Chs. I, IV, and V



48 CFR Ch. 13



50 CFR Chs. II, III, IV, and VI




Semiannual Agenda of Regulations



AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Commerce.



ACTION: Semiannual regulatory agenda.



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SUMMARY: In compliance with Executive Order 12866, entitled 

``Regulatory Planning and Review,'' and the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 

as amended, the Department of Commerce (Department), in the spring and 

fall of each year, publishes in the Federal Register an agenda of 

regulations under development or review over the next 12 months. 

Rulemaking actions are grouped according to prerulemaking, proposed 

rules, final rules, long-term actions, and rulemaking actions completed 

since the fall 2010 agenda. The purpose of the agenda is to provide 

information to the public on regulations currently under review, being 

proposed, or issued by the Department. The agenda is intended to 

facilitate comments and views by interested members of the public.

    The Department's spring 2011 regulatory agenda includes regulatory 

activities that are expected to be conducted during the period April 1, 

2011, through March 31, 2012.



FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    Specific: For additional information about specific regulatory 

actions listed in the agenda, contact the individual identified as the 

contact person.

    General: Comments or inquiries of a general nature about the agenda 

should be directed to Asha Mathew, Chief Counsel for Regulation, Office 

of the Assistant General Counsel for Legislation and Regulation, U.S. 

Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: 202-482-3151.



SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Executive Order 12866 requires agencies to 

publish an agenda of those regulations that are under consideration 

pursuant to this order. By memorandum of January 21, 2011, the Office 

of Management and Budget issued guidelines and procedures for the 

preparation and publication of the spring 2011 Unified Agenda of 

Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions. The Regulatory Flexibility 

Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., requires agencies to publish, in the spring 

and fall of each year, a regulatory flexibility agenda that contains a 

brief description of the subject of any rule likely to have a 

significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 

The agenda also identifies those entries that have been selected for 

periodic review under section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

    In addition, beginning with the fall 2007 edition, the Internet 

became the basic means for disseminating the Unified Agenda. The 

complete Unified Agenda will be available online at www.reginfo.gov, in 

a format that offers users a greatly enhanced ability to obtain 

information from the Agenda database.

    Because publication in the Federal Register is mandated for the 

regulatory flexibility agendas required by the Regulatory Flexibility 

Act (5 U.S.C. 602), the Department of Commerce's printed agenda entries 

include only:

    (1) Rules that are in the Agency's regulatory flexibility agenda, 

in accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act, because they are 

likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 

small entities; and

    (2) Rules that the Agency has identified for periodic review under 

section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

    Printing of these entries is limited to fields that contain 

information required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act's Agenda 

requirements. Additional information on these entries is available in 

the Unified Agenda published on the Internet. In addition, for fall 

editions of the Agenda, the entire Regulatory Plan will continue to be 

printed in the Federal Register, as in past years, including the 

Department of Commerce's Regulatory Plan.

    Within the Department, the Office of the Secretary and various 

operating units may issue regulations. Operating units, such as the 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Bureau of 

Industry and Security, and the Patent and Trademark Office issue the 

greatest share of the Department's regulations.

    A large number of regulatory actions reported in the Agenda deal 

with fishery management programs of NOAA's National Marine Fisheries 

Service (NMFS). To avoid repetition of programs and definitions, as 

well as to provide some understanding of the technical and 

institutional elements of the NMFS programs, an ``Explanation of 

Information Contained in NMFS Regulatory Entries'' is provided below.



Explanation of Information Contained in NMFS Regulatory Entries



    The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 

U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) (the Act) governs the management of fisheries 

within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The EEZ refers to those 

waters from the outer edge of the State boundaries, generally 3 

nautical miles, to a distance of 200 nautical miles. Fishery Management 

Plans (FMPs) are to be prepared for fisheries that require conservation 

and management measures. Regulations implementing these FMPs regulate 

domestic fishing and foreign fishing where permitted. Foreign fishing 

may be conducted in a fishery in which there is no FMP only if a 

preliminary fishery management plan has been issued to govern that 

foreign fishing. Under the Act, eight Regional Fishery Management 

Councils (Councils) prepare FMPs or amendments to FMPs for fisheries 

within their respective areas. In the development of such plans or 

amendments and their implementing regulations, the Councils are 

required by law to conduct public hearings on the draft plans and to 

consider the use of alternative means of regulating.

    The Council process for developing FMPs and amendments makes it 

difficult for NMFS to determine the significance and timing of some 

regulatory actions under consideration by the Councils at the time the 

semiannual regulatory agenda is published.

    The Department's spring 2011 regulatory agenda follows.



Cameron F. Kerry,

General Counsel.



[[Page 40013]]







          International Trade Administration--Long-Term Actions

------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                           Regulation

       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

39........................  Commercial Availability of         0625-AA59

                             Fabric and Yarn.

------------------------------------------------------------------------





  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Proposed Rule Stage

------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                           Regulation

       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

40........................  American Lobster Fishery;          0648-AT31

                             Fishing Effort Control

                             Measures To Complement

                             Interstate Lobster

                             Management

                             Recommendations by the

                             Atlantic States Marine

                             Fisheries Commission.

41........................  Collection and Use of Tax          0648-AV76

                             Identification Numbers

                             from Holders of and

                             Applicants for National

                             Marine Fisheries Service

                             Permits.

42........................  Marine Mammal Protection           0648-AW22

                             Act Stranding Regulation

                             Revisions.

43........................  Regulatory Amendment To            0648-AW95

                             Correct and Clarify

                             Amendment 13 and

                             Subsequent Frameworks of

                             the Northeast

                             Multispecies Fishery

                             Management Plan.

44........................  Amendment 11 to the                0648-AX05

                             Atlantic Mackerel, Squid,

                             Butterfish Fishery

                             Management Plan.

45........................  Amendment 30 to the                0648-AX47

                             Fishery Management Plan

                             for Bering Sea and

                             Aleutian Islands King and

                             Tanner Crabs Arbitration

                             Regulations.

46........................  Fisheries Off West Coast           0648-AY06

                             States and in the Western

                             Pacific; Klamath River

                             Fall Chinook Salmon

                             Rebuilding Plan.

47........................  Amendment 3 to the Spiny           0648-AY12

                             Dogfish Fishery

                             Management Plan.

48........................  Generic Amendment for              0648-AY22

                             Annual Catch Limits.

49........................  Amendment 14 to the                0648-AY26

                             Atlantic Mackerel, Squid,

                             and Butterfish Fishery

                             Management Plan.

50........................  Fisheries in the Western           0648-AY36

                             Pacific; Pelagic

                             Fisheries; Purse Seine

                             Fishing With Fish

                             Aggregation Devices.

51........................  Amendment 5 to the                 0648-AY47

                             Atlantic Herring Fishery

                             Management Plan.

52........................  Amendment 2 to the FMP for         0648-AY55

                             the Queen Conch Fishery

                             of Puerto Rico and the

                             U.S. Virgin Islands and

                             Amendment 5 to the Reef

                             Fish FMP of Puerto Rico

                             and the U.S. Virgin

                             Islands.

53........................  Amendment 10 to the                0648-AY72

                             Fishery Management Plan

                             for Spiny Lobster in the

                             Gulf of Mexico and South

                             Atlantic.

54........................  Comprehensive Annual Catch         0648-AY73

                             Limits Amendment to the

                             Fishery Management Plan

                             for the Snapper Grouper

                             Fishery of the South

                             Atlantic Region.

55........................  Amendment 20 to the                0648-AY74

                             Snapper Grouper Fishery

                             Management Plan of the

                             South Atlantic Region.

56........................  Amendment To Recover the           0648-AY81

                             Administrative Costs of

                             Processing Permit

                             Applications.

57........................  Amendment To Correct and           0648-AY95

                             Clarify Amendment 16 and

                             Subsequent Frameworks of

                             the Northeast

                             Multispecies Fisheries

                             Management Plan.

58........................  Fishing Capacity Reduction         0648-BA13

                             Program for the Southeast

                             Alaska Purse Seine Salmon

                             Fishery.

59........................  Amendment 3 to the                 0648-BA22

                             Atlantic Deep-Sea Red

                             Crab Fishery Management

                             Plan.

60........................  Framework Adjustment 7 to          0648-BA46

                             the Monkfish Fishery

                             Management Plan.

61........................  Amendment 6 to the                 0648-BA50

                             Monkfish Fishery

                             Management Plan.

62........................  Amendment 24 to the                0648-BA52

                             Fishery Management Plan

                             for the Snapper Grouper

                             Fishery of the South

                             Atlantic Region.

63........................  Amendment 22 to the                0648-BA53

                             Fishery Management Plan

                             for the Snapper Grouper

                             Fishery of the South

                             Atlantic Region.

64........................  Amendment 5 to the Golden          0648-BA60

                             Crab Fishery Management

                             Plan of the South

                             Atlantic.

65........................  Atlantic Highly Migratory          0648-BA64

                             Species; Electronic

                             Mobile Transmitting Unit

                             Vessel Monitoring Systems.

66........................  Management Measures for            0648-BA66

                             Tuna Fisheries Operating

                             in the Eastern Pacific

                             Ocean.

67........................  Amendment 13 to the                0648-BA68

                             Coastal Pelagic Species

                             Fishery Management Plan.

68........................  Atlantic Highly Migratory          0648-BA69

                             Species; Implementing

                             International Convention

                             for the Conservation of

                             Atlantic Tunas

                             Recommendations on Sharks.

69........................  Amendment 15 to the                0648-BA71

                             Atlantic Sea Scallop

                             Fishery Management Plan.

70........................  Framework Adjustment 22 to         0648-BA72

                             the Scallop Fishery

                             Management Plan.

71........................  Atlantic Highly Migratory          0648-BA75

                             Species Electronic Dealer

                             Reporting Requirements.

72........................  Catch Reporting Regulatory         0648-BA79

                             Rulemaking for the

                             Atlantic Herring Fishery.

73........................  Bering Sea Chinook Salmon          0648-BA80

                             Economic Data Reporting

                             Program.

74........................  2011 Summer Flounder,              0648-BA92

                             Scup, and Black Sea Bass

                             Recreational Management

                             Measures and Scup

                             Specification Increase

                             (Increased 2011 Total

                             Allowable Landings).

75........................  Potential Revisions to the         0648-AV04

                             Turtle Excluder Device

                             Requirements.

76........................  Marine Mammal Protection           0648-AV82

                             Act Permit Regulation

                             Revisions.

77........................  Reduce Sea Turtle Bycatch          0648-AY61

                             in Atlantic Trawl

                             Fisheries.

78........................  False Killer Whale Take            0648-BA30

                             Reduction Plan (Section

                             610 Review).

79........................  Amendment to Regulations           0648-BA34

                             Under the Bottlenose

                             Dolphin Take Reduction

                             Plan.

80........................  Revision of Hawaiian Monk          0648-BA81

                             Seal Critical Habitat.

------------------------------------------------------------------------





    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Final Rule Stage

------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                           Regulation

       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

81........................  Amending Regulations for           0648-AV33

                             the Pacific Halibut,

                             Sablefish, and Pollock

                             Fisheries Conducted Under

                             the Western Alaska

                             Community Development

                             Quota (CDQ) Program.



[[Page 40014]]



 

82........................  Magnuson-Stevens Fishery           0648-AV53

                             Conservation and

                             Management

                             Reauthorization Act

                             (MSRA) Environmental

                             Review Procedure.

83........................  Amendment 4 to the                 0648-AW75

                             Atlantic Herring Fishery

                             Management Plan.

84........................  Allowable Modifications to         0648-AW93

                             the Turtle Excluder

                             Device Requirements.

85........................  Revoke Inactive Quota              0648-AX91

                             Share and Annual

                             Individual Fishing Quota

                             from a Holder of Quota

                             Share Under the Pacific

                             Halibut and Sablefish

                             Fixed Gear Individual

                             Fishing Quota Program.

86........................  Amendment 3 to the Fishery         0648-AY03

                             Management Plan for Queen

                             Conch Resources of Puerto

                             Rico and the U.S. Virgin

                             Islands Establishing

                             Compatible Regulations

                             With U.S. Virgin Islands

                             Territorial Waters.

87........................  Addendum IV to the                 0648-AY41

                             Weakfish Interstate

                             Management Plan--Bycatch

                             Trip Limit.

88........................  Fisheries Off West Coast           0648-BA01

                             States; Pacific Coast

                             Groundfish Fishery; 2011

                             to 2012 Biennial

                             Specifications and

                             Management Measures; FMP

                             Amendment 16-5 and FMP

                             Amendment 23.

89........................  Emergency Rule to Re-Open          0648-BA06

                             the Recreational Red

                             Snapper Season in the

                             Gulf of Mexico.

90........................  2011 Atlantic Bluefish             0648-BA26

                             Specifications.

91........................  Framework Adjustment 45 to         0648-BA27

                             the Northeast

                             Multispecies Fishery

                             Management Plan.

92........................  Modification of                    0648-BA45

                             Regulations Governing the

                             Retention of Incidentally-

                             Caught Highly Migratory

                             Species in Atlantic Trawl

                             Fisheries.

93........................  Implementation of a                0648-BA48

                             Recreational Seasonal

                             Closure for Greater

                             Amberjack; Regulatory

                             Framework Action to the

                             Fishery Management Plan

                             for Reef Fish Resources

                             of the Gulf of Mexico

                             (FMP).

