[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 240 (Tuesday, December 15, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 77928-77946]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-30613]



[[Page 77927]]

Vol. 80

Tuesday,

No. 240

December 15, 2015

Part IV





Department of Commerce





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

  Federal Register / Vol. 80 , No. 240 / Tuesday, December 15, 2015 / 
Unified Agenda  

[[Page 77928]]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Office of the Secretary

13 CFR Ch. III

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

19 CFR Ch. III

37 CFR Chs. I, IV, and V

48 CFR Ch. 13

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


Fall 2015 Semiannual Agenda of Regulations

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Commerce.

ACTION: Semiannual regulatory agenda.

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

SUMMARY: In compliance with Executive Order 12866, entitled 
``Regulatory Planning and Review,'' and the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 
as amended, the Department of Commerce (Commerce), in the spring and 
fall of each year, publishes in the Federal Register an agenda of 
regulations under development or review over the next 12 months. 
Rulemaking actions are grouped according to prerulemaking, proposed 
rules, final rules, long-term actions, and rulemaking actions completed 
since the spring 2015 agenda. The purpose of the agenda is to provide 
information to the public on regulations that are currently under 
review, being proposed, or issued by Commerce. The agenda is intended 
to facilitate comments and views by interested members of the public.
    Commerce's fall 2015 regulatory agenda includes regulatory 
activities that are expected to be conducted during the period October 
1, 2015, through September 30, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Specific: For additional information about specific regulatory 
actions listed in the agenda, contact the individual identified as the 
contact person.
    General: Comments or inquiries of a general nature about the agenda 
should be directed to Asha Mathew, Chief Counsel for Regulation, Office 
of the Assistant General Counsel for Legislation and Regulation, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230, telephone: 202-482-3151.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Commerce hereby publishes its fall 2015 
Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions pursuant 
to Executive Order 12866 and the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 
601 et seq. Executive Order 12866 requires agencies to publish an 
agenda of those regulations that are under consideration pursuant to 
this order. By memorandum of August 13, 2015, the Office of Management 
and Budget issued guidelines and procedures for the preparation and 
publication of the fall 2015 Unified Agenda. The Regulatory Flexibility 
Act requires agencies to publish, in the spring and fall of each year, 
a regulatory flexibility agenda that contains a brief description of 
the subject of any rule likely to have a significant economic impact on 
a substantial number of small entities, and a list that identifies 
those entries that have been selected for periodic review under section 
610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    In this edition of Commerce's regulatory agenda, a list of the most 
important significant regulatory actions and a Statement of Regulatory 
Priorities are included in the Regulatory Plan, which appears in both 
the online Unified Agenda and in part II of the issue of the Federal 
Register that includes the Unified Agenda.
    In addition, beginning with the fall 2007 edition, the Internet 
became the basic means for disseminating the Unified Agenda. The 
complete Unified Agenda is available online at www.reginfo.gov, in a 
format that offers users a greatly enhanced ability to obtain 
information from the Agenda database.
    Because publication in the Federal Register is mandated for the 
regulatory flexibility agendas required by the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act, Commerce's printed agenda entries include only:
    (1) Rules that are in the Agency's regulatory flexibility agenda, 
in accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act, because they are 
likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities; and
    (2) Rules that the Agency has identified for periodic review under 
section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    Printing of these entries is limited to fields that contain 
information required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act's Agenda 
requirements. Additional information on these entries is available in 
the Unified Agenda published on the Internet. In addition, for fall 
editions of the Agenda, Commerce's entire Regulatory Plan will continue 
to be printed in the Federal Register.
    Within Commerce, the Office of the Secretary and various operating 
units may issue regulations. These operating units, the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Bureau of Industry 
and Security, and the Patent and Trademark Office, issue the greatest 
share of Commerce's regulations.
    A large number of regulatory actions reported in the Agenda deal 
with fishery management programs of NOAA's National Marine Fisheries 
Service (NMFS). To avoid repetition of programs and definitions, as 
well as to provide some understanding of the technical and 
institutional elements of NMFS' programs, an ``Explanation of 
Information Contained in NMFS Regulatory Entries'' is provided below.

Explanation of Information Contained in NMFS Regulatory Entries

    The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 
U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) (the Act) governs the management of fisheries 
within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the United States (EEZ). The EEZ 
refers to those waters from the outer edge of the State boundaries, 
generally 3 nautical miles, to a distance of 200 nautical miles. 
Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) are to be prepared for fisheries that 
require conservation and management measures. Regulations implementing 
these FMPs regulate domestic fishing and foreign fishing where 
permitted. Foreign fishing may be conducted in a fishery in which there 
is no FMP only if a preliminary fishery management plan has been issued 
to govern that foreign fishing. Under the Act, eight Regional Fishery 
Management Councils (Councils) prepare FMPs or amendments to FMPs for 
fisheries within their respective areas. In the development of such 
plans or amendments and their implementing regulations, the Councils 
are required by law to conduct public hearings on the draft plans and 
to consider the use of alternative means of regulating.
    The Council process for developing FMPs and amendments makes it 
difficult for NMFS to determine the significance and timing of some 
regulatory actions under consideration by the Councils at the time the 
semiannual regulatory agenda is published.
    Commerce's fall 2015 regulatory agenda follows.

Kelly Welsh,
General Counsel.

[[Page 77929]]



          International Trade Administration--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
         Sequence No.                   Title            Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
170..........................  Antidumping                     0625-AA89
                                Methodologies: Market
                                Economy Inputs.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
         Sequence No.                   Title            Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
171..........................  Amendment 5b to the             0648-BD22
                                Highly Migratory
                                Species Fishery
                                Management Plan.
172..........................  Comprehensive Fishery           0648-BD32
                                Management Plan for
                                Puerto Rico.
173..........................  Comprehensive Fishery           0648-BD33
                                Management Plan for
                                St. Croix.
174..........................  Comprehensive Fishery           0648-BD34
                                Management Plan for
                                St. Thomas/St. John.
175..........................  Implementation of a             0648-BD59
                                Program for
                                Transshipments by
                                Large Scale Fishing
                                Vessels in the Eastern
                                Pacific Ocean.
176..........................  Amendment 28 to the             0648-BD68
                                Fishery Management
                                Plan for the Reef Fish
                                Resources of the Gulf
                                of Mexico (Section 610
                                Review).
177..........................  Amendment 7 to the FMP          0648-BD76
                                for the Dolphin Wahoo
                                Fishery of the
                                Atlantic and Amendment
                                33 to the FMP for the
                                Snapper-Grouper
                                Fishery of the South
                                Atlantic.
178..........................  Regulatory Amendment 16         0648-BD78
                                to the Fishery
                                Management Plan for
                                the Snapper-Grouper
                                Fishery of the South
                                Atlantic Region.
179..........................  Generic Accountability          0648-BE38
                                Measure and Dolphin
                                Allocation Amendment
                                for the South Atlantic
                                Region.
180..........................  Omnibus Acceptable              0648-BE65
                                Biological Catch
                                Framework Adjustment.
181..........................  Amendment 35 to the             0648-BE70
                                Fishery Management
                                Plan for the Snapper
                                Grouper Fishery of the
                                South Atlantic Region.
182..........................  Modification of the             0648-BE77
                                Temperature-Dependent
                                Component of the
                                Pacific Sardine
                                Harvest Guideline
                                Control Rule to
                                Incorporate New
                                Scientific Information.
183..........................  Amendment 44 to the             0648-BE98
                                Fishery Management
                                Plan for Bering Sea/
                                Aleutian Islands King
                                and Tanner Crabs to
                                Modify Right of First
                                Refusal Provisions of
                                the Crab
                                Rationalization
                                Program.
184..........................  Reductions in Fishing           0648-BF01
                                Capacity for Lobster
                                Management Areas 2 and
                                3.
185..........................  Amendment 109 to the            0648-BF05
                                Fishery Management
                                Plan for Groundfish of
                                the BSAI to Facilitate
                                Development of
                                Groundfish Fisheries
                                for Small Vessels in
                                the Western Alaska
                                Community Development
                                Quota Program.
186..........................  Magnuson-Stevens                0648-BF09
                                Fisheries Conservation
                                and Management Act;
                                Seafood Import
                                Monitoring Program.
187..........................  Pacific Coast                   0648-BF12
                                Groundfish Trawl
                                Rationalization
                                Program; Widow
                                Rockfish Reallocation
                                in the Individual
                                Fishing Quota Fishery.
188..........................  Framework Amendment 3           0648-BF14
                                to the Fishery
                                Management Plan for
                                the Coastal Migratory
                                Pelagic Resources of
                                the Gulf of Mexico and
                                Atlantic Region.
189..........................  Framework Amendment to          0648-BF21
                                the Fishery Management
                                Plan for the Reef Fish
                                Resources of the Gulf
                                of Mexico to Modify
                                Greater Amberjack
                                Allowable Harvest and
                                Management Measures.
190..........................  Implementation of               0648-BF25
                                Salmon Bycatch
                                Management Measures
                                for the Bering Sea
                                Pollock Fishery.
191..........................  Amendment 18 to the             0648-BF26
                                Northeast Multispecies
                                Fishery Management
                                Plan (Section 610
                                Review).
192..........................  Framework Amendment to          0648-BF33
                                the Fishery Management
                                Plan for the Reef Fish
                                Resources of the Gulf
                                of Mexico for Red
                                Snapper Commercial
                                Quota Retention for
                                2016.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
         Sequence No.                   Title            Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
193..........................  Fishery Management Plan         0648-AS65
                                for Regulating
                                Offshore Marine
                                Aquaculture in the
                                Gulf of Mexico.
194..........................  Atlantic Highly                 0648-BA17
                                Migratory Species;
                                Future of the Atlantic
                                Shark Fishery.
195..........................  Implement the 2010              0648-BB02
                                Shark Conservation Act
                                Provisions and Other
                                Regulations in the
                                Atlantic Smoothhound
                                Shark Fishery.
196..........................  Amendment 7 to the 2006         0648-BC09
                                Consolidated Highly
                                Migratory Species
                                Fishery Management
                                Plan.
197..........................  Implementation of the           0648-BD54
                                Inter-American
                                Tropical Tuna
                                Commission Resolution
                                to Establish a Vessel
                                Monitoring System
                                Program in the Eastern
                                Pacific Ocean.
198..........................  Amendment 8 to the              0648-BD81
                                Fishery Management
                                Plan for Coral, Coral
                                Reefs, and Live/Hard
                                Bottom Habitats of the
                                South Atlantic Region.
199..........................  Cost Recovery from              0648-BE05
                                Amendment 80,
                                Community Development
                                Quota Groundfish and
                                Halibut, American
                                Fisheries Act and
                                Aleutian Islands
                                Pollock, and the
                                Freezer Longline
                                Coalition Pacific Cod
                                Fisheries Man.
200..........................  International                   0648-BE84
                                Fisheries; Western and
                                Central Pacific
                                Fisheries for Highly
                                Migratory Species;
                                Fishing Effort and
                                Catch Limits and Other
                                Restrictions and
                                Requirements.
201..........................  Revision of Skate               0648-BE85
                                Maximum Retainable
                                Amounts in the Gulf of
                                Alaska Groundfish
                                Fishery.
202..........................  Pacific Coast                   0648-BE90
                                Groundfish Fishing
                                Capacity Reduction
                                Loan Refinance
                                (Section 610 Review).
203..........................  Process for Divestiture         0648-BF11
                                of Excess Quota Shares
                                (Section 610 Review).
204..........................  Designation of Critical         0648-AY54
                                Habitat for the North
                                Atlantic Right Whale.
205..........................  Endangered and                  0648-BB30
                                Threatened Species:
                                Designation of
                                Critical Habitat for
                                Threatened Lower
                                Columbia River Coho
                                Salmon and Puget Sound
                                Steelhead.
206..........................  Designation of Critical         0648-BC56
                                Habitat for the Arctic
                                Ringed Seal.
207..........................  Revisions to Hawaiian           0648-BD97
                                Islands Humpback Whale
                                National Marine
                                Sanctuary Regulations.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 77930]]


