[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 190 (Thursday, October 1, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59037-59049]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24853]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

15 CFR Part 902

50 CFR Part 300

[Docket No. 150122068-5868-02]
RIN 0648-BE84


International Fisheries; Western and Central Pacific Fisheries 
for Highly Migratory Species; Fishing Effort and Catch Limits and Other 
Restrictions and Requirements

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

ACTION: Final rule; final specifications.

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SUMMARY: NMFS issues a final rule and final specifications under 
authority of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention 
Implementation Act (WCPFC Implementation Act). The final rule 
establishes a framework under which NMFS will specify limits on fishing 
effort and catches, as well as spatial and temporal restrictions on 
particular fishing activities and other requirements, in U.S. fisheries 
for highly migratory fish species in the western and central Pacific 
Ocean (WCPO). NMFS will issue the specifications as may be necessary to 
implement conservation and management measures adopted by the 
Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish 
Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (Commission or WCPFC). 
The final rule also requires that certain U.S. fishing vessels 
operating in the WCPO obtain ``IMO numbers.'' The final rule also 
includes changes to regulations regarding tuna catch retention 
requirements for purse seine vessels, requirements to install and carry 
vessel monitoring system (VMS) units, daily reporting requirements, and 
other changes that are administrative in nature.
    Using the regulatory framework described above, NMFS also issues 
final specifications for 2015 that restrict the use of fish aggregating 
devices (FADs) by purse seine vessels.
    These actions are necessary to satisfy the obligations of the 
United States under the Convention on the Conservation and Management 
of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific 
Ocean (Convention), to which it is a Contracting Party.

DATES: Effective November 30, 2015, except for the amendments to 
Sec. Sec.  300.222(xx) and 300.227, and the final specifications for 
2015, which shall be effective October 1, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Copies of supporting documents prepared for this final rule, 
including the proposed rule, the regulatory impact review (RIR), and 
the programmatic environmental assessment (PEA), are available via the 
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal, at www.regulations.gov (search for Docket 
ID NOAA-NMFS-2015-0072). Those documents are also available from NMFS 
at the following address: Michael D. Tosatto, Regional Administrator, 
NMFS, Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO), 1845 Wasp Blvd., Building 
176, Honolulu, HI 96818.
    A final regulatory flexibility analysis (FRFA) prepared under 
authority of the Regulatory Flexibility Act is included in the 
Classification section of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this 
document.
    Written comments regarding the burden-hour estimates or other 
aspects of the collection-of-information requirements contained in this 
final rule may be submitted to Michael D. Tosatto, Regional 
Administrator, NMFS PIRO (see address above) and by email to 
[email protected] or fax to 202-395-7285.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Graham, NMFS PIRO, 808-725-5032.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On July 23, 2015, NMFS published a proposed rule and proposed 
specifications in the Federal Register (80 FR 43694) to revise 
regulations at 50 CFR part 300, subpart O, and to specify limits for 
2015, to implement decisions of the Commission. The proposed rule and 
proposed specifications were open for public comment through August 7, 
2015.
    This final rule and final specifications are issued under the 
authority of the WCPFC Implementation Act (16 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.), 
which authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the 
Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Department in which the 
United States Coast Guard is operating (currently the Department of 
Homeland Security), to promulgate such regulations as may be necessary 
to carry out the obligations of the United States under the Convention, 
including the decisions of the Commission. The Secretary of Commerce 
may, in certain cases, promulgate such regulations in accordance with 
the procedures established by the Magnuson-Stevens

[[Page 59038]]

Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; MSA), 
but that is not being done in this case. The authority to promulgate 
regulations under the WCPFC Implementation Act has been delegated to 
NMFS.
    The regulations established in this final rule are described below 
under ``New Regulations'' and the final specifications are described 
below under ``Final Specifications for 2015.'' The preamble to the 
proposed rule and proposed specifications includes detailed background 
information, including information on the Convention and the 
Commission, the decisions of the Commission that are being implemented, 
and the bases for the proposed rule and specifications, which are not 
repeated here.
    Participants in the Commission include Members, Participating 
Territories, and Cooperating Non-Members. The United States is a 
Member. American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
Islands (CNMI), and Guam are Participating Territories. In this 
document, the term ``member'' is used to refer to all such participants 
generally.

New Regulations

    This final rule includes several elements, described in detail 
below under three categories, that will be included in the regulations 
at 50 CFR 300, Subpart O. The first establishes a framework to 
implement Commission decisions, the second requires that certain 
fishing vessels be issued International Maritime Organization (IMO) 
numbers, and the third makes changes to several existing regulations to 
implement Commission decisions, some of which are administrative in 
nature.

1. Framework To Implement Commission Decisions

    This final rule establishes a framework under which NMFS will 
specify fishing effort limits, catch limits, and other restrictions and 
requirements in U.S. fisheries for highly migratory species (HMS) in 
the Convention Area as may be necessary to implement particular 
decisions of the Commission. The framework will be used to implement 
only those Commission decisions that are amenable to the framework 
process, such as quantitative fishing effort limits and catch limits, 
and spatial and/or temporal restrictions on specific fishing 
activities. NMFS may implement Commission decisions through regulations 
outside the framework process, as in the past. For the purpose of 
describing the framework, all such restrictions and requirements are 
called ``limits.''
    NMFS also notes that under the WCPFC Implementation Act, in cases 
where there is discretion in the implementation of one or more measures 
adopted by the Commission that would govern fisheries under authority 
of a Regional Fishery Management Council, NMFS may, to the extent 
practicable within the implementation schedule of the Convention and 
any recommendations and decisions adopted by the Commission, promulgate 
such regulations in accordance with the procedures established by the 
MSA.
    Purpose of framework: The purpose of a framework is to make it 
possible to manage fisheries more responsively under conditions 
requiring ``real time'' management. Such conditions exist in the 
context of the Convention because the Commission makes decisions that 
must be implemented by its members quickly--often within 60 days of the 
decision. The framework will allow NMFS to implement Commission 
decisions more rapidly than it would be able to without such a 
framework. The framework, to be codified at 50 CFR part 300, subpart O, 
contains the parameters within which NMFS can take specific actions, 
including the types of actions it could take, as well as the procedures 
for doing so. Limits implemented by NMFS under the framework, called 
``specifications,'' will be announced in the Federal Register. Except 
when warranted and allowed by law, specifications will be subject to 
prior public notice and comment. The limits specified under the 
framework will likely, but not always, be time-limited.
    Types and details of limits: The types of limits that will be 
specified under the framework include quantitative limits on the weight 
or number of fish that may be caught, retained, transshipped, landed, 
and/or sold; quantitative limits on the amount of fishing effort that 
may be expended, such as in terms of amounts of time vessels spend at 
sea or engaged in fishing or engaged in particular fishing activities 
or other measures of fishing effort, such as the number of gear sets or 
deployments of gear; and restrictions or prohibitions on particular 
fishing activities in certain areas and/or periods.
    Most recent Commission decisions do not apply in territorial seas 
or archipelagic waters. Accordingly, the framework regulations state 
that any specified limit will not--unless otherwise indicated in the 
specification--apply in the territorial seas or archipelagic waters of 
the United States or any other nation, as defined by the domestic laws 
and regulations of that nation and recognized by the United States. If 
a Commission decision does apply in territorial seas and/or 
archipelagic waters, the specification issued by NMFS to implement that 
decision will specify that it does apply in those areas.
    For each limit specified under the framework, NMFS will identify 
the area and period in which it applies, and as appropriate, the vessel 
types, gear types, species, fish sizes, and any other relevant 
attributes to which it applies. For spatial or temporal limits, NMFS 
will also specify the specific activities that would be restricted in 
the area or period, and for quantitative limits, NMFS will specify the 
restrictions and requirements that would go into effect after the limit 
is reached and the applicable dates of those restrictions and 
requirements. These restrictions and requirements could include a 
prohibition on the catch, retention, transshipment and/or landing of 
specific species or specific sizes of specific species, a prohibition 
on the use of specific fishing gears or methods, restrictions on 
specific fishing activities, and reporting or other requirements.
    Fisheries affected: In the decisions of the Commission, the three 
territories of the United States that participate in the Commission 
(``Participating Territories'')--American Samoa, the CNMI, and Guam--
often are treated separately from the United States. For example, the 
fisheries of the territories often are subject to different controls 
and limits than are the fisheries of the United States. Therefore, to 
implement certain Commission decisions, it is necessary to distinguish 
the fisheries from each other because fishing vessels from the 
Participating Territories are flagged vessels of the United States.
    The proposed regulatory framework included criteria to distinguish 
the fisheries from each other, for the purpose of attributing fishing 
effort and catch among the fisheries, and determining to which vessels 
a given restriction applies. This final rule does not include any such 
criteria, for the reasons explained in the section below titled 
``Changes from the Proposed Rule and Proposed Specifications.'' NMFS 
may re-propose the criteria at a later time. In the meantime, any 
criteria that are needed to determine the vessels to which a specified 
limit applies, or to attribute catch or fishing effort against a 
specified limit, will be included in the specifications issued under 
the framework.
    Allocation of limits: Under the framework, NMFS can allocate a 
Commission-adopted limit among