94........................  Regulatory Amendment 10 to         0648-BA51

                             the Fishery Management

                             Plan for the Snapper

                             Grouper Fishery of the

                             South Atlantic Region.

95........................  Amendment to the Fishery           0648-BA54

                             Management Plan for the

                             Reef To Set Total

                             Allowable Catch for Red

                             Snapper.

96........................  Atlantic Highly Migratory          0648-BA65

                             Species; Atlantic Bluefin

                             Tuna Quotas and Atlantic

                             Tuna Fisheries Management

                             Measures.

97........................  Framework Adjustment 1 to          0648-BA91

                             the Northeast Skate

                             Complex FMP.

98........................  Protective Regulations for         0648-AV15

                             Killer Whales in the

                             Northwest Region Under

                             the Endangered Species

                             Act and Marine Mammal

                             Protection Act.

99........................  Revision of Critical               0648-AX06

                             Habitat Designation for

                             the Endangered

                             Leatherback Sea Turtle.

100.......................  Critical Habitat                   0648-AX50

                             Designation for Cook

                             Inlet Beluga Whale Under

                             the Endangered Species

                             Act.

101.......................  Taking of Marine Mammals           0648-AX86

                             Incidental to Specified

                             Activities; Taking Marine

                             Mammals Incidental to

                             Training Operations

                             Conducted Within the Gulf

                             of Mexico Range Complex.

102.......................  Endangered and Threatened          0648-BA38

                             Species, Designation of

                             Critical Habitat for

                             Southern Distinct

                             Population Segment of

                             Eulachon.

------------------------------------------------------------------------





   National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Long-Term Actions

------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                           Regulation

       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

103.......................  Fishery Management Plan            0648-AS65

                             for Regulating Offshore

                             Marine Aquaculture in the

                             Gulf of Mexico.

104.......................  Amendment 21 to the                0648-BA59

                             Snapper-Grouper Fishery

                             Management Plan of the

                             South Atlantic Region.

105.......................  Permits for Capture,               0648-AH26

                             Transport, Import, and

                             Export of Protected

                             Species for Public

                             Display, and for

                             Maintaining a Captive

                             Marine Mammal Inventory.

------------------------------------------------------------------------





   National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Completed Actions

------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                           Regulation

       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

106.......................  Maximize Retention and             0648-AR63

                             Monitoring Program in the

                             Shore-Based Pacific

                             Whiting Fishery.

107.......................  Certification of Nations           0648-AV51

                             Whose Fishing Vessels Are

                             Engaged in IUU Fishing or

                             Bycatch of Protected

                             Living Marine Resources.

108.......................  Revise Regulations                 0648-AW24

                             Governing the North

                             Pacific Groundfish

                             Observer Program.

109.......................  Regulatory Amendment to            0648-AY05

                             the Fishery Management

                             Plan for the Reef Fish

                             Fishery of Puerto Rico

                             Modifying the Bajo de

                             Sico Seasonal Closure.

110.......................  Amendment 17A to the               0648-AY10

                             Fishery Management Plan

                             for the Snapper Grouper

                             Fishery of the South

                             Atlantic Region.

111.......................  Amendment 17B to the               0648-AY11

                             Fishery Management Plan

                             for the Snapper Grouper

                             Fishery of the South

                             Atlantic Region.

112.......................  Maximized Retention                0648-AY17

                             Monitoring Program for

                             Catcher Vessels in the

                             Pacific Whiting

                             Mothership Fishery in the

                             Pacific Coast Groundfish

                             Fishery.

113.......................  Regulatory Amendment To            0648-AY38

                             Revise Charter Halibut

                             Logbook Submission

                             Requirements.

114.......................  Vessel Capacity Limits in          0648-AY75

                             the Purse Seine Fishery

                             in the Eastern Pacific

                             Ocean.

115.......................  2011 Specifications for            0648-BA03

                             the Atlantic Mackerel,

                             Squid, and Butterfish

                             Fishery.

116.......................  Regulatory Amendment to            0648-BA04

                             the Reef Fish Fishery

                             Management Plan To Set

                             Total Allowable Catch for

                             Red Grouper.

117.......................  Pacific Halibut Fisheries;         0648-BA25

                             Catch Sharing Plan.

118.......................  Bluefin Tuna Bycatch               0648-BA39

                             Reduction in the Gulf of

                             Mexico Pelagic Longline

                             Fishery.

119.......................  Take and Import Marine             0648-AW59

                             Mammals: Proposed Rule

                             for Take of Marine

                             Mammals Incidental to

                             Routine Operations of 13

                             Power Generating Stations

                             in Central and Southern

                             California.



[[Page 40015]]



 

120.......................  Taking and Importing               0648-AW80

                             Marine Mammals; U.S.

                             Naval Surface Warfare

                             Center Panama City

                             Division Mission

                             Activities.

------------------------------------------------------------------------





            Patent and Trademark Office--Proposed Rule Stage

------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                           Regulation

       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

121.......................  Revision of USPTO Fees for         0651-AC43

                             Fiscal Year 2011.

122.......................  Revision of USPTO Fees for         0651-AC44

                             Fiscal Year 2012.

------------------------------------------------------------------------





              Patent and Trademark Office--Final Rule Stage

------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                           Regulation

       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

123.......................  Interim Increase on Patent         0651-AC42

                             Fees for Fiscal Year 2011.

------------------------------------------------------------------------





DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)



International Trade Administration (ITA)



Long-Term Actions



39. Commercial Availability of Fabric and Yarn



    Legal Authority: Pub. L. 106-200, sec 112(b)(5)(B); Pub. L. 106-

200, sec 211; EO 13191; Pub. L. 107-210, sec 3103

    Abstract: This rule implements certain provisions of the Trade and 

Development Act of 2000 (the Act). Title I of the Act (the African 

Growth and Opportunity Act or AGOA), title II of the Act (the United 

States-Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act or CBTPA), and title XXXI 

of the Trade Act of 2002 (the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug 

Eradication Act or ATPDEA) provide for quota- and duty-free treatment 

for qualifying apparel products from designated beneficiary countries. 

AGOA and CBTPA authorize quota- and duty-free treatment for apparel 

articles that are both cut (or knit-to-shape) and sewn or otherwise 

assembled in one or more designated beneficiary countries from yarn or 

fabric that is not formed in the United States or a beneficiary 

country, provided it has been determined that such yarn or fabric 

cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in 

a timely manner. The President has delegated to the Committee for the 

Implementation of Textile Agreements (the Committee), which is chaired 

by the Department of Commerce, the authority to determine whether yarn 

or fabric cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial 

quantities in a timely manner under the AGOA, the ATPDEA, and the 

CBTPA, and has authorized the Committee to extend quota- and duty-free 

treatment to apparel of such yarn or fabric. The rule provides the 

procedure for interested parties to submit a request alleging that a 

yarn or fabric cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in 

commercial quantities in a timely manner, the procedure for public 

comments, and relevant factors that will be considered in the 

Committee's determination. The rule also outlines the factors to be 

considered by the Committee in extending quota- and duty-free 

treatment.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................           To Be Determined

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Janet Heinzen, Phone: 202 482-4006, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0625-AA59



DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)



National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)



Proposed Rule Stage

National Marine Fisheries Service



40. American Lobster Fishery; Fishing Effort Control Measures To 

Complement Interstate Lobster Management Recommendations by the 

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.

    Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service announces that it 

is considering, and seeking public comment on, revisions to Federal 

American lobster regulations for the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) 

associated with effort control measures as recommended for Federal 

implementation by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission 

(ASFMC) and as outlined in the Interstate Fishery Management Plan 

(ISFMP) for American Lobster. This action will evaluate effort control 

measures in certain Lobster Conservation Management Areas including: 

Limits on future access based on historic participation criteria; 

procedures to allow trap transfers among qualifiers and impose a trap 

reduction or conservation tax on any trap transfers; and a trap 

reduction schedule to meet the goals of the ISFMP.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANPRM...............................   05/10/05  70 FR 24495

ANPRM Comment Period End............   06/09/05

Notice of Public Meeting............   05/03/10  75 FR 23245

NPRM................................   07/00/11

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, 

Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Way, Gloucester, MA 

01930, Phone: 978 281-9200, Fax: 978 281-9117, E-mail: 

[email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AT31



[[Page 40016]]



41. Collection and use of Tax Identification Numbers From Holders of 

and Applicants for National Marine Fisheries Service Permits



    Legal Authority: 31 U.S.C. 7701; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 

1361 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.

    Abstract: Pursuant to the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 

(Debt Collection Act), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) 

will issue a rule to require that each existing holder of and future 

applicant for a permit, license, endorsement, authorization, transfer, 

or like instrument issued by the agency provide a Taxpayer 

Identification Number (TIN) (business, employer identification number, 

or individual's social security number) and Date of Incorporation or 

Date of Birth, as appropriate. Under the Debt Collection Act, NMFS is 

required to collect the TIN to report on and collect any delinquent 

non-tax debt owed to the Federal Government. NMFS plans to use Date of 

Incorporation or Date of Birth information for administrative aspects 

of permitting procedures with appropriate confidentiality safeguards 

pursuant to the Privacy Act. The rule will specify: (a) The particular 

uses that may be made of the reported TIN; (b) the effects, if any, of 

not providing the required information; (c) how the information will be 

used to ascertain if the permit holder or applicant owes delinquent 

non-tax debt to the Government pursuant to the Debt Collection Act; (d) 

the effects on the permit holder or applicant when such delinquent 

debts are owed; and (e) the agency's intended communications with the 

permit holder or applicant regarding the relationship of such 

delinquent debts to its permitting process and the need to resolve such 

debts as a basis for completing permit issuance or renewal. The rule 

will amend existing agency permit regulations and contain all 

appropriate modified and new collections-of-information pursuant to the 

Paperwork Reduction Act.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   11/00/11

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Alan Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable 

Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, Room 13362, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 

20910, Phone: 301 713-2334, Fax: 301 713-0596, E-mail: 

[email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AV76



42. Marine Mammal Protection Act Stranding Regulation Revisions



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1379; 16 U.S.C. 1382; 16 U.S.C. 1421

    Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is 

considering changes to its implementing regulations (50 CFR 216) 

governing the taking of stranded marine mammals under section 109(h), 

section 112(c), and title IV of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and is 

soliciting public comment to better inform the process. NMFS intends to 

clarify the requirements and procedures for responding to stranded 

marine mammals and for determining the disposition of rehabilitated 

marine mammals, which includes the procedures for the placement of non-

releasable animals and for authorizing the retention of releasable 

rehabilitated marine mammals for scientific research, enhancement, or 

public display. This action will be analyzed under the National 

Environmental Policy Act with an Environmental Assessment.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANPRM...............................   01/31/08  73 FR 5786

ANPRM Comment Period End............   03/31/08

NPRM................................   12/00/11

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: David Cottingham, Department of Commerce, National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver 

Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 713-2322, Fax: 301 713-2521, E-mail: 

[email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AW22



43. Regulatory Amendment To Correct and Clarify Amendment 13 and 

Subsequent Frameworks of the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management 

Plan



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

    Abstract: This action would make corrections and clarifications to 

the final rule implementing Amendment 13 to the Northeast Multispecies 

Fishery Management Plan, as well as subsequent groundfish actions. 

These corrections are administrative in nature and are intended to 

correct inaccurate references and other inadvertent errors and to 

clarify specific regulations to maintain consistency with the intent of 

Amendment 13 and subsequent actions.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   06/00/11

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, 

Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Way, Gloucester, MA 

01930, Phone: 978 281-9200, Fax: 978 281-9117, E-mail: 

[email protected]..

    RIN: 0648-AW95



44. Amendment 11 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish Fishery 

Management Plan



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

    Abstract: Amendment 11 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish 

Fishery Management Plan may consider: (1) Limited access in the 

Atlantic mackerel (mackerel) fishery; (2) implementation of annual 

catch limits (ACLs) and accountability measures (AMs) for mackerel and 

butterfish required under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 

Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 (MSRA); (3) updating of the 

description and identification of essential fish habitat (EFH) for all 

life stages of mackerel, Loligo squid, Illex squid, and butterfish 

(including gear impacts on Loligo squid egg EFH); and (4) possible 

limitations on at-sea processing of mackerel.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notice of Intent....................   08/11/08  73 FR 46590

NPRM................................   08/00/11

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, 

Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Way, Gloucester, MA 

01930, Phone: 978 281-9200, Fax: 978 281-9117, E-mail: 

[email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AX05



45. Amendment 30 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea and 

Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs Arbitration Regulations



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1862; Pub. L. 109-241; Pub. L. 109-479

    Abstract: This action would implement Amendment 30 to the Fishery 

Management Plan for Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands King and Tanner 

Crabs to make minor modifications to the arbitration system used to 

settle



[[Page 40017]]



price and other disputes among harvesters and processors in the Bering 

Sea/Aleutian Islands crab rationalization program.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   06/00/11

Notice of Availability..............   06/00/11

Final Rule..........................   07/00/11

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Robert D Mecum, Deputy Acting Administrator, 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 709 W. 9th Street, Room 420, Juneau, AK 99802, Phone: 

907 586-7221, Fax: 907 586-7249, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AX47



46. Fisheries Off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; Klamath 

River Fall Chinook Salmon Rebuilding Plan



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1854

    Abstract: This action would adopt a rebuilding plan for the Klamath 

River fall Chinook salmon (KRFC) stock, which failed to meet 

conservation objectives specified in the Fishery Management Plan for 

the 3-year period from 2004 to 2006.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   10/00/11

NPRM Comment Period End.............   12/00/11

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Alan Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable 

Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, Room 13362, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 

20910, Phone: 301 713-2334, Fax: 301 713-0596, E-mail: 

[email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AY06



47. Amendment 3 to the Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801

    Abstract: The New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management 

Councils (Councils) announce their intention to prepare, in cooperation 

with NMFS, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance with 

the National Environmental Policy Act to assess potential effects on 

the human environment of alternative measures to address several issues 

regarding the Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Issues that 

may be addressed include: Initiating a Research Set-Aside provision; 

specifying the spiny dogfish quota and/or possession limits by sex; 

adding a recreational fishery to the FMP; identifying commercial quota 

allocation alternatives; and establishing a limited access fishery.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notice of Intent....................   08/05/09  74 FR 39063

Notice of Intent Comment Period End.   09/04/09

Notice of Intent To Prepare an         05/13/10  75 FR 26920

 Environmental Impact Statement.

