[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 112 (Monday, June 11, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27100-27116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11235]



[[Page 27099]]

Vol. 83

Monday,

No. 112

June 11, 2018

Part IV





Department of Commerce





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

  Federal Register / Vol. 83 , No. 112 / Monday, June 11, 2018 / 
Unified Agenda  

[[Page 27100]]


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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


Spring 2018 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 fall 2017 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 spring 2018 regulatory agenda includes regulatory 
activities that are expected to be conducted during the period May 1, 
2018, through April 30, 2019.

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 spring 2018 
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 January 29, 2018, the Office of Management 
and Budget issued guidelines and procedures for the preparation and 
publication of the spring 2018 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 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.
    Within Commerce, the Office of the Secretary and various operating 
units may issue regulations. Among 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. For 
fisheries that require conservation and management measures, eight 
Regional Fishery Management Councils (Councils) prepare Fishery 
Management Plans (FMPs) for the fisheries within their respective 
areas. 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. In the 
development of FMPs, or amendments to FMPs, 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 spring 2018 regulatory agenda follows.

Peter B. Davidson,
General Counsel.

         International Trade Administration--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
22........................  Covered Merchandise                0625-AB10
                             Referrals From the
                             Customs Service.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 27101]]


          Bureau of Industry and Security--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
23........................  Expansion of Export,               0694-AH53
                             Reexport, and Transfer
                             (In-Country) Controls for
                             Military End Use or
                             Military End Users in the
                             People's Republic of
                             China (China), Russia, or
                             Venezuela.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
24........................  Comprehensive Fishery              0648-BD32
                             Management Plan for
                             Puerto Rico.
25........................  Comprehensive Fishery              0648-BD33
                             Management Plan for St.
                             Croix.
26........................  Comprehensive Fishery              0648-BD34
                             Management Plan for St.
                             Thomas/St. John.
27........................  Implementation of a                0648-BD59
                             Program for
                             Transshipments by Large
                             Scale Fishing Vessels in
                             the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
28........................  International Fisheries;           0648-BF41
                             Western and Central
                             Pacific Fisheries for
                             Highly Migratory Species;
                             Treatment of U.S. Purse
                             Seine Fishing With
                             Respect to U.S.
                             Territories.
29........................  International Fisheries;           0648-BG04
                             South Pacific Tuna
                             Fisheries; Implementation
                             of Amendments to the
                             South Pacific Tuna Treaty.
30........................  Voting Criteria for a              0648-BG36
                             Referendum on a Gulf of
                             Mexico Reef Fish Catch
                             Share Program for For-
                             Hire Vessels With
                             Landings Histories.
31........................  International Fisheries;           0648-BG66
                             Western and Central
                             Pacific Fisheries for
                             Highly Migratory Species;
                             Requirements to Safeguard
                             Fishery Observers.
32........................  Rule to Implement the For-         0648-BG75
                             Hire Reporting Amendments.
33........................  Amendment 36A to the               0648-BG83
                             Fishery Management Plan
                             for the Reef Fish
                             Resources of the Gulf of
                             Mexico.
34........................  Amendment 116 to the               0648-BH02
                             Fishery Management Plan
                             for Groundfish of the
                             Bering Sea and Aleutian
                             Islands Management Area.
35........................  Framework Adjustment 57 to         0648-BH52
                             the Northeast
                             Multispecies Fishery
                             Management Plan.
36........................  Atlantic Highly Migratory          0648-BH54
                             Species; Atlantic Bluefin
                             Tuna and North Atlantic
                             Albacore Quotas.
37........................  Framework Adjustment 5 to          0648-BH57
                             the Northeast Skate
                             Complex Fishery
                             Management Plan.
38........................  Generic Amendment to the           0648-BH72
                             Fishery Management Plans
                             for the Reef Fish
                             Resources of the Gulf of
                             Mexico and Coastal
                             Migratory Pelagic
                             Resources in the Gulf of
                             Mexico and Atlantic
                             Region.
39........................  Atlantic Highly Migratory          0648-BH75
                             Species; Shortfin Mako
                             Shark Management Measures.
40........................  Small-Mesh Multispecies            0648-BH76
                             2018-2020 Specifications.
41........................  Amendment and Updates to           0648-BF90
                             the Pelagic Longline Take
                             Reduction Plan.
42........................  Endangered and Threatened          0648-BG26
                             Species; Designation of
                             Critical Habitat for
                             Threatened Caribbean and
                             Indo-Pacific Reef-
                             building Corals.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
43........................  Modification of the                0648-BE77
                             Temperature-Dependent
                             Component of the Pacific
                             Sardine Harvest Guideline
                             Control Rule to
                             Incorporate New
                             Scientific Information.
44........................  Regulatory Amendment to            0648-BF52
                             the Pacific Coast
                             Groundfish Fishery
                             Management Plan to
                             Implement an Electronic
                             Monitoring Program for
                             the Pacific Whiting
                             Fishery.
45........................  Framework Adjustment 2 to          0648-BF85
                             the Tilefish Fishery
                             Management Plan.
46........................  Commerce Trusted Trader            0648-BG51
                             Program.
47........................  International Fisheries;           0648-BG93
                             Western and Central
                             Pacific Fisheries for
                             Highly Migratory Species;
                             Fishing Limits in Purse
                             Seine Fisheries for 2017.
48........................  Allow Halibut Individual           0648-BG94
                             Fishing Quota Leasing to
                             Community Development
                             Quota Groups.
49........................  Nontrawl Lead Level 2              0648-BG96
                             Observers.
50........................  Atlantic Highly Migratory          0648-BG97
                             Species; Revisions to
                             Shark Fishery Closure
                             Regulations.
51........................  Rule to Modify Mutton              0648-BG99
                             Snapper and Gag
                             Management Measures in
                             the Gulf of Mexico.
52........................  Amendment 47 to the                0648-BH07
                             Fishery Management Plan
                             for Reef Fish Resources
                             of the Gulf of Mexico.
53........................  Management Measures for            0648-BH13
                             Tropical Tunas in the
                             Eastern Pacific Ocean.
54........................  Interim 2018 Pacific Coast         0648-BH31
                             Tribal Pacific Whiting
                             Allocation.
55........................  Framework Adjustment 29 to         0648-BH51
                             the Atlantic Sea Scallop
                             Fishery Management Plan;
                             Northern Gulf of Maine
                             Measures.
56........................  Pacific Halibut Catch              0648-BH71
                             Limits for Area 2A
                             Fisheries in 2018.
57........................  Designate Critical Habitat         0648-BC45
                             for the Hawaiian Insular
                             False Killer Whale
                             Distinct Population
                             Segment.
58........................  Regulation to Reduce               0648-BG45
                             Incidental Bycatch and
                             Mortality of Sea Turtles
                             in the Southeastern U.S.
                             Shrimp Fisheries.
59........................  Regulatory Amendment to            0648-BG57
                             Authorize a Recreational
                             Quota Entity.
60........................  Wisconsin-Lake Michigan            0648-BG01
                             National Marine Sanctuary
                             Designation.
61........................  Mallows Bay-Potomac River          0648-BG02
                             National Marine Sanctuary
                             Designation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 27102]]