   National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Long-Term Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
         Sequence No.                   Title            Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
208..........................  Amendment 39 to the             0648-BD25
                                Fishery Management
                                Plan for the Reef Fish
                                Resources of the Gulf
                                of Mexico.
209..........................  Designate Critical              0648-BC45
                                Habitat for the
                                Hawaiian Insular False
                                Killer Whale Distinct
                                Population Segment.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


   National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
         Sequence No.                   Title            Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
210..........................  Amendment 22 to the             0648-BA53
                                Fishery Management
                                Plan for the Snapper
                                Grouper Fishery of the
                                South Atlantic Region.
211..........................  Amendment 31 to the             0648-BA61
                                Fishery Management
                                Plan for the Bering
                                Sea and Aleutian
                                Islands King and
                                Tanner Crabs.
212..........................  Amendment 43 to the FMP         0648-BC34
                                for BSAI King and
                                Tanner Crabs and
                                Amendment 103 to the
                                FMP for Groundfish of
                                the BSAI.
213..........................  Pacific Coast                   0648-BC84
                                Groundfish Trawl
                                Rationalization
                                Program Trailing
                                Action: Rule to Modify
                                Chafing Gear
                                Regulations for
                                Midwater Trawl Gear
                                Used in the Pacific
                                Coast Groundfish
                                Fishery.
214..........................  Fisheries Off West              0648-BC95
                                Coast States; West
                                Coast Salmon
                                Fisheries; Amendment
                                18; Essential Fish
                                Habitat Descriptions
                                for Pacific Salmon.
215..........................  Codifying the Initial           0648-BD02
                                Vessel Monitoring
                                System Type-Approval
                                Process and
                                Requirements, and the
                                Recertification and
                                Revocation Processes.
216..........................  Pacific Coast                   0648-BD30
                                Groundfish Trawl
                                Rationalization
                                Program Trailing
                                Actions: Permitting
                                Requirements for
                                Observer and Catch
                                Monitor Providers
                                (Section 610 Review).
217..........................  Establishment of                0648-BD42
                                Special Management
                                Zones for Delaware
                                Artificial Reefs.
218..........................  Amendment 97 to the             0648-BD48
                                Fishery Management
                                Plan for Groundfish of
                                the Gulf of Alaska to
                                Establish Chinook
                                Salmon Prohibited
                                Species Catch Limits
                                for the Non-Pollock
                                Trawl Fisheries.
219..........................  Amendment 45 to the             0648-BD61
                                Fishery Management
                                Plan for Bering Sea
                                and Aleutian Islands
                                King and Tanner Crab
                                Freezer Longline
                                Catcher/Processor
                                Pacific Cod Sideboard
                                Removal (Section 610
                                Review).
220..........................  Information Collection          0648-BD64
                                Program for Atlantic
                                Surfclam and Ocean
                                Quahog Fisheries.
221..........................  Amendment 100 to the            0648-BD98
                                FMP for Groundfish of
                                the BSAI Management
                                Area and Amendment 91
                                to the FMP for
                                Groundfish of the Gulf
                                of Alaska to add
                                Grenadiers to the
                                Ecosystem Component
                                Category.
222..........................  Implementation of a             0648-BE09
                                Gulf of Alaska Trawl
                                Fishery Economic Data
                                Collection Program.
223..........................  2015-2016 Pacific Coast         0648-BE27
                                Groundfish Harvest
                                Specifications and
                                Management Measures
                                and Amendment 24 to
                                the Pacific Coast
                                Groundfish FMP.
224..........................  Regulatory Amendment to         0648-BE41
                                Change the Definition
                                of Sport Fishing Guide
                                Services for Pacific
                                Halibut in
                                International Pacific
                                Halibut Commission
                                Area 2C and Area 3A.
225..........................  Framework Action to             0648-BE44
                                Revise Recreational
                                Accountability
                                Measures for Red
                                Snapper.
226..........................  Amendment 16 to the             0648-BE46
                                Fishery Management
                                Plan for the Shrimp
                                Fishery of the Gulf of
                                Mexico, U.S. Waters.
227..........................  2015-2017                       0648-BE49
                                Specifications and
                                Management Measures
                                for the Atlantic
                                Mackerel, Squid, and
                                Butterfish Fisheries.
228..........................  Framework Adjustment 26         0648-BE68
                                to the Atlantic Sea
                                Scallop Fishery
                                Management Plan
                                (Section 610 Review).
229..........................  Pacific Coast                   0648-BE72
                                Groundfish Trawl
                                Rationalization
                                Program--Midwater
                                Trawl Fishery Season
                                Date Change (Section
                                610 Review).
230..........................  Framework Adjustment 53         0648-BE75
                                to the Northeast
                                Multispecies Fishery
                                Management Plan
                                (Section 610 Review).
231..........................  2015-2016 Atlantic              0648-BE81
                                Bluefin Tuna Quotas.
232..........................  Revision of Hawaiian            0648-BA81
                                Monk Seal Critical
                                Habitat.
233..........................  2015 Annual                     0648-BE35
                                Determination to
                                Implement the Sea
                                Turtle Observer
                                Requirement.
234..........................  Amendment to the                0648-BE83
                                Atlantic Large Whale
                                Take Reduction Plan.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)

International Trade Administration (ITA)

Completed Actions

170.  Antidumping Methodologies: Market Economy Inputs

    Legal Authority: 19 U.S.C. 1202 note; 19 U.S.C. 1303 note; 19 
U.S.C. 1671 et seq.; 19 U.S.C. 3538; 5 U.S.C. 301
    Abstract: The Department of Commerce (Department) amends its 
regulations to modify its regulation which states that the Department 
normally will use the price that a nonmarket economy (NME) producer 
pays to a market economy supplier when a factor of production is 
purchased from a market economy supplier and paid for in market economy 
currency, in the calculation of normal value (NV) in antidumping 
proceedings involving NME countries. The rule, if adopted, would 
establish (1) a requirement that the input at issue be produced in one 
or more market economy countries, and (2) a revised threshold requiring 
that substantially all of an input be purchased from one or more market 
economy suppliers before the Department would use the purchase price 
paid to value the entire factor of production. Through this 
modification, the Department is announcing its definition of 
substantially all to be 85 percent of the total purchased volume of the 
particular input.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   06/28/12  77 FR 38553
NPRM Comment Period End.............   07/30/12
Final Action........................   08/02/13  78 FR 46799
Final Action Effective..............   09/03/13
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

[[Page 77931]]

    Agency Contact: Scott McBride, Department of Commerce, 
International Trade Administration, 14th & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20230, Phone: 202 482-6292, Fax: 202 482-4912, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0625-AA89

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Proposed Rule Stage
National Marine Fisheries Service

171. Amendment 5B to the Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management 
Plan

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.
    Abstract: This rulemaking would propose management measures for 
dusky sharks based on a recent stock assessment, taking into 
consideration comments received on the proposed rule and Amendment 5 to 
the 2006 Consolidated Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan. 
This rulemaking could consider a range of commercial and recreational 
management measures in both directed and incidental shark fisheries 
including, among other things, gear modifications, time/area closures, 
permitting, shark identification requirements, and reporting 
requirements. NMFS determined dusky sharks are still overfished and 
still experiencing overfishing and originally proposed management 
measures to end overfishing and rebuild dusky sharks in a proposed rule 
for Draft Amendment 5 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly 
Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan. That proposed rule also 
contained management measures for scalloped hammerhead, sandbar, 
blacknose and Gulf of Mexico blacktip sharks. NMFS decided to move 
forward with Draft Amendment 5's management measures for scalloped 
hammerhead, sandbar, blacknose and Gulf of Mexico blacktip sharks in a 
final rule and final amendment that will now be referred to as 
``Amendment 5a'' to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory 
Species Fishery Management Plan. Dusky shark management measures will 
be addressed in this separate, but related, action and will be referred 
to as ``Amendment 5b.''
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   03/00/16
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Alan Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable 
Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, Room 13362, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 
20910, Phone: 301 713-2334, Fax: 301 713-0596, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD22

172. Comprehensive Fishery Management Plan for Puerto Rico

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This comprehensive Puerto Rico Fishery Management Plan 
will incorporate, and modify as needed, federal fisheries management 
measures presently included in each of the existing species-based U.S. 
Caribbean Fishery Management Plans (Spiny Lobster, Reef Fish, Coral, 
and Queen Conch Fishery Management Plans) as those measures pertain to 
Puerto Rico exclusive economic zone waters. The goal of this action is 
to create a Fishery Management Plan tailored to the specific fishery 
management needs of Puerto Rico. If approved, this new Puerto Rico 
Fishery Management Plan, in conjunction with similar comprehensive 
Fishery Management Plans being developed for St. Croix and St. Thomas/
St. John, will replace the Spiny Lobster, Reef Fish, Coral and Queen 
Conch Fishery Management Plans presently governing the commercial and 
recreational harvest in U.S. Caribbean exclusive economic zone waters.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   09/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD32