NPRM................................   06/00/11

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, 

Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Way, Gloucester, MA 

01930, Phone: 978 281-9200, Fax: 978 281-9117, E-mail: 

[email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AY12



48. Generic Amendment for Annual Catch Limits



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801

    Abstract: The generic amendment is intended to modify five of the 

Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council's Fishery Management Plans 

(FMPs). These include FMPs for: Reef Fish Resources, Shrimp, Stone 

Crab, Coral and Coral Reef Resources, and Red Drum. NMFS and the 

Council will develop these Annual Catch Limits (ACLs) in co-operation 

with the Scientific and Statistical Committee and the Southeast 

Fisheries Science Center. NMFS, in collaboration with the Council, will 

develop a Draft Environmental Impact Statement to evaluate alternatives 

and actions for the ACLs. Some examples of these actions include: 

Establishing sector specific ACLs, selecting levels of risk associated 

with species yields, considering removal or withdrawal of species from 

FMPs, and delegating species or species assemblages to state 

regulators.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notice of Intent....................   08/04/09  74 FR 47206

NPRM................................   06/00/11

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Roy E Crabtree, Southeast Regional Administrator, 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701, 

Phone: 727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AY22



49. Amendment 14 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish 

Fishery Management Plan



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

    Abstract: The purpose of Amendment 14 is to consider catch shares 

in the Loligo and Illex fisheries and monitoring/mitigation for river 

herring bycatch in mackerel, squid and butterfish (MSB) fisheries.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   09/00/11

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, 

Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Way, Gloucester, MA 

01930, Phone: 978 281-9200, Fax: 978 281-9117, E-mail: 

[email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AY26



50. Fisheries in the Western Pacific; Pelagic Fisheries; Purse Seine 

Fishing With Fish Aggregation Devices



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

    Abstract: The Western Pacific Council is amending the Pelagics 

Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) to (1) define fish aggregating devices 

(FADs) as purposefully deployed or instrumented floating objects; (2) 

require FADs to be registered; and (3) prohibit purse seine fishing 

using FADs in the US EEZ of the western Pacific. The objective of this 

action is to appropriately balance the needs and concerns of the 

western Pacific pelagic fishing fleets and associated fishing 

communities with the conservation of tuna stocks in the western 

Pacific.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   10/00/11

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Alvin Katekaru, Assistant Regional Administrator, 

Sustainable Fisheries, Department of



[[Page 40018]]



Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1601 

Kapiolani Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96814, Phone: 808 944-2207, Fax: 808 

973-2941, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AY36



51. Amendment 5 to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801

    Abstract: Amendment 5 to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management 

Plan will consider: catch monitoring programs; interactions with river 

herring; access by herring midwater trawl vessels in groundfish closed 

areas; and interactions with the mackerel fishery.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   09/00/11

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, 

Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Way, Gloucester, MA 

01930, Phone: 978 281-9200, Fax: 978 281-9117, E-mail: 

[email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AY47



52. Amendment 2 to the FMP for the Queen Conch Fishery of Puerto Rico 

and the U.S. Virgin Islands and Amendment 5 to the Reef Fish FMP of 

Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801

    Abstract: The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 

Act (MSRA: Pub. L. 94-265), as amended through January 12, 2007, 

requires the establishment of annual catch limits (ACLs) and 

accountability measures (AMs) during 2010 for all species that are 

considered to be overfished or undergoing overfishing. The present 

amendment is being promulgated to meet those MSRA mandates as well as 

to establish framework procedures with which to effect future changes 

to the management plan and to restructure the fisheries management 

units for grouper and snapper. Various alternatives are included in the 

draft amendment, including maintenance of the status quo for each 

action as well as various alternatives regarding the year-sequences 

used to establish ACLs and the strategies to be employed to account for 

overages and to respond to needed changes in management methods.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   06/00/11

NPRM Comment Period End.............   08/00/11

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Roy E Crabtree, Southeast Regional Administrator, 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701, 

Phone: 727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AY55



53. Amendment 10 to the Fishery Management Plan for Spiny Lobster in 

the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801

    Abstract: The 2006 Reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 

Conservation and Management Act (MSFCMA) included a number of changes 

to improve conservation of managed fishery resources. Included in these 

changes are requirements that the Regional Councils must establish both 

a mechanism for specifying annual catch limits (ACLs) at a level such 

that overfishing does not occur in the fishery, and accountability 

measures (AMs) to correct if overages occur. Accountability measures 

are management controls to prevent the ACLs from being exceeded and to 

correct by either in-season or post-season measures if they do occur. 

The Spiny Lobster fishery is jointly managed by the Gulf and South 

Atlantic Councils. Amendment 10 to the FMP will set ACLs and AMs, 

review current regulations, and implement reasonable and prudent 

measures from the Biological Opinion.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notice of Intent....................   03/12/10  75 FR 11843

Notice of Intent Comment Period End.   04/12/10

NPRM................................   11/00/11

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Roy E Crabtree, Southeast Regional Administrator, 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701, 

Phone: 727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AY72



54. Comprehensive Annual Catch Limits Amendment to the Fishery 

Management Plan for the Snapper Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic 

Region



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

    Abstract: The purpose of this amendment is to establish Annual 

Catch Limits (ACLs) and Accountability Measures (AMs) for species not 

undergoing overfishing, including management measures to reduce the 

probability that catches will exceed the stocks' ACLs pursuant to 

reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 

(Magnuson-Stevens Act) requirements.

    Proposed actions include removal of species from the South Atlantic 

Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Unit; designating some Snapper 

Grouper species as ecosystem component species; considering multi-

species groupings for specifying ACLs, ACTs, and AMs; specifying 

allocations among the commercial, recreational, and for-hire sectors 

for species not undergoing overfishing; and modifying management 

measures to limit total mortality to the ACL.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   11/00/11

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Roy E Crabtree, Southeast Regional Administrator, 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701, 

Phone: 727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AY73



55. Amendment 20 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan of the 

South Atlantic Region



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

    Abstract: Amendment 20 to the Fishery Management Plan for the 

Snapper Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region consists of 

regulatory actions that focus on modifications to the wreckfish 

individual transferable quota (ITQ) program, bringing the program into 

compliance with the Reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 

and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), and make other 

administrative, monitoring, and enforcement changes.

    Timetable:



[[Page 40019]]







------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   11/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Roy E Crabtree, Southeast Regional Administrator, 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701, 

Phone: 727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AY74



56. Amendment to Recover the Administrative Costs of Processing Permit 

Applications



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1853; 16 U.S.C. 

1854; 16 U.S.C. 3631 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; Pub. L. 108-447

    Abstract: This action amends the fishery management plans of the 

North Pacific Fishery Management Council and revises federal 

regulations at 50 CFR 679 to recover the administrative costs of 

processing applications for permits required under those plans.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   09/00/11  .......................

Final Rule..........................   11/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Robert D Mecum, Deputy Acting Administrator, 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 709 W. 9th Street, Room 420, Juneau, AK 99802, Phone: 

907 586-7221, Fax: 907 586-7249, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AY81



57. Amendment to Correct and Clarify Amendment 16 and Subsequent 

Frameworks of the Northeast Multispecies Fisheries Management Plan



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

    Abstract: This action corrects and clarifies the final rule 

implementing Amendment 16 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery 

Management Plan, as well as subsequent groundfish actions. These 

corrections are administrative in nature and are intended to correct 

inaccurate references and other inadvertent errors and to clarify 

specific regulations to maintain consistency with the intent of 

Amendment 16 and subsequent actions.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   06/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, 

Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Way, Gloucester, MA 

01930, Phone: 978 281-9200, Fax: 978 281-9117, E-mail: 

[email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AY95



58. Fishing Capacity Reduction Program for the Southeast Alaska Purse 

Seine Salmon Fishery



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 46 U.S.C. 53701 et seq.; 

Pub. L. 108-447; Pub. L. 109-447; Pub. L. 110-161

    Abstract: This rule would implement a Capacity Reduction Program 

for the Southeast Alaska Purse Seine Salmon Fishery, which is a state 

controlled fishery. This program is voluntary and holders of valid 

limited entry permits issued by the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry 

Commission to operate in the Southeast Alaska Purse Seine Salmon 

Fishery are eligible to participate. Permit holders in the program will 

receive up to $23.5 million, in the aggregate, in exchange for 

relinquishing permits. NMFS would issue a 30-year loan to finance the 

buyback and the loan would be repaid by those harvesters remaining in 

the fishery. The intent of this rule is to permanently reduce the most 

harvesting capacity in the fishery at the least cost, which should 

result in increased harvesting productivity for post-reduction permit 

holders participating in the fishery and should improve flexibility in 

the conservation and management of the fishery. The rule would also 

establish a fee collection system to ensure repayment of the loan.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   09/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Gary C Reisner, Director, Office of Management and 

Budget, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 

301 713-2259, Fax: 301-713-1464, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA13



59. Amendment 3 to the Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Fishery Management 

Plan



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801

    Abstract: This action is required to bring the Atlantic Deep-Sea 

Red Crab FMP into compliance with the reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens 

Fishery Conservation and Management Act by incorporating an annual 

catch limit (ACL) and accountability measures (AMs). The Red Crab FMP 

may also be modified to implement a ``hard quota'' (or total allowable 

landings (TAL)) in place of the current target total allowable catch 

(TAC) and days-at-sea (DAS) system. Other management measures currently 

in place may be modified or eliminated.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   07/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, 

Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Way, Gloucester, MA 

01930, Phone: 978 281-9200, Fax: 978 281-9117, E-mail: 

[email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA22



60.  Framework Adjustment 7 to the Monkfish Fishery Management 

Plan



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

    Abstract: Framework Adjustment 7 to the Monkfish FMP would adjust 

the annual catch target (ACT) for the Northern Fishery Management Area 

(NFMA) to be consistent with the most recent scientific advice 

regarding the acceptable biological catch (ABC) for monkfish. The New 

England Fishery Management Council's Scientific and Statistical 

Committee (SSC) has recommended a revision to the ABC, based on the 

recent stock assessment (SARC 50), that is lower that the ACT for the 

NFMA proposed in Amendment 5 to the Monkfish FMP. Specifically, the SSC 

recommended a revised NFMA ABC of 7,592 mt, which is 29 percent lower 

than the NFMA ACT of 10,750 mt proposed in Amendment 5. Conversely, the 

recalculated ABC for the Southern Fishery Management Area (SFMA) is 850 

mt higher than the Council's recommended ACT for that area. Thus, no 

change is proposed for the SFMA. Framework 7 would also specify a new 

day-at-sea (DAS) allocation and trip limits for the NFMA commensurate 

with the new ACT (as necessary), and adopt revised biomass reference 

points



[[Page 40020]]



based on the recommendations of SARC 50 and the SSC.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   06/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, 

Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Way, Gloucester, MA 

01930, Phone: 978 281-9200, Fax: 978 281-9117, E-mail: 

[email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA46



61.  Amendment 6 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan



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

    Abstract: The purpose of Amendment 6 to the Monkfish FMP is to 

consider developing a catch share management program for this fishery. 

This would very likely also involve the development of a referendum for 

such a program, as required under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 

Conservation and Management Act.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   06/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, 

Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Way, Gloucester, MA 

01930, Phone: 978 281-9200, Fax: 978 281-9117, E-mail: 

[email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA50



62.  Amendment 24 to the Fishery Management Plan for the 

Snapper Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region



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

    Abstract: The purpose of the amendment is to implement a rebuilding 

plan for red grouper in the South Atlantic that would specify annual 

catch targets and annual catch limits by sector. NMFS notified the 

Council of the stock status on June 9, 2010; the Magnuson-Stevens Act 

specifies that measures must be implemented within two years of 

notification.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   06/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Roy E Crabtree, Southeast Regional Administrator, 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701, 

Phone: 727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA52



63.  Amendment 22 to the Fishery Management Plan for the 

Snapper Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region



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

    Abstract: The purpose of the amendment is to establish a long-term 

red snapper fishery management program in the South Atlantic to 

optimize yield and rebuild the stock, while minimizing socioeconomic 

impacts. More specifically, these alternatives will consider the 

elimination of harvest restrictions on red snapper as the stock 

increases in biomass.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notice of Intent....................   01/03/11  76 FR 101

Notice of Intent Comment Period End.   02/14/11  .......................