   National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Long-Term Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
62........................  Pacific Coast Groundfish           0648-BE90
                             Fishing Capacity
                             Reduction Loan Refinance.
63........................  Reducing Disturbances to           0648-AU02
                             Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins
                             From Human Interactions.
64........................  Designation of Critical            0648-BC56
                             Habitat for the Arctic
                             Ringed Seal.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


   National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
65........................  Amendment 39 to the                0648-BD25
                             Fishery Management Plan
                             for the Reef Fish
                             Resources of the Gulf of
                             Mexico.
66........................  Pacific Coast Groundfish           0648-BF12
                             Trawl Rationalization
                             Program; Widow Rockfish
                             Reallocation in the
                             Individual Fishing Quota
                             Fishery.
67........................  Omnibus Essential Fish             0648-BF82
                             Habitat Amendment 2.
68........................  Blueline Tilefish                  0648-BF86
                             Amendment to the Golden
                             Tilefish Fishery
                             Management Plan.
69........................  Magnuson-Stevens Act               0648-BG17
                             Provisions; Fisheries off
                             West Coast States;
                             Pacific Coast Groundfish
                             Fishery; Specifications
                             and Management Measures
                             and Fishery Management
                             Plan Amendment 27.
70........................  Fisheries off West Coast           0648-BG40
                             States; Pacific Coast
                             Groundfish Fishery;
                             Authorization of an
                             Oregon Recreational
                             Fishery for Midwater
                             Groundfish Species.
71........................  Amendment 41 to the                0648-BG77
                             Fishery Management Plan
                             for the Snapper-Grouper
                             Fishery of the South
                             Atlantic Region.
72........................  Amendment 46 to the                0648-BG87
                             Fishery Management Plan
                             for Reef Fish Resources
                             of the Gulf of Mexico to
                             Establish a Gray
                             Triggerfish Rebuilding
                             Plan.
73........................  Rule to Modify Greater             0648-BH14
                             Amberjack Allowable
                             Harvest and Rebuilding
                             Plan in the Gulf of
                             Mexico.
74........................  Atlantic Highly Migratory          0648-BH17
                             Species; Individual
                             Bluefin Quota Program;
                             Quarterly Accountability.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


             Patent and Trademark Office--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
75........................  Setting and Adjusting              0651-AD02
                             Patent Fees During Fiscal
                             Year 2017.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)

International Trade Administration (ITA)

Proposed Rule Stage

22. Covered Merchandise Referrals From the Customs Service

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Other.
    Legal Authority: Pub. L. 114-125, sec. 421
    Abstract: The Department of Commerce (the Department) is proposing 
to amend its regulations to set forth procedures to address covered 
merchandise referrals from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP or 
the Customs Service).
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Jessica Link, Department of Commerce, International 
Trade Administration, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 
20230, Phone: 202 482-1411.
    RIN: 0625-AB10

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)

Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)

Proposed Rule Stage

23.  Expansion of Export, Reexport, and Transfer (In-Country) 
Controls for Military End Use or Military End Users in the People's 
Republic of China (China), Russia, or Venezuela

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Other.
    Legal Authority: 10 U.S.C. 7420; 10 U.S.C. 7430(e); 15 U.S.C. 
1824a; 22 U.S.C. 287c; 22 U.S.C. 3201 et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 6004; 22 
U.S.C. 7201 et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 7210; 30 U.S.C. 185(s); 30 U.S.C. 
185(u); 42 U.S.C. 2139a; 43 U.S.C. 1354; 50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.; 50 
U.S.C. 4305; 50 U.S.C. 4601 et seq.; E.O. 12058; E.O. 12851; E.O. 
12938; E.O. 12947; E.O. 13026; E.O. 13099; E.O. 13222; E.O. 13224; Pub. 
L. 108-11
    Abstract: The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) proposes to 
amend the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to expand license 
requirements on exports, reexports, and transfers (in-country) of items 
intended for military end use or military end users in the Peoples 
Republic of China (China), Russia, or Venezuela. Specifically, this 
rule would expand the licensing requirements for China to include 
``military end users,'' in addition to ``military end use.'' It would 
broaden the items for which the licensing requirements and review 
policy apply and expand the definition of ``military end use.'' Next, 
it would create a new reason for control and associated review policy 
for regional stability for certain items to China, Russia, or 
Venezuela, moving existing text related to this policy. Finally, it 
would add Electronic Export Information filing requirements in the 
Automated Export System for exports to China, Russia, and Venezuela.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   05/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Hillary Hess, Director, Regulatory Policy Division, 
Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 14th Street 
and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230, Phone: 202 482-2440, 
Fax: 202 482-3355, Email: [email protected].

[[Page 27103]]

    RIN: 0694-AH53

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Proposed Rule Stage

National Marine Fisheries Service

24. Comprehensive Fishery Management Plan for Puerto Rico

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule would implement a comprehensive Puerto Rico 
Fishery Management Plan. The 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................................   04/00/19  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

25. Comprehensive Fishery Management Plan for St. Croix

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule would implement a comprehensive St. Croix 
Fishery Management Plan. The Plan would 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................................   04/00/19  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

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

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule would implement a comprehensive St. Thomas/St. 
John Fishery Management Plan. The Plan would 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:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   04/00/19  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

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

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    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. 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................................   09/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Barry Thom, Regional Administrator, West Coast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 1201 NE Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 1100, Portland, OR

[[Page 27104]]

97232, Phone: 503 231-6266, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD59

28. International Fisheries; Western and Central Pacific Fisheries for 
Highly Migratory Species; Treatment of U.S. Purse Seine Fishing With 
Respect to U.S. Territories