173. Comprehensive Fishery Management Plan for St. Croix

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This comprehensive St. Croix Fishery Management Plan will 
incorporate, and modify as needed, federal fisheries management 
measures presently included in each of the existing species-based U.S. 
Caribbean Fishery Management Plans (Spiny Lobster, Reef Fish, Coral, 
and Queen Conch Fishery Management Plans) as those measures pertain to 
St. Croix exclusive economic zone waters. The goal of this action is to 
create a Fishery Management Plan tailored to the specific fishery 
management needs of St. Croix. If approved, this new St. Croix Fishery 
Management Plan, in conjunction with similar comprehensive Fishery 
Management Plans being developed for Puerto Rico and St. Thomas/St. 
John, will replace the Spiny Lobster, Reef Fish, Coral and Queen Conch 
Fishery Management Plans presently governing the commercial and 
recreational harvest in U.S. Caribbean exclusive economic zone waters.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   09/00/16
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD33

174. Comprehensive Fishery Management Plan for St. Thomas/St. John

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This comprehensive St. Thomas/St. John Fishery Management 
Plan will incorporate, and modify as needed, federal fisheries 
management measures presently included in each of the existing species-
based U.S. Caribbean Fishery Management Plans (Spiny Lobster, Reef 
Fish, Coral, and Queen Conch Fishery Management Plans) as those 
measures pertain to St. Thomas/St. John exclusive economic zone waters. 
The goal of this action is to create a Fishery Management Plan tailored 
to the specific fishery management needs of St. Thomas/St. John. If 
approved, this new St. Thomas/St. John Fishery Management Plan, in 
conjunction with similar comprehensive Fishery Management Plans being 
developed for St. Croix and Puerto Rico, will replace the Spiny 
Lobster, Reef Fish, Coral and Queen Conch Fishery Management Plans 
presently governing the commercial and recreational harvest in U.S. 
Caribbean exclusive economic zone waters.
    Timetable:

[[Page 77932]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   09/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD34

175. Implementation of a Program for Transshipments by Large Scale 
Fishing Vessels in the Eastern Pacific Ocean

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 951 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule would implement the Inter-American Tropical 
Tuna Commission program to monitor transshipments by large-scale tuna 
fishing vessels, and would govern transshipments by U.S. large-scale 
tuna fishing vessels and carrier, or receiving, vessels. The rule would 
establish: criteria for transshipping in port; criteria for 
transshipping at sea by longline vessels to an authorized carrier 
vessel with an Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission observer onboard 
and an operational vessel monitoring system; and require the Pacific 
Transshipment Declaration Form, which must be used to report 
transshipments in the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission 
Convention Area. The rule is neither applicable to troll and pole-and-
line vessels, nor to vessels that transship fresh fish at sea. The 
frequency of transshipments in the Eastern Pacific Ocean is uncertain, 
but only a few transshipments are expected annually. A similar rule was 
adopted in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean and the National 
Marine Fisheries Service calculated that an average of twenty-four at-
sea transshipments of fish caught by longline gear there have occurred 
annually from 1993 through 2009. Transshipments in the Eastern Pacific 
Ocean are likely to be much less than twenty-four per year. This rule 
is necessary for the United States to satisfy its international 
obligations under the 1949 Convention for the Establishment of an 
Inter-American Tropical Tuna, to which it is a Contracting Party.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   01/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: William Stelle Jr., Regional Administrator, West 
Coast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way Northeast, Building 1, Seattle, WA 
98115, Phone: 206 526-6150, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD59

176. Amendment 28 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish 
Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (Section 610 Review)

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: The current allocation of red snapper between the 
commercial and recreational sectors is 51:49 percent, respectively. The 
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) is considering a 
change in the allocation with the aim of increasing the net benefits 
from red snapper fishing and increasing the stability of the red 
snapper recreational component of the reef fish fishery. The rule will 
consider options that would increase the recreational sector's 
allocation above 49 percent.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD68

177. Amendment 7 to the FMP for the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery of the 
Atlantic and Amendment 33 to the FMP for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of 
the South Atlantic

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: The purpose of Amendment 7 to the Fishery Management Plan 
for the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic is to allow fishermen 
to bring dolphin and wahoo fillets from The Commonwealth of The Bahamas 
into the U.S. Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ). Regulations at 50 CFR 
622.186(b) currently allows fillets of snapper grouper species from The 
Bahamas to be brought into the U.S. EEZ. Additionally, regulations 
would be updated for snapper grouper species and dolphin and wahoo to 
require all fillets to have the skin intact; and consider an exemption 
from bag limits for dolphin and wahoo in the U.S. EEZ. The need for 
this action is to increase economic and social benefits to fishermen by 
removing unnecessary restrictions and implementing regulations for 
dolphin and wahoo that are consistent with snapper grouper species.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD76

178. Regulatory Amendment 16 to the Fishery Management Plan for the 
Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: Regulatory Amendment 16 contains an action to address the 
prohibition on the use of black sea bass pots annually from November 1 
through April 30 that was implemented through Regulatory Amendment 19. 
The prohibition was a precautionary measure to prevent interactions 
between black sea bass pot gear and whales listed under the Endangered 
Species Act during large whale migrations and the right whale calving 
season off the southeastern coast. The South Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council, through Regulatory Amendment 16, is considering 
removal of the closure, changing the length of the closure, and 
changing the area of the closure. The goal is to minimize adverse 
socio-economic impacts to black sea bass pot endorsement holders while 
maintaining protection for Endangered Species Act-listed whales in the 
South Atlantic region.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   02/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected].

[[Page 77933]]

    RIN: 0648-BD78

179. Generic Accountability Measure and Dolphin Allocation Amendment 
for the South Atlantic Region

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: The action would include Amendment 34 to the Fishery 
Management Plan (FMP) for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South 
Atlantic Region, Amendment 9 to the FMP for the Golden Crab Fishery of 
the South Atlantic Region, and Amendment 8 to the FMP for the Dolphin-
Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic. Currently, there are inconsistent 
accountability measures for federally-managed species in the South 
Atlantic, except for inseason closures of the commercial sector when a 
commercial annual catch limit is met or projected to be met. Therefore, 
Amendment 34 and Amendment 9 would propose modifications to 
accountability measures for snapper-grouper species and golden crab to 
create a more consistent regulatory environment while ensuring 
overfishing does not occur. Amendment 8 would consider alternatives to 
modify sector allocations for dolphin. The current method for 
determining allocations is based on a time series of data from 1999-
2008. Dolphin landings data starting from 1986 are available, and the 
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is reexamining the sector 
allocations based on this expanded times series of data.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice..............................   07/15/15  80 FR 41472
NPRM................................   11/00/15  .......................
Final Action........................   12/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE38

180. Omnibus Acceptable Biological Catch Framework Adjustment

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This action would make two administrative adjustments to 
the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) Omnibus Annual 
Catch Limit Amendment: (1) Adjust the Council's risk policy so that the 
Scientific and Statistical Committee may apply an average probability 
of overfishing when recommending multi-year Acceptable Biological 
Catches; and (2) make all of the Council's fishery management plans 
consistent in allowing new status determination criteria (overfishing 
definitions, etc.) to be accepted as the best available scientific 
information.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, Greater 
Atlantic Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930, Phone: 978 281-9287, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE65

181. Amendment 35 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper 
Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: Amendment 35 would consider removing black snapper, dog 
snapper, mahogany snapper, and schoolmaster from the Fishery Management 
Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region 
because these species have extremely low commercial landings in state 
and Federal waters. Almost all harvest (recreational and commercial) 
occurs in South Florida, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation 
Commission has agreed that if the four species are removed from the 
Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South 
Atlantic Region they will extend state regulations for those species 
into Federal waters. Additionally, the South Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council (Council) desires consistent regulations for 
snapper-grouper species caught primarily in South Florida. Removing the 
four subject species would establish a consistent regulatory 
environment in Federal and state waters off southern Florida where they 
are most frequently encountered. Amendment 35 would also clarify in 
accordance with the Council's intent regulations governing use of 
golden tilefish longline endorsements.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE70

182. Modification of the Temperature-Dependent Component of the Pacific 
Sardine Harvest Guideline Control Rule to Incorporate New Scientific 
Information

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: Pursuant to a recommendation of the Pacific Fishery 
Management Council (Council) under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the 
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is proposing to use a new 
temperature index to calculate the temperature parameter of the Pacific 
sardine harvest guideline control rule under the Fishery Management 
Plan. The harvest guideline control rule, in conjunction with the 
overfishing limit and acceptable biological catch control rules, is 
used to set annual harvest levels for Pacific sardine. The temperature 
parameter is calculated annually. NMFS determined that a new 
temperature index is more statistically sound and this action will 
adopt that index. This action also will revise the upper temperature 
limit to allow for additional sardine harvest where prior guidelines 
set catch unnecessarily low.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: William Stelle Jr., Regional Administrator, West 
Coast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way Northeast, Building 1, Seattle, WA 
98115, Phone: 206 526-6150, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE77

183. Amendment 44 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/
Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs To Modify Right of First Refusal 
Provisions of the Crab Rationalization Program

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1862 et seq.; Pub. L. 109-241; Pub. L. 
109-479
    Abstract: This rule would amend the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
Crab Rationalization Program through two actions intended to benefit 
eligible crab

[[Page 77934]]

communities by enhancing opportunities to retain community historical 
processing interests in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands crab 
fisheries. The action would modify the right of first refusal 
provisions that provide eligible crab community entities with the 
opportunity to purchase processor quota shares and other associated 
assets proposed for sale. The first action would affect about 21 
processor quota shareholders. The rule would require all persons 
holding processor quota share to provide annual notification to NMFS 
regarding the status of the right of first refusal for all processor 
quota share holdings. The second action would amend regulations to 
separate the combined individual fishing quota/individual processor 
quota application into two applications, and revise reporting 
requirements for crab cooperatives.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: James Balsiger, Regional Administrator, Alaska 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 709 West Ninth Street, Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 
586-7221, Fax: 907 586-7465, Email: [email protected]
    RIN: 0648-BE98

184.  Reductions in Fishing Capacity for Lobster Management 
Areas 2 and 3

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.
    Abstract: This action proposes several reductions in fishing 
capacity for Lobster Management Areas 2 and 3. The proposed measures 
include: Caps on the number of traps that can be actively fished; caps 
on the number of traps associated with a permit (i.e., allowing trap 
banking); and caps on the number of traps or permits issued to a given 
owner. This action is intended to assist in rebuilding the Southern New 
England lobster stock.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   02/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, Greater 
Atlantic Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930, Phone: 978 281-9287, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BF01