NPRM................................   11/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Roy E Crabtree, Southeast Regional Administrator, 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701, 

Phone: 727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, E-mail: [email protected]

    RIN: 0648-BA53



64.  Amendment 5 to the Golden Crab Fishery Management Plan of 

the South Atlantic



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

    Abstract: Golden Crab Amendment 5 examines alternatives for a catch 

share program to limit participation in the golden crab fishery.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   03/00/12  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Roy E Crabtree, Southeast Regional Administrator, 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701, 

Phone: 727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA60



65.  Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Electronic Mobile 

Transmitting Unit Vessel Monitoring Systems



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Abstract: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is preparing a 

rule that considers requiring the replacement of currently required 

Mobile Transmitting Unit (MTU) Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) units 

with Electronic Mobile Transmitting Unit (E-MTU) VMS units in Atlantic 

HMS fisheries. The rule would also consider implementing a declaration 

system where vessels declare target species and gear type used and 

requiring that a certified marine electrician install all E-MTU VMS 

units. The purpose of this rulemaking would be to remove out-dated MTU 

VMS units from service in Atlantic HMS fisheries, provide the National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Association Office of Law Enforcement (NOAA 

OLE) with enhanced communication with HMS vessels at sea, improve 

enforcement capabilities of current regulations, provide additional 

flexibility for future management options, and provides a secondary 

safety capability that has proven useful, but does not replace, primary 

safety tools such as Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons 

(EPIRB).

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   06/00/11  .......................

Final Action........................   06/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Emily Menashes, Acting Director, Office of 

Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 

20910, Phone: 301 713-2234, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA64



66.  Management Measures for Tuna Fisheries Operating in the 

Eastern Pacific Ocean



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 951 to 961 and 971 et seq.

    Abstract: NMFS proposes regulations under the Tuna Conventions Act 

of



[[Page 40021]]



1950, as amended, to implement decisions of the Inter-American Tropical 

Tuna Commission (IATTC). At its eighty-first meeting, in September 

2010, the IATTC adopted the following three recommendations: (1) 

Recommendation on Tuna Conservation 2011-2013 (C-10-01); (2) 

Recommendation on Seabirds (C-10-02); and (3) Recommendation 

Prohibiting Fishing on Data Buoys (C-10-03). The United States already 

has domestic seabird conservation measures in place for U.S. longline 

fisheries that operate in the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) that satisfy 

the requirements under Recommendation C-10-02. Thus, this rule would 

implement IATTC Recommendations C-10-01 and C-10-03, and update vessel 

monitoring system (VMS) requirements in the EPO in accordance with 

IATTC Resolution C-04-06.

    This rule would amend current tuna conservation measures in the 

longline and purse seine fisheries by (1) reducing the duration of the 

purse seine closure period in the EPO from 73 to 62 days in 2011 and 

continuing this purse seine closure period in 2012 and 2013; (2) 

allowing vessel owners to choose between two closure periods each year 

rather than requiring the entire U.S. fleet to adhere to one closure 

period; (3) continuing the 500 metric ton bigeye tuna quota for large-

scale longline vessels for 2011-2013; (4) renewing the tuna retention 

program in the purse seine fishery; (5) prohibiting tuna fishing 

vessels from fishing within one nautical mile of data buoys in the EPO; 

and (6) requiring tuna fishing vessels over 24 meters in length to 

install and operate VMS.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   06/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Mark Helvey, Assistant Regional Administrator for 

Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration, 501 West Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 

90802, Phone: 562 980-4040, Fax: 562 980-4047, E-mail: 

[email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA66



67.  Amendment 13 to the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery 

Management Plan



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

    Abstract: The intent of Amendment 13 to the Coastal Pelagic Species 

Fishery Management Plan is to revise relevant sections of the plan to 

ensure they are consistent with the advisory guidelines published in 

Federal regulations at 50 CFR 600.310. The guidelines describe fishery 

management approaches to meet the objectives of National Standard 1 

(NS1) found in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 

Act (MSA), Section 301. Amendment 13 includes mechanisms for annual 

catch limits and accountability measures and other provisions for 

preventing and ending overfishing.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   06/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Mark Helvey, Assistant Regional Administrator for 

Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration, 501 West Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 

90802, Phone: 562 980-4040, Fax: 562 980-4047, E-mail: 

[email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA68



68.  Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Implementing 

International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas 

Recommendations on Sharks



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.

    Abstract: This action would implement two recommendations adopted 

at the 2010 annual meeting of the International Commission for the 

Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). Recommendation 10-07 prohibits 

the retention, transshipping, landing, storing, or selling of oceanic 

whitetip sharks. Recommendation 10-08 prohibits the retention, 

transshipping, landing, storing, or selling of hammerhead sharks in the 

family Sphyrnidae, except for Sphyrnidae tiburo, taken in the 

Convention area in association with ICCAT fisheries.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   06/00/11  .......................

Final Action........................   07/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Margo Schulze-Haugen, Supervisory Fish Management 

Officer, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 

301 713-0234, Fax: 301 713-1917, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA69



69.  Amendment 15 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery 

Management Plan



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

    Abstract: Amendment 15 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery 

Management Plan (Scallop FMP) was developed by the New England Fishery 

Management Council (Council) to implement annual catch limits (ACLs) 

and accountability measures (AMs) to come into compliance with new 

requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 

Management Act (MSA). In addition, Amendment 15 to the Scallop FMP 

includes measures that would make management of the scallop fishery 

more effective including: Modification of the overfishing definition 

for scallops; an increase in the possession limit for limited access 

general category (LAGC) vessels; an allowance for carryover of 

individual fishing quota (IFQ) for LAGC vessels; a provision to enable 

LAGC vessel owners to permanently transfer IFQ separate from the 

vessel's LAGC permit; revision of the essential fish habitat closures 

under the Scallop FMP; and several changes to the scallop research set 

aside program.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notice of Availability..............   03/24/11  76 FR 16595

NPRM................................   06/00/11  .......................

Final Action........................   08/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, 

Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Way, Gloucester, MA 

01930, Phone: 978 281-9200, Fax: 978 281-9117, E-mail: 

[email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA71



70.  Framework Adjustment 22 to the Scallop Fishery Management 

Plan



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801

    Abstract: Framework 22 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop FMP (Framework 

22) would set management measures for the scallop fishery for the 2011 

to 2013 fishing years (FYs), including the annual catch limits (ACL) 

and annual catch targets for the limited access and limited access 

general category fleets based on the ACL framework proposed in 

Amendment 15 to the FMP. In addition, Framework 22 will revise the



[[Page 40022]]



scallop access area schedules for FYs 2011 to 2013, set the scallop 

days-at-sea (DAS) allocations and sea scallop access area trip 

allocations, and set measures to minimize impacts of incidental take of 

sea turtles in the Mid-Atlantic total allowable catches (TACs) for the 

Northern Gulf of Maine management area, observer set-aside, and 

incidental landings (target TAC).

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   06/00/11  .......................

Final Action........................   06/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, 

Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Way, Gloucester, MA 

01930, Phone: 978 281-9200, Fax: 978 281-9117, E-mail: 

[email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA72



71.  Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Electronic Dealer 

Reporting Requirements



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

    Abstract: This rulemaking would require all federally-permitted 

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) dealers to report commercially-

caught HMS (i.e., Atlantic sharks, tunas, and swordfish) to the 

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) through an electronic 

reporting system. In addition, this rulemaking would clarify that a 

dealer is only authorized to buy commercially-caught HMS if the dealer 

reports have been submitted to NMFS in a timely manner. Any delinquent 

reports would need to be submitted and accepted before a dealer could 

buy commercially-caught HMS. Finally, this rulemaking would require 

that all commercially harvested HMS caught by federally-permitted 

fishermen be offloaded to federally-permitted and certified HMS 

dealers, who must report the associated catch to NMFS. These measures 

are necessary to ensure timely and accurate reporting, which is 

critical for quota monitoring and management of HMS.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   06/00/11  .......................

NPRM Comment Period End.............   07/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Margo Schulze-Haugen, Supervisory Fish Management 

Officer, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 

301 713-0234, Fax: 301 713-1917, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA75



72.  Catch Reporting Regulatory Rulemaking for the Atlantic 

Herring Fishery



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

    Abstract: The goal of the catch reporting rulemaking is to improve 

monitoring of the annual catch limit (ACL) and sub-ACLs for each 

management area in the Atlantic herring fishery. Requirements under 

consideration include: Daily reporting via vessel monitoring systems 

for limited access herring vessels, weekly reporting via the 

interactive voice response system for open access vessels, and weekly 

submission of vessel trip reports for limited access and/or open access 

vessels.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   06/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, 

Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Way, Gloucester, MA 

01930, Phone: 978 281-9200, Fax: 978 281-9117, E-mail: 

[email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA79



73.  Bering Sea Chinook Salmon Economic Data Reporting Program



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1851; 16 U.S.C. 

3631 et seq.

    Abstract: NMFS proposes to implement the Chinook Salmon Economic 

Data Program to evaluate the effectiveness of Chinook salmon bycatch 

management measures for the Bering Sea pollock fishery that were 

implemented under Amendment 91 to the Fishery Management Plan for 

Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area 

(FMP). The proposed rule is intended to promote the goals and 

objectives of the FMP, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 

Management Act and other applicable law.

    To collect the data, NMFS would require submission of each of the 

following three reports/surveys. These would be in a fillable 

electronic format available on the NMFS AKR website. Representatives of 

AFA catcher/processor and mothership sectors, inshore cooperatives, the 

inshore open access fishery, and CDQ groups would be responsible to 

submit the Chinook EDR. The Reports/Surveys are: Chinook Salmon PSC 

Allocation Compensated Transfer Report (CTR); Vessel Fuel Survey; and 

the Vessel Master Survey.

    In addition to these reports/surveys, NMFS would collect new 

information concerning vessel movements on the fishing grounds and more 

general data on pollock allocations and transfers through revisions of 

requirements to the existing IPA Annual Report.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   06/00/11  .......................

Final Rule..........................   09/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: James Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 709 West Ninth Street, Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 

586-7221, Fax: 907 586-7465, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA80



74.  2011 Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass 

Recreational Management Measures and Scup Specification Increase 

(Increased 2011 Total Allowable Landings)



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801

    Abstract: This rulemaking would conduct two related actions: It 

would publish a proposed increase to the previously established 2011 

scup TAC and TAL and would propose management measures to achieve 

recreational harvest limits for the summer flounder, scup, and black 

sea bass recreational fisheries. Recreational management measures 

include recreational possession limits, minimum fish sizes, and 

seasonal closures.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   06/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, 

Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great



[[Page 40023]]



Republic Way, Gloucester, MA 01930, Phone: 978 281-9200, Fax: 978 281-

9117, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA92



75. Potential Revisions to the Turtle Excluder Device Requirements



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1533

    Abstract: With this action, the National Marine Fisheries Service 

(NMFS) announces that it is considering technical changes to the 

requirements for turtle excluder devices (TEDs) and solicits public 

comment. Specifically, NMFS would modify the size of the TED escape 

opening currently required in the summer flounder fishery; require the 

use of TEDs in the whelk, calico scallop, and Mid-Atlantic scallop 

trawl fisheries; require the use of TEDs in flynets; and move the 

current northern boundary of the Summer Flounder Fishery-Sea Turtle 

Protection Area off Cape Charles, Virginia, to a point farther north.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANPRM...............................   02/15/07  72 FR 7382

ANPRM Comment Period End............   03/19/07  .......................

ANPRM Comment Period Extended.......   03/19/07  72 FR 12749

NPRM................................   10/00/11  .......................

NPRM Comment Period End.............   12/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Roy E Crabtree, Southeast Regional Administrator, 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701, 

Phone: 727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AV04



76. Marine Mammal Protection Act Permit Regulation Revisions



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1374

    Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is 

considering changes to its implementing regulations (50 CFR 216) 

governing the issuance of permits for scientific research and 

enhancement activities under section 104 of the Marine Mammal 

Protection Act and is soliciting public comment to better inform the 

process. NMFS intends to streamline and clarify general permitting 

requirements and requirements for scientific research and enhancement 

permits, simplify procedures for transferring marine mammal parts, 

possibly apply the General Authorization (GA) to research activities 

involving Level A harassment of non-endangered marine mammals, and 

implement a ``permit application cycle'' for application submission and 

processing of all marine mammal permits. NMFS intends to write 

regulations for marine mammal photography permits and is considering 

whether this activity should be covered by the GA.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANPRM...............................   09/13/07  72 FR 52339

ANPRM Comment Period Extended.......   10/15/07  72 FR 58279

ANPRM Comment Period End............   11/13/07  72 FR 52339

ANPRM Comment Period Extended End...   12/13/07  72 FR 58279

NPRM................................   11/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Dr. Michael Payne, Fishery Biologist, Department of 

Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, P.O. Box 

21668, Juneau, AK 99802, Phone: 907 586-7235, Fax: 301 713-2521, E-

mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AV82



77. Reduce Sea Turtle Bycatch in Atlantic Trawl Fisheries



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.