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.
    Abstract: This action would establish rules and/or procedures to 
address the treatment of U.S.-flagged purse seine vessels and their 
fishing activities in regulations issued by the National Marine 
Fisheries Service that implement decisions of the Commission for the 
Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the 
Western and Central Pacific Ocean (Commission), of which the United 
States is a member. Under the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries 
Convention Implementation Act, the National Marine Fisheries Service 
exercises broad discretion when determining how it implements 
Commission decisions, such as purse seine fishing restrictions. The 
National Marine Fisheries Service intends to examine the potential 
impacts of the domestic implementation of Commission decisions, such as 
purse seine fishing restrictions, on the economies of the U.S. 
territories that participate in the Commission, and examine the 
connectivity between the activities of U.S.-flagged purse seine fishing 
vessels and the economies of the territories. Based on that and other 
information, the National Marine Fisheries Service might propose 
regulations that mitigate adverse economic impacts of purse seine 
fishing restrictions on the U.S. territories and/or that, in the 
context of the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly 
Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean 
(Convention), recognize that one or more of the U.S. territories have 
their own purse seine fisheries that are distinct from the purse seine 
fishery of the United States and that are consequently subject to 
special provisions of the Convention and of Commission decisions.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANPRM...............................   10/23/15  80 FR 64382
ANPRM Comment Period End............   11/23/15  .......................
NPRM................................   04/00/19  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Michael Tosatto, Regional Administrator, Pacific 
Islands Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 1845 Wasp Boulevard, Building 176, 
Honolulu, HI 96818, Phone: 808 725-5000, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BF41

29. International Fisheries; South Pacific Tuna Fisheries; 
Implementation of Amendments to the South Pacific Tuna Treaty

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 973 et seq.
    Abstract: Under authority of the South Pacific Tuna Act of 1988, 
this rule would implement recent amendments to the Treaty on Fisheries 
between the Governments of Certain Pacific Island States and the 
Government of the United States of America (also known as the South 
Pacific Tuna Treaty). The rule would include modification to the 
procedures used to request licenses for U.S. vessels in the western and 
central Pacific Ocean purse seine fishery, including changing the 
annual licensing period from June-to-June to the calendar year, and 
modifications to existing reporting requirements for purse seine 
vessels fishing in the western and central Pacific Ocean. The rule 
would implement only those aspects of the Treaty amendments that can be 
implemented under the existing South Pacific Tuna Act.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   09/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Michael Tosatto, Regional Administrator, Pacific 
Islands Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 1845 Wasp Boulevard, Building 176, 
Honolulu, HI 96818, Phone: 808 725-5000, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BG04

30. Voting Criteria for a Referendum on a Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish 
Catch Share Program for For-Hire Vessels With Landings Histories

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: Amendment 42 to the Fishery Management Plan for Reef Fish 
Resources in the Gulf of Mexico (Amendment 42) proposes to establish a 
catch share program for up to five species of reef fish for headboats 
with landings history in the Southeast Region Headboat Survey. This 
rule would inform the public of the procedures, schedule, and 
eligibility requirements that NOAA Fisheries would use in conducting 
the referendum that is required before the Gulf of Mexico Fishery 
Management Council (Council) can submit Amendment 42 for Secretarial 
review.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   02/00/19  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BG36

31. International Fisheries; Western and Central Pacific Fisheries for 
Highly Migratory Species; Requirements to Safeguard Fishery Observers

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule would establish requirements to enhance the 
safety of fishery observers on highly migratory species fishing 
vessels. This rule would be issued under the authority of the Western 
and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act, and 
pursuant to decisions made by the Commission for the Conservation and 
Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central 
Pacific Ocean. 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................................   06/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Michael Tosatto, Regional Administrator, Pacific 
Islands Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 1845 Wasp Boulevard, Building 176, 
Honolulu, HI 96818,

[[Page 27105]]

Phone: 808 725-5000, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BG66

32. Rule To Implement the For-Hire Reporting Amendments

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule proposes to implement Amendment 39 for the 
Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region, Amendment 9 for 
the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic, and Amendment 27 to the 
Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic 
Regions (For-Hire Reporting Amendments). The For-Hire Reporting 
Amendments rule proposes mandatory weekly electronic reporting for 
charter vessel operators with a Federal for-hire permit in the snapper-
grouper, dolphin wahoo, or coastal migratory pelagics fisheries; 
reduces the time allowed for headboat operators to complete their 
electronic reports; and requires location reporting by charter vessels 
with the same level of detail currently required for headboat vessels.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   05/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BG75

33. Amendment 36A to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish 
Resources of the Gulf of Mexico

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This action implements Amendment 36A to the Fishery 
Management Plan for reef fish resources in the Gulf of Mexico to 
improve compliance and increase management flexibility in the red 
snapper and grouper-tilefish commercial individual fishing quota 
programs in the Gulf of Mexico. In accordance with Amendment 36A, this 
action proposes to improve compliance with the individual fishing quota 
program by requiring all commercial reef fish permit holders to hail-in 
at least 3 hours, but no more than 24 hours, in advance of landing. It 
also proposes to address non-activated individual fishing quota 
accounts and provide the regional administrator with authority to 
retain annual allocation if a quota reduction is expected to occur.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Availability..............   02/21/18  83 FR 7447
NPRM................................   05/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BG83

34. Amendment 116 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This action would further limit access to the Bering Sea 
and Aleutian Islands yellowfin sole Trawl Limited Access fishery by 
catcher vessels delivering to offshore motherships or catcher/
processors. In recent years, an unexpected increase in participation in 
the offshore sector of this fishery by catcher vessels allowed under 
current regulations has resulted in an increased yellowfin sole catch 
rate and a shorter fishing season. The North Pacific Fishery Management 
Council recently determined that limiting the number of eligible 
licenses assigned to catcher vessels in this fishery could stabilize 
the fishing season duration, provide better opportunity to increase 
production efficiency, and help reduce bycatch of Pacific halibut. This 
action would modify the License Limitation Program by establishing 
eligibility criteria for licenses assigned to catcher vessels to 
participate in this fishery based on historic participation.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   05/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BH02

35.  Framework Adjustment 57 to the Northeast Multispecies 
Fishery Management Plan

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: The proposed action would implement management measures 
included in Framework Adjustment 57 to the Northeast Multispecies 
Fishery Management Plan (Framework 57) that were developed by the New 
England Fishery Management Council in response to new scientific 
information. The proposed action would set 2018-2020 specifications for 
20 Northeast multispecies stocks, including the three U.S./Canada 
stocks (Eastern Georges Bank cod, Eastern Georges Bank haddock, and 
Georges Bank yellowtail flounder). Specifically, this action would 
also: Revise the trimester quotas for the common pool fishery; set the 
southern New England/mid-Atlantic yellowtail flounder quota for the 
scallop fishery; revise the areas, seasons, and vessels subject to the 
Atlantic halibut accountability measures; adjust the areas, seasons, 
and triggers for southern windowpane flounder accountability measures 
for non-groundfish fisheries; revise catch thresholds for implementing 
the scallop fishery's accountability measures for southern New England 
yellowtail flounder; and provide the Regional Administrator with 
authority to adjust recreational measures for Georges Bank cod for 2018 
and 2019 to address recent increases in catch.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   05/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No.
    Agency Contact: Michael Pentony, Regional Administrator, Greater 
Atlantic Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930, Phone: 978 281-9283, Fax: 978 281-9207, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BH52

36.  Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna 
and North Atlantic Albacore Quotas

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.