185.  Amendment 109 to the Fishery Management Plan for 
Groundfish of the BSAI To Facilitate Development of Groundfish 
Fisheries for Small Vessels in the Western Alaska Community Development 
Quota Program

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This action would amend the Fishery Management Plan for 
Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area and 
revise regulations governing the groundfish and halibut fisheries 
managed under the Western Alaska Community Development Quota Program in 
order to support increased participation in the groundfish Community 
Development Quota fisheries (primarily Pacific cod) by catcher vessels 
less than or equal to 46 feet (14.0 m) length overall using hook-and-
line gear. This action is necessary to promote the goals of the 
Community Development Quota Program, to increase participation by 
residents of Community Development Quota communities in the Bering Sea 
and Aleutian Islands Management Area groundfish and halibut fisheries, 
and to support economic development in western Alaska. This action 
would benefit the six Community Development Quota groups and the 
operators of the small catcher vessels that the Community Development 
Quota groups authorize to fish on their behalf by reducing the costs of 
participating in the groundfish and halibut Community Development Quota 
fisheries.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: James Balsiger, Regional Administrator, Alaska 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 709 West Ninth Street, Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 
586-7221, Fax: 907 586-7465, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BF05

186.  Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management 
Act; Seafood Import Monitoring Program

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1857(1)(Q)
    Abstract: On March 15, 2015, the Presidential Task Force on 
Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing and Seafood 
Fraud (Task Force), co-chaired by the Departments of Commerce and 
State, published its action plan to implement Task Force 
recommendations for a comprehensive framework of integrated programs to 
combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and seafood fraud. 
The plan identifies actions that will strengthen enforcement, create 
and expand partnerships with state and local governments, industry, and 
non-governmental organizations, and create a traceability program to 
track seafood from harvest to entry into U.S. commerce, including the 
use of existing traceability mechanisms. As part of that plan, NMFS 
proposes regulatory changes to improve the administration of the MSA 
prohibition on the entry into interstate or foreign commerce of any 
fish taken in violation of any foreign law or regulation. The proposed 
rule includes adjustments to permitting and reporting requirements to 
provide for traceability of seafood products offered for entry into the 
U.S. supply chain, and to ensure that these products were lawfully 
acquired. Requirements for an international trade permit and reporting 
on the origin of certain imported or exported fishery products were 
previously established by regulations applicable to a number of 
specified fishery products. This rulemaking would extend those existing 
permitting and reporting requirements to additional fish species and 
seafood products. It is anticipated that these changes will not 
significantly affect current levels of trade in seafood products nor 
activity by U.S. importers and exporters issued Fisheries International 
Trade permits.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/00/15  .......................
Final Action........................   08/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: John Henderschedt, Director, Office for 
International Affairs and Seafood Inspection, Department of Commerce, 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East West 
Highway, Room 10362, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 427-8314, 
Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BF09

187.  Pacific Coast Groundfish Trawl Rationalization Program; 
Widow Rockfish Reallocation in the Individual Fishing Quota Fishery

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

[[Page 77935]]

    Abstract: In January 2011, NMFS implemented the groundfish trawl 
rationalization program (a catch share program) for the Pacific coast 
groundfish limited entry trawl fishery. The program was implemented 
through Amendments 20 and 21 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery 
Management Plan and the corresponding implementing regulations. 
Amendment 20 established the trawl rationalization program, which 
includes an Individual Fishing Quota program for limited entry trawl 
participants, and Amendment 21 established fixed allocations for 
limited entry trawl participants. During implementation of the trawl 
individual fishing quota program, widow rockfish was overfished and the 
initial allocations were based on its overfished status and management 
as a non-target species. NMFS declared the widow rockfish rebuilt in 
2011 and, accordingly, the Pacific Fishery Management Council has now 
recommended actions to manage the increased abundance of widow 
rockfish. The proposed action would reallocate individual fishing quota 
widow rockfish quota share to facilitate directed harvest and would 
lift the moratorium on widow rockfish quota share trading.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: William Stelle Jr., Regional Administrator, West 
Coast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way Northeast, Building 1, Seattle, WA 
98115, Phone: 206 526-6150, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BF12

188.  Framework Amendment 3 to the Fishery Management Plan for 
the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and 
Atlantic Region

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule would modify trip limits, accountability 
measures, electronic reporting requirements, and gillnet permit 
requirements for commercial king mackerel landed by gillnet in the Gulf 
of Mexico. The need for this proposed action is to increase efficiency, 
stability, and accountability, and reduce the potential for regulatory 
discards in the commercial king mackerel gillnet component of the 
fishery.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected]
    RIN: 0648-BF14

189.  Framework Amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for 
the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico To Modify Greater 
Amberjack Allowable Harvest and Management Measures

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This action is intended to end overfishing and rebuild 
the Gulf of Mexico greater amberjack stock; a 2014 stock assessment 
indicated the Gulf of Mexico greater amberjack stock remains overfished 
and is undergoing overfishing. Allowable harvest will be reduced and 
will remain constant until changed based on new information. To better 
constrain catches to the allowable harvest levels, the recreational 
minimum size limit will be increased from 30 inches fork length to 34 
inches fork length, and the commercial trip limit will be reduced from 
1,923 pounds gutted weight to 1,500 pounds gutted weight.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/00/15  .......................
Final Action........................   12/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BF21

190.  Implementation of Salmon Bycatch Management Measures for 
the Bering Sea Pollock Fishery

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: Regulatory Amendment 110 would make substantive changes 
to the management of salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea pollock fishery 
to minimize salmon bycatch in the pollock fishery to the extent 
practicable. Currently, Chinook and chum salmon bycatch are managed 
under two different programs, which have led to inefficiencies and do 
not allow the pollock fishery the flexibility to modify their harvest 
patterns and practices to effectively minimize both Chinook and chum 
salmon bycatch. This regulation would make salmon bycatch management 
more effective, comprehensive, and efficient by increasing flexibility 
to respond to changing conditions and providing greater incentives to 
reduce bycatch of both salmon species. This regulation would provide 
the flexibility to harvest pollock in times and places that best 
achieve salmon avoidance and to adapt to changing conditions quickly.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: James Balsiger, Regional Administrator, Alaska 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 709 West Ninth Street, Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 
586-7221, Fax: 907 586-7465, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BF25

191.  Amendment 18 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery 
Management Plan (Section 610 Review)

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: Amendment 18 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery 
Management Plan would make necessary minor administrative adjustments 
to several groundfish sectors, as well as minor adjustments to fishing 
activity designed to protect fishery resources while maximizing 
flexibility and efficiency. Specifically, it would include the 
following management measures: Creating an accumulation limit for 
either the holdings of Potential Sector Contribution or of Northeast 
multispecies permits; creating a sub-annual catch limit that Handgear A 
permits could enroll in and other measures pertaining to fishing with 
Handgear A permits; adjusting what fishery data are considered 
confidential, specifically the price of annual catch entitlement 
transferred within a sector or leased between sectors; establishing an 
inshore/offshore boundary within the Gulf of Maine with associated 
measures, including creation of a Gulf of Maine cod sub-annual catch 
limit, adjusting the Gulf of Maine Gear Restricted Area boundary to 
align with the inshore/offshore boundary, and creating

[[Page 77936]]

declaration time periods for fishing in the inshore or offshore areas; 
and establishing a Redfish Exemption Area, in which vessels could fish 
with a smaller mesh net than the standard mesh size, targeting redfish.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, Greater 
Atlantic Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930, Phone: 978 281-9287, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BF26

192.  Framework Amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for 
the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico for Red Snapper 
Commercial Quota Retention for 2016

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This action would provide the authority to withhold 4.9 
percent of the 2016 red snapper commercial quota prior to the annual 
distribution of allocation to the Individual Fishing Quota shareholders 
on January 1, 2016. This action is necessary to allow for the 
implementation of Reef Fish Amendment 28 in early 2016. Amendment 28 
increases the recreational sectors allocation of the red snapper total 
allowable catch and was approved by the Council at the August 2015 
meeting. However, it is unlikely that NMFS will be able to implement 
the reallocation until after the annual distribution on January 1. If 
Amendment 28 is approved by the Secretary of Commerce, the 4.9 percent 
of the commercial quota would be transferred to the recreational 
sector. If Amendment 28 is disapproved by the Secretary of Commerce, 
the 4.9 percent of the commercial quota would be distributed to the 
Individual Fishing Quota shareholders.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BF33

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Final Rule Stage

National Marine Fisheries Service

193. Fishery Management Plan for Regulating Offshore Marine Aquaculture 
in the Gulf of Mexico

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: The purpose of this fishery management plan is to develop 
a regional permitting process for regulating and promoting 
environmentally sound and economically sustainable aquaculture in the 
Gulf of Mexico exclusive economic zone. This fishery management plan 
consists of ten actions, each with an associated range of management 
alternatives, which would facilitate the permitting of an estimated 5 
to 20 offshore aquaculture operations in the Gulf of Mexico over the 
next 10 years, with an estimated annual production of up to 64 million 
pounds. By establishing a regional permitting process for aquaculture, 
the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will be positioned to 
achieve their primary goal of increasing maximum sustainable yield and 
optimum yield of federal fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico by 
supplementing harvest of wild caught species with cultured product. 
This rulemaking would outline a regulatory permitting process for 
aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico, including: (1) Required permits; (2) 
duration of permits; (3) species allowed; (4) designation of sites for 
aquaculture; (5) reporting requirements; and (6) regulations to aid in 
enforcement.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Availability..............   06/04/09  74 FR 26829
NPRM................................   08/28/14  79 FR 26829
NPRM Comment Period Reopened........   11/13/14  79 FR 67411
Final Action........................   11/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-AS65

194. Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Future of the Atlantic Shark 
Fishery

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.
    Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service is considering 
adjusting the regulations governing the U.S. Atlantic shark fishery to 
address current fishery issues and to identify specific shark fishery 
goals for the future. This action will consider potential changes to 
the quota and/or permit structure that are currently in place for the 
Atlantic shark fishery, and various catch share programs such as 
limited access privilege programs, individual fishing quotas, and 
sectors for the Atlantic shark fishery.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANPRM...............................   09/20/10  75 FR 57235
ANPRM Comment Period End............   01/14/11  .......................
Notice..............................   05/27/14  79 FR 30064
NPRM................................   01/20/15  80 FR 2648
Notice..............................   03/09/15  80 FR 12394
Final Rule..........................   08/18/15  80 FR 50073
Final Rule Effective................   08/18/15  .......................
Final Action--Next Stage               11/00/15  .......................
 Undetermined.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Alan Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable 
Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, Room 13362, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 
20910, Phone: 301 713-2334, Fax: 301 713-0596, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BA17