    Abstract: NMFS is initiating a rulemaking action to reduce injury 

and mortality to endangered and threatened sea turtles resulting from 

incidental take, or bycatch, in trawl fisheries in the Atlantic waters. 

NMFS will likely address the size of the turtle excluder device (TED) 

escape opening currently required in the summer flounder trawl fishery, 

the definition of a summer flounder trawler, and the use of TEDs in 

this fishery; the use of TEDs in the croaker and weakfish flynet, 

whelk, Atlantic sea scallop, and calico scallop trawl fisheries of the 

Atlantic Ocean; and new seasonal and temporal boundaries for TED 

requirements. In addition, this rule will address the definition of the 

Gulf Area applicable to the shrimp trawl fishery in the southeast 

Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. The purpose of the rule is to aid in the 

protection and recovery of listed sea turtle populations by reducing 

mortality in trawl fisheries through the use of TEDs.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   07/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Alexis Gutierrez, Foreign Affairs Specialist, 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 

301 713-2322, Fax: 301 713-4060, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AY61



78.  False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan (Section 610 

Review)



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.

    Abstract: NMFS is undertaking rulemaking to implement a False 

Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan (FKWTRP). The FKWTRP is based on 

consensus recommendations submitted by the False Killer Whale Take 

Reduction Team (FKWTRT). This action is necessary because current 

serious injury and mortality rates of the Hawaii Pelagic stock of false 

killer whales incidental to the Category I Hawaii-based deep-set (tuna 

target) longline fishery and Category II Hawaii-based shallow-set 

(swordfish target) fishery are above the stock's potential biological 

removal (PBR) level, and therefore inconsistent with the short-term 

goal of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Additionally, serious 

injury and mortality rates of the Hawaii Insular stock and Palmyra 

Atoll stocks of false killer whales incidental to the Hawaii-based 

deep-set longline fishery are above insignificant levels approaching a 

zero mortality and serious injury rate, and therefore inconsistent with 

the long-term goal of the MMPA. The FKWTRP is intended to meet the 

statutory mandates and requirements of the MMPA through both regulatory 

and non-regulatory measures, and research and data collection 

priorities.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   06/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Kristy Long, Fisheries Biologist, Department of 

Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Room 13738, 

1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 713-2322, 

Fax: 301 427-2522, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA30



79.  Amendment to Regulations Under the Bottlenose Dolphin Take 

Reduction Plan



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.



[[Page 40024]]



    Abstract: Serious injury and mortality of the Western North 

Atlantic bottlenose dolphin stocks incidental to Category I and II 

fisheries continue at levels potentially exceeding Potential Biological 

Removal (PBR) levels, requiring additional management measures under 

the Bottlenose Dolphin Take Reduction Plan (BDTRP). Therefore, the 

purpose of the proposed actions is to amend the BDTRP to reduce serious 

injury and mortality of bottlenose dolphins in the Virginia pound net 

fishery (Category II) and mid-Atlantic gillnet fishery (Category I) in 

North Carolina, specifically, the spiny dogfish fishery. The need for 

the proposed actions is to ensure the BDTRP meets its MMPA mandated 

short- and long-term goals. NMFS will examine a number of management 

measures, including consensus recommendations from the Bottlenose 

Dolphin Take Reduction Team, designed to reduce the incidental 

mortality or serious injury of bottlenose dolphins taken in both the 

Virginia pound net fishery and spiny dogfish fishery in North Carolina 

to below PBR, as well as other updates supporting the objectives of the 

BDTRP.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   09/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Stacey Leah Carlson, Fishery Biologist, Department 

of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 263 13th 

Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 727 824-5312, Fax: 727 

824-5309, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA34



80.  Revision of Hawaiian Monk Seal Critical Habitat



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1533

    Abstract: On July 9, 2008, NMFS received a petition from the Center 

for Biological Diversity, Kahea, and the Ocean Conservancy to revise 

the Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat designation by adding the 

following areas in the main Hawaiian Islands (MHI): Key beach areas, 

sand spits and islets, including all beach crest vegetation to its 

deepest extent inland, lagoon waters, inner reef waters, and ocean 

waters out to a depth of 200 m. In addition, the Petitioners requested 

that designated critical habitat in the NWHI be extended to include 

Sand Island at Midway, as well as ocean waters out to a depth of 500 

meters. On October 3, 2008, NMFS announced in the 90-day finding that 

the petition presented substantial scientific information indicating 

that a revision to the current critical habitat designation may be 

warranted. On June 12, 2009, in the 12-month finding, NMFS announced 

that a revision to critical habitat is warranted, on account of new 

information available regarding habitat use by the Hawaiian monk seal, 

and announced our intention to proceed towards a proposed rule. This 

proposed rule describes the proposed critical habitat designation, 

including supporting information on Hawaiian monk seal biology, 

distribution, and habitat use, and the methods used to develop the 

proposed revision to Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   06/00/11  .......................

Final Action........................   07/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Marta Nammack, Office of Protected Resources, 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 

301 713-1401, Fax: 301 427-2523, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA81



DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)



National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)



Final Rule Stage

National Marine Ffisheries Sservice



81. Amending Regulations for the Pacific Halibut, Sablefish, and 

Pollock Fisheries Conducted Under the Western Alaska Community 

Development Quota (CDQ) Program



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 16 

U.S.C. 3631 et seq.; Pub. L. 108-447

    Abstract: NMFS proposes to amend regulations that govern fisheries 

managed under the Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) 

Program. These revisions are needed to comply with certain changes made 

to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 

(Magnuson-Stevens Act) in 2006. Proposed changes include revising 

regulations associated with recordkeeping, vessel licensing, catch 

retention requirements, and fisheries observer requirements to ensure 

that they are no more restrictive than the regulations in effect for 

comparable non-CDQ fisheries managed under individual fishing quotas or 

cooperative allocations. In addition, NMFS proposes to remove CDQ 

Program regulations that now are inconsistent with the Magnuson-Stevens 

Act, including regulations associated with the CDQ allocation process, 

transfer of groundfish CDQ and halibut prohibited species quota, and 

the oversight of CDQ groups' expenditures.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   07/13/10  75 FR 39892

NPRM Comment Period End.............   08/12/10  .......................

Final Rule..........................   07/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Robert D Mecum, Deputy Acting Administrator, 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 709 W. 9th Street, Room 420, Juneau, AK 99802, Phone: 

907 586-7221, Fax: 907 586-7249, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AV33



82. Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 

Reauthorization Act (MSRA) Environmental Review Procedure



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801

    Abstract: Section 107 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 

and Management Reauthorization Act (MSRA) (Pub.L. 109-479) requires 

NOAA Fisheries to revise and update agency procedures for complying 

with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in context of fishery 

management actions. It further requires that NOAA Fisheries consult 

with the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and the Regional 

Fishery Management Councils (Councils), and involve the public in the 

development of the revised procedures. The MSRA provides that the 

resulting procedures will be the sole environmental impact assessment 

procedure for fishery management actions, and that they must conform to 

the time lines for review and approval of fishery management plans and 

plan amendments. They must also integrate applicable environmental 

analytical procedures, including the time frames for public input, with 

the procedure for the preparation and dissemination of fishery 

management plans, plan amendments and other actions taken or



[[Page 40025]]



approved pursuant to this Act in order to provide for timely, clear and 

concise analysis that is useful to decision makers and the public, 

reduce extraneous paperwork, and effectively involve the public.

    This rule would revise and update the NMFS procedures for complying 

with NEPA in the context of fishery management actions developed 

pursuant to MSRA.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   05/14/08  73 FR 27998

NPRM Comment Period End.............   06/13/08  .......................

Final Action........................   10/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Steve Leathery, Department of Commerce, National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver 

Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 713-2239, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AV53



83. Amendment 4 to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan



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

    Abstract: The goal of Amendment 4 is to improve catch monitoring 

and ensure compliance with the Reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 

Conservation and Management Act (MSRA). The management measures 

developed in this amendment may address one or more of the following 

objectives: (1) To implement measures to improve the long-term 

monitoring of catch (landings and bycatch) in the herring fishery; (2) 

to implement annual catch limits and accountability measures consistent 

with the MSRA; (3) to implement other management measures as necessary 

to ensure compliance with the new provisions of the MSRA; (4) to 

develop a sector allocation process or other limited access privilege 

program for the herring fishery; and (5) in the context of objectives 

1-4 (above), to consider the health of the herring resource and the 

important role of herring as a forage fish and a predator fish 

throughout its range.

    The New England Fishery Management Council will develop 

conservation and management measures to address the issues identified 

above and meet the goals/objectives of the amendment. Any conservation 

and management measures developed in this amendment also must comply 

with all applicable laws.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notice of Intent....................   05/08/08  73 FR 26082

Notice of Availability..............   08/12/10  75 FR 48920

Notice of Availability Comment         10/12/10

 Period End.

NPRM................................   10/18/10  75 FR 63791

NPRM Comment Period End.............   12/02/10

Final Action........................   06/00/11

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, 

Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Way, Gloucester, MA 

01930, Phone: 978 281-9200, Fax: 978 281-9117, E-mail: 

[email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AW75



84. Allowable Modifications to the Turtle Excluder Device Requirements



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.

    Abstract: NMFS proposes to revise the Turtle Excluder Device (TED) 

requirements to allow new materials and modifications to existing 

approved TED designs. Specifically, proposed allowable modifications 

include the use of flat bar, box pipe, and oval pipe for use in 

currently-approved TED grids; an increase in mesh size on escape flaps 

from 1\5/8\ inches to 2 inches; the use of the Boone single straight 

cut and triangular escape openings; specifications on the use of TED 

grid brace bars; and the use of the Chauvin Shrimp Kicker to improve 

shrimp retention.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   09/02/10  75 FR 53925

NPRM Comment Period End.............   10/18/10

Final Action........................   06/00/11

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Michael Barnette, Fishery Biologist, Department of 

Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 263 

Thirteenth Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 727 551-5794, 

Fax: 727 824-5583, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AW93



85. Revoke Inactive Quota Share and Annual Individual Fishing Quota 

From a Holder of Quota Share Under the Pacific Halibut and Sablefish 

Fixed Gear Individual Fishing Quota Program



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 773

    Abstract: This action would amend existing commercial fishing 

regulations for the fixed-gear Pacific Halibut and sablefish individual 

fishing quota program at 50 CFR 679. The amendment would revoke 

inactive quota share unless the quota share permit holder affirmatively 

notices NMFS in writing within 60 days of the agency's preliminary 

determination of inactivity that they choose to (a) retain the inactive 

IFQ quota share, (b) activate the quota share through transfer or by 

fishing, or (c) appeal the preliminary determination. Quota share that 

is not activated through this process and is revoked would be 

proportionally distributed to the quota share pool. This regulatory 

revision is based on the recommendations of the North Pacific Fishery 

Management Council in June 2006 and again in February 2009. Amending 

the regulations would improve the efficiency of the Pacific Halibut and 

Sablefish IFQ program and augment operational flexibility of 

participating fisherman.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   08/23/10  75 FR 51741

NPRM Comment Period End.............   09/22/10

Final Rule..........................   06/00/11

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Robert D Mecum, Deputy Acting Administrator, 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 709 W. 9th Street, Room 420, Juneau, AK 99802, Phone: 

907 586-7221, Fax: 907 586-7249, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AX91



86. Amendment 3 to the Fishery Management Plan for Queen Conch 

Resources of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands Establishing 

Compatible Regulations With U.S. Virgin Islands Territorial Waters



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

    Abstract: At the June 2009 Council meeting, the Caribbean Fishery 

Management Council decided to amend the Fishery Management Plan for 

Queen Conch Resources of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands 

(U.S.V.I.) to establish compatible regulations with U.S.V.I.



[[Page 40026]]



territorial regulations. Currently, fishing for and possession of Queen 

Conch is prohibited in the Exclusive Economic Zone, with the exception 

of an area known as Lang Bank east of St. Croix, which is open to 

harvest of Queen Conch from October 1 through June 30. In U.S.V.I. 

territorial waters, Queen Conch is managed under a 50,000 pound quota. 

This action would implement compatible regulations which will close the 

harvest of Queen Conch in Federal waters, including Lang Bank, once the 

quota has been reached in the U.S.V.I. and the fishery is closed in 

territorial waters.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   01/20/11  76 FR 3596

NPRM Comment Period End.............   02/22/11

Final Action........................   06/00/11

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Roy E Crabtree, Southeast Regional Administrator, 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701, 

Phone: 727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AY03



87. Addendum IV to the Weakfish Interstate Management Plan--Bycatch 

Trip Limit



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 5101

    Abstract: NMFS proposes regulations that would modify management 

restrictions in the Federal weakfish fishery in a manner consistent 

with the Commission's Weakfish Management Board's (Board) approved 

Addendum IV to Amendment 4 to the ISFMP for Weakfish. In short, the 

proposed Federal regulatory change would decrease the incidental catch 

allowance for weakfish in the EEZ in non-directed fisheries using 

smaller mesh sizes, from 150 pounds to no more than 100 pounds per day 

or trip, whichever is longer in duration. In addition it would impose a 

one fish possession limit on recreational fishers.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   05/12/10  75 FR 26703

NPRM Comment Period End.............   06/11/10

NPRM Comment Period Re-Opened.......   06/16/10  75 FR 34092

NPRM Comment Period Re-Opened End...   06/30/10

Final Action........................   06/00/11

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Alan Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable 

Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, Room 13362, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 

20910, Phone: 301 713-2334, Fax: 301 713-0596, E-mail: 

[email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AY41



88. Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 

2011 to 2012 Biennial Specifications and Management Measures; FMP 

Amendment 16-5 and FMP Amendment 23



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

    Abstract: This rule sets the 2011 to 2012 harvest specifications 

and management measures for groundfish taken in the U.S. exclusive 

economic zone off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. 