[[Page 27106]]

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.
    Abstract: The rule would modify the baseline annual U.S. Atlantic 
bluefin tuna quota and subquotas, as well as the baseline annual U.S. 
North Atlantic albacore (northern albacore) quota. This action is 
necessary to implement binding recommendations of the International 
Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, as required by the 
Atlantic Tunas Convention Act, and to achieve domestic management 
objectives under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act. The rule also would implement a minor change to the 
Atlantic tunas size limit regulations to address retention, possession, 
and landings of tunas damaged by shark bites.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   05/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Alan Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable 
Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13362, Silver Spring, MD 
20910, Phone: 301 713-2334, Fax: 301 713-0596, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BH54

37.  Framework Adjustment 5 to the Northeast Skate Complex 
Fishery Management Plan

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: The New England Fishery Management Council developed 
Framework Adjustment 5 to the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery 
Management Plan. Framework 5 contains specifications for the skate 
fishery for the 2018-2019 fishing years. The Council is proposing to 
adjust specifications based on new scientific information and is 
proposing an annual catch limit for the skate complex and overall total 
allowable landings. Landing of barndoor skate is currently prohibited, 
but in response to NMFS' declaring the stock rebuilt in 2016, the 
Council proposed measures within Framework 5 to allow some retention of 
the stock. When approved, Framework 5 would: Establish a barndoor skate 
possession limit for season 1 (May 1 August 31), and season 2 
(September 1 April 30), and establish a discard restriction such that 
any skate species that is already winged could not be discarded in 
order to land barndoor skate. Lastly, in order to provide flexibility 
for U.S. vessels fishing in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries 
Organization area to maximize their skate retention, Framework 5 
establishes measures to exempt vessels from skate regulations when 
fishing exclusively within the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries 
Organization Regulatory Area, except for the prohibition on possessing, 
retaining, or landing prohibited species.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   05/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Michael Pentony, Regional Administrator, Greater 
Atlantic Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930, Phone: 978 281-9283, Fax: 978 281-9207, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BH57

38.  Generic Amendment to the Fishery Management Plans for the 
Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and Coastal Migratory Pelagic 
Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This action, recommended by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery 
Management Council, would modify data reporting for owners or operators 
of federally permitted for-hire vessels (charter vessels and headboats) 
in the Gulf of Mexico, requiring them to declare the type of trip (for-
hire or other) prior to departing for any trip, and electronically 
submit trip-level reports prior to off-loading fish at the end of each 
fishing trip. The declaration would include the expected return time 
and landing location. Landing reports would include information about 
catch and effort during the trip. The action would also require that 
these reports be submitted via approved hardware that includes a global 
positioning system attached to the vessel that is capable, at a 
minimum, of archiving global positioning system locations. This 
requirement would not preclude the use of global positioning system 
devices that provide real-time location data, such as the currently 
approved vessel monitoring systems.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   10/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BH72

39.  Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Shortfin Mako Shark 
Management Measures

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.
    Abstract: Atlantic Highly Migratory Species fisheries are managed 
under the dual authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Conservation and 
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) and the Atlantic Tunas Convention 
Act, which implements U.S. obligations as member of the International 
Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas. North Atlantic 
shortfin mako sharks were recently determined to be overfished and 
experiencing overfishing, and the Commission's member countries, 
including the United States, adopted management measures in 2017 to 
take immediate action to reduce fishing mortality of the stock, 
including releasing of live sharks and increasing minimum sizes. This 
proposed action for shortfin mako sharks would implement the United 
States' obligations under those management measures to help prevent 
overfishing of the U.S. component of that stock and establish a 
foundation for a rebuilding program. Through the rulemaking process, 
NMFS would amend the 2006 Consolidated Highly Migratory Species Fishery 
Management Plan and examine management alternatives to address 
overfishing and establish a foundation for a rebuilding plan. This 
rulemaking would likely impact recreational and commercial fishing 
vessels that interact with shortfin mako sharks.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   07/00/18
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Alan Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable 
Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National

[[Page 27107]]

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 
13362, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 713-2334, Fax: 301 713-0596, 
Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BH75

40.  Small-Mesh Multispecies 2018-2020 Specifications

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This action would set the small-mesh multispecies 
specifications for the 2018-2020 fishing years and reinstate regulatory 
text that was inadvertently removed from the regulations in a previous 
action. The proposed action recommended by the New England Fishery 
Management Council would adjust the catch specifications during 2018-
2020 for four target stocks caught by small mesh fishing gear (``the 
small-mesh fishery''): Northern silver hake, northern red hake, 
southern whiting, and southern red hake. The action would adjust the 
overfishing limit, the allowable biological catch, the annual catch 
limits, the total allowable landings and the total allowable landings 
trigger values. These adjustments account for the changes in stock 
biomass shown in the latest assessment update and changes in the 
discard rate since the last specifications were established. The 
specification limits are intended to keep the risk of overfishing at 
acceptable levels. This action would also reinstate regulatory text 
that specifies the red hake possession limits in the southern small 
mesh exemption area that NMFS inadvertently removed during a previous 
rulemaking action. The removal was a drafting error and not recommended 
by the New England Council. The text specifies the 5,000 lbs possession 
limit for red hake harvested in the southern small mesh exemption area. 
Reinstatement will reduce confusion in the industry because it will 
clarify the possession limits in the regulations as originally intended 
by the Council to help avoid exceeding the catch limits, which could 
harm to the resource.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   05/00/18
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Michael Pentony, Regional Administrator, Greater 
Atlantic Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930, Phone: 978 281-9283, Fax: 978 281-9207, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BH76

41. Amendment and Updates to the Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Plan

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.
    Abstract: Serious injury and mortality of the Western North 
Atlantic short-finned pilot whale stock incidental to the Category I 
Atlantic pelagic longline fishery continues at levels exceeding their 
Potential Biological Removal. This proposed action will examine a 
number of management measures to amend the Pelagic Longline Take 
Reduction Plan to reduce the incidental mortality and serious injury of 
short-finned pilot whales taken in the Atlantic Pelagic Longline 
fishery to below Potential Biological Removal. Potential management 
measures may include changes to the current limitations on mainline 
length, new requirements to use weak hooks (hooks with reduced breaking 
strength), and non-regulatory measures related to determining the best 
procedures for safe handling and release of marine mammals. The need 
for the proposed action is to ensure the Pelagic Longline Take 
Reduction Plan meets its Marine Mammal Protection Act mandated short- 
and long-term goals.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   09/00/18
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BF90