[[Page 59039]]

different fisheries sectors, such as among groups of fishing vessels 
that use different types of fishing gear. For example, given a 
Commission decision to limit catches of a particular species 
irrespective of the type of fishing gear used to catch it, NMFS can 
decide to allocate the limit between the longline and the purse seine 
fisheries, using the framework to establish specific limits for each of 
the two fisheries. NMFS can also use the framework to specify limits 
for particular fisheries even when the Commission-adopted limit is not 
specific to particular fisheries.
    The framework will not be used to allocate Commission-adopted 
limits among individual fishing vessels (except in the case where a 
single fishing vessel comprises an entire sector or fishery). This does 
not preclude NMFS from allocating Commission-adopted limits among 
individual fishing vessels through separate regulations.
    Framework procedures: The framework's procedures for specifying 
limits is as follows: NMFS will publish in the Federal Register a 
notice of the proposed specification and a request for public comment 
on the proposed specification. The proposed specification will include 
all the relevant characteristics of the limit. After consideration of 
public comment received on the proposed specification, NMFS will 
publish in the Federal Register a notice of the final specification. 
NMFS anticipates issuing specifications generally on a year-by-year 
basis. If limits of longer duration than one year are needed, NMFS 
anticipates publishing such limits in the Code of Federal Regulations.
    Consequences of limits being reached: For quantitative limits, NMFS 
will monitor catch or fishing effort with respect to the specified 
limit using data submitted in vessel logbooks and other available 
information. When NMFS estimates or projects that the specified limit 
has been or will be reached, NMFS will publish a notification to that 
effect in the Federal Register. For quantitative limits, this 
notification will include an advisement that specific activities will 
be restricted, and/or that certain requirements will be in place, 
during a specific period. The notification will specify the 
restrictions and requirements and the specific activities to which they 
apply and the start and end dates and times of those restrictions. The 
start date of the restrictions and requirements will not be earlier 
than 7 days after the date of filing the closure notice for public 
inspection at the Office of the Federal Register.

2. Requirement To Obtain International Maritime Organization (IMO) 
Number

    This element of the rule applies to all U.S. fishing vessels 
(including those participating in the fisheries of the U.S. 
Participating Territories) that are used for commercial fishing for 
highly migratory fish stocks in the Convention Area either on the high 
seas or in waters under the jurisdiction of a foreign nation, and the 
gross tonnage of which is at least 100 GRT (gross register tons) or 100 
GT (gross tons) ITC.
    The owner of any such fishing vessel is required to ensure that an 
``IMO number'' has been issued for the vessel.
    An ``IMO number,'' as used in this rule, is the number--sometimes 
called an IMO ship identification number--issued for a ship or vessel 
under the ship identification number scheme established by the 
International Maritime Organization. Currently, IMO numbers are issued 
on behalf of the IMO by IHS Maritime, the current administrator of the 
IMO ship identification number scheme. A vessel owner may request that 
an IMO number be issued by following the instructions given by IHS 
Maritime, available at: www.imonumbers.lrfairplay.com/default.aspx. 
There is no fee for making such a request or having an IMO number 
issued, but specific information about the fishing vessel and its 
ownership and management must be provided to the administrator of the 
scheme.
    Furthermore, for those fishing vessels for which an IMO number is 
required, obtaining an IMO number is a prerequisite for eligibility to 
receive a WCPFC Area Endorsement. The WCPFC Area Endorsement is the 
endorsement required--along with a high seas fishing permit--for a U.S. 
fishing vessel to be used for commercial fishing for HMS on the high 
seas in the Convention Area (see 50 CFR 300.212).
    The regulations include a process for fishing vessel owners to 
claim to NMFS that they are unable--through no fault of their own--to 
obtain IMO numbers. When NMFS receives such a claim, it will review it 
and assist the fishing vessel owner as appropriate. If NMFS determines 
that it is infeasible or impractical for the fishing vessel owner to 
comply with the requirement, NMFS will issue an exemption from the 
requirement for a specific or indefinite amount of time. The exemption 
will become void if ownership of the fishing vessel changes.

3. Other Regulatory Changes

    The final rule includes several other changes to the existing 
regulations to enhance clarity and promote efficiency, some of which 
are administrative in nature.
    First, this rule removes the regulations requiring that U.S. purse 
seine vessels carry WCPFC observers on fishing trips in the Convention 
Area (50 CFR 300.223(e)) because the applicable dates of the 
requirements, which extended through December 31, 2014, have passed. 
NMFS emphasizes that U.S. purse seine vessels operating in the 
Convention Area are, and will likely continue to be, subject to 
requirements to carry WCPFC observers under the current regulations at 
50 CFR 300.215. Under this section, U.S. fishing vessels operating in 
the Convention Area must carry a WCPFC observer when directed to do so 
by NMFS. NMFS has issued such directions to purse seine vessel owners 
for 2015, and anticipates doing so in subsequent years.
    Second, this rule revises the definition of ``fishing day'' to 
remove the reference to 50 CFR 300.223. As it was previously defined at 
50 CFR 300.211, the term applied only to the regulations at 50 CFR 
300.223, ``Purse seine fishing restrictions,'' which establish limits 
on purse seine fishing effort, restrictions on the use of FADs, and 
other restrictions that apply to purse seine fishing. The term 
``fishing day'' is now revised to apply more broadly to all the 
regulations in 50 CFR part 300, subpart O. ``Fishing day'' means, for 
fishing vessels equipped with purse seine gear, any day in which a 
fishing vessel searches for fish, deploys a FAD, services a FAD, or 
sets a purse seine, with the exception of setting a purse seine solely 
for the purpose of testing or cleaning the gear and resulting in no 
catch.
    Third, this rule removes certain elements of the existing 
regulations that require purse seine vessels in the Convention Area to 
retain on board all the catch of three species of tuna (bigeye tuna, 
yellowfin tuna, and skipjack tuna), with certain exceptions 
(specifically, 50 CFR 300.223(d)(1) and (2)), because they are 
obsolete.
    Fourth, this rule makes changes to the requirements related to the 
installation and operation of vessel monitoring system (VMS) units on 
fishing vessels that are used to fish commercially for HMS on the high 
seas in the Convention Area. The previous regulations at 50 CFR 300.219 
required the owner and the operator (i.e., the master or other 
individual aboard and in charge of the vessel) of any such vessel to 
expressly authorize NMFS and the Commission to receive and relay 
transmissions from the VMS unit. Those regulations are now revised to 
provide NMFS and the

[[Page 59040]]

Commission with authorization to receive and relay transmissions from 
the unit. In other words, an explicit written authorization from the 
vessel owner and operator is not needed for NMFS and the Commission to 
receive and relay transmissions from the VMS unit.
    Finally, this rule makes changes to the requirement for the owners 
or operators of U.S. purse seine vessels to submit to NMFS daily 
reports on how many sets were made on FADs. These daily FAD reports 
enable NMFS to monitor the number of purse seine sets on FADs (``FAD 
sets'') to determine if they are within the established limits. This 
reporting requirement, at 50 CFR 300.218(g), was previously written 
such that it would only go into effect when NMFS publishes a notice in 
the Federal Register announcing that it is in effect. In this rule, 
NMFS has removed the requirement for the publication of a Federal 
Register notice. Instead, vessel owners and operators will be required 
to submit the daily FAD reports only if directed to do so by NMFS. NMFS 
may contact vessel owners or operators directly with instructions on 
the timing and submission of the reports. NMFS anticipates directing 
vessel owners or operators to submit the reports only in periods during 
which limits on FAD sets are in place. Under the revised reporting 
requirement, if directed by NMFS, the owner or operator of any fishing 
vessel of the United States equipped with purse seine gear must report 
to NMFS, within 24 hours of the end of each day that the vessel is at 
sea in the Convention Area, the number of purse seine sets that were 
made on FADs during the period and in the format and manner directed by 
the NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Administrator.

Final Specifications for 2015

    Using the framework established at 50 CFR 300.227, as described 
above, NMFS issues specifications for 2015 to implement particular 
provisions of Conservation and Management Measure (CMM) 2014-01, 
``Conservation and Management Measure for Bigeye, Yellowfin and 
Skipjack Tuna in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean.''

4. Purse Seine FAD Restrictions

    Final specification for 2015: From July 1 through October 31, 2015, 
owners, operators, and crew of fishing vessels of the United States 
shall not do any of the following activities in the Convention Area in 
the area between 20[deg] N. latitude and 20[deg] S. latitude:
    (1) Set a purse seine around a FAD or within one nautical mile of a 
FAD.
    (2) Set a purse seine in a manner intended to capture fish that 
have aggregated in association with a FAD or a vessel, such as by 
setting the purse seine in an area from which a FAD or a vessel has 
been moved or removed within the previous eight hours, or setting the 
purse seine in an area in which a FAD has been inspected or handled 
within the previous eight hours, or setting the purse seine in an area 
into which fish were drawn by a vessel from the vicinity of a FAD or a 
vessel.
    (3) Deploy a FAD into the water.
    (4) Repair, clean, maintain, or otherwise service a FAD, including 
any electronic equipment used in association with a FAD, in the water 
or on a vessel while at sea, except that: (a) A FAD may be inspected 
and handled as needed to identify the FAD, identify and release 
incidentally captured animals, un-foul fishing gear, or prevent damage 
to property or risk to human safety; and (b) A FAD may be removed from 
the water and if removed may be cleaned, provided that it is not 
returned to the water.
    (5) From a purse seine vessel or any associated skiffs, other 
watercraft or equipment, do any of the following, except in emergencies 
as needed to prevent human injury or the loss of human life, the loss 
of the purse seine vessel, skiffs, watercraft or aircraft, or 
environmental damage: (a) Submerge lights under water; (b) suspend or 
hang lights over the side of the purse seine vessel, skiff, watercraft 
or equipment, or; (c) direct or use lights in a manner other than as 
needed to illuminate the deck of the purse seine vessel or associated 
skiffs, watercraft or equipment, to comply with navigational 
requirements, and to ensure the health and safety of the crew.