This rule also implements Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management 

Plan Amendments 16-5 and 23.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notice of Availability..............   10/01/10  75 FR 60709

NPRM................................   11/03/10  75 FR 67810

Notice of Availability Comment         11/30/10

 Period End.

NPRM Comment Period End.............   12/03/10

Final Action........................   07/00/11

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Frank Lockhart, Program Analyst, Department of 

Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 7600 Sand 

Point Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115, Phone: 206 526-6142, Fax: 206 526-

6736, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA01



89. Emergency Rule to Re-Open the Recreational Red Snapper Season in 

the Gulf of Mexico



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

    Abstract: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) 

has requested that NOAA Fisheries Service publish an emergency rule 

that will provide authority to the Regional Administrator to re-open 

the recreational red snapper season after the September 30, 2010, end 

of the fishing season, if it is determined that landings during the 

June 1-July 23 open season did not meet the quota.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   08/16/10  75 FR 49883

NPRM Comment Period End.............   08/31/10

Final Emergency Rule................   09/24/10  75 FR 58335

Final Emergency Rule Extension......   06/00/11

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Roy E Crabtree, Southeast Regional Administrator, 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701, 

Phone: 727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA06



90.  2011 Atlantic Bluefish Specifications



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801

    Abstract: This action will establish 2011 Atlantic bluefish 

specifications, including State-by-State commercial quotas, a 

recreational harvest limit, and recreational possession limits for 

Atlantic bluefish off the east coast of the United States. The action 

also revises the Atlantic bluefish regulations for the specification of 

overall total allowable landings and the target fishing mortality rate 

to more clearly reflect the intent of the Atlantic Bluefish Fishery 

Management Plan.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   01/14/11  76 FR 2640

NPRM Comment Period End.............   01/31/11

Final Action........................   06/00/11

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, 

Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Way, Gloucester, MA 

01930, Phone: 978 281-9200, Fax: 978 281-9117, E-mail: 

[email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA26



91.  Framework Adjustment 45 to the Northeast Multispecies 

Fishery Management Plan



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

    Abstract: The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is 

developing Framework Adjustment 45



[[Page 40027]]



to the Northeast Multispecies FMP to implement measures to update 

status determination criteria for pollock; revise the rebuilding 

program for Georges Bank yellowtail flounder; revise annual catch 

limits for several stocks; implement additional sectors, including 

state-sponsored permit banks; modify a scallop exemption area; revise 

monitoring requirements; and implement a spawning closure area in the 

Gulf of Maine. These measures are expected to continue efforts to 

rebuild overfished stocks, minimize costs to industry, and increase the 

economic efficiency of vessel operations.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   03/03/11  76 FR 11858

NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/18/11

Final Action........................   06/00/11

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, 

Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Way, Gloucester, MA 

01930, Phone: 978 281-9200, Fax: 978 281-9117, E-mail: 

[email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA27



92.  Modification of Regulations Governing the Retention of 

Incidentally-Caught Highly Migratory Species in Atlantic Trawl 

Fisheries



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801

    Abstract: This rule proposes to modify the regulations governing 

Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) to address the retention of 

incidentally-caught North Atlantic swordfish in squid trawl fisheries, 

and the retention of incidentally caught species in the smoothhound 

shark complex (which includes smooth dogfish and Florida smoothhound 

(genus Mustelus)) in all Atlantic trawl fisheries. Trawl gear is not 

authorized in Atlantic HMS fisheries, but an allowance for the 

retention of incidentally-caught swordfish in trawl gears has been 

established to reduce regulatory discards. This rule would consider 

modifying the allowance for incidentally-caught HMS in trawl gears to 

reduce regulatory dead discards, to the extent practicable, by 

converting discards into landings, improve fishery data collection, 

provide additional opportunities for the U.S. swordfish quota to be 

caught, and accommodate traditional fishing methods (i.e., trawls) that 

incidentally capture North Atlantic swordfish and smoothhound shark 

species.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   03/18/11  76 FR 14884

NPRM Comment Period End.............   04/17/11

Final Action........................   06/00/11

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Margo Schulze-Haugen, Supervisory Fish Management 

Officer, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 

301 713-0234, Fax: 301 713-1917, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA45



93.  Implementation of a Recreational Seasonal Closure for 

Greater Amberjack; Regulatory Framework Action to the Fishery 

Management Plan for Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP)



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

    Abstract: To reduce the probability of early in-season closures for 

recreational greater amberjack in the Gulf of Mexico, the rule would 

close the greater amberjack recreational fishing season annually from 

June 1 through July 31. The intended effect of this rule is to maintain 

the rebuilding plan targets for the overfished greater amberjack, 

prevent the annual catch limit from being exceeded, and maximize the 

number of fishing days available to the recreational sector.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   01/24/11  76 FR 4084

NPRM Comment Period End.............   02/23/11

NPRM Reopening Comment Period.......   03/10/11  76 FR 13122

NPRM Reopening Comment Period End...   03/25/11

Final Action........................   06/00/11

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Roy E Crabtree, Southeast Regional Administrator, 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701, 

Phone: 727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA48



94.  Regulatory Amendment 10 to the Fishery Management Plan for 

the Snapper Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region



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

    Abstract: The purpose of the amendment is to reduce the spatial and 

temporal coverage of the regulations proposed in Amendment 17A to the 

Snapper Grouper FMP based on the most recent scientific information 

concerning the red snapper stock in the South Atlantic. The inclusion 

of a sunset provision to eliminate the prohibition to snapper grouper 

species in the closure area is also under consideration.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   02/18/11  76 FR 9530

NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/21/11

Final Action........................   06/00/11

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Roy E Crabtree, Southeast Regional Administrator, 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701, 

Phone: 727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA51



95.  Amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef to 

Set Total Allowable Catch for Red Snapper



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

    Abstract: This action would adjust the commercial and recreational 

quotas of red snapper to 3.66 and 3.525 MP, respectively, consistent 

with the 51:49 ratio for the commercial and recreational allocation of 

red snapper established in Amendment 1 to the FMP. NOAA Fisheries 

Service will provide an estimated projection for the number of days in 

the 2011 recreational fishing season after the 2010 harvest numbers are 

received.

    In addition, NOAA Fisheries Service proposes to make administrative 

adjustments to the reef fish individual fishing quota program via the 

authority in 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. This action would 

revise the definition of ``actual ex-vessel value'' in Sec.  622.2 of 

the regulations. The intent of this revision is to allow NOAA Fisheries 

Service to more accurately analyze the total value of the Gulf red 

snapper and grouper and tilefish fisheries. Similarly, NOAA Fisheries 

Service is proposing to revise regulations at Sec. Sec.  622.16 and 

622.20 to extend the existing 12-hour



[[Page 40028]]



maintenance window with an additional 8 hours to allow for more time to 

conduct end of year maintenance. It also clarifies how fishermen can 

submit an IFQ landing notification during the maintenance window.

    Lastly, NOAA Fisheries Service is proposing to remove an obsolete 

regulation. Regulations implementing Amendment 30B to the FMP, removed 

the February 15 to March 15 seasonal closure of the commercial sector 

of the Gulf reef fish fishery for gag, red grouper, and black grouper. 

However, NOAA Fisheries Service inadvertently did not remove Sec.  

622.45(c)(4) in the final rule for Amendment 30B, which includes the 

prohibition on the sale/purchase of gag, black grouper, or red grouper 

harvested from the Gulf by a vessel with a valid Federal commercial 

permit for Gulf reef fish from February 15 until March 15, each year. 

This action proposes to remove this obsolete paragraph.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   02/22/11  76 FR 9735

NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/24/11  .......................

Final Action........................   06/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Roy E Crabtree, Southeast Regional Administrator, 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701, 

Phone: 727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA54



96. Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Quotas and 

Atlantic Tuna Fisheries Management Measures



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.

    Abstract: This action would modify Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) base 

quotas for all domestic fishing categories; establish BFT quota 

specifications for the 2011 fishing year; reinstate pelagic longline 

target catch requirements for retaining BFT in the Northeast Distant 

Gear Restricted Area (NED); amend the Atlantic tunas possession at sea 

and landing regulations to allow removal of tail lobes; and clarify the 

transfer at sea regulations for Atlantic tunas. This action is 

necessary to implement recommendations of the International Commission 

for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), as required by the 

Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA), and to achieve domestic 

management objectives under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 

and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). NMFS solicits written 

comments and will hold public hearings to receive oral comments on 

these actions.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   03/14/11  76 FR 13583

NPRM--Correction....................   03/21/11  76 FR 15276

NPRM Comment Period End.............   04/14/11  .......................

NPRM Comment Period End--Correction.   04/28/11  .......................

Final Action........................   06/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Margo Schulze-Haugen, Supervisory Fish Management 

Officer, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 

301 713-0234, Fax: 301 713-1917, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA65



97. Framework Adjustment 1 to the Northeast Skate Complex FMP



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

    Abstract: Framework Adjustment 1 to the Skate FMP would adjust the 

possession limits for the skate wing fishery in order to slow the rate 

of skate wing landings, so that the available Total Allowable Landings 

limit (TAL) is taken by the fishery over a longer duration in the 

fishing year than occurred in 2010. The action would also allow vessels 

that process skate wings at sea to land skate carcasses for sale into 

the bait market, without counting the carcass landings against the TAL 

(skate wings are already converted to live weight for monitoring).

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   04/04/11  76 FR 18505

NPRM Comment Period End.............   04/19/11  .......................

Final Action........................   06/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Michael Pentony, Senior Fishery Policy Analyst, 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930, Phone: 978 

281-9283, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA91



98. Protective Regulations for Killer Whales in the Northwest Region 

Under the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1531-1543

    Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is 

considering whether to propose regulations to protect killer whales 

(Orcinus orca) in the Pacific Northwest. The Southern Resident killer 

whale distinct population segment (DPS) was listed as endangered under 

the Endangered Species Act (ESA) on November 18, 2005 (70 FR 69903). In 

the final rule announcing the listing, NMFS identified vessel effects, 

including direct interference and sound, as a potential contributing 

factor in the recent decline of this population. Both the Marine Mammal 

Protection Act (MMPA) and the ESA prohibit take, including harassment, 

of killer whales, but these statutes do not prohibit specified acts. 

NMFS is now considering whether to propose regulations that would 

prohibit certain acts, under our general authorities under the ESA and 

MMPA and their implementing regulations. The Proposed Recovery Plan for 

Southern Resident killer whales (71 FR 69101; November 29, 2006) 

includes as a management action the evaluation of current guidelines 

and the need for regulations and/or protected areas. The scope of this 

ANPRM encompasses the activities of any person or conveyance that may 

result in the unauthorized taking of killer whales and/or that may 

cause detrimental individual-level and population-level impacts. NMFS 

requests comments on whether--and if so, what type of--conservation 

measures, regulations, and, if necessary, other measures would be 

appropriate to protect killer whales from the effects of these 

activities.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANPRM...............................   03/22/07  72 FR 13464

ANPRM Comment Period End............   04/23/07  .......................

NPRM................................   07/29/09  74 FR 37674

NPRM Comment Period Extended........   10/19/09  74 FR 53454

NPRM Comment Period End.............   10/27/09  .......................

NPRM Comment Period End Extended....   01/15/10  .......................

Final Rule..........................   06/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------





[[Page 40029]]



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: James H. Lecky, Director, Office of Protected 

Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 

301 713-2332, Fax: 301 427-2520, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AV15



99. Revision of Critical Habitat Designation for the Endangered 

Leatherback Sea Turtle



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.

    Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service announces a rule to 

revise leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) critical habitat under 

the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The leatherback is 

currently listed as endangered throughout its range, and critical 

habitat consists of Sandy Point Beach and adjacent waters, St. Croix, 

U.S. Virgin Islands. This rule would revise critical habitat to include 

waters along the U.S. West Coast.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   01/05/10  75 FR 319

Notice of Public Hearings...........   02/01/10  75 FR 5015

NPRM Comment Period Extension.......   02/19/10  75 FR 7434

NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/08/10  .......................

NPRM Comment Period Extension End...   04/19/10  .......................

Final Action........................   06/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Sara McNulty, Ecologist, Department of Commerce, 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West 

Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 713-2322, Fax: 301 713-

4060, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AX06



100. Critical Habitat Designation for Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Under the 

Endangered Species Act



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.

    Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) listed the 

Cook Inlet beluga whale Distinct Population Segment as endangered under 

the Endangered Species Act on October 17, 2009. NMFS is required to 

designate critical habitat no later than one year after the publication 

of a listing. NMFS intends to publish a proposed rule by October 17, 

2009.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANPRM...............................   04/14/09  74 FR 17131

ANPRM Comment Period End............   05/14/09  .......................

NPRM................................   12/02/09  74 FR 63080

NPRM Comment Period Extended........   01/12/10  75 FR 1582

NPRM Comment Period End.............   02/01/10  .......................