42. Endangered and Threatened Species; Designation of Critical Habitat 
for Threatened Caribbean and Indo-Pacific Reef-Building Corals

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
    Abstract: On September 10, 2014, the National Marine Fisheries 
Service listed 20 species of reef-building corals as threatened under 
the Endangered Species Act, 15 in the Indo-Pacific and five in the 
Caribbean. Of the 15 Indo-Pacific species, seven occur in U.S. waters 
of the Pacific Islands Region, including in American Samoa, Guam, the 
Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands, and the Pacific Remote Island 
Areas. This proposed rule would designate critical habitat for the 
seven species in U.S. waters (Acropora globiceps, Acropora 
jacquelineae, Acropora retusa, Acropora speciosa, Euphyllia paradivisa, 
Isopora crateriformis, and Seriatopora aculeata). The proposed 
designation would cover coral reef habitat around 17 island or atoll 
units in the Pacific Islands Region, including four in American Samoa, 
one in Guam, seven in the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands, and five 
in Pacific Remote Island Areas, containing essential features that 
support reproduction, growth, and survival of the listed coral species. 
This rule also proposes to designate critical habitat for the five 
Caribbean corals and proposed to revise critical habitat for two, 
previously-listed corals, Acropora palmata and Acropora cervicornis.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/00/18
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BG26

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Final Rule Stage

National Marine Fisheries Service

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

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    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 is proposing to use a new temperature 
index to calculate the temperature parameter of the Pacific sardine 
harvest guideline control rule under the Fishery

[[Page 27108]]

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. The National Marine 
Fisheries Service determined that a new temperature index is more 
statistically sound and this action will adopt that index.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   08/23/17  82 FR 39977
NPRM Comment Period End.............   09/22/17
Final Action........................   05/00/18
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No.
    Agency Contact: Barry Thom, Regional Administrator, West Coast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 1201 NE Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 1100, Portland, OR 
97232, Phone: 503 231-6266, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE77

44. Regulatory Amendment to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery 
Management Plan To Implement an Electronic Monitoring Program for the 
Pacific Whiting Fishery

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This action would implement a regulatory amendment to the 
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan to allow Pacific 
whiting vessels the option to use electronic monitoring (video cameras 
and associated sensors) in place of observers to meet requirements for 
100-percent observer coverage. Vessels participating in the catch share 
program are required to carry an observer on all trips to ensure total 
accountability for at-sea discards. For some vessels, electronic 
monitoring may have lower costs than observers and a reduced logistical 
burden. By allowing vessels the option to use electronic monitoring to 
meet monitoring requirements, this action is intended to increase 
operational flexibility and reduce monitoring costs for the Pacific 
whiting fleet.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   09/06/16  81 FR 61161
NPRM Comment Period End.............   10/06/16
Final Action........................   05/00/18
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Barry Thom, Regional Administrator, West Coast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 1201 NE Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 1100, Portland, OR 
97232, Phone: 503 231-6266, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BF52

45. Framework Adjustment 2 to the Tilefish Fishery Management Plan

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council has developed 
a framework adjustment to its Tilefish Fishery Management Plan, which 
would modify management measures for the tilefish fishery to improve 
the management of the species. The proposed measures would: Eliminate 
the current call-in reporting requirement; prohibit a vessel from 
fishing for more than one Individual Fishing Quota allocation at the 
same time; require tilefish to be landed with the head attached; 
clarify what fishing gears are allowed in the recreational fishery; and 
make an administrative change to how assumed discards are accounted for 
in the specifications setting process.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   10/23/17  82 FR 48967
NPRM Comment Period End.............   11/07/17
Final Action........................   05/00/18
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Michael Pentony, Regional Administrator, Greater 
Atlantic Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930, Phone: 978 281-9283, Fax: 978 281-9207, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BF85

46. Commerce Trusted Trader Program

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule will establish a voluntary Commerce Trusted 
Trader Program for importers, aiming to provide benefits such as 
reduced targeting and inspections and enhanced streamlined entry into 
the United States for certified importers. Specifically, this rule 
would establish the criteria required of a Commerce Trusted Trader, and 
identify specifically how the program will be monitored and by whom. It 
will require that a Commerce Trusted Trader establish a secure supply 
chain and maintain the records necessary to verify the legality of all 
designated product entering into U.S. commerce, but will excuse the 
Commerce Trusted Trader from entering that data into the International 
Trade Data System prior to entry, as required by Seafood Import 
Monitoring Program (finalized on December 9, 2016). The rule will 
identify the benefits available to a Commerce Trusted Trader, detail 
the application process, and specify how the Commerce Trusted Trader 
will be audited by third-party entities while the overall program will 
be monitored by the National Marine Fisheries Service.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   01/17/18  83 FR 2412
NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/19/18
Final Action........................   09/00/18
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BG51

47. International Fisheries; Western and Central Pacific Fisheries for 
Highly Migratory Species; Fishing Limits in Purse Seine Fisheries for 
2017

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.
    Abstract: As authorized under the Western and Central Pacific 
Fisheries Convention Implementation Act, this rule would enable NOAA 
Fisheries to implement a recent decision of the Commission for the 
Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the 
Western and Central Pacific Ocean (Commission). The rule would 
establish a limit for calendar year 2017 on fishing effort by U.S. 
purse seine vessels in the U.S. exclusive economic zone and on the high 
seas between the latitudes of 20 degrees N and 20 degrees S in the area 
of application of the Convention on the Conservation and Management of 
Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. 
The limit is 1,828 fishing days. The rule also

[[Page 27109]]

would make corrections to outdated cross-references in existing 
regulatory text. This action is necessary to satisfy the obligations of 
the United States under the Convention on the Conservation and 
Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central 
Pacific Ocean (Convention), to which it is a Contracting Party.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   09/20/17  82 FR 43926
NPRM Comment Period End.............   10/05/17
Final Action........................   05/00/18
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Michael Tosatto, Regional Administrator, Pacific 
Islands Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 1845 Wasp Boulevard, Building 176, 
Honolulu, HI 96818, Phone: 808 725-5000, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BG93