Comments and Responses

    NMFS received comments on the proposed rule from two entities. The 
comments are summarized below, followed by responses from NMFS.
    Comment 1: The Hawaii Longline Association (HLA) commented that it 
understands the proposed rule would establish a framework to establish 
specifications and related items only for the United States, not for 
its territories. Specifications applicable to the territories are 
established through the regulations implementing Amendment 7 to the 
Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific 
Region (Pelagics FEP), which require the annual issuance of 
specifications applicable to the territories that include catch limits, 
and caps on the amounts of those limits that may be allocated to 
eligible U.S. longline fishing vessels.
    Response: NMFS could issue specifications under the framework for 
fisheries of the U.S. Participating Territories as well as for 
fisheries of the United States. Although the framework established 
under Amendment 7 to the Pelagics FEP may be used to establish 
Commission-adopted limits on catch or fishing effort in the fisheries 
of the U.S. Participating Territories, it does not preclude NMFS from 
using other means to establish such limits, such as the framework 
established in this rule, should they be necessary to carry out 
obligations under the WCPFC Implementation Act.
    Comment 2: The HLA expressed concerns about the purpose or need for 
the proposed rule. If the basis for the proposed rule is NMFS' belief 
that implementing U.S. obligations under the Convention under this 
framework will be more efficient than the past practice of issuing 
regulations on a case-by-case basis, that is not fully explained in the 
proposed rule. The HLA is concerned that promulgation of another 
regulatory framework will result in a superfluous administrative 
process that will be misused by advocacy organizations that wish to end 
all tuna fishing. If the proposed rule will not result in significant 
and measurable increases in the efficiency of the regulatory process, 
or if it will result in more frequent agency decisions, each of which 
can be challenged, then the HLA recommends that NMFS not move forward 
with the proposed rule, as it may cause more problems than benefits for 
the agency and the regulated fisheries.
    Response: The purpose of a framework is to make it possible for 
NMFS to manage fisheries more responsively and more efficiently under 
conditions requiring ``real time'' management. Such conditions exist in 
the context of the Convention because the Commission makes decisions 
that must be implemented by its members quickly--often within 60 days 
of the decision. The framework will not create any additional 
administrative process. The internal procedures of NMFS and the 
Department of Commerce are such that NMFS expects that specifications 
under the framework can be developed, proposed, and finalized more 
quickly than stand-alone regulations (but the provisions for prior 
public notice and comment are essentially the same for both methods). 
This is because whenever NMFS issues a proposed or final specification, 
the framework, which establishes parameters on the scope and nature of 
the specifications

[[Page 59041]]

that can be issued, will have already been approved. However, 
establishment of this framework will not preclude NMFS from 
implementing Commission decisions through regulations outside the 
framework process, as it has done in the past, so NMFS can choose the 
most appropriate approach in any given case.
    Comment 3: The HLA commented that the proposed rule does not 
explain what analyses NMFS will conduct before utilizing the framework 
procedures to establish allocations of catch, effort, or other limits 
among U.S. fisheries. The HLA is concerned that a framework approach 
will not be appropriate for dividing a national allocation among 
various U.S. fisheries. Allocations would be very controversial and 
disruptive to fisheries. The HLA urges the United States to discuss 
with its constituents, including the processes of the Western Pacific 
Fishery Management Council, how and by whom the allocation decisions, 
and the accompanying analyses, should be made before launching into a 
new framework process to make allocation decisions.
    Response: Specification of a limit under this framework, including 
limits involving allocations among sectors or groups of fishing 
vessels, would be subject to the same analyses that would be needed 
were the decision to be made outside this framework. Establishment of 
this framework will not preclude NMFS from taking action through 
regulations outside the framework process, as it has done in the past, 
so NMFS can choose the most appropriate approach in any given case. 
Furthermore, one of the options available under the WCPFC 
Implementation Act is to promulgate regulations in accordance with the 
procedures established by the MSA that involve the Regional Fishery 
Management Councils.
    Comment 4: The HLA commented that if NMFS proceeds to finalize the 
proposed rule, NMFS should ensure that the final rule is entirely 
consistent with the Amendment 7 framework and does not undermine NMFS' 
ability to promptly carry out its obligations under that framework in a 
straightforward manner, and to ensure that it does not create more 
obstacles for the Amendment 7 regulatory process.
    Response: NMFS believes this final rule is consistent with the 
Amendment 7 framework, and does not anticipate that it would impede 
NMFS' implementation of actions under the Amendment 7 framework. NMFS 
notes that proposed Sec.  300.227(d), titled ``U.S. and territorial 
fisheries,'' which included a reference to the regulations implementing 
Amendment 7 of the Pelagics FEP, is not included in these final 
regulations. The reasons for not finalizing that element of the 
proposed framework are explained in the section below, ``Changes from 
the Proposed Rule and Proposed Specifications.''
    Comment 5: The HLA offered its interpretation of the proposed 
provisions relevant to the catch allocation of ``dual-permitted'' 
longline vessels (i.e., those registered under a valid American Samoa 
Longline Limited Access Permit in addition to a Hawaii Longline Limited 
Access Permit). The HLA's interpretation is that in the circumstance 
where a specified fishing agreement under Amendment 7 with the CNMI or 
Guam is in effect, the catch of a dual-permitted vessel listed in the 
agreement that occurs outside the U.S. EEZ is attributed to American 
Samoa unless and until the American Samoa quota is exhausted, at which 
time such catch would be attributed to the territory (e.g., the CNMI or 
Guam) identified in the agreement. Conversely, in this circumstance, 
the catch of a dual-permitted vessel that occurs inside the U.S. EEZ is 
attributed to the territory (e.g., the CNMI or Guam) identified in the 
agreement.
    Response: NMFS disagrees with HLA's interpretation. However, as 
explained in the section below, ``Changes from the Proposed Rule and 
Proposed Specifications,'' this final rule does not include the 
proposed rule's criteria for distinguishing among the fisheries. As 
proposed, the framework included three priority-ranked criteria for 
attributing fishing effort and catch to a fishery of one of the three 
U.S. Participating Territories. The catch of a vessel identified in a 
specified fishing agreement under 50 CFR 665.819 would be attributed to 
the U.S. Participating Territory that is party to the agreement, 
according to the terms of that agreement to the extent they are 
consistent with the MSA, Commission decisions, and the Pelagics FEP and 
its implementing regulations. The terms of a specified fishing 
agreement could not alter the attribution priorities that would have 
been established under the proposed regulations. Accordingly, as long 
as the conditions for attribution to a territory under the regulations 
implementing Amendment 7 to the Pelagics FEP (at 50 CFR 665.819(c)(9)) 
were met, the catch would be attributed to a fishery of the territory 
that is party to the agreement rather than to a fishery of American 
Samoa, regardless of where the fish is caught or landed. However, 
because NMFS' proposed attribution criteria generated considerable 
public confusion, this provision is not being finalized in this 
rulemaking.
    Comment 6: The Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) provided 
comments stating that it is concerned that the process for attributing 
catch to the U.S. Participating Territories under the framework could 
contradict the Commission's conservation and management measures 
regarding longline bigeye tuna catch limits. The CBD states that, 
specifically, portions of the framework seem to conflict with CMM 2014-
01 as it relates to longline vessels' catch of bigeye tuna and 
attribution of catch. According to the CBD, the criteria specified in 
the framework for attributing catch to the U.S. Participating 
Territories may be at odds with the provisions of CMM 2014-01, which 
require catch attribution to the flag State of the vessel except for 
vessels notified as chartered under CMM 2011-05, for which the catch 
and fishing effort are attributed to the chartering Member or 
Participating Territory. The CBD notes that to its knowledge, no U.S.-
flagged vessels have been notified as chartered under CMM 2011-05. 
Therefore, under the provisions of CMM 2014-01, catch of bigeye tuna by 
U.S.-flagged longline vessels should be attributed to the United 
States. CBD requests that NMFS amend the proposed language at 50 CFR 
300.227(d) that establishes criteria for distinguishing the fisheries 
of the United States and fisheries of the U.S. Participating 
Territories to clarify that NMFS will follow Commission conservation 
and management measures regarding attribution of catch and effort.
    Response: NMFS disagrees. Although the fisheries of the U.S. 
Participating Territories, including American Samoa, the CNMI, and 
Guam, operate under the United States' flag, Commission decisions have 
consistently treated them separately from the United States for 
purposes of adopting bigeye tuna catch limits in longline fisheries. 
CMM 2014-01 requires that bigeye tuna catches in the longline fisheries 
of the United States be limited to specified levels, based on a 
percentage of the fisheries' 2004 catch. However, CMM 2014-01 does not 
include any bigeye tuna catch limits for the longline fisheries of the 
U.S. Participating Territories (or for the longline fisheries of any 
other Participating Territory or small island developing State (SIDS) 
member of the Commission). There are a number of reasons for this. 
Convention Article 30 requires the Commission to give ``full 
recognition to the special requirements of developing states . . . in 
particular small island developing states . . . and territories'' and 
requires that Commission decisions ``not result in