195. Implement the 2010 Shark Conservation Act Provisions and Other 
Regulations in the Atlantic Smoothhound Shark Fishery

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule considers implementing the provisions of the 
2010 Shark Conservation Act and other regulations in the Atlantic 
Smoothhound Fishery (which includes smooth dogfish and the Florida 
smoothhound). Specifically, this action would: (1) Modify regulations 
for smooth dogfish as needed to be consistent with the Shark 
Conservation Act; (2) consider other management measures, as needed, 
including the Terms and Conditions of the

[[Page 77937]]

Endangered Species Act Smoothhound Biological Opinion; and, (3) 
consider revising the current smoothhound shark quota based on updated 
catch data.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   08/07/14  79 FR 46217
NPRM Comment Period End.............   11/14/14  .......................
Final Action........................   11/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Alan Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable 
Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, Room 13362, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 
20910, Phone: 301 713-2334, Fax: 301 713-0596, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BB02

196. Amendment 7 to the 2006 Consolidated Highly Migratory Species 
Fishery Management Plan

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.
    Abstract: Amendment 7 focused on bluefin tuna fishery management 
issues consistent with the need to end overfishing and rebuild the 
stock. Measures in Amendment 7 addressed several of the longstanding 
challenges facing the fishery and analyzed, among other things, 
revisiting quota allocations; reducing and accounting for dead 
discards; adding or modifying time/area closures or gear-restricted 
areas; and improving the reporting and monitoring of dead discards and 
landings in all categories.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice..............................   04/23/12  77 FR 24161
Notice..............................   06/08/12  77 FR 34025
NPRM................................   08/21/13  78 FR 52032
NPRM Comment Period Extended........   09/18/13  78 FR 57340
Public Hearing......................   11/05/13  78 FR 66327
NPRM Comment Period Reopened........   12/11/13  78 FR 75327
Public Hearing......................   12/26/13  78 FR 78322
Final Rule..........................   12/02/14  79 FR 71509
Notice of Public Webinars...........   12/16/14  79 FR 74652
Final Rule..........................   12/30/14  79 FR 78310
Final Rule..........................   02/04/15  80 FR 5991
Final Rule Effective................   02/04/15  .......................
Notice..............................   05/07/15  80 FR 26196
Final Action-Next Stage Undetermined   11/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Alan Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable 
Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, Room 13362, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 
20910, Phone: 301 713-2334, Fax: 301 713-0596, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BC09

197. Implementation of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission 
Resolution to Establish a Vessel Monitoring System Program in the 
Eastern Pacific Ocean

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 951 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule would implement the Inter-American Tropical 
Tuna Commissions Resolution intended to require owners and operators of 
tuna-fishing vessels to have installed, activate, carry and operate 
vessel monitoring system units (also known as mobile transmitting 
units). This regulation would apply to owners and operators of tuna-
fishing vessels 24 meters or more in length operating in the eastern 
Pacific Ocean. The vessel monitoring system units would have to be 
type-approved and authorize the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission 
and National Marine Fisheries Service to receive and relay 
transmissions (also called position reports) from the vessel monitoring 
system unit. Vessel monitoring systems may enhance the safety of some 
vessels by allowing the vessels location to be tracked, which could 
assist in rescue efforts. This regulation would apply to commercial 
vessels and would not apply to recreational or charter vessels. This 
rule would apply to approximately seventy-four vessels; however, 
roughly thirty-eight of these vessels are already subject to vessel 
monitoring system requirements under the Western and Central Pacific 
Fisheries Commission. Due to the relatively small number of vessels 
affected, this rule is not expected to garner public opposition or 
congressional interest.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   02/06/14  79 FR 7152
Correction..........................   02/25/14  79 FR 10465
Proposed Rule.......................   05/19/15  80 FR 28572
Comment Period End..................   06/18/15  .......................
Final Action........................   11/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: William Stelle Jr., Regional Administrator, West 
Coast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way Northeast, Building 1, Seattle, WA 
98115, Phone: 206 526-6150, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD54

198. Amendment 8 to the Fishery Management Plan for Coral, Coral Reefs, 
and Live/Hard Bottom Habitats of the South Atlantic Region

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: Coral Amendment 8 modified the boundaries of the Oculina 
Bank Habitat Area of Particular Concern, the Stetson-Miami Terrace 
Coral Habitat Area of Particular Concern, and the Cape Lookout Coral 
Habitat Area of Particular Concern to protect deepwater coral 
ecosystems. The amendment also implemented a transit provision through 
the Oculina Bank Habitat Area of Particular Concern for fishing vessels 
with rock shrimp onboard.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice..............................   05/20/14  79 FR 28880
NPRM................................   06/03/14  79 FR 31907
Correction..........................   07/01/14  79 FR 37269
Final Rule..........................   07/17/15  80 FR 42423
Final Rule Correction...............   08/04/15  80 FR 46205
Final Rule Effective................   08/17/15  .......................
Final Action--Next Stage               12/00/15  .......................
 Undetermined.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD81

199. Cost Recovery From Amendment 80, Community Development Quota 
Groundfish and Halibut, American Fisheries Act and Aleutian Islands 
Pollock, and the Freezer Longline Coalition Pacific Cod Fisheries Man

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1862; Pub. L. 109-241; Pub. L. 109-479
    Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service proposes 
regulations to implement a limited access permit program cost recovery 
fee for Amendment 80, Western Alaska Community Development Quota

[[Page 77938]]

groundfish and halibut, American Fisheries Act and Aleutian Islands 
Pollock, and the Pacific Cod Freezer Longline Coalition fisheries 
management programs in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. The purpose 
of this action is to comply with section 304(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act, which authorizes and requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA) fisheries to collect fees for limited access 
permit programs and the Western Alaska Community Development Quota 
program. The fees collected would be used to recover the actual costs 
directly related to the management, data collection, and enforcement of 
these programs that are incurred by the National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   01/07/15  80 FR 935
NPRM Comment Period End.............   02/06/15  .......................
Final Action........................   11/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: James Balsiger, Regional Administrator, Alaska 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 709 West Ninth Street, Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 
586-7221, Fax: 907 586-7465, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE05

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

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule would establish a framework under which the 
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) could specify limits on 
fishing effort and catches, as well as spatial and temporal 
restrictions on particular fishing activities, in U.S. fisheries for 
highly migratory fish species in the western and central Pacific Ocean. 
NMFS would issue the specifications as needed 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. The rule also would require that U.S. fishing 
vessels of a certain size obtain International Maritime Organizational 
numbers, and prohibit U.S. longline fishing vessels from using shark 
lines, which are used in some fisheries to target sharks. This action 
is necessary for the United States to satisfy its obligations under the 
Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish 
Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, to which it is a 
Contracting Party.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   07/23/15  80 FR 43694
NPRM Comment Period End.............   08/07/15  .......................
Final Action........................   11/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Michael Tosatto, Regional Administrator, Pacific 
Islands Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg. 176, Honolulu, HI 
96818, Phone: 808 725-5000, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE84

201. Revision of Skate Maximum Retainable Amounts in the Gulf of Alaska 
Groundfish Fishery

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule would reduce the maximum retainable amount of 
incidentally caught skates in directed fisheries for groundfish in the 
Gulf of Alaska to 5 percent, which would allow a vessel to retain 
skates in an amount up to 5 percent of the weight of the target 
groundfish species onboard the vessel. The skate maximum retainable 
amount is intended to limit harvest of skates to the intrinsic rate of 
incidental catch of skates in Gulf of Alaska groundfish fisheries and 
to provide a disincentive for vessels to target skates. Skate harvests 
have increased in recent years and have exceeded the acceptable 
biological catch in some areas. This action is necessary to enhance 
conservation and management of skates by decreasing the incentive for 
vessels to target skates and to slow the harvest rate of skates.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   07/10/15  80 FR 39734
NPRM Comment Period End.............   08/10/15  .......................
Final Action........................   11/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: James Balsiger, Regional Administrator, Alaska 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 709 West Ninth Street, Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 
586-7221, Fax: 907 586-7465, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE85

202. Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishing Capacity Reduction Loan Refinance 
(Section 610 Review)

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1861 et seq.; 5 
U.S.C. 561 et seq.
    Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued 
proposed regulations to refinance the voluntary fishing capacity 
reduction loan program implemented in 2004 in the Pacific Coast 
groundfish Federal limited-entry trawl, Washington coastal Dungeness 
crab, and California pink shrimp fisheries (collectively known 
hereafter as the refinanced reduction fisheries). The refinance loan of 
up to $30 million will establish a new industry fee system for future 
landings of the refinanced reduction fisheries. Upon publishing a final 
rule and receipt of an appropriation, NMFS will conduct three referenda 
to refinance the existing debt obligation in each of the refinanced 
reduction fisheries. If a referendum in one, two, or all three of the 
fisheries is successful, that fishery's current loan will be repaid in 
full and a new loan in the amount of the principal and interest balance 
as of the date of funding will be issued. The terms were prescribed in 
the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act and include a 45-year term 
to maturity, interest charged at a current Treasury interest rate, and 
a maximum repayment fee of 3% of ex-vessel value.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   08/07/15  80 FR 46941
NPRM Comment Period End.............   09/08/15  .......................
Final Action........................   12/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Brian Pawlak, Department of Commerce, National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 427-8621, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE90

203.  Process for Divestiture of Excess Quota Shares (Section 
610 Review)

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: In January 2011, the National Marine Fisheries Service 
implemented the groundfish trawl rationalization program (a catch share 
program) for the Pacific coast groundfish limited entry trawl fishery.