48. Allow Halibut Individual Fishing Quota Leasing to Community 
Development Quota Groups

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1861 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.
    Abstract: This action would allow Western Alaska Community 
Development Quota groups to lease halibut individual fishing quota in 
the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands in years of low halibut catch 
limits. The Community Development Quota Program is an economic 
development program that provides eligible western Alaska villages with 
the opportunity to participate and invest in fisheries. The Community 
Development Quota Program receives annual allocations of total 
allowable catches for a variety of commercially valuable species. In 
recent years, low halibut catch limits have hindered most Community 
Development Quota groups' ability to create a viable halibut fishing 
opportunity for their residents. This proposed rule would authorize 
Community Development Quota groups to obtain additional halibut quota 
from commercial fishery participants to provide Community Development 
Quota community residents more fishing opportunities in years when the 
halibut Community Development Quota allocation may not be large enough 
to present a viable fishery for participants. This proposed rule is 
intended to alleviate the adverse economic, social, and cultural 
impacts of decreasing available halibut resource on Western Alaskan 
communities.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   02/23/18  83 FR 8028
NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/26/18
Final Action........................   05/00/18
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BG94

49. Nontrawl Lead Level 2 Observers

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This action would modify regulations pertaining to the 
nontrawl lead level 2 observer deployment endorsement and require 
vessels to participate in a pre-cruise meeting when necessary. An 
observer deployed on a catcher/processor that participates in the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands hook-and-line Pacific cod fishery or on 
a catcher/processor using pot gear to harvest groundfish in the Western 
Alaska Community Development Quota fisheries is required to have a 
nontrawl lead level 2 deployment endorsement. Since 2014, vessel owners 
and observer provider firms have reported an ongoing shortage of 
nontrawl lead level 2 endorsed observers that has delayed fishing trips 
and increased operational costs. This action would increase the pool of 
observers that could obtain the nontrawl lead level 2 endorsement by 
allowing sampling experience on trawl catcher/processors to count 
toward the minimum experience necessary to obtain a nontrawl lead level 
2 deployment endorsement. The action would benefit the owners and 
operators of catcher/processor vessels required to carry an observer 
with a nontrawl lead level 2 endorsement, observer provider firms, and 
individuals serving as certified observers. This action also includes a 
revision to the observer coverage requirement for motherships receiving 
unsorted codends from catcher vessels groundfish Community Development 
Quota fishing and numerous housekeeping measures and technical 
corrections. These additional updates and corrections are necessary to 
improve terminology consistency throughout the regulations and, for 
operational consistency, to align mothership observer coverage 
requirements with Amendment 80 vessels consistent with the regulation 
of harvest provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/27/17  82 FR 61243
NPRM Comment Period End.............   01/26/18
Final Action........................   05/00/18
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BG96

50. Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Revisions to Shark Fishery 
Closure Regulations

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This rulemaking would revise the procedures in place for 
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species shark fishery closures. The 
rulemaking could change the landings level that prompts fishery closure 
and the length of time between public notice and the effective date of 
a fishery closure. This action would facilitate more timely action by 
the National Marine Fisheries Service when a closure is necessary to 
prevent overharvest and help commercial shark fisheries more fully 
utilize available quota by preventing early closures.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   02/23/18  83 FR 8037
NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/26/18
Final Action........................   05/00/18
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Alan Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable 
Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13362, Silver Spring, MD 
20910, Phone: 301 713-2334, Fax: 301 713-0596, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BG97

[[Page 27110]]

51. Rule To Modify Mutton Snapper and Gag Management Measures in the 
Gulf of Mexico

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule would establish annual catch limits from 2017 
through 2020 for the Gulf of Mexico apportionment of mutton snapper and 
remove the annual catch target because this target is not currently 
used for management purposes. This rule would also establish a 
recreational bag limit for mutton snapper, modify the minimum size 
limit for commercial and recreational mutton snapper, and modify the 
commercial minimum size limit for gag. The majority of mutton snapper 
and gag landings are from waters adjacent to Florida, and the changes 
in bag and size limits would make these management measures consistent 
with those established for Florida state waters and in the case of gag, 
with South Atlantic Federal regulations.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   02/15/18  83 FR 6830
NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/17/18
Final Action........................   05/00/18
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BG99

52. Amendment 47 to the Fishery Management Plan for Reef Fish Resources 
of the Gulf of Mexico

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This action would revise the maximum sustainable yield 
proxy and adjust the annual catch limit for the vermilion snapper stock 
within the Fishery Management Plan for Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf 
of Mexico. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) 
approved this action at their June 2017 meeting in response to a 2016 
stock assessment for vermilion snapper. The estimate of maximum 
sustainable yield is dependent upon the spawner-recruit relationship. 
For vermilion snapper, there is a high degree of variability in the 
data used and the Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee had 
little confidence in the resulting estimate of maximum sustainable 
yield. Instead, the SSC recommended the use of a maximum sustainable 
yield proxy. This action is necessary to establish: A maximum 
sustainable yield proxy and associated status determination criteria 
that are consistent with the best scientific information available, and 
an annual catch limit that does not exceed the acceptable biological 
catch yields from the 2016 stock.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Availability..............   12/19/17  82 FR 60168
NPRM................................   12/27/17  82 FR 61241
NPRM Comment Period End.............   01/26/18
Final Action........................   05/00/18
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BH07

53. Management Measures for Tropical Tunas in the Eastern Pacific Ocean

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 951 et seq.
    Abstract: This proposed rule would implement the Inter-American 
Tropical Tuna Commission's Resolution C-17-02, which contains 
provisions intended to prevent the overfishing of tropical tuna 
(bigeye, yellowfin, and skipjack) in the eastern Pacific Ocean for 
fishing years 2018 to 2020. In addition to rolling over measures from 
the 2017 resolution, this resolution includes additional management 
measures related to fish aggregating devices, makes minor revisions to 
the definition of force majeure, includes provisions related to 
transferring longline catch limits for bigeye tuna between Inter-
American Tropical Tuna Commission members, and increases the bigeye 
tuna catch limit U.S. longline vessels greater than 24 meters in 
overall length that fish in the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission 
Convention Area.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/14/17  82 FR 52700
NPRM Comment Period End.............   12/14/17
Final Action........................   05/00/18
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Barry Thom, Regional Administrator, West Coast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 1201 NE Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 1100, Portland, OR 
97232, Phone: 503 231-6266, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BH13

54.  Interim 2018 Pacific Coast Tribal Pacific Whiting 
Allocation

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: NMFS has prepared a proposed rule for the tribal Pacific 
whiting (whiting) fishery off the coast of Washington State. The 
purpose would be to establish an interim 2018 tribal whiting 
allocation. NMFS is developing this rule after discussions with the 
affected tribes and the non-tribal fisheries interests. As in prior 
years, this allocation is an ``interim'' allocation that is not 
intended to set precedent for future years--a new allocation will be 
set each year after discussions with the affected tribes and fisheries 
interests.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   01/24/18  83 FR 3291
NPRM Comment Period End.............   02/23/18
Final Action........................   05/00/18
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Barry Thom, Regional Administrator, West Coast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 1201 NE Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 1100, Portland, OR 
97232, Phone: 503 231-6266, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BH31