[[Page 59042]]

transferring . . . a disproportionate burden of conservation action 
onto . . . territories.'' Accordingly, the Commission has consistently 
exempted Participating Territories from bigeye tuna catch limits in 
longline fisheries. Further, CMM 2013-06 requires the Commission to 
determine the ``nature and extent of the impact'' of any new 
conservation and management proposal on Territories prior to 
implementation. The fact that the Commission has never undertaken this 
analysis further refutes the commenter's belief that Participating 
Territories have been subsumed in their host nations' bigeye tuna catch 
limits. Finally, NMFS interprets paragraph 7 of CMM 2014-01 to 
specifically exempt Participating Territories from the longline limits 
established in paragraph 40.
    The Commission has not adopted guidance--for the purpose of 
implementing flag-based limits--on attributing fishing activity in 
cases where a Participating Territory does not have its own flag, 
leaving member States considerable discretion to implement their own 
domestic practices and policies. The proposed rule included criteria to 
distinguish the fisheries from each other, such as to determine the 
vessels to which a specified limit applies or to attribute catch or 
fishing effort against a specified limit. However, as explained in the 
section below, ``Changes from the Proposed Rule and Proposed 
Specifications,'' this final rule does not include the proposed rule's 
criteria for distinguishing among the fisheries.
    CMM 2012-05 (formerly CMM 2011-05) establishes procedures for 
Commission Members and Participating Territories to notify the 
Commission of vessels flagged to another State or Fishing Entity that 
they have chartered, leased, or entered into other mechanisms. This 
measure does not apply to vessels operating under specified fishing 
agreements under Amendment 7 to the Pelagics FEP because such vessels 
are neither chartered nor leased to the U.S. Participating Territories.
    Comment 7: The CBD states that tuna longline fishing jeopardizes 
the health of Hawaii's pelagic ecosystem and that ending bigeye tuna 
overfishing is critical to stopping and reversing changes in the 
ecosystem. The Commission's Scientific Committee has determined that 
WCPO bigeye tuna are overfished, yet fishing mortality rates remain too 
high, allowing overfishing to further reduce the population. NMFS has 
not considered the potential environmental impacts of the framework, 
specifically what could happen if the framework enabled continued 
fishing for bigeye tuna even after the U.S. catch limit is reached for 
all U.S.-flagged longline vessels by allowing for attribution of catch 
to the U.S. Participating Territories. The framework would allow 
exemptions from bigeye tuna catch limits via transfer agreements with 
the Hawaii-based longliners that effectively allow the longline vessels 
to fish unconstrained by effort limits, which will exacerbate the 
ecosystem and species-level impacts.
    The CBD further states that the expansion of the Hawaii-based deep-
set longline fishery has been encouraged by allowing exemptions to the 
Commission's bigeye tuna catch limit. Prior to 2014, the Hawaii-based 
longline fleet had never exceeded the U.S. catch limit by more than 771 
metric tons (mt), leading NMFS to assume last year that, going forward, 
no more than 1,000 mt of bigeye tuna would be transferred annually 
under specified territory fishing agreements. In practice, in 2014, the 
first year that a rule codifying quota shifting from Hawaii-based 
longliners to the U.S. Participating Territories was in effect, the 
Hawaii-based longliners exceeded the U.S. catch limit by more than 
1,000 mt, using an agreement with the CNMI and then caught 52 mt above 
and beyond the approved amount. This shows that the rule codifying the 
quota shifting increased bigeye tuna fishing mortality; this rule will 
do the same.
    Response: This action establishes a framework process under which 
NMFS will specify fishing effort limits, catch limits, and other 
restrictions and requirements in U.S. fisheries for HMS in the 
Convention Area, as may be necessary to implement particular decisions 
of the Commission. As explained in the section below, ``Changes from 
the Proposed Rule and Proposed Specifications,'' this final rule does 
not include the proposed rule's criteria for distinguishing the 
fisheries of the United States and the fisheries of the U.S. 
Participating Territories from each other under limits specified under 
the framework. The framework itself does not specify any longline 
limits for bigeye tuna, or authorize longline fishing for bigeye tuna 
after the U.S. limit is reached. Measures for establishing catch and 
fishing effort specifications in the territories, and allocation 
specifications, were established by regulations implementing Amendment 
7 to the Pelagics FEP, and are not part of this action. This action 
does not specify any limits under the framework for longline fisheries.
    The only specification being issued as part of this action is the 
purse seine FAD restrictions for 2015. The expected impacts of this 
specification on the human environment are analyzed in a programmatic 
environmental assessment that was made available in conjunction with 
the proposed rule and proposed specifications (see ADDRESSES). Should 
NMFS use the framework process to specify catch limits for the longline 
fisheries of the United States or the U.S. Participating Territories, 
NMFS would complete the appropriate environmental analysis at that 
time. NMFS has determined that the framework process is categorically 
excluded from the need to prepare an environmental assessment or an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) as it is purely administrative and 
procedural in nature. The framework simply sets up an efficient 
process--which might or might not be used by NMFS--for implementing 
Commission decisions.
    Comment 8: The CBD states that the framework, as it would apply to 
the bigeye tuna catch limits for longline vessels, exceeds NMFS' 
statutory authority under the WCPFC Implementation Act. According to 
the WCPFC Implementation Act, NMFS has authority to promulgate only 
those regulations necessary to carry out the international obligations 
of the United States under the Convention, including recommendations 
and decisions adopted by the Commission. Rather than attribute longline 
vessels' bigeye tuna catch according to the vessel's flag State, as 
required under CMM 2014-01, the framework would attribute longline 
bigeye tuna catch to the United States or a U.S. territory on the basis 
of port of landing, vessel registration, or inclusion of the vessel in 
a transfer agreement. These criteria are inconsistent with CMM 2014-01 
and its predecessor CMM 2013-01. Both CMM 2013-01 and CMM 2014-01 
establish a general rule that attribution of catch and effort shall be 
to the flag State and establish a single bigeye tuna catch limit for 
all U.S.-flagged longline vessels. Longline vessels in the fisheries of 
U.S. Participating Territories all operate under the U.S. flag, so they 
are all subject to the same, unified catch limit. The rule does not 
reconcile how the framework criteria, which treat catch of different 
U.S.-flagged vessels differently, could implement the Commission's 
limits for longline vessels' bigeye tuna catch, which currently 
allocate catch to the flag State of the vessel. NMFS is legally obliged 
to implement Commission decisions, which currently call for all 
Commission members reduce their bigeye catch from current levels. It

[[Page 59043]]