[[Page 77939]]

The program was implemented through Amendments 20 and 21 to the Pacific 
Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan and the corresponding 
implementing regulations. Amendment 20 established the trawl 
rationalization program, which includes an Individual Fishing Quota 
program for limited entry trawl participants, and Amendment 21 
established fixed allocations for limited entry trawl participants, 
with limits on how much quota each participant can accumulate. Under 
current regulations, quota share owners must divest quota shareholdings 
that exceed individual accumulation limits by November 30, 2015. This 
proposed action would make minor procedural modifications to the 
program regulations to clarify how divestiture of excess quota share 
could occur.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   09/02/15  80 FR 53088
NPRM Comment Period End.............   10/02/15  .......................
Final Action........................   06/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: William Stelle Jr., Regional Administrator, West 
Coast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way Northeast, Building 1, Seattle, WA 
98115, Phone: 206 526-6150, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BF11

204. Designation of Critical Habitat for the North Atlantic Right Whale

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
    Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service proposes to revise 
the critical habitat designation for the North Atlantic right whale. 
This proposal would result in an expansion of critical habitat in the 
northeast feeding area (Gulf of Maine-Georges Bank region) and the 
southeast calving area (Florida to North Carolina) compared to what was 
designated in 1994 for right whales.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   02/20/15  80 FR 9313
NPRM Comment Period End.............   04/21/15  .......................
Final Action........................   02/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Donna Wieting, Director, Office of Protected 
Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 427-8400.
    RIN: 0648-AY54

205. Endangered and Threatened Species: Designation of Critical Habitat 
for Threatened Lower Columbia River Coho Salmon and Puget Sound 
Steelhead

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
    Abstract: This action will designate critical habitat for lower 
Columbia River coho salmon and Puget Sound steelhead, currently listed 
as threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The areas 
proposed for designation include freshwater and estuarine habitat in 
Oregon and Washington.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   01/14/13  78 FR 2725
NPRM Comment Period End.............   04/15/13  .......................
Final Action........................   11/00/15  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Dwayne Meadows, Department of Commerce, National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 427-8467, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BB30

206. Designation of Critical Habitat for the Arctic Ringed Seal

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
    Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service published a final 
rule to list the Arctic ringed seal as a threatened species under the 
Endangered Species Act (ESA) in December 2012. The ESA requires 
designation of critical habitat at the time a species is listed as 
threatened or endangered, or within one year of listing if critical 
habitat is not then determinable. This rulemaking would designate 
critical habitat for the Arctic ringed seal. The proposed critical 
habitat designation would be in the northern Bering, Chukchi, and 
Beaufort seas within the current range of the species.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/03/14  79 FR 71714
Proposed Rule.......................   12/09/14  79 FR 73010
Notice of public hearings...........   01/13/15  80 FR 1618
Comment Period Extended.............   02/02/15  80 FR 5498
Final Action........................   06/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Donna Wieting, Director, Office of Protected 
Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 427-8400.
    RIN: 0648-BC56

NOS/ONMS

207. Revisions to Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine 
Sanctuary Regulations

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.; Pub. L. 102-587
    Abstract: In 2010, the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) 
initiated a review of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National 
Marine Sanctuary management plan, to evaluate substantive progress 
toward implementing the goals for the sanctuary, and to make revisions 
to its management plan and regulations as necessary to fulfill the 
purposes and policies of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA) and 
the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary Act (HINMSA; Title II, 
Subtitle C, Pub. L. 102587). ONMS intends to publish a proposed rule 
and draft EIS that proposes to expand the scope of the sanctuary to 
ecosystem based management rather than concentrating on only humpback 
whales. In addition, possible boundary expansion will be discussed.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice..............................   07/14/10  75 FR 40759
NPRM................................   03/26/15  80 FR 16223
Notice..............................   04/29/15  80 FR 23742
NPRM Comment Period End.............   06/19/15  .......................
Final Action........................   09/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Edward Lindelof, Department of Commerce, National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 713-3137, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD97


[[Page 77940]]



DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Long-Term Actions

National Marine Fisheries Service

208. Amendment 39 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish 
Resources of the Gulf of Mexico

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: The purpose of this action is to facilitate management of 
the recreational red snapper component in the reef fish fishery by 
reorganizing the federal fishery management strategy to better account 
for biological, social, and economic differences among the regions of 
the Gulf of Mexico. Regional management would enable regions and their 
associated communities to specify the optimal management parameters 
that best meet the needs of their local constituents thereby addressing 
regional socio-economic concerns.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Action                   Date             FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice............................   05/13/13  78 FR 27956
Next Action Undetermined..........
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Phone: 727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-
5308, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD25

209. Designate Critical Habitat for the Hawaiian Insular False Killer 
Whale Distinct Population Segment

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
    Abstract: The proposed action, if approved, would designate 
critical habitat for the Hawaiian insular false killer whale distinct 
population segment, pursuant to section 4 of the Endangered Species 
Act. Proposed critical habitat would be designated in the main Hawaiian 
Islands as the Hawaiian insular false killer whales range is restricted 
from nearshore out to 140 km from the main Hawaiian Islands.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   04/00/18
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Donna Wieting, Phone: 301 427-8400.
    RIN: 0648-BC45

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Completed Actions

210. Amendment 22 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper 
Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service in collaboration 
with the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council published this 
notice with the intention to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
to describe and analyze a range of alternatives for management actions 
to be included in Amendment 22 to the Fishery Management Plan for the 
Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region. These 
alternatives will consider measures to establish a long-term red 
snapper fishery management program in the South Atlantic to optimize 
yield and rebuild the stock, while minimizing socioeconomic impacts. 
More specifically, these alternatives will consider the elimination of 
harvest restrictions on red snapper as the stock increases in biomass. 
The purpose of this Notice of Intent is to solicit public comments on 
the scope of issues to be addressed in the Environmental Impact 
Statement.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice..............................   01/03/11  76 FR 101
Notice..............................   08/02/13  78 FR 46923
Final Action........................   08/19/13  78 FR 50394
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BA53

211. Amendment 31 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Bering Sea and 
Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: The intent of Amendment 31 was to relax participation 
requirements for captains and crew in the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands 
Crab Rationalization Program, and to modify the timing and preparation 
of specific documents that are currently required under the program. 
This action was necessary to fulfill the North Pacific Fishery 
Management Council's intent that captain and crew quota shares are held 
by individuals who are actively participating in the Crab 
Rationalization Program fisheries, to provide quota share acquisition 
opportunity to captains and crew who may have been displaced from 
employment in the Crab Rationalization Program fisheries and were not 
initial recipients of quota shares, and to make the quota shares 
available to captains and crew who are new entrants into the Crab 
Rationalization Program fisheries.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Availability..............   12/15/14  79 FR 74058
NPRM................................   12/24/14  79 FR 77427
NPRM Comment Period End.............   01/23/15
Final Action........................   03/26/15  80 FR 15891
Final Action Effective..............   05/01/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: James Balsiger, Regional Administrator, Alaska 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 709 West Ninth Street, Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 
586-7221, Fax: 907 586-7465, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BA61

212. Amendment 43 to the FMP for BSAI King and Tanner Crabs and 
Amendment 103 to the FMP for Groundfish of the BSAI

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule implements both Amendment 43 to the Fishery 
Management Plan for the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner 
Crabs and Amendment 103 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish 
of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area. Amendment 43 
revised the current rebuilding plan for Pribilof Islands blue king crab 
(blue king crab) and Amendment 103 implemented groundfish fishing 
restrictions. A no-trawl Pribilof Islands Habitat Conservation Zone 
(Zone) was established in 1995 and the directed fishery for blue king 
crab has been closed since 1999. A rebuilding plan was implemented in 
2003; however, blue king crab remains overfished and the current 
rebuilding plan has not achieved adequate progress towards rebuilding 
the stock by 2014. The rule closed the Zone to all Pacific cod pot 
fishing in addition to the current trawl prohibition. This measure will 
help

[[Page 77941]]

support blue king crab rebuilding and prevent exceeding the overfishing 
limit of blue king crab by minimizing to the extent practical blue king 
crab bycatch in the groundfish fisheries.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice..............................   08/21/14  79 FR 49463
NPRM................................   08/29/14  79 FR 51520
Final Action........................   12/02/14  79 FR 71344
Final Action Effective..............   01/01/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: James Balsiger, Regional Administrator, Alaska 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 709 West Ninth Street, Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 
586-7221, Fax: 907 586-7465, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BC34

213. Pacific Coast Groundfish Trawl Rationalization Program Trailing 
Action: Rule To Modify Chafing Gear Regulations for Midwater Trawl Gear 
Used in the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This action modified the existing chafing gear 
regulations for midwater trawl gear, and includes housekeeping measures 
to clarify which vessels can use midwater trawl gear and where midwater 
trawl gear can be used. This action includes regulations that affect 
all trawl sectors (Shorebased Individual Fishing Quota Program, 
Mothership Cooperative Program, Catcher/Processor Cooperative Program, 
and tribal fishery) managed under the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery 
Management Plan.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   03/19/14  79 FR 15296
NPRM Correction Notice..............   04/04/14  79 FR 18876
Final Action........................   12/02/14  79 FR 71340
Final Action Effective..............   01/01/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: William Stelle Jr., Regional Administrator, West 
Coast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way Northeast, Building 1, Seattle, WA 
98115, Phone: 206 526-6150, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BC84

214. Fisheries Off West Coast States; West Coast Salmon Fisheries; 
Amendment 18; Essential Fish Habitat Descriptions for Pacific Salmon

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: The action implements Amendment 18 to the Pacific Coast 
Salmon Fishery Management Plan. This amendment addressed revisions to 
the Pacific coast salmon essential fish habitat provisions under the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice..............................   06/16/14  79 FR 34272
NPRM................................   09/22/14  79 FR 56547
NPRM Comment Period End.............   10/22/14
Final Action........................   12/18/14  79 FR 75449
Final Action Effective..............   01/20/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No.
    Agency Contact: William Stelle Jr., Regional Administrator, West 
Coast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way Northeast, Building 1, Seattle, WA 
98115, Phone: 206 526-6150, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BC95

215. Codifying the Initial Vessel Monitoring System Type-Approval 
Process and Requirements, and the Recertification and Revocation 
Processes

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: All vessels participating in the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration's Vessel Monitoring System program are 
required to use a National Marine Fisheries Service-approved 
transmitting unit. This rule codified into regulations the unit type-
approval standards, requirements, and procedures for vendors to 
maintain approval for their products and services. The rule also 
codified requirements for agency approval, subsequent assessments, a 
renewal process, and procedures for revoking a unit's approval if the 
vendor fails to comply with the performance requirements. The previous 
national process regarding unit type-approval requirements for 
evaluating performance and improving or revoking unit type approvals 
was not codified. Therefore, the purpose of this rule was to codify the 
approval process, improve the enforceability of the approval 
requirements, and better ensure all unit type approvals remain in 
compliance and are consistent with the requirements. To eliminate the 
possibility of duplicating, overlapping, or conflicting Federal 
regulations, this rule also revised the Greater Atlantic Region's 
regulations to match those in this rule.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   09/09/14  79 FR 53386
NPRM Comment Period End.............   10/24/14
Final Action........................   12/24/14  79 FR 77399
Final Action Effective..............   01/23/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Alan Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable 
Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, Room 13362, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 
20910, Phone: 301 713-2334, Fax: 301 713-0596, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD02