55.  Framework Adjustment 29 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop 
Fishery Management Plan; Northern Gulf of Maine Measures

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This action implements the New England Fishery Management 
Council's Framework Adjustment 29 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery 
Management Plan. The Atlantic sea

[[Page 27111]]

scallop fishery consists of two primary fleets, the Limited Access 
fleet, and the Limited Access General Category fleet. The Limited 
Access fleet is managed with days-at-sea--a number of days that can be 
fished per year--and an access area rotation program. Framework 29 
would set management measures in the Northern Gulf of Maine for the 
scallop fishery for the 2018 fishing year, including dividing the 
annual total allowable catch between the Limited Access and Limited 
Access General Category fleets. Currently, Limited Access vessels can 
access the Northern Gulf of Maine while on days-at-sea with no hard 
limit on landings while in the area. This has resulted in total 
landings from the Northern Gulf of Maine by the Limited Access fleet 
that far exceeded the total allowable catch for the Limited Access 
General Category fleet. Instead, this action would allow Limited Access 
vessels access through research set-aside compensation fishing. 
Currently the limited access fleet is allocated days-at-sea based on 
the condition of the scallop resource in the open area. They can choose 
to use these days-at-sea in the Northern Gulf of Maine if the area has 
not been closed. This action would prohibit the Limited Access fleet 
from accessing the Northern Gulf of Maine while participating in the 
days-at-sea program. The Limited Access fleet share of the Northern 
Gulf of Maine total allowable catch would be available through research 
set-aside compensation fishing only.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   02/20/18  83 FR 7129
NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/07/18
Final Action........................   05/00/18
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Michael Pentony, Regional Administrator, Greater 
Atlantic Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930, Phone: 978 281-9283, Fax: 978 281-9207, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BH51

56.  Pacific Halibut Catch Limits for Area 2a Fisheries in 2018

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: NMFS is implementing this interim final rule to set 2018 
Pacific halibut catch limits within the International Pacific Halibut 
Commission's regulatory Area 2A off the coasts of Washington, Oregon 
and California. In accordance with Article III of the Protocol Amending 
the Convention Between the United States of America and Canada for the 
Preservation of the Halibut Fishery of the Northern Pacific Ocean and 
Bering Sea (Convention), the IPHC can recommend, among other things, 
catch limits for each fishing season. The Secretary of State, with the 
concurrence of the Secretary of Commerce, may then accept or reject, on 
behalf of the United States, the International Pacific Halibut 
Commission's recommendations. Although the United States and Canada 
voiced consensus at the International Pacific Halibut Commission's 
January 2018 annual meeting that some reduction in catch limits 
relative to 2017 in all areas was appropriate, United States and 
Canadian Commissioners could not reach consensus on specific catch 
limit recommendations for 2018. As a result, absent any action by the 
United States, 2017 catch limits for the U.S. halibut fishery, which do 
not reflect management needs for the current status of the stock, will 
remain in place. Thus, through this rule, the Secretary of Commerce is 
exercising his authority under Article 1 of the Convention and section 
773c of the Halibut Act to establish catch limit regulations for Area 
2A. This rule will implement Area 2A catch limits according to the 2018 
Catch Sharing Plan.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interim Final Rule..................   05/00/18
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No.
    Agency Contact: Barry Thom, Regional Administrator, West Coast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 1201 NE Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 1100, Portland, OR 
97232, Phone: 503 231-6266, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BH71

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

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
    Abstract: In 2012, NMFS listed as endangered the main Hawaiian 
Islands (MHI) insular false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) 
Distinct Population Segment (DPS). The Endangered Species Act (ESA) 
requires NMFS to designate critical habitat to support the conservation 
and recovery of newly listed species. Accordingly, this proposed rule 
would designate critical habitat for the MHI insular false killer whale 
DPS in waters around the MHI. NMFS will evaluate the economic, national 
security, or other relevant impacts of the proposed designation, and 
would consider excluding areas where such negative impacts would 
outweigh the benefits of critical habitat designation.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/03/17  82 FR 51186
NPRM Comment Period End.............   01/02/18
Final Action........................   07/00/18
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BC45

58. Regulation To Reduce Incidental Bycatch and Mortality of Sea 
Turtles in the Southeastern U.S. Shrimp Fisheries

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
    Abstract: The purpose of the proposed action is to aid in the 
protection and recovery of listed sea turtle populations by reducing 
incidental bycatch and mortality of small sea turtles in the 
Southeastern U.S. shrimp fisheries. As a result of new information on 
sea turtle bycatch in shrimp trawls and turtle excluder device testing, 
NMFS conducted an evaluation of the Southeastern U.S. shrimp fisheries 
that resulted in a draft environmental impact statement. This rule 
proposes to withdraw the alternative tow time restriction, and require 
certain vessels using skimmer trawls, pusher-head trawls, and wing nets 
(butterfly trawls), with the exception of vessels participating in the 
Biscayne Bay wing net fishery in Miami-Dade County, Florida, to use 
turtle excluder devices designed to exclude small sea turtles.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/16/16  81 FR 91097
NPRM Comment Period End.............   02/14/17  .......................
Final Action........................   07/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 27112]]

    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-BG45

59. Regulatory Amendment To Authorize a Recreational Quota Entity

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 to 773k
    Abstract: The proposed action would authorize a recreational quota 
entity in International Pacific Halibut Commission Regulatory Areas 2C 
and 3A in the Gulf of Alaska to purchase a limited amount of commercial 
halibut quota share for use in the charter halibut fishery. The 
recreational quota entity would provide a mechanism for a compensated 
reallocation of a portion of commercial halibut quota share from the 
Pacific Halibut and Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota Program to the 
charter halibut fishery in order to promote long-term planning and 
greater stability in the charter halibut fishery. Any halibut quota 
share from Area 2C or Area 3A purchased by the recreational quota 
entity would augment the amount of halibut available for harvest in the 
charter halibut fishery in that area. Underlying allocations to the 
charter and commercial halibut sectors would not change.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   10/03/17  82 FR 46016
NPRM Comment Period End.............   11/17/17  .......................
Final Action........................   05/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BG57