is not clear that the framework will fulfill this mandate by reducing 
catch for longline fishing for bigeye tuna in years after 2015.
    Response: See responses to Comments 6 and 7, above. NMFS' response 
to Comment 6 as it relates to CMM 2014-01 also pertains to CMM 2013-01, 
which is essentially the same as CMM 2014-01 in terms of bigeye tuna 
catch limits in longline fisheries.
    Comment 9: The CBD made several comments related to the National 
Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
    The CBD states that NMFS should have prepared an EIS for the 
framework because of potentially significant environmental impacts and 
controversy. The framework's criteria for determining which fisheries 
are subject to the catch limits are not straightforward, which reduces 
transparency and creates controversy. Without any environmental 
analysis of the rule, the public lacks basic information needed to 
evaluate the framework's potential environmental impacts. For example, 
the notice does not specify how many vessels would fit under the 
criteria to attribute catch to the U.S. Participating Territories. 
Vessels permitted to land HMS in California, Oregon, and Washington 
can, under the framework, sell catch from the high seas in American 
Samoa, Guam, or the CNMI and have that catch be considered part of the 
fishery of the territory, but there are no estimates of how many 
vessels are permitted under 50 CFR 660.707 to which this criteria might 
apply.
    The CBD further states that NMFS has not studied the impact of 
allowing catch from the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) to be considered 
part of a territory's fishery, which requires not only an EIS but also 
consultation under the ESA. The framework and the exemptions from 
Commission catch limits will have unknown effects on endangered 
loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles because of increased fishing 
effort in the EPO, specifically on the high seas off California. The 
most recent Biological Opinion on the Hawaii-based deep-set longline 
fishery, completed in September 2014, did not anticipate longline 
fishing effort in the EPO. The Biological Opinion treats the catch in 
the EPO as incidental, although Hawaii-permitted longline vessels have 
been operating out of and landing their catch in San Diego. Where the 
fishery operates is critical to assessing impacts to endangered 
species. Without assessing where the fishing effort takes place--in the 
high seas off California or in the high seas around U.S. territories--
NMFS cannot reliably estimate impacts to endangered sea turtles, and 
thus an EIS is necessary for this framework.
    The CBD states that because the framework is potentially 
controversial as it could apply to bigeye tuna longline catch limits, 
NMFS must prepare an EIS. More than 4,000 public comments were 
submitted in response to NMFS' 2014 rule to establish the attribution 
of catch to the U.S. Participating Territories (see final rule 
published October 28, 2014; 79 FR 64097). This is evidence that this 
framework could be controversial when applied, even though due to the 
short 15-day comment period, this rule specifically is not likely to 
raise a similar level of interest. The litigation regarding NMFS' rule 
to implement the attribution of catch to the U.S. Participating 
Territories also demonstrates the controversy associated with this 
aspect of the framework. Because the proposed rule would codify in a 
framework actions similar to what has already been challenged in court 
and subject to public protest, NMFS must prepare an EIS.
    Response: As stated in the response to Comment 7, the framework 
does not establish specific fishing effort or catch limits. Because the 
framework is purely administrative and procedural in nature, NMFS has 
determined that its establishment is categorically excluded from the 
need to prepare an environmental assessment or an EIS. Due to its 
administrative nature, the framework itself will not contribute to any 
direct, indirect, or cumulative impacts. Should NMFS use the framework 
process to specify catch limits for longline fisheries, NMFS would 
complete the appropriate environmental and economic analyses when 
details of the proposed management action are known. For example, this 
action includes final specifications under the framework that establish 
restrictions on the use of FADs by purse seine vessels in 2015. That 
FAD-related action is supported by a programmatic environmental 
assessment that was made available in conjunction with the proposed 
rule and proposed specifications (see ADDRESSES).
    NMFS has determined that the proposed framework regulations and 
associated specifications for 2015 will not affect any ESA-listed 
species in any manner not considered in prior consultations. The 
existing September 2014 Biological Opinion for the Hawaii deep-set 
longline fishery considered the effects of the fishery on ESA-listed 
species based upon the documented history of where the fishery 
operates. The fishery continues to operate at levels and in a manner 
analyzed in the Biological Opinion, and impacts to ESA-listed species 
remain within levels anticipated and authorized in the incidental take 
statement. Establishment of this framework, which is purely 
administrative and procedural in nature, will not alter the operation 
of the fishery in any way, and therefore does not itself introduce 
effects of the action that were not considered in earlier 
consultations.
    The reference in the proposed framework to fishing vessels with 
permits issued under 50 CFR 660.707 has to do with the attribution of 
catch and fishing effort with respect to the vessel that lands the 
fish, not the vessel that catches the fish. However, as explained in 
the section below, ``Changes from the Proposed Rule and Proposed 
Specifications,'' this final rule does not include that reference or 
the proposed rule's criteria for distinguishing among the fisheries. 
More generally, NMFS does not expect that catches from the EPO will be 
subject to any WCPFC-adopted limits that might be established under the 
framework.
    Comment 10: The CBD states that NMFS prohibited shallow-set 
longlines east of 150[deg] W. longitude to protect sea turtles after a 
Biological Opinion found that allowing shallow sets for swordfish east 
of 150[deg] W. longitude would appreciably reduce the likelihood of 
survival and recovery in the wild of loggerhead sea turtles. In April 
2009, the Pacific Fishery Management Council discussed amending the 
fishery management plan to allow use of shallow-set longlines on the 
high seas, but expressed concerns about how to limit fishing effort 
based on the high number of inactive permits in the current swordfish 
fishery using gillnets. The Pacific Fishery Management Council's 
concerns are not addressed by the framework, which allows vessels 
permitted to land in California to count their catch as part of a 
territory's fishery when landing in the territory, vastly increasing 
fishing effort.
    Response: The framework does not authorize any fishing activity 
that has not already been analyzed under NEPA and the ESA. One of the 
proposed framework's criteria for distinguishing the fisheries of the 
U.S. Participating Territories from U.S. fisheries--for the purpose of 
Commission-adopted limits--was that if the catch is landed in a U.S. 
Participating Territory, it would be considered part of a fishery of 
that territory, provided that several conditions are met, one of which, 
would be that the vessel that lands the fish must is operated in 
compliance with a valid permit issued under 50 CFR

[[Page 59044]]

660.707 or 50 CFR 665.801. As explained above, this final rule does not 
include the proposed rule's criteria for distinguishing among the 
fisheries. Furthermore, NMFS does not expect that catches from the EPO 
will be subject to any WCPFC-adopted limits that might be established 
under this framework.
    Comment 11: The CBD commented that its interpretation of the 
proposed criteria for distinguishing the fisheries of the United States 
from those of the U.S. Participating Territories was as follows: (1) 
Except as provided in (2) and (3), below, if catch is landed in 
American Samoa, Guam, or the CNMI, the catch and associated fishing 
effort are considered part of the territory in which it is landed, with 
exceptions for catch from purse seines and catch from outside the part 
of the U.S. EEZ that surrounds the territory; (2) except as provided 
under (3), if the vessel is registered under an American Samoa Longline 
Limited Access Permit, the vessel's catch and effort are considered a 
part of a fishery of American Samoa as long as it was caught in the 
portion of the U.S. EEZ surrounding American Samoa and it was landed by 
a fishing vessel operated in compliance with a permit issued under 50 
CFR 660.707 or 665.801; and (3) if the vessel is included in a 
specified fishing agreement under 50 CFR 665.819(c), the catch and 
effort are considered part of a fishery of American Samoa, Guam, or the 
CNMI, according to the terms of the agreement.
    Response: The CBD's interpretation of the proposed criteria for 
distinguishing the fisheries of the United States from those of the 
U.S. Participating Territories is not correct. Under the first two 
proposed criteria, catch would not necessarily have to be caught in the 
portion of the U.S. EEZ that surrounds the territory in order to be 
attributed to a fishery of that territory. For example, fish could be 
caught on the high seas and attributed to a territorial fishery if 
certain conditions were met. However, NMFS acknowledges, based on the 
comments from the CBD and the HLA, that there is public confusion over 
the meaning and effect of proposed paragraph 50 CFR 300.227(d). 
Furthermore, NMFS intended for the criteria, as they would apply to 
longline fisheries, to mirror those in existing regulations related to 
bigeye tuna catch limits in longline fisheries (at 50 CFR 300.224), but 
inadvertently wrote the proposed regulations such that they differed 
from those existing regulations. For these reasons, NMFS is not 
implementing this provision as proposed. As described in the ``Changes 
from the Proposed Rule and Proposed Specifications'' section, NMFS has 
not included in this final rule the proposed rule's criteria for 
distinguishing among the fisheries at 50 CFR 300.227(d).

Changes From the Proposed Rule and Proposed Specifications

    NMFS has not made any changes from the proposed specifications for 
2015.
    NMFS has made five changes from the proposed rule.
    First, after considering public comment, NMFS is not finalizing the 
proposed rule's paragraph (d) of 50 CFR 300.227, titled ``U.S. and 
territorial fisheries.'' The proposed paragraph had included criteria 
to distinguish the fisheries of the U.S. Participating Territories from 
the fisheries of the United States, such as to determine the vessels to 
which a specified limit applies or to attribute catch or fishing effort 
against a specified limit. Comments received on paragraph (d) indicate 
that there was public confusion over how to interpret the regulatory 
text and how the criteria would be prioritized. Based on the comments 
received and on NMFS' own review of the proposed rule text, NMFS finds 
that the proposed regulatory text at 50 CFR 300.227(d) was confusing to 
the public and did not afford adequate notice of the proposed criteria. 
Furthermore, NMFS intended for the criteria to mirror those in existing 
regulations related to bigeye tuna catch limits in longline fisheries 
(at 50 CFR 300.224), but inadvertently wrote the proposed regulations 
such that they differed from those existing regulations. For these 
reasons, NMFS has decided to finalize the framework without the 
proposed criteria. NMFS is not including the proposed text at 50 CFR 
300.227(d) in the final rule, and may re-propose the criteria at a 
later time. In the meantime, any criteria that are needed to determine 
the vessels to which a specified limit applies, or to attribute catch 
or fishing effort against a specified limit, will be included in the 
specifications issued under the framework.
    Second, NMFS has made non-substantial changes to paragraph (a) of 
50 CFR 300.227, which sets out the purpose and general provisions for 
the framework. The changes make the paragraph align more closely with 
the language of the WCPFC Implementation Act, particularly to make 
clear that NMFS (through delegation of authority from the Secretary of 
Commerce) is authorized to promulgate such regulations as may be 
necessary to carry out the international obligations of the United 
States under the Convention and the WCPFC Implementation Act.
    Third, NMFS has made non-substantial changes to paragraph (e) of 50 
CFR 300.227, changing three instances of ``Commission-mandated limit'' 
to ``Commission-adopted limit'' to better reflect the responsibilities 
of the Secretary of Commerce and NMFS under the WCPFC Implementation 
Act.
    Fourth, NMFS has made amendments to regulations at 15 CFR 902.1(b) 
to incorporate the approval of the collection of information 
requirements for IMO numbers.
    Fifth, NMFS has made non-substantive technical modifications to 50 
CFR 300.222 to take into consideration that different elements of the 
final rule go into effect at different times.

Delegation of Authority

    Under NOAA Administrative Order 205-11, dated December 17, 1990, 
the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere has delegated authority 
to sign material for publication in the Federal Register to the 
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA.

Classification

    The Administrator, Pacific Islands Region, NMFS, has determined 
that this final rule and these final specifications are consistent with 
the WCPFC Implementation Act and other applicable laws.