Final Action........................   06/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Marta Nammack, Office of Protected Resources, 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 

301 713-1401, Fax: 301 427-2523, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AX50



101. Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; 

Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Training Operations Conducted 

Within the Gulf of Mexico Range Complex



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.

    Abstract: NMFS has received requests from the U.S. Navy (Navy) for 

authorizations for the take of marine mammals incidental to training 

and operational activities conducted by the Navy's Atlantic Fleet 

within Gulf of Mexico (GOMEX) Range Complex for the period beginning 

December 3, 2009, and ending December 2, 2014. Pursuant to the 

implementing regulations of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), 

NMFS is proposing regulations to govern that take and requesting 

information, suggestions, and comments on these proposed regulations.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   07/14/09  74 FR 33960

NPRM Comment Period End.............   08/13/09  .......................

Final Action........................   06/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: James H. Lecky, Director, Office of Protected 

Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 

301 713-2332, Fax: 301 427-2520, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AX86



102.  Endangered and Threatened Species, Designation of 

Critical Habitat for Southern Distinct Population Segment of Eulachon



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1533

    Abstract: We, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), propose 

to designate critical habitat for the southern Distinct Population 

Segment (DPS) of Pacific eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus), which was 

recently listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). 

We have proposed 12 specific areas for designation as critical habitat 

within the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. The proposed 

areas are a combination of freshwater creeks and rivers and their 

associated estuaries which comprise approximately 470 km (292 mi) of 

habitat. Three particular areas are proposed for exclusion after 

evaluating the impacts and benefits associated with tribal land 

ownership and management by Indian tribes, but no areas are proposed 

for exclusion based on economic impacts.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   01/05/11  76 FR 515

NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/07/11  .......................

Final Action........................   06/00/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Marta Nammack, Office of Protected Resources, 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 

301 713-1401, Fax: 301 427-2523, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA38



DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)



National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)



Long-Term Actions

National Marine Fisheries Service



103. Fishery Management Plan for Regulating Offshore Marine Aquaculture 

in the Gulf of Mexico



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

    Abstract: The purpose of this fishery management plan (FMP) is to 

develop a regional permitting process for regulating and promoting 

environmentally sound and economically sustainable aquaculture in the 

Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) exclusive



[[Page 40030]]



economic zone. This FMP consists of ten actions, each with an 

associated range of management alternatives, which would facilitate the 

permitting of an estimated 5 to 20 offshore aquaculture operations in 

the Gulf over the next 10 years, with an estimated annual production of 

up to 64 million pounds. By establishing a regional permitting process 

for aquaculture, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will be 

positioned to achieve their primary goal of increasing maximum 

sustainable yield and optimum yield of federal fisheries in the Gulf by 

supplementing harvest of wild caught species with cultured product.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notice of Availability..............   06/04/09  74 FR 26829

NOA Comment Period End..............   08/03/09  .......................

                                     -----------------------------------

NPRM................................           To Be Determined

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Roy E Crabtree, Phone: 727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-

5308, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AS65



104.  Amendment 21 to the Snapper-Grouper Fishery Management 

Plan of the South Atlantic Region



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

    Abstract: Amendment 21 examines measures to limit participation in 

the snapper grouper fishery including endorsements, trip limits, and 

catch share programs.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   06/00/12  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Roy E Crabtree, Southeast Regional Administrator, 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701, 

Phone: 727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA59



105. Permits for Capture, Transport, Import, and Export of Protected 

Species for Public Display, and for Maintaining a Captive Marine Mammal 

Inventory



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1372(c)

    Abstract: This rule will revise and simplify criteria and 

procedures specific to permits for taking, transporting, importing, and 

exporting protected species for public display, and provide convenient 

formats for reporting marine mammal captive holdings and transports as 

required by amendments made in 1994 to the Marine Mammal Protection 

Act.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   07/03/01  66 FR 35209

NPRM Comment Period Extended........   08/22/01  66 FR 44109

NPRM Comment Period End.............   09/04/01

NPRM Comment Period Extended........   11/02/01

                                     -----------------------------------

Final Action........................           To Be Determined

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Michael Payne, Phone: 907 586-7235, Fax: 301 713-

2521, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AH26



DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)



National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)



Completed Actions



106. Maximize Retention and Monitoring Program in the Shore-Based 

Pacific Whiting Fishery



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

    Abstract: The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) 

at their October 21-25, 1996, meeting in San Francisco, California, 

addressed the treatment and disposition of salmon in the groundfish 

trawl fisheries, specifically the shore-based whiting fishery. At that 

meeting, the Pacific Council discussed the retention of salmon in the 

shore-based whiting fishery and took action to maintain a viable shore-

based whiting fishery by using exempted fishing permits (EFPs). These 

EFPs allowed the shore-based whiting fleet to temporarily deliver 

unsorted catch to processing plants and provided for the monitoring of 

incidentally taken salmon until a permanent monitoring program could be 

implemented. In keeping with the Pacific Council's recommendation, NMFS 

is proceeding with implementing a monitoring program for the shore-

based whiting fishery. This action will aid in the sustainable 

management of Pacific Coast salmon and groundfish fisheries while 

providing an important economic opportunity to those associated with 

the harvest, processing, and selling of whiting taken by the shore-

based whiting fleet. The need for implementing a permanent monitoring 

program in the shore-based Pacific whiting fishery is to provide for a 

full retention fishery by enabling the shore-based whiting fleet, 

comprised exclusively of catcher vessels, to deliver unsorted catch to 

processing plants. This practice is necessary to ensure that whiting 

landings are of market quality, while abiding by Federal groundfish 

regulations and those implementing the Pacific Coast salmon and 

groundfish fishery management plans (FMPs).

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Withdrawn...........................   02/07/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: D. Robert Lohn, Regional Administrator, Northwest 

Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Building 1, Seattle, WA 48115-

0070, Phone: 206 526-6150, Fax: 206 526-6426, E-mail: 

[email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AR63



107. Certification of Nations Whose Fishing Vessels Are Engaged in IUU 

Fishing or Bycatch of Protected Living Marine Resources



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1826(d) 

to1826(k)

    Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is 

establishing a process of identification and certification to address 

illegal, unreported, or unregulated (IUU) activities and bycatch of 

protected species in international fisheries. Nations whose fishing 

vessels engage, or have been engaged, in IUU fishing or bycatch of 

protected living marine resources would be identified in a biennial 

report to Congress, as required under section 403 of the Magnuson-

Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act (MSRA) 

of 2006 which amended the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium 

Protection Act. Under the final regulations, NMFS would subsequently 

certify whether identified nations have taken appropriate corrective 

action with respect to the activities of its fishing vessels.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANPRM...............................   06/11/07  72 FR 33436

NPRM................................   01/14/09  74 FR 2019



[[Page 40031]]



 

NPRM Comment Period End.............   05/14/09  .......................

Final Action........................   01/12/11  76 FR 2011

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Christopher Rogers, Division Chief, Department of 

Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-

West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 713-9090, Fax: 301 

713-9106, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AV51



108. Revise Regulations Governing the North Pacific Groundfish Observer 

Program



    Legal Authority: 118 Stat 110; 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 

1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 3631 et seq.; Pub. L. 108-199

    Abstract: This rulemaking revises Federal regulations relevant to 

numerous administrative and procedural requirements applicable to 

observer providers, observers, and industry participating in the North 

Pacific Groundfish Observer Program. Specifically, this action: 

Modifies the current permit issuance process so that observer and 

observer provider permit issuance is a discretionary National Marine 

Fisheries Service (NMFS) decision; amends current Federal regulations 

addressing observer behavior involving drugs, alcohol, and physical 

sexual conduct to remove NMFS oversight of observer behavior that does 

not affect job performance; requires that observer providers submit 

policies related to these activities and continue to notify NMFS upon 

learning of an incident; revises Federal regulations so that observer 

providers are allowed to provide observers or technical staff for 

purposes of exempted fishing permits, scientific research permits, or 

other scientific research activities; revises the definition of 

``fishing day'' in Federal regulations; requires observer providers to 

annually submit detailed economic information to NMFS; specifies a date 

by which observers who have collected data in the previous fishing year 

would be required to be available for debriefing; and implements 

housekeeping issues related to errors or clarifications in existing 

regulations at 50 CFR 679.50.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   09/30/09  74 FR 50155

NPRM Comment Period End.............   10/31/09  .......................

Final Action........................   11/10/10  75 FR 69016

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Robert D Mecum, Deputy Acting Administrator, 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 709 W. 9th Street, Room 420, Juneau, AK 99802, Phone: 

907 586-7221, Fax: 907 586-7249, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AW24



109. Regulatory Amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef 

Fish Fishery of Puerto Rico Modifying the Bajo De Sico Seasonal Closure



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801

    Abstract: This rule modifies the seasonal closure of Bajo de Sico, 

an area off the west coast of Puerto Rico that has been identified as 

critically important habitat for commercially exploited snappers and 

groupers. Current regulations prohibit all fishing activities, 

including for Highly Migratory Species (HMS), from December 1 through 

the end of February each year, as well as impose a year-round 

prohibition of bottom tending gear (i.e., traps, pots, gillnets, 

trammel nets, and bottom longlines). This action prohibits fishing for 

and possession of council managed reef fish species from October 1 

through March 31. Queen Conch and coral reef resources are already 

prohibited year-round and will not be affected by this rule. 

Restrictions on bottom-tending gear will also not be affected by this 

rule. A year-round prohibition of anchoring within Bajo de Sico will 

also be implemented through this rule to provide further protection of 

established essential fish habitat.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   07/28/10  75 FR 44209

NPRM Comment Period End.............   08/27/10  .......................

Final Action........................   11/02/10  75 FR 67247

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Roy E Crabtree, Southeast Regional Administrator, 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701, 

Phone: 727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AY05



110. Amendment 17A to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper 

Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801

    Abstract: The most recent red snapper stock assessment, completed 

February 2008, determined the species was undergoing overfishing and 

was overfished. Biomass shows a sharp decline during the 1950s and 

1960s, continued decline during the 1970s, and stable but low levels 

since 1980. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) is 

required by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 

Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) to implement rebuilding plans for overfished 

species. Therefore, Amendment 17A is being developed to establish a 

rebuilding plan and updated management reference points for red snapper 

in the South Atlantic. Additionally, revisions to the Magnuson-Stevens 

Act in 2006 require that by 2010, Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) for 

fisheries determined by the Secretary to be subject to overfishing 

establish a mechanism for specifying Annual Catch Limits (ACLs) at a 

level that prevents overfishing and does not exceed the recommendations 

of the respective Councils Scientific and Statistical Committee or 

other established peer review processes. These FMPs are also required 

to establish within this timeframe measures to ensure accountability. 

To comply with this Magnuson-Stevens Act requirement, Amendment 17A 

would establish an ACL and accountability measures for red snapper, and 

implement management measures to ensure harvest does not exceed the 

ACL.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notice of Availability..............   07/29/10  75 FR 44753

NPRM................................   08/13/10  75 FR 49447

Notice of Availability Comment         09/27/10  .......................

 Period End.

NPRM Comment Period End.............   09/27/10  .......................

Final Action--Correction............   03/09/11  76 FR 12883

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Roy E Crabtree, Southeast Regional Administrator, 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701, 

Phone: 727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AY10



[[Page 40032]]



111. Amendment 17B to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper 

Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801

    Abstract: Revisions to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 

and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) in 2006 require that by 2010, 

Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) for fisheries determined by the 

Secretary to be subject to overfishing establish a mechanism for 

specifying Annual Catch Limits (ACLs) at a level that prevents 

overfishing and does not exceed the recommendations of the respective 

Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee or other established 

peer review processes. These FMPs are also required to establish within 

this timeframe measures to ensure accountability. To comply with this 

Magnuson-Stevens Act requirement Amendment 17B would: (1) Establish 

ACLs and accountability measures for snowy grouper, speckled hind, 

Warsaw grouper, black grouper, red grouper, golden tilefish, black sea 

bass, gag, and vermilion snapper; (2) implement management measures to 

ensure harvest of these snapper-grouper species does not exceed the 

ACLs; (3) specify allocations for golden tilefish; and (4) modify the 

current snapper-grouper framework procedure to include ACLs, AMs, and 

annual catch targets.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notice of Availability..............   09/22/10  75 FR 57734

NPRM................................   10/12/10  75 FR 62488

Notice of Availability Comment         11/22/10  .......................

 Period End.

NPRM Comment Period End.............   11/26/10  .......................

Final Rule..........................   12/30/10  75 FR 82280

Correcting Amendment................   03/08/11  76 FR 12605

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Roy E Crabtree, Southeast Regional Administrator, 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701, 

Phone: 727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AY11



112. Maximized Retention Monitoring Program for Catcher Vessels in the 

Pacific Whiting Mothership Fishery in the Pacific Coast Groundfish 

Fishery



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801

    Abstract: The action would implement a monitoring program for 

catcher vessels in the mothership sector of the Pacific whiting fishery 

off the coast of Washington, Oregon, and California. The monitoring 

program would consist of a camera and other sensors to monitor fishing 

activity in order to maintain the integrity of the maximized retention 

requirements found at 50 CFR 660.306(f)(7). Maximized retention 

encourages full retention of all catch while allowing minor discard 

events to occur. This ensures that unsorted catch is available for 

observers to monitor on board the mothership processors and thereby 

maintains the integrity of data collected under the observer program.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Withdrawn...........................   02/07/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Frank Lockhart, Program Analyst, Department of 

Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 7600 Sand 

Point Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115, Phone: 206 526-6142, Fax: 206 526-

6736, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AY17



113. Regulatory Amendment To Revise Charter Halibut Logbook Submission 

Requirements



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 2431 et seq.; 31 U.S.C. 9701 et seq.