216. Pacific Coast Groundfish Trawl Rationalization Program Trailing 
Actions: Permitting Requirements for Observer and Catch Monitor 
Providers (Section 610 Review)

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This action modified regulations pertaining to certified 
catch monitors and observers required under the Pacific Coast 
Groundfish Fishery Management Plan. The action specified permitting 
requirements for business entities interested in providing certified 
observers and catch monitor services, as well as addressed numerous 
housekeeping measures and updated observer provider and vessel 
responsibilities relative to observer safety such that the regulations 
are consistent with the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 
2012.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   02/19/14  79 FR 9591
NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/21/14
Final Action........................   04/21/15  80 FR 22269
Final Action Effective..............   05/21/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: William Stelle Jr., Regional Administrator, West 
Coast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way Northeast, Building 1, Seattle, WA

[[Page 77942]]

98115, Phone: 206 526-6150, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD30

217. Establishment of Special Management Zones for Delaware Artificial 
Reefs

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This action established special management zones around 
five State of Delaware-permitted artificial reefs in Federal waters. 
This action restricted the use of all fishing gear in these zones 
except hook and line and spear fishing, including taking by hand. 
Eliminating the other fishing gears prevented gear conflicts between 
hook and line, spear and hand fishing and other fishing gear. The 
proliferation of commercial gear on the reefs, especially fish traps, 
had been reported by the recreational fishing community as inhibiting 
their ability to fish the reefs. The artificial reefs were established 
with funds through U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Sportfish Restoration 
Program to enhance sport fishing opportunities. Implementing the 
Council's recommendation restricted the use of fishing gears that are 
incompatible with the intended use of the artificial reefs. Commercial 
fishermen may continue to fish on the reefs and catch commercial 
quantities of fish with hook and line gear. It is expected this action 
will have little overall effect on the commercial sector.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   06/19/14  79 FR 35141
Comment Period Extended.............   07/16/14  79 FR 41530
Final Action........................   06/09/15  80 FR 32480
Final Action Effective..............   07/09/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, Greater 
Atlantic Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930, Phone: 978 281-9287, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD42

218. Amendment 97 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the 
Gulf Of Alaska To Establish Chinook Salmon Prohibited Species Catch 
Limits for the Non-Pollock Trawl Fisheries

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule limits Chinook salmon prohibited species catch 
in the Western and Central Gulf of Alaska non-pollock trawl fisheries. 
Chinook salmon is a fully utilized species in Alaska coastal 
subsistence, recreational, and commercial fisheries. In recent years 
the returns of Chinook salmon to some Alaska river systems have been 
below the biological escapement goals established by the State of 
Alaska. This action is necessary to minimize the catch of Chinook 
salmon to the extent practicable in the Gulf of Alaska non-pollock 
trawl fisheries. This action limited the annual Chinook salmon 
prohibited species catch in the non-pollock trawl fisheries to 7,500 
salmon each year. If a sector reached its Chinook salmon prohibited 
species limit, further directed fishing for groundfish by vessels in 
that sector and season would be prohibited. Vessel operators would be 
required to retain salmon until the number of salmon has been 
determined by the vessel or plant observer and the observers data 
collection has been completed. About 70 vessels could be affected by 
this action. This action could reduce revenues from the fisheries, if 
the Chinook salmon prohibited species limit is reached before the 
groundfish quota is harvested. The action also may increase costs if 
vessel operators move fishing operations or take other actions to lower 
their catch of Chinook salmon.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice..............................   06/05/14  79 FR 32525
NPRM................................   06/25/14  79 FR 35971
NPRM Comment Period End.............   07/25/14
Final Action........................   12/02/14  79 FR 71350
Final Action Effective..............   01/01/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: James Balsiger, Regional Administrator, Alaska 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 709 West Ninth Street, Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 
586-7221, Fax: 907 586-7465, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD48

219. Amendment 45 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea and 
Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crab Freezer Longline Catcher/
Processor Pacific Cod Sideboard Removal (Section 610 Review)

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule established conditions for the removal of Gulf 
of Alaska Pacific cod catch limits, known as sideboards, which apply to 
some catcher/processor vessels using hook-and-line gear, also known as 
freezer longliners. The newly reorganized sideboard limits have 
effectively eliminated the ability of these stakeholders to participant 
in these Gulf of Alaska fisheries. The rule will remove the Gulf of 
Alaska Pacific cod sideboards from 6 freezer longline vessels if owners 
of vessels endorsed to catch and process Pacific cod in the Western 
Gulf of Alaska, Central Gulf of Alaska, or both (a total of 9 vessels) 
agree to removal of the sideboards, within one year from the effective 
date of the final rule. If an agreement is not reached by the deadline, 
the sideboarded vessels would not be able to participate in the Gulf of 
Alaska fisheries. The requirement for an agreement is intended to 
promote cooperation among all affected parties prior to the removal of 
sideboards.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Availability..............   02/02/15  80 FR 5499
NPRM................................   02/12/15  80 FR 7817
NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/16/15
Final Action........................   05/19/15  80 FR 28539
Final Action Effective..............   06/18/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: James Balsiger, Regional Administrator, Alaska 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 709 West Ninth Street, Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 
586-7221, Fax: 907 586-7465, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD61

220. Information Collection Program for Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean 
Quahog Fisheries

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service implemented this 
information collection program at the request of the Mid-Atlantic 
Fishery Management Council (Council). This program will collect 
additional information about the individuals who hold and/or control 
Individual Transferable Quota in the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog 
fisheries. This information will be used by the Council in the 
consideration and development of excessive shares cap(s) in these 
Individual Transferable Quota fisheries.
    Timetable:

[[Page 77943]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   08/07/14  79 FR 46233
NPRM Comment Period Reopened........   10/02/14  79 FR 59472
Final Action........................   07/20/15  80 FR 42747
Final Action Effective..............   01/01/16
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No.
    Agency Contact: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, Greater 
Atlantic Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930, Phone: 978 281-9287, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD64

221. Amendment 100 to the FMP for Groundfish of the BSAI Management 
Area and Amendment 91 to the FMP for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska 
To Add Grenadiers to the Ecosystem Component Category

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: Amendments 100 and 91 amended the Groundfish Fishery 
Management Plans to add grenadiers to the ecosystem component category. 
Grenadiers are caught incidentally in the groundfish fisheries and 
adding them to the Fishery Management Plans recognizes their role in 
the ecosystem. The National Marine Fisheries Service also implemented 
regulations for federally-permitted groundfish fishermen to improve 
reporting of grenadiers, limit retention, and prevent directed fishing 
for grenadiers. This action was necessary to limit the groundfish 
fisheries impact on grenadiers.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Availability..............   05/05/14  79 FR 25558
NPRM................................   05/14/14  79 FR 27557
NPRM Comment Period End.............   06/13/14
Final Action........................   03/05/15  80 FR 11897
Final Action Effective..............   04/06/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: James Balsiger, Regional Administrator, Alaska 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 709 West Ninth Street, Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 
586-7221, Fax: 907 586-7465, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD98

222. Implementation of a Gulf of Alaska Trawl Fishery Economic Data 
Collection Program

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 3631 et seq.; 16 
U.S.C. 773 et seq.; Pub. L. 108199
    Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service implemented the 
Trawl Economic Data Report Program to evaluate the economic effects of 
current and future groundfish and prohibited species catch management 
measures for the Gulf of Alaska trawl fisheries under the Fishery 
Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska. This data 
collection program was necessary to provide the North Pacific Fishery 
Management Council and other analysts with baseline information on 
affected harvesters, crew, processors, and communities in the Gulf of 
Alaska that could be used to assess the impacts of major changes in the 
groundfish management regime; including catch share programs for 
prohibited species catch species and target species. The data 
collected, which may include labor information, revenues received, 
capital and operational expenses, and other operational or financial 
data for this program will be submitted by vessel owners and 
leaseholders of Gulf of Alaska trawl vessels, processors receiving 
deliveries from those trawl vessels, and Amendment 80 catcher/
processors.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   08/11/14  79 FR 46758
NPRM Comment Period End.............   09/10/14
Final Action........................   12/02/14  79 FR 71313
Final Action Effective..............   01/01/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: James Balsiger, Regional Administrator, Alaska 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 709 West Ninth Street, Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 
586-7221, Fax: 907 586-7465, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE09

223. 2015-2016 Pacific Coast Groundfish Harvest Specifications and 
Management Measures and Amendment 24 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish 
FMP

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: The action set biennial allowable harvest levels for 
Pacific Coast groundfish, as well as management measures for commercial 
and recreational fisheries that are designed to achieve those harvest 
levels. For the 2015-2016 biennium, the Council recommended changes in 
rebuilding parameters for one overfished species, cowcod. As such, the 
rebuilding plan was revised and affected the Annual Catch Limit value 
for this species for the 2-year period and beyond. The rule adjusts the 
harvest specifications including Overfishing Limits, the Acceptable 
Biological Catches, and Annual Catch Limits, as well as the management 
measures to achieve those specifications. Finally, the rule implements 
Amendment 24, which modifies the procedures in the Fishery Management 
Plan so that in the absence of explicit Council action, harvest 
specification values, based on default harvest control rules, for one 
or more stocks may be implemented by the National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Availability..............   11/26/14  79 FR 70497
NPRM................................   01/06/15  80 FR 678
NPRM Comment Period End.............   01/26/15
Final Action........................   03/10/15  80 FR 12567
Final Action Effective..............   03/10/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: William Stelle Jr., Regional Administrator, West 
Coast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way Northeast, Building 1, Seattle, WA 
98115, Phone: 206 526-6150, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE27

224. Regulatory Amendment To Change the Definition of Sport Fishing 
Guide Services for Pacific Halibut in International Pacific Halibut 
Commission Area 2C and Area 3A

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.
    Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service finalized 
regulations that revised Federal regulatory text regarding sport 
fishing guide services for Pacific halibut in International Pacific 
Halibut Commission Regulatory Areas 2C (Southeast Alaska) and 3A 
(Central Gulf of Alaska) to remove the requirement that a charter 
vessel guide be on board the same vessel as a charter vessel angler to 
provide sport fishing guide services. The action clarified that all 
sport fishing in which anglers receive assistance from a compensated 
guide will be managed under charter fishery regulations, and all 
harvest will