Administrative Procedure Act

    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), there is good cause to waive prior 
notice and an opportunity for public comment on the amendments to 
regulations at 15 CFR 902.1(b), because it is unnecessary. This 
revision is an administrative change that modifies the CFR sections 
where the information collection requirements under current OMB control 
number 0648-0595 are located.
    There is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to establish an 
effective date less than 30 days after date of publication for the 
final specifications for 2015 and for the framework element of the 
final rule (i.e., the addition of section 300.227 to Title 50 of the 
Code of Federal Regulations), as well as the new paragraph with 
prohibitions associated with the framework (i.e., 50 CFR 300.222(xx)). 
NMFS must establish the restrictions on the use of FADs by October 1, 
2015, in order to comply with the provisions of CMM 2014-01 
(restrictions on the use of FADs are also required under CMM 2014-01 
for July 1 through September 30, 2015, but those restrictions have 
already been established through regulations at 50 CFR 300.223(b)). The 
restrictions are intended to reduce or otherwise control

[[Page 59045]]

fishing pressure on bigeye tuna in the WCPO in order to restore this 
stock to levels capable of producing maximum sustainable yield on a 
continuing basis. According to the NMFS stock status determination 
criteria, bigeye tuna in the Pacific Ocean is currently experiencing 
overfishing. Failure to establish the FAD restrictions by October 1, 
2015, would result in additional fishing pressure on this stock, in 
violation of international and domestic legal obligations. The final 
specifications for 2015 are issued under the regulatory framework 
established at 50 CFR 300.227, so to make the FAD restrictions 
effective by October 1, 2015, the framework and its associated 
prohibitions must also be made effective by that date.

Executive Order 12866

    This final rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.

Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)

    A final regulatory flexibility analysis (FRFA) was prepared. The 
FRFA incorporates the initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA) 
prepared for the proposed rule and proposed specifications. The 
analysis in the IRFA is not repeated here in its entirety.
    A description of the action, why it is being considered, and the 
legal basis for this action are contained in the SUMMARY section of the 
preamble and in other sections of this SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
section of this final rule and final specifications, above. The 
analysis follows:
Significant Issues Raised by Public Comments in Response to the IRFA
    NMFS did not receive any comments on the IRFA.
Description of Small Entities to Which the Rule and Specifications Will 
Apply
    Small entities include ``small businesses,'' ``small 
organizations,'' and ``small governmental jurisdictions.'' The Small 
Business Administration (SBA) has established size standards for all 
major industry sectors in the United States, including commercial 
finfish harvesters (NAICS code 114111). A business primarily involved 
in finfish harvesting is classified as a small business if it is 
independently owned and operated, is not dominant in its field of 
operation (including its affiliates), and has combined annual receipts 
not in excess of $20.5 million for all its affiliated operations 
worldwide.
    The final rule and specifications apply to owners and operators of 
U.S. fishing vessels used for commercial fishing for HMS in the 
Convention Area. The framework establishes administrative procedures 
for implementing Commission decisions. It does not in itself establish 
any requirements for owners or operators of fishing vessels or other 
entities. With the exception of the requirement to obtain an IMO 
number, the substantive elements of the rule and specifications (i.e., 
those elements expected to bring economic impacts to affected entities) 
apply only to purse seine vessels. NMFS estimates that of all the U.S. 
fishing vessels to which the IMO number requirement apply, only 7 do 
not already have an IMO number. Of the 7, 1 is a purse seine vessel, 4 
are longline vessels, and 2 are troll vessels.
    The number of purse seine vessels affected by the purse seine 
specifications is the number of vessels licensed under the Treaty on 
Fisheries between the Governments of Certain Pacific Island States and 
the Government of the United States of America (South Pacific Tuna 
Treaty, or SPTT). The current number of licensed vessels is 37. The 
maximum number allowed under the SPTT, apart from joint venture 
licenses, none of which have ever been issued, is 40.
    Thus, the fish harvesting entities affected by the final rule and 
specifications include about 37 purse seine vessels, 4 longline 
vessels, and 2 troll vessels.
    Based on (limited) available financial information about the 
affected fishing vessels and the SBA's small entity size standards for 
commercial finfish harvesters, and using individual vessels as proxies 
for individual businesses, NMFS believes that all the affected fish 
harvesting businesses are small entities. NMFS used average per-vessel 
returns over recent years to estimate annual revenue because gross 
receipts and ex-vessel price information specific to the affected 
vessels are not available to NMFS. For the purse seine fishery, NMFS 
estimates that the average annual receipts over 2010-2012 for each 
purse seine vessel were less than the $20.5 million threshold for 
finfish harvesting businesses (the greatest was about $19 million) 
based on the catches of each vessel in the purse seine fleet during 
that period, and indicative regional cannery prices developed by the 
Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (available at https://www.ffa.int/node/425#attachments). Since 2012, cannery prices have 
declined dramatically, so the vessels' revenues in 2013 and 2014 have 
very likely declined as well. For the longline fishery, the ex-vessel 
value of catches by the Hawaii longline fleet in 2012 was about $87 
million. With 129 active vessels in that year, per-vessel average 
revenues were about $0.7 million, well below the $20.5 million 
threshold for finfish harvesting businesses.
Recordkeeping, Reporting, and Other Compliance Requirements
    The recordkeeping, reporting, and other compliance requirements are 
discussed below for each of the main elements of the final rule and 
final specifications, as described earlier in the SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION section of the preamble. Fulfillment of these requirements 
is not expected to require any professional skills that the affected 
vessel owners and operators do not already possess. The costs of 
complying with the requirements are described below to the extent 
possible:

1. Framework To Implement Commission Decisions

    The framework establishes administrative procedures for 
implementing Commission decisions. It does not in itself establish any 
requirements for owners or operators of fishing vessels or other 
entities, so it is not discussed further in this FRFA.

2. Requirement To Obtain IMO Number

    The requirement to obtain an IMO number is a one-time requirement; 
once a number has been issued for a vessel, the vessel would be in 
compliance for the remainder of its life, regardless of changes in 
ownership. Most entities that are required to obtain an IMO number 
already have them. NMFS estimates that 7 fishing vessels (that are 
currently in the fishery) are initially subject to the requirement, and 
projects that as fishing vessels enter the fishery in the future, 
roughly two per year will be required to obtain IMO numbers. Completing 
and submitting the application form (which can be done online and 
requires no fees) is expected to take about 30 minutes per applicant, 
on average. Assuming a value of labor of approximately $26 per hour and 
communication costs of about $1 per application, the (one-time) cost to 
each entity are expected to be about $14.

3. Other Regulatory Changes

    Among the final rule's other regulatory changes, only the change to 
the daily FAD reporting requirements has the potential to bring 
economic impacts to affected entities. Under the previous regulations, 
when NMFS triggered the daily FAD reporting requirement through an 
announcement in the Federal Register, the vessel owner or operator 
would have had to complete and submit the reports each

[[Page 59046]]

day while the fishing vessel is at sea in the Convention Area. NMFS 
estimated that cost to be about $1,360 per vessel per year. Under the 
change made in this rule, the vessel owner or operator has to complete 
and submit the reports only if and when directed by NMFS. Because the 
purse seine FAD restrictions for 2015 do not include any FAD set 
limits, it is unlikely that NMFS will direct vessel operators to submit 
reports for 2015. Thus, the change could potentially reduce the 
reporting costs to affected purse seine entities during this period.

4. Purse Seine FAD Restrictions

    The FAD prohibition period in July-October in 2015 will 
substantially constrain the manner in which purse seine fishing can be 
conducted in that period in the Convention Area; vessels will be able 
to set only on free, or ``unassociated,'' schools.
    The costs associated with the FAD restrictions cannot be 
quantitatively estimated, but the fleet's historical use of FADs can 
give a qualitative estimate of the costs. In the years 1997-2013, the 
proportion of sets made on FADs in the U.S. purse seine fishery ranged 
from less than 30 percent in some years to more than 90 percent in 
others. Thus, the importance of FAD sets in terms of profits appears to 
be quite variable over time, and is probably a function of many 
factors, including fuel prices (unassociated sets involve more 
searching time and thus tend to bring higher fuel costs than FAD sets) 
and market conditions (e.g., FAD fishing, which tends to result in 
greater catches of lower-value skipjack tuna and smaller yellowfin tuna 
and bigeye tuna than unassociated sets, might be more attractive and 
profitable when canneries are not rejecting small fish). Thus, the 
costs of complying with the FAD restrictions will depend on a variety 
of factors.
    In 2010-2013, the last 4 years for which complete data are 
available and for which there was 100 percent observer coverage, the 
U.S. WCPO purse seine fleet made about 39 percent of its sets on FADs. 
During the months when setting on FADs was allowed, the percentage was 
about 58 percent. The fact that the fleet has made such a substantial 
portion of its sets on FADs indicates that prohibiting the use of FADs 
for four months each year is likely to bring substantial costs and/or 
revenue losses.
    To mitigate these impacts, vessel operators might choose to 
schedule their routine vessel and equipment maintenance during the FAD 
prohibition periods. However, the limited number of vessel maintenance 
facilities in the region might constrain vessel operators' ability to 
do this. It also is conceivable that some vessels might choose not to 
fish at all during the FAD prohibition periods rather than fish without 
the use of FADs. Observations of the fleet's behavior in 2009-2013, 
when FAD prohibition periods were in effect, do not suggest that either 
of these responses occurred to an appreciable degree. The proportion of 
the fleet that fished during the two- and three-month FAD prohibition 
periods of 2009-2013 did not appreciably differ from the proportion 
that fished during the same months in the years 1997-2008, when no FAD 
prohibition periods were in place.
    In summary, the economic impacts of the FAD prohibition period in 
2015 cannot be quantified, but they could be substantial. Their 
magnitude will depend in part on market conditions, ocean conditions 
and the magnitude of any limits on allowable levels of fishing effort 
in foreign EEZs and on the high seas in the Convention Area.
Disproportionate Impacts
    As indicated above, all affected entities are believed to be small 
entities, thus small entities will not be disproportionately affected 
relative to large entities. Nor will there be disproportionate economic 
impacts based on vessel size or home port. With respect to vessel type, 
the specifications for 2015 apply only to purse seine vessels, so they 
would not impact any other vessel types.
Steps Taken To Minimize the Significant Economic Impacts on Small 
Entities
    NMFS has sought to identify alternatives that would minimize the 
rule's and specifications' economic impact on small entities 
(``significant alternatives''). Taking no action could result in lesser 
adverse economic impacts than the action for many affected entities, 
but NMFS has determined that the no-action alternative would fail to 
accomplish the objectives of the WCPFC Implementation Act, including 
satisfying the international obligations of the United States as a 
Contracting Party to the Convention, and NMFS has rejected it for that 
reason. Alternatives identified for each of the main elements of the 
rule and specifications are discussed below:

1. Framework To Implement Commission Decisions

    The framework will not in itself establish any requirements for 
owners or operators of fishing vessels or other entities, so would not 
bring economic impacts. Thus, NMFS has not identified any significant 
alternatives.