    Abstract: The rule clarifies and revises the charter halibut 

logbook submission requirements at 50 CFR part 300 to better match the 

submission schedule and reporting format of the Alaska Department of 

Fish and Game saltwater charter logbook.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   04/27/10  75 FR 22070

NPRM Comment Period End.............   05/12/10  .......................

Final Rule..........................   02/07/11  76 FR 6567

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Robert D Mecum, Deputy Acting Administrator, 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 709 W. 9th Street, Room 420, Juneau, AK 99802, Phone: 

907 586-7221, Fax: 907 586-7249, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AY38



114. Vessel Capacity Limits in the Purse Seine Fishery in the Eastern 

Pacific Ocean



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 951 to 961

    Abstract: NMFS is proposing regulations under authority of the Tuna 

Conventions Act of 1950 to revise the vessel capacity limit in the 

purse seine fishery operating in the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) so it 

is consistent with the amount authorized by the Inter-American Tropical 

Tuna Commission (IATTC) under IATTC Resolution C-02-03. For the United 

States, a vessel capacity limit of 31,775 cubic meters, or 27,147 

metric tons (mt), would be established per Resolution C-02-03. 

Currently, the U.S. fleet capacity limit is 8,969 mt, or 10,498 cubic 

meters. This revision would ensure that the United States is satisfying 

its obligations as a member of the IATTC and not exceeding its allotted 

capacity in the fishery, and that the U.S. industry is not being 

unreasonably burdened if U.S. participation in the fishery in the EPO 

increased in the future. While an increase in U.S. participation in 

this fishery would not be anticipated since currently only two purse 

seine vessels are on the IATTC Vessel Register, and when excess U.S. 

capacity has been available in the past there has not been a surge to 

use this capacity by outside vessels, there is a potential for an 

increase in fishing effort and resultant fishing mortality to target 

(i.e., yellowfin, skipjack, and bigeye tunas) and non-target species in 

the purse seine fishery operating in the EPO. In addition, there is 

also the potential for insignificant, positive socioeconomic impacts if 

the proposed action led to an increase in catch and revenue for 

fishermen participating in the fishery.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   09/03/10  75 FR 54078

NPRM Comment Period End.............   10/04/10  .......................

Final Action........................   01/04/11  76 FR 283

Final Action Effective..............   02/03/11  .......................

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Heidi Hermsmeyer, IATTC Coordinator, Department of 

Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 501 West 

Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90802, Phone: 562 980-4036, Fax: 562 

980-4047, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AY75



[[Page 40033]]



115. 2011 Specifications for the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and 

Butterfish Fishery



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

    Abstract: NMFS proposes specifications for the 2011 fishing year 

for Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish (MSB). Regulations 

governing these fisheries require NMFS to publish proposed 

specifications for the upcoming fishing year and to provide an 

opportunity for public comment. The intent of this action is to fulfill 

this requirement and to promote the development and conservation of the 

MSB resources.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   11/17/10  75 FR 70187

NPRM Comment Period End.............   12/17/10  .......................

Final Action........................   02/14/11  76 FR 8306

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, 

Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Way, Gloucester, MA 

01930, Phone: 978 281-9200, Fax: 978 281-9117, E-mail: 

[email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA03



116. Regulatory Amendment to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan to 

Set Total Allowable Catch for Red Grouper



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

    Abstract: The 2009 update stock assessment of the red grouper stock 

indicated that although the stock continues to be neither overfished or 

undergoing overfishing, the stock has declined since 2005. This decline 

was attributed to a 2005 episodic mortality event resulting in a little 

over 20 percent mortalities. Therefore, there is a need to improve the 

stock condition to a level where, at equilibrium, the stock can be 

harvested at optimum yield (OY). In addition, there is a need to 

implement rulemaking resulting from this amendment prior to January 1, 

2011. This is so the 2011 commercial red grouper quota can be set and 

allow individual fishing quota (IFQ) shares to be adjusted to reflect 

any change in the total allowable catch (TAC). The purpose of this 

regulatory amendment is to adjust TAC and the resulting commercial 

quota consistent with the goals and objectives of the Council's reef 

fish management strategy and achieve the mandates of the Magnuson-

Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   10/18/10  75 FR 63780

NPRM Comment Period End.............   11/02/10

Final Action........................   12/01/10  75 FR 74656

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Roy E Crabtree, Southeast Regional Administrator, 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701, 

Phone: 727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA04



117. Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Catch Sharing Plan



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.

    Abstract: NMFS proposes to approve and implement changes to the 

Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan (Plan) for the International Pacific 

Halibut Commission's (IPHC) regulatory Area 2A off Washington, Oregon, 

and California (Area 2A). NMFS proposes to implement the portions of 

the Plan and management measures that are not implemented through the 

IPHC, which includes the sport fishery management measures for Area 2A. 

These actions are intended to enhance the conservation of Pacific 

halibut, to protect yelloweye rockfish and other overfished groundfish 

species from incidental catch in the halibut fisheries, and to provide 

greater angler opportunity where available.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   01/18/11  76 FR 2871

NPRM Comment Period End.............   02/02/11

Final Action........................   03/16/11  76 FR 14300

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Sarah Joy McAvinchey, Fishery Biologist, Department 

of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 7600 Sand 

Point Way NE., Building 1, Seattle, WA 98115, Phone: 206 526-4323, Fax: 

206 526-6736.

    RIN: 0648-BA25



118.  Bluefin Tuna Bycatch Reduction in the Gulf of Mexico 

Pelagic Longline Fishery



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801

    Abstract: This rule will consider requiring the use of weak hooks 

by pelagic longline (PLL) vessels fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. The 

dual intent of this rule is to provide a new gear technology for PLL 

vessels to continue routine fishing operations in the Gulf of Mexico on 

directed fisheries such as yellowfin tuna while increasing the live 

release of incidentally caught Atlantic bluefin tuna to further stock 

recovery of this historically overfished species.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   01/13/11  76 FR 2313

NPRM Comment Period End.............   02/12/11

Final Action........................   04/05/11  76 FR 18653

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Margo Schulze-Haugen, Supervisory Fish Management 

Officer, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 

301 713-0234, Fax: 301 713-1917, E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-BA39



119. Take and Import Marine Mammals: Proposed Rule for Take of Marine 

Mammals Incidental to Routine Operations of 13 Power Generating 

Stations in Central and Southern California



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.

    Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to 

govern the take of marine mammals by Level A harassment (injury) and 

mortality from 13 power generating stations located on the coast of 

central and southern California incidental to routine power plant 

operations for a period of five years, under the authority of section 

101(a)(5)(A) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Under that authority 

NMFS also must prescribe mitigation, monitoring, and reporting 

requirements in connection with take authorizations.

    Incidental takings of marine mammals, including California sea 

lions, harbor seals, and northern elephant seals can and do occur as a 

result of the operation of circulating water systems (CWS) by the 

electrical power generation plants located on the coast of central and 

southern California described in the incidental take authorization 

applications. These CWS are an integral part of these power stations 

that provide continuous cooling water necessary for power generation 

and safety of the facility. The typical location of entrainment occurs 

as water is taken into the plant via submerged structures or canals. 

Intake velocities



[[Page 40034]]



may be strong enough to pull live animals into the plant, particularly 

if they are actively seeking prey in the vicinity of intake structures. 

Confinement within intake plumbing could lead to confusion and panic, 

especially for young, immature animals. If the animal is unable to 

escape, it could (1) drown or become fatally injured in transit between 

intake and large sedimentation basins within the plants known as 

forebays; (2) survive the transit and succumb in the forebay due to 

exhaustion, illness, or disease; or (3) survive the transit and be 

rescued by plant personnel using cages specially designed for such an 

activity. It is also likely that previously dead animals may end up 

entrained as well.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Withdrawn...........................   02/24/11

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Dr. Michael Payne, Fishery Biologist, Department of 

Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, P.O. Box 

21668, Juneau, AK 99802, Phone: 907 586-7235, Fax: 301 713-2521, E-

mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AW59



120. Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; U.S. Naval Surface Warfare 

Center Panama City Division Mission Activities



    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.

    Abstract: On April 3, 2008, the National Marine Fisheries Service 

(NMFS) received an application from the Navy requesting an 

authorization for the take of 15 species/stocks of cetacean incidental 

to the proposed mission activities in the Naval Surface Warfare Center 

Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) study area over the course of five 

years. These mission activities are classified as military readiness 

activities. The purpose of the proposed mission activities is to 

enhance NSWC PCD's capability and capacity to meet littoral and 

expeditionary warfare requirements by providing Research, Development, 

Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) and in service engineering for 

expeditionary maneuver warfare, operations in extreme environments, 

mine warfare, maritime operations, and coastal operations. The Navy 

states that these training activities may cause various impacts to 

marine mammal species in the NSWC PCD study area. The Navy requests an 

authorization to take individuals of these cetacean species by Level B 

Harassment. Further, the Navy requests an authorization to take 1 

individual each of bottlenose, Atlantic spotted, and pantropical 

spotted dolphins per year by injury, as a result of the proposed 

mission activities.

    NMFS is issuing a proposed rule to govern the take of these marine 

mammals by Level B harassment (behavior) and Level A harassment 

(injury) incidental to the aforementioned mission activities in the 

Naval NSWC PCD study area for a period of five years, under the 

authority of section 101(a)(5)(A) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. 

Under that authority NMFS also must prescribe mitigation, monitoring, 

and reporting requirements in connection with take authorizations.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   04/30/09  74 FR 20156

NPRM Comment Period End.............   06/01/09

Final Action........................   01/21/10  75 FR 3395

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Dr. Michael Payne, Fishery Biologist, Department of 

Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, P.O. Box 

21668, Juneau, AK 99802, Phone: 907 586-7235, Fax: 301 713-2521, E-

mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0648-AW80



DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)



Patent and Trademark Office (PTO)



Proposed Rule Stage



121. Revision of USPTO Fees for Fiscal Year 2011



    Legal Authority: 35 U.S.C. 41, 119, 120, 132(b) and 376; Pub. L. 

109-383; Pub. L. 110-116; Pub. L. 110-137; Pub. L. 110-149; Pub. L. 

110-161; Pub. L. 110-5; Pub. L. 110-92

    Abstract: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) 

takes this action to adjust certain patent and trademark fee amounts 

set in the aggregate to recover the estimated cost to the USPTO for 

processing activities and services and materials relating to patents 

and trademarks, respectively, including proportionate shares of the 

administrative costs of the USPTO.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   06/00/11

NPRM Comment Period End.............   07/00/11

Final Action........................   07/00/11

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Walter Schlueter, Budget Analyst--Fees and 

Forecasting, Department of Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. 

Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313, Phone: 571 272-6299, Fax: 571 273-6299, 

E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0651-AC43



122. Revision of USPTO Fees for Fiscal Year 2012



    Legal Authority: 35 U.S.C. 119; Pub. L. 109-383; Pub. L. 110-116; 

Pub. L. 110-137; Pub. L. 110-149; Pub. L. 110-161; Pub. L. 110-5; Pub. 

L. 110-92; 35 U.S.C. 376; 35 U.S.C. 120; 35 U.S.C. 41; 35 U.S.C. 132(b)

    Abstract: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) 

takes this action to adjust certain patent fee amounts for fiscal year 

2012 to reflect fluctuations in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban 

Consumers (CPI-U). The patent statute provides for the annual CPI-U 

adjustment of patent fees set by statute to recover the higher costs 

associated with doing business.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NPRM................................   06/00/11

NPRM Comment Period End.............   07/00/11

Final Action........................   07/00/11

Final Action Effective..............   10/00/11

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Walter Schlueter, Budget Analyst--Fees and 

Forecasting, Department of Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. 

Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313, Phone: 571 272-6299, Fax: 571 273-6299, 

E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0651-AC44



DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)



Patent and Trademark Office (PTO)



Final Rule Stage



123. Interim Increase on Patent Fees for Fiscal Year 2011



    Legal Authority: Pub. L. 110-137; Pub. L. 110-149; Pub. L. 110-161; 

Pub. L. 110-5; Pub. L. 110-92; 35 U.S.C. 376; 35 U.S.C. 132(b); 35 

U.S.C. 120; 35 U.S.C. 119; 35 U.S.C. 41; Pub. L. 109-383; Pub. L. 110-

116



[[Page 40035]]



    Abstract: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is 

proposing an interim increase on certain patent fees to fund the 

requirements for putting the USPTO on a sustainable path to fund agency 

operations, reduce patent inventory and pendency, and invest in 

information technology.

    Timetable:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Action                    Date            FR Cite

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Final Action........................   06/00/11

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Walter Schlueter, Budget Analyst--Fees and 

Forecasting, Department of Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. 

Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313, Phone: 571 272-6299, Fax: 571 273-6299, 

E-mail: [email protected].

    RIN: 0651-AC42



[FR Doc. 2011-15475 Filed 7-6-11; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-12-P