[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 226 (Friday, November 22, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 70016]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-28103]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC994


Fishing Capacity Reduction Program for the Pacific Coast 
Groundfish Fishery

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

ACTION: Notice of loan repayment.

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SUMMARY: NMFS issues this notice to inform interested parties that the 
Washington pink shrimp sub-loan in the fishing capacity reduction 
program for the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery has been repaid. 
Therefore, buyback fee collections on Washington pink shrimp will cease 
for all landings after October 31, 2013.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before 5 p.m. EST December 9, 
2013.

ADDRESSES: Send comments about this notice to Paul Marx, Chief, 
Financial Services Division, NMFS, Attn: Washington Pink Shrimp 
Buyback, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (see FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael A. Sturtevant at (301) 427-
8799 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 16, 2004, NMFS published a 
Federal Register document (69 FR 67100) proposing regulations to 
implement an industry fee system for repaying the reduction loan. The 
final rule was published July 13, 2005 (70 FR 40225) and fee collection 
began on September 8, 2005. Interested persons should review these for 
further program details.
    The Washington pink shrimp sub-loan of the Pacific Coast Groundfish 
Capacity Reduction (Buyback) loan in the amount of $259,399.63 will be 
repaid in full upon receipt of buyback fees on landings through October 
31, 2013. NMFS has received $402,528.12 to repay the principal and 
interest on this sub-loan since fee collection began September 8, 2005. 
Buyback fees in the Washington pink shrimp fishery increased rapidly in 
the 2012 and 2013 seasons which reduced the balance on the loan in a 
short period of time resulting in early loan repayment. Therefore, 
these buyback loan fees will no longer be collected in the Washington 
pink shrimp fishery.
    Based on buyback fees received to date, landings after October 31, 
2013 will not be subject to the buyback fee. Buyback fees not yet 
forwarded to NMFS for Washington pink shrimp landings through October 
31, 2013 should be forwarded to NMFS immediately. Any overpayment of 
buyback fees submitted to NMFS will be refunded on a pro-rata basis to 
the fish buyers/processors based upon best available fish ticket 
landings data. The fish buyers/processors should return excess buyback 
fees collected to the harvesters, including buyback fees collected but 
not yet remitted to NMFS for landings after October 31, 2013. Any 
discrepancies in fees owed and fees paid must be resolved immediately. 
After the sub-loan is closed, no further adjustments to fees paid and 
fees received can be made. Fish dealers whose fees for 2013 were not 
yet due as they have accumulated less than $100 in fees should forward 
their fees at this time for landings through October 31, 2013.

    Dated: November 18, 2013.
Donna Rivelli,
Acting Director, Office of Management and Budget, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-28103 Filed 11-21-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P