2. Requirement To Obtain IMO Number

    NMFS has not identified any significant alternatives to the IMO 
number requirement that would comport with U.S. obligations to 
implement the Commission decision regarding IMO numbers.

3. Other Regulatory Changes

    None of the other regulatory changes are expected to bring adverse 
economic impacts to affected entities, so NMFS has not identified any 
significant alternatives.

4. Purse Seine FAD Restrictions

    NMFS considered in detail one alternative to the restrictions on 
the use of FADs in 2015. Under the alternative, purse seine vessels 
would be subject to a 3-month (July-September) FAD prohibition period 
in 2015, and a limit of 2,522 FAD sets for the year. This alternative 
would be consistent with the options available to the United States 
under CMM 2014-01. The impacts of this alternative relative to those of 
the final action (4-month FAD closure) would depend on the total amount 
of fishing effort available to the U.S. purse seine fleet in the 
Convention Area in 2015. If total available fishing effort is 
relatively high, the final action (4-month FAD closure) would likely 
allow for more FAD sets than would this alternative, and thus likely 
cause lesser adverse impacts. The reverse would be the case for 
relatively low levels of total available fishing effort. For example, 
given the fleet's historical average FAD set ratio of 58 percent, and 
assuming an even distribution of sets throughout the year, the 
estimated ``breakeven'' point between the two alternatives would be 
6,502 total available sets for the year. Although the amount of fishing 
effort that will be available to the fleet in the future, particularly 
under the SPTT, cannot be predicted with any certainty, 6,502 sets is 
substantially less than the amounts of fishing effort that have been 
available to the fleet since it has been operating under the SPTT. For 
that reason, NMFS expects that the final action (4-month FAD closure) 
likely would cause less severe economic impacts on the purse seine 
fleet and its participants than would this alternative, and NMFS has 
rejected the alternative of a 3-month FAD closure in combination with a 
limit of 2,522 FAD sets for that reason.

[[Page 59047]]

Small Entity Compliance Guide
    Section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness 
Act of 1996 states that, for each rule or group of related rules for 
which an agency is required to prepare a FRFA, the agency shall publish 
one or more guides to assist small entities in complying with the rule, 
and shall designate such publications as ``small entity compliance 
guides.'' The agency shall explain the actions a small entity is 
required to take to comply with a rule or group of rules. NMFS has 
prepared one or more small entity compliance guides for this rule and 
specifications, and will send them to holders of permits in the 
relevant fisheries. The guide(s) and this final rule also will be 
available at www.fpir.noaa.gov and by request from NMFS PIRO (see 
ADDRESSES).

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This final rule contains three collection-of-information 
requirements that are subject to review and approval by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA).
    The first collection has been approved by the OMB under control 
number 0648-0595, ``Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention 
Vessel Information Family of Forms.'' This collection-of-information 
has been revised to include the requirement for the owners of certain 
fishing vessels to ensure that IMO numbers are issued for the vessels. 
This is a one-time requirement; no renewals or updates are required 
during the life of a vessel. A fishing vessel owner can request the 
issuance of an IMO number by submitting specific information about the 
vessel and its ownership and management to IHS Maritime, which issues 
IMO numbers on behalf of the International Maritime Organization. If a 
fishing vessel requires an exemption, the owner must provide the 
required information to NMFS. Providing the required information is 
expected to bring a public reporting burden of approximately 30 minutes 
per response.
    The second collection, requirements related to installing and 
operating vessel monitoring system units, has been approved by OMB 
under control number 0648-0596, ``Vessel Monitoring System Requirements 
under the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention.'' Public 
reporting burden for the VMS requirements is estimated to average 5 
minutes per response for the activation reports and on/off reports, 4 
hours per response for VMS unit purchase and installation, and 1 hour 
per response for VMS unit maintenance.
    The third collection, the daily FAD reporting requirement, has been 
approved by OMB under control number 0648-0649, ``Transshipment 
Requirements under the WCPFC.'' Public reporting burden for the daily 
FAD report is estimated to average 10 minutes per response.
    These estimated response times include time for reviewing 
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information.
    Send comments regarding these burden estimates, or any other aspect 
of the data collections, including whether the collections are 
necessary for the performance of the functions of the agency, the 
accuracy of the agency's estimates of burden, ways to enhance the 
utility and clarity of information, and suggestions for reducing the 
burden, to Michael D. Tosatto, Regional Administrator, NMFS PIRO (see 
ADDRESSES) and by email to [email protected] or fax to 202-
395-7285.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is 
required to respond to, and no person shall be subject to penalty for 
failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the PRA, unless that collection of information displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

List of Subjects

15 CFR Part 902

    Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

50 CFR Part 300

    Administrative practice and procedure, Fish, Fisheries, Fishing, 
Marine resources, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Treaties.

    Dated: September 25, 2015.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 15 CFR part 902 and 50 CFR 
part 300 are amended as follows:

Title 15--Commerce and Foreign Trade

PART 902--NOAA INFORMATION COLLECTION REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE 
PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT: OMB CONTROL NUMBERS

0
1. The authority citation for part 902 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.


0
2. In Sec.  902.1, in the table in paragraph (b), under the entry ``50 
CFR'', add an entry in alphanumeric order for ``300.217'' to read as 
follows:


Sec.  902.1  OMB control numbers assigned pursuant to the Paperwork 
Reduction Act.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Current OMB
                                                          control number
  CFR Part or section where the information collection     (all numbers
                 requirement is located                     begin with
                                                              0648-)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
50 CFR:.................................................  ..............
* * * * *                                                 ..............
300.217.................................................           -0595
* * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Title 50--Wildlife and Fisheries

PART 300--INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES REGULATIONS

Subpart O--Western and Central Pacific Fisheries for Highly 
Migratory Species

0
3. The authority citation for 50 CFR part 300, subpart O, continues to 
read as follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.


0
4. In Sec.  300.211, revise the definition of ``Fishing day'' to read 
as follows:


Sec.  300.211  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Fishing day means, for fishing vessels equipped with purse seine 
gear, any day in which a fishing vessel searches for fish, deploys a 
FAD, services a FAD, or sets a purse seine, with the exception of 
setting a purse seine solely for the purpose of testing or cleaning the 
gear and resulting in no catch.
* * * * *

0
5. In Sec.  300.217, add paragraph (c) to read as follows:


Sec.  300.217  Vessel identification.

* * * * *
    (c) IMO numbers. (1) For the purpose of this section, an IMO number 
is the unique number issued for a vessel under the ship identification 
number scheme established by the International Maritime Organization 
or, for vessels that are not strictly subject to that scheme, the 
unique number issued by the administrator of that scheme using the 
scheme's numbering format, sometimes known as a Lloyd's Register number 
or LR number.
    (2) The owner of a fishing vessel of the United States used for 
commercial fishing for HMS in the Convention Area, either on the high 
seas or in waters

[[Page 59048]]

under the jurisdiction of any nation other than the United States, 
shall request and obtain an IMO number for the vessel if the gross 
tonnage of the vessel, as indicated on the vessel's current Certificate 
of Documentation issued under 46 CFR part 67, is at least 100 GRT or 
100 GT ITC. An IMO number may be requested for a vessel by following 
the instructions given by the administrator of the IMO ship 
identification number scheme; those instructions are currently 
available on the Web site of IHS Maritime, at: 
www.imonumbers.lrfairplay.com/default.aspx.
    (3) In the event that the owner of a fishing vessel subject to the 
requirement of paragraph (c)(2) of this section, after following the 
instructions given by the administrator of the IMO ship identification 
number scheme, is unable to obtain an IMO number for the fishing 
vessel, the fishing vessel owner may request an exemption from the 
requirement from the Pacific Islands Regional Administrator. The 
request must be sent by mail to the Pacific Islands Regional 
Administrator or by email to [email protected] and must include the 
vessel's name, the vessel's official number, a description of the steps 
taken to request an IMO number, and a description of any responses from 
the administrator of the IMO ship identification number scheme.
    (4) Upon receipt of a request for an exemption under paragraph 
(c)(3) of this section, the Pacific Islands Regional Administrator 
will, to the extent he or she determines appropriate, assist the 
fishing vessel owner in requesting an IMO number. If the Pacific 
Islands Regional Administrator determines that it is infeasible or 
impractical for the fishing vessel owner to obtain an IMO number for 
the fishing vessel, he or she will issue an exemption from the 
requirements of paragraph (c)(2) of this section for the subject 
fishing vessel and its owner and notify the fishing vessel owner of the 
exemption. The Pacific Islands Regional Administrator may limit the 
duration of the exemption. The Pacific Islands Regional Administrator 
may rescind an exemption at any time. If an exemption is rescinded, the 
fishing vessel owner must comply with the requirements of paragraph 
(c)(2) of this section within 30 days of being notified of the 
rescission. If the ownership of a fishing vessel changes, an exemption 
issued to the former fishing vessel owner becomes void.