[[Page 77944]]

accrue toward charter allocations. This action aligned Federal 
regulations with State of Alaska regulations. The definition of sport 
fishing guide services was revised and a definition for compensation 
was added to Federal regulations. Additional minor changes to the 
regulatory text pertaining to the charter halibut fishery were required 
to maintain consistency in the regulations with these new definitions. 
This action was necessary to achieve the halibut fishery management 
goals of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/03/14  79 FR 71729
NPRM Comment Period End.............   01/02/15
Final Action........................   06/19/15  80 FR 35195
Final Action Effective..............   07/20/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: James Balsiger, Regional Administrator, Alaska 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 709 West Ninth Street, Juneau, AK 99801, Phone: 907 
586-7221, Fax: 907 586-7465, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE41

225. Framework Action To Revise Recreational Accountability Measures 
for Red Snapper

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: To address the court ruling in Guindon v. Pritzker, the 
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council developed this framework 
action that established two accountability measures for the 
recreational red snapper sector. The first recreational accountability 
measure action established an annual catch target that is lower than 
the quota/annual catch limit and set the recreational season length 
based on the annual catch target. Previously, the season length was set 
based on the quota/annual catch limit. The second recreational 
accountability measure action established an overage adjustment to 
mitigate the effects of any overage by reducing the quota/annual catch 
limit in the following year.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/21/14  79 FR 69418
NPRM Comment Period End.............   12/22/14
Final Action........................   03/19/15  80 FR 14328
Final Action Effective..............   04/20/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE44

226. Amendment 16 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery 
of the Gulf of Mexico, U.S. Waters

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule changed the annual catch limit and selected an 
accountability measure for royal red shrimp. On January 30, 2012, the 
National Marine Fisheries Service implemented regulations developed 
through a generic annual catch limit and accountability measure 
amendment to multiple fishery management plans, including the Shrimp 
Fishery Management Plan. The rule removed the quota and in-season 
closure, and increased the annual catch limit. The current 
accountability measure, which requires in-season monitoring and closure 
the year following an annual catch limit overage, remained in effect.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Availability..............   12/24/14  79 FR 77425
NPRM................................   01/26/15  80 FR 3937
NPRM Comment Period End.............   02/25/15
Final Action........................   03/25/15  80 FR 15691
Final Action Effective..............   04/24/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE46

227. 2015-2017 Specifications and Management Measures for the Atlantic 
Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule established catch levels and associated 
management measures for the 2015-2017 fishing years for species managed 
under the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management 
Plan. More specifically, this action: Renewed status quo quotas on 
longfin and Illex squids for an additional 3 years; lowered the cap on 
river herring and shad catch in the mackerel fishery; increased the cap 
on river herring and shad catch in the mackerel fishery once the 
mackerel fishery catches more than 10,000 mt tons; lowered the Atlantic 
mackerel quota; substantially increased the butterfish quota; and 
simplified the controls on butterfish daily trip limits.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/14/14  79 FR 68202
NPRM Comment Period End.............   12/15/14
Final Action........................   03/20/15  80 FR 14870
Final Action Effective..............   04/20/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, Greater 
Atlantic Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930, Phone: 978 281-9287, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE49

228. Framework Adjustment 26 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery 
Management Plan (Section 610 Review)

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule set scallop fishery management measures for the 
2015 fishing year, including the annual catch limits and annual catch 
targets for the limited access and limited access general category 
fleets. In addition, it adjusted the State Waters Exemption Program, 
allowed for vessel monitoring system declaration changes for when 
vessels return home with product on board; implemented a proactive 
accountability measure to protect flatfish; aligned two gear measures 
designed to protect sea turtles; and implemented other measures to 
improve the management of the scallop fishery. Furthermore, aligning 
the gear designed to protect sea turtles involved modifying regulations 
to threatened marine species at 50 CFR part 223, so this action was a 
joint action with the Endangered Species Act.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   03/17/15  80 FR 13806
NPRM Comment Period End.............   04/01/15
Final Action........................   04/21/15  80 FR 22119

[[Page 77945]]

 
Final Action Effective..............   05/01/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, Greater 
Atlantic Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930, Phone: 978 281-9287, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE68

229. Pacific Coast Groundfish Trawl Rationalization Program--Midwater 
Trawl Fishery Season Date Change (Section 610 Review)

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This action implemented revisions to the Pacific Coast 
Groundfish Trawl Rationalization Program affecting the limited entry 
midwater trawl fisheries managed under the Pacific Coast Groundfish 
Fishery Management Plan. This action included a regulatory amendment to 
change the primary season opening date for the shorebased whiting 
fishery and the shorebased non-whiting midwater trawl fishery to May 15 
north of 40[deg]30' N. lat. to the U.S./Canada border. This moved the 
season a month earlier off Washington and Oregon and a month and half 
later off northern California (north of 40[deg]30' N. lat.), increasing 
consistency in the season start date along the coast and between the 
shorebased and at-sea midwater trawl fleets.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   02/17/15  80 FR 8280
NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/19/15
Final Action........................   04/09/15  80 FR 19034
Final Action Effective..............   05/15/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: William Stelle Jr., Regional Administrator, West 
Coast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way Northeast, Building 1, Seattle, WA 
98115, Phone: 206 526-6150, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE72

230. Framework Adjustment 53 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery 
Management Plan (Section 610 Review)

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This action implemented management for the Northeast 
Multispecies Fishery that opened on May 1, 2015. The changes were 
developed in response to new scientific information and to meet the 
goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan. Framework 53 set 
2015-2017 specifications for: Gulf of Maine cod, haddock, and winter 
flounder; Georges Bank winter flounder, and pollock; as well as 2015 
shared U.S./Canada quotas for Georges Bank yellowtail flounder and 
Eastern Georges Bank cod and haddock. These new specifications were 
based on stock assessments completed in 2014. This action also modified 
the seasonal area closures designed to protect Gulf of Maine cod 
spawning; prohibited the possession of Gulf of Maine cod for all 
recreational groundfish vessels; introduced a mechanism to set default 
specifications in the event a management action is delayed; and 
modified the sector carryover provision in response to a recent Court 
ruling.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   03/09/15  80 FR 12394
NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/24/15
Final Action........................   05/01/15  80 FR 25109
Final Action Effective..............   05/01/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, Greater 
Atlantic Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930, Phone: 978 281-9287, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE75

231. 2015-2016 Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Quotas

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule would increase the Atlantic bluefin tuna base 
quotas and subquotas, implementing the U.S. annual Atlantic Bluefin 
Tuna quota recommended for 2015 and 2016 by the International 
Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas and allocating that 
quota among the domestic fishing categories.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   06/12/15  80 FR 33467
NPRM Comment Period End.............   07/13/15
Final Action........................   08/28/15  80 FR 52198
Final Action Effective..............   08/28/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Alan Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable 
Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, Room 13362, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 
20910, Phone: 301 713-2334, Fax: 301 713-0596, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE81

232. Revision of Hawaiian Monk Seal Critical Habitat

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
    Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is 
developing a rule to designate critical habitat for the Hawaiian monk 
seal in the main and Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. In response to a 
2008 petition from the Center for Biological Diversity, Kahea, and the 
Ocean Conservancy to revise Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat, NMFS 
published a proposed rule in June 2011 to revise Hawaiian monk seal 
critical habitat by adding critical habitat in the main Hawaiian 
Islands and extending critical habitat in the Northwestern Hawaiian 
Islands. Proposed critical habitat includes both marine and terrestrial 
habitats (e.g., foraging areas to 500 meter depth, pupping beaches, 
etc.). To address public comments on the proposed rule, NMFS is 
augmenting its prior economic analysis to better describe the 
anticipated costs of the designation. NMFS is analyzing new tracking 
data to assess monk seal habitat use in the main Hawaiian Islands. That 
may lead to some reduction in foraging area critical habitat for the 
main Hawaiian Islands to better reflect where preferred foraging 
features may be found.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   06/02/11  76 FR 32026
Notice of Public Meetings...........   07/14/11  76 FR 41446
Other...............................   06/25/12  77 FR 37867
Final Action........................   08/21/15  80 FR 50925
Final Action Effective..............   09/21/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Donna Wieting, Director, Office of Protected 
Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric

[[Page 77946]]

Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 427-8400.
    RIN: 0648-BA81

233. 2015 Annual Determination To Implement the Sea Turtle Observer 
Requirement

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
    Abstract: Through the Annual Determination, the National Marine 
Fisheries Service (NMFS) identifies U.S. fisheries operating in the 
Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Pacific Ocean that will be required 
to take observers upon NMFS request, pursuant to its authority under 
the Endangered Species Act. The purpose of observing identified 
fisheries is to learn more about sea turtle interactions in a given 
fishery, evaluate existing measures to prevent or reduce prohibited sea 
turtle takes, and to determine whether additional measures to implement 
the prohibition against sea turtle takes may be necessary. Fisheries 
that were identified in the 2015 Annual Determination will remain on 
the Annual Determination for a 5-year period and are required to carry 
observers upon NMFS request until December 31, 2019.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   10/22/14  79 FR 63066
NPRM Comment Period End.............   11/21/14
Final Action........................   03/19/15  80 FR 14319
Final Action Effective..............   04/18/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No.
    Agency Contact: Donna Wieting, Director, Office of Protected 
Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 427-8400.
    RIN: 0648-BE35

234. Amendment to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.
    Abstract: This final action amended the Atlantic Large Whale Take 
Reduction Plan (Plan). The Plan was previously amended on June 27, 
2014, previously. This action changed the minimum number of traps per 
trawl requirements in state waters for safety reasons, as requested by 
the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. The National Marine 
Fisheries Service (NMFS) also received proposals from other state 
partners requesting the same change. During their January 2015 meeting, 
the proposals were discussed with the Atlantic Right Whale Take 
Reduction Team, which agreed that NMFS should move forward with the 
rulemaking process to adopt the proposals to amend the June 2014 final 
rule as suggested by the states. The Team also requested that NMFS 
develop unique gear marking for certain areas.
    Timetable:

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               Action                    Date            FR Cite
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NPRM................................   03/19/15  80 FR 14345
Proposed Rule Correction............   04/07/15  80 FR 18584
NPRM Comment Period End.............   04/20/15
Final Action........................   05/28/15  80 FR 30367
Final Action Effective..............   05/28/15
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    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Donna Wieting, Director, Office of Protected 
Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 427-8400.
    RIN: 0648-BE83

[FR Doc. 2015-30613 Filed 12-14-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-12-P