[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 36 (Friday, February 24, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11559-11560]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-03597]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF237


Fishing Capacity Reduction Program for the Pacific Coast 
Groundfish Fishery

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

ACTION: Notice of sub-loan repayment.

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SUMMARY: NMFS issues this notice to inform interested parties that the

[[Page 11560]]

Washington coastal Dungeness crab sub-loan in the Pacific Coast 
Groundfish Capacity Reduction (Buyback) Program has been repaid. 
Therefore, Buyback fee collections on Washington coastal Dungeness crab 
sub-loan will cease for all landings after January 31, 2017.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before 5 p.m. EST March 13, 
2017.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael A. Sturtevant at (301) 427-
8782 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 16, 2004, NMFS published a 
proposed rule in the Federal Register (69 FR 67100) proposing to 
implement an industry fee system for repaying the Washington coastal 
Dungeness crab Buyback sub-loan. The final rule was published July 13, 
2005 (70 FR 40225) and fee collection began on September 8, 2005. 
Interested persons should review these for further program details.
    The Washington coastal Dungeness crab Buyback sub-loan in the 
amount of $369,425.93 will be repaid in full upon receipt of buyback 
fees on landings through January 31, 2017. NMFS has received 
$620,742.30 to repay the principal and interest on this sub-loan since 
fee collection began September 8, 2005. Based on Buyback fees received 
to date, landings after January 31, 2017, will not be subject to the 
Buyback fee. Therefore, Buyback fees will no longer be collected in the 
Washington coastal Dungeness crab fishery on future landings.
    Buyback fees not yet forwarded to NMFS for Washington coastal 
Dungeness crab landings through January 31, 2017, should be forwarded 
to NMFS immediately. Any overpayment of Buyback fees submitted to NMFS 
will be refunded on a pro-rata basis to the fish buyers based upon best 
available fish ticket landings data. The fish buyers should return 
excess Buyback fees collected to the harvesters, including Buyback fees 
collected but not yet remitted to NMFS for landings after January 31, 
2017. Any discrepancies in fees owed and fees paid must be resolved 
immediately. After the sub-loan is closed, no further adjustments to 
fees paid and fees received can be made.

    Dated: February 17, 2017.
Brian T. Pawlak,
CFO/Director, Office of Management and Budget, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-03597 Filed 2-23-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P