0
6. In Sec.  300.218, revise paragraph (g) to read as follows:


Sec.  300.218  Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

* * * * *
    (g) Daily FAD reports. If directed by NMFS, the owner or operator 
of any fishing vessel of the United States equipped with purse seine 
gear must report to NMFS, for the period and in the format and manner 
directed by the Pacific Islands Regional Administrator, within 24 hours 
of the end of each day that the vessel is at sea in the Convention 
Area, the number of purse seine sets were made on FADs during that day.
* * * * *

0
7. In Sec.  300.219, revise paragraphs (c)(1) and (5) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  300.219  Vessel monitoring system.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (1) VMS unit. The vessel owner and operator shall install and 
maintain on the fishing vessel, in accordance with instructions 
provided by the SAC and the VMS unit manufacturer, a VMS unit that is 
type-approved by NMFS for fisheries governed under the Act. The vessel 
owner and operator shall arrange for a NMFS-approved mobile 
communications service provider to receive and relay transmissions from 
the VMS unit to NMFS. NMFS makes available lists of type-approved VMS 
units and approved mobile communications service providers. NMFS and 
the Commission are authorized to receive and relay transmissions from 
the VMS unit.
* * * * *
    (5) Related VMS requirements. Installing, carrying and operating a 
VMS unit in compliance with the requirements in part 300 of this title, 
part 660 of this title, or part 665 of this title relating to the 
installation, carrying, and operation of VMS units shall be deemed to 
satisfy the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section, provided 
that the VMS unit is operated continuously and at all times while the 
vessel is at sea, the VMS unit is type-approved by NMFS for fisheries 
governed under the Act, and the specific requirements of paragraph 
(c)(4) of this section are complied with. If the VMS unit is owned by 
NMFS, the requirement under paragraph (c)(4) of this section to repair 
or replace the VMS unit will be the responsibility of NMFS, but the 
vessel owner and operator shall be responsible for ensuring that the 
VMS unit is operable before leaving port or starting the next trip.
* * * * *
0
8. Amend Sec.  300.222, effective October 1, 2015, by adding paragraph 
(xx) to read as follows:


Sec.  300.222  Prohibitions.

* * * * *
    (xx) Fail to comply with any of the limits, restrictions, 
prohibitions, or requirements specified under Sec.  300.227.

0
9. Section 300.222 is further amended as follows:
0
a. Remove paragraphs (x) and (z);
0
b. Redesignate paragraphs (y) and (aa) as paragraphs (x) and (y), 
respectively;
0
c. Redesignate paragraphs (bb) through (ww) as (z) through (uu), 
respectively; and
0
d. Add paragraph (vv) and reserved paragraph (ww).
    The additions reads as follows:


Sec.  300.222  Prohibitions.

* * * * *
    (vv) Fail to obtain an IMO number for a fishing vessel as required 
in Sec.  300.217(c).
    (ww) [Reserved].
* * * * *

0
10. In Sec.  300.223, revise paragraph (d) and remove and reserve 
paragraph (e).
    The revision reads as follows:


Sec.  300.223  Purse seine fishing restrictions.

* * * * *
    (d) Catch retention. An owner and operator of a fishing vessel of 
the United States equipped with purse seine gear must ensure the 
retention on board at all times while at sea within the Convention Area 
any bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus), yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), 
or skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis), except in the following 
circumstances and with the following conditions:
    (1) Fish that are unfit for human consumption, including but not 
limited to fish that are spoiled, pulverized, severed, or partially 
consumed at the time they are brought on board, may be discarded.
    (2) If at the end of a fishing trip there is insufficient well 
space to accommodate all the fish captured in a given purse seine set, 
fish captured in that set may be discarded, provided that no additional 
purse seine sets are made during the fishing trip.
    (3) If a serious malfunction of equipment occurs that necessitates 
that fish be discarded.
* * * * *

0
11. Add Sec.  300.227 to subpart O, effective October 1, 2015, to read 
as follows:


Sec.  300.227  Framework for catch and fishing effort limits.

    (a) General. To implement conservation and management measures

[[Page 59049]]

adopted by the Commission, the Pacific Islands Regional Administrator 
may specify limits on catch or fishing effort by fishing vessels of the 
United States in the Convention Area, and other fishing-related 
restrictions and requirements (collectively called ``limits''). The 
limits will be specified as may be necessary to carry out the 
international obligations of the United States under the WCPF 
Convention and the Act, and will be designed to implement particular 
provisions of Commission-adopted conservation and management measures. 
For each specified limit, the Pacific Islands Regional Administrator 
will specify the area and period in which it applies, and as 
appropriate, the vessel types, gear types, species, fish sizes, and any 
other relevant attributes to which it applies. In addition to 
quantitative limits on catches and fishing effort, the Pacific Islands 
Regional Administrator may specify areas or periods in which particular 
fishing activities are restricted or prohibited, and other fishing-
related requirements. For each specified quantitative limit, the 
Pacific Islands Regional Administrator will also specify the 
prohibitions and requirements that would go into effect after the limit 
is reached and the applicable dates of those prohibitions.
    (b) Application in territorial seas and archipelagic waters. Unless 
stated otherwise in particular specifications, the limits specified 
under the framework shall not apply in the territorial seas or 
archipelagic waters of the United States or any other nation, as 
defined by the domestic laws and regulations of that nation and 
recognized by the United States.
    (c) Types of limits. The types of limits that may be specified 
under this section include, but are not limited to:
    (1) Limits on the weight or number of fish or other living marine 
resources of specific types and/or sizes that may be caught, retained, 
transshipped, landed, and/or sold;
    (2) Limits on the amount of fishing effort that may be expended, 
such as the amount of time vessels spend at sea (e.g., days at sea) or 
engaged in fishing (e.g., fishing days), the amount of time vessels 
spend engaged in particular fishing activities (e.g., trolling hours), 
and the quantity of specific fishing activities (e.g., number of hooks 
set; number of longline sets or purse seine sets; number of purse seine 
sets made on FADs; number of FADs deployed); and
    (3) Areas or periods in which particular activities are restricted 
or prohibited, such as periods during which it is prohibited to set 
purse seines on FADs or to use FADs in specific other ways.
    (d) [Reserved]
    (e) Allocation of limits among sectors or vessels. (1) The Pacific 
Islands Regional Administrator may allocate a Commission-adopted limit 
among particular sectors or groups of fishing vessels of the United 
States, such as for vessels that use different types of fishing gear. 
In other words, the Pacific Islands Regional Administrator may specify 
separate limits for different sectors or groups of fishing vessels even 
when not required to do so under the Commission's conservation and 
management measures.
    (2) The Pacific Islands Regional Administrator may not, under this 
framework, allocate a Commission-adopted limit among individual fishing 
vessels of the United States. In other words, the Pacific Islands 
Regional Administrator may not, under this framework, specify limits 
for individual fishing vessels of the United States, except in the case 
where there is only one fishing vessel in a sector or group of fishing 
vessels that is subject to the limit. This does not preclude NMFS from 
allocating Commission-adopted limits among individual fishing vessels 
through other regulations.
    (f) Procedures for specifying limits. (1) For each specified limit, 
the Pacific Islands Regional Administrator will publish in the Federal 
Register a notice of the proposed catch or fishing effort limit 
specification and a request for public comment on the proposed 
specification, unless exempted under the Administrative Procedure Act, 
5 U.S.C. 553. The specification will include the characteristics of the 
limit and the restrictions that will go into effect if the limit is 
reached.
    (2) For each specified limit that is subject to prior notice and 
public comment, the Pacific Islands Regional Administrator will 
consider any public comment received on the proposed specification, and 
publish in the Federal Register a notice of the final catch or fishing 
effort limit specification, if appropriate.
    (g) Notification of limits being reached. For quantitative limits, 
NMFS will monitor catch or fishing effort with respect to the specified 
limit using data submitted in vessel logbooks and other available 
information. When NMFS estimates or projects that the specified limit 
has or will be reached, the Pacific Islands Regional Administrator will 
publish notification to that effect in the Federal Register.
    (h) Prohibitions after limit is reached. For quantitative limits, 
the Federal Register notice published under paragraph (g) of this 
section will include an advisement that specific activities will be 
prohibited during a specific period. The notice will specify the 
prohibitions and their start and end dates. The start date of the 
prohibitions may not be earlier than 7 days after the date of filing 
for public inspection at the Office of the Federal Register the notice 
to be published under paragraph (g) of this section. The prohibited 
activities may include, but are not limited to, possessing, retaining 
on board, transshipping, landing, or selling specific types and/or 
sizes of fish or other living marine resources, and fishing with 
specified gear types or methods in specified areas. The Pacific Islands 
Regional Administrator may, based on revised estimates or projections 
of catch or fishing effort with respect to specified limits, rescind or 
modify the prohibitions specified under this section. The Pacific 
Islands Regional Administrator will publish notice of any such 
rescissions or modifications in the Federal Register.

[FR Doc. 2015-24853 Filed 9-30-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P