NOS/ONMS

60. Wisconsin-Lake Michigan National Marine Sanctuary Designation

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Other.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.
    Abstract: On December 2, 2014, pursuant to section 304 of the 
National Marine Sanctuaries Act and the Sanctuary Nomination Process 
(79 FR 33851), a coalition of community groups submitted a nomination 
asking NOAA to designate an area of Wisconsin's Lake Michigan waters as 
a national marine sanctuary. The area is a region that includes 875 
square miles of Lake Michigan waters and bottomlands adjacent to 
Manitowoc, Sheboygan, and Ozaukee counties and the cities of Port 
Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, and Two Rivers. It includes 80 miles 
of shoreline and extends 9 to 14 miles from the shoreline. The area 
contains an extraordinary collection of submerged maritime heritage 
resources (shipwrecks) as demonstrated by the listing of 15 shipwrecks 
on the National Register of Historic Places. The area includes 39 known 
shipwrecks, 123 reported vessel losses, numerous other historic 
maritime-related features, and is adjacent to communities that have 
embraced their centuries-long relationship with Lake Michigan. NOAA 
completed its review of the nomination in accordance with the Sanctuary 
Nomination Process and on February 5, 2015, added the area to the 
inventory of nominations that are eligible for designation. On October 
7, 2015, NOAA issued a notice of intent to begin the designation 
process and asked for public comment on making this area a national 
marine sanctuary. Designation under the National Marine Sanctuaries Act 
would allow NOAA to supplement and complement work by the State of 
Wisconsin and other Federal agencies to protect this collection of 
nationally significant shipwrecks.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   01/09/17  82 FR 2269
NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/31/17  .......................
Final Action........................   06/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Vicki Wedell, Department of Commerce, National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1305 East-West Highway (N/
ORM6), Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 713-7237, Fax: 301 713-0404, 
Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BG01

61. Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary Designation

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Other.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.
    Abstract: On September 16, 2014, pursuant to section 304 of the 
National Marine Sanctuaries Act and the Sanctuary Nomination Process 
(79 FR 33851), a coalition of community groups submitted a nomination 
asking NOAA to designate Mallows Bay-Potomac River as a national marine 
sanctuary. The Mallows Bay area of the tidal Potomac River is an area 
40 miles south of Washington, DC, off the Nanjemoy Peninsula of Charles 
County, MD. The designation of a national marine sanctuary would focus 
on conserving the collection of maritime heritage resources 
(shipwrecks) in the area as well as expand the opportunities for public 
access, recreation, tourism, research, and education. NOAA completed 
its review of the nomination in accordance with the Sanctuary 
Nomination Process and on January 12, 2015, added the area to the 
inventory of nominations that are eligible for designation. On October 
7, 2015, NOAA issued a notice of intent to begin the designation 
process and asked for public comment on making this area a national 
marine sanctuary. Designation under the National Marine Sanctuaries Act 
would allow NOAA to supplement and complement work by the State of 
Maryland and other Federal agencies to protect this collection of 
nationally significant shipwrecks.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   01/09/17  82 FR 2254
NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/31/17  .......................
Final Action........................   06/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Vicki Wedell, Department of Commerce, National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1305 East-West Highway (N/
ORM6), Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 713-7237, Fax: 301 713-0404, 
Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BG02

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Long-Term Actions

National Marine Fisheries Service

62. Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishing Capacity Reduction Loan Refinance

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1861 et seq.; 5 
U.S.C. 561 et seq.

[[Page 27113]]

    Abstract: Congress enacted the 2015 National Defense Authorization 
Act to refinance the existing debt obligation funding the fishing 
capacity reduction program for the Pacific Coast Groundfish fishery 
implemented under section 212. Pending appropriation of funds to effect 
the refinance, the National Marine Fisheries Service issued proposed 
regulations to seek comment on the refinancing and to prepare for an 
industry referendum and final rule. However, a subsequent appropriation 
to fund the refinancing was never enacted. As a result, the National 
Marine Fisheries Service has no funds with which to proceed, and the 
refinancing authority cannot be implemented. The National Marine 
Fisheries Service is therefore withdrawing this proposed rule.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   08/06/15  80 FR 46941
NPRM Comment Period End.............   09/08/15  .......................
                                     -----------------------------------
To Be Determined....................           To Be Determined
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Stuart Merrill, Phone: 301 427-8733, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE90

63. Reducing Disturbances to Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins From Human 
Interactions

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.
    Abstract: This action would implement regulatory measures under the 
Marine Mammal Protection Act to protect Hawaiian spinner dolphins that 
are resting in protected bays from take due to close approach 
interactions with humans.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANPRM...............................   12/12/05  70 FR 73426
ANPRM Comment Period End............   01/11/06  .......................
NPRM................................   08/24/16  81 FR 57854
NPRM Comment Period End.............   10/23/16  .......................
NPRM Comment Period Reopened........   11/16/16  81 FR 80629
NPRM Comment Period Reopened End....   12/01/16  .......................
                                     -----------------------------------
To Be Determined....................           To Be Determined
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Donna Wieting, Phone: 301 427-8400.
    RIN: 0648-AU02

64. Designation of Critical Habitat for the Arctic Ringed Seal

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
    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 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
                                     -----------------------------------
To Be Determined....................           To Be Determined
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Donna Wieting, Phone: 301 427-8400.
    RIN: 0648-BC56

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Completed Actions

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

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    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
Withdrawn...........................   02/09/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BD25

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

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    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. 
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. The 
National Marine Fisheries Service 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. This action reallocated individual fishing quota widow 
rockfish quota share to facilitate directed harvest and lifted the 
moratorium on widow rockfish quota share trading.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   06/29/16  81 FR 42295
NPRM Comment Period End.............   07/29/16  .......................
Final Action........................   11/24/17  82 FR 55775
Final Action Effective..............   12/26/17  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 27114]]

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Barry Thom, Regional Administrator, West Coast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 1201 NE Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 1100, Portland, OR 
97232, Phone: 503 231-6266, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BF12

67. Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat Amendment 2

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: The New England Fishery Management Council voted to issue 
this updated rulemaking that would revise the essential fish habitat 
and habitat areas of particular concern designation based on recent 
groundfish data. This rule updates groundfish seasonal spawning 
closures and identifies Habitat Research Areas. The revisions include 
adding a habitat management area in the eastern Gulf of Maine and 
modifying the existing habitat management areas in the central and 
western Gulf of Maine, while maintaining additional protections for 
large-mesh groundfish, including cod. In addition, the amendment allows 
for the potential for development of a scallop access area within 
Georges Bank. A habitat management area would be established on Georges 
Shoal, with allowances for the clam dredge fishery. In Southern New 
England, a habitat management area in the Great South Channel would 
replace the current habitat protections further west. These revisions 
are intended to comply with the Magnuson-Stevens Act requirement to 
minimize to the extent practicable the adverse effects of fishing on 
essential fish habitat.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Availability..............   10/06/17  82 FR 46749
NPRM................................   11/06/17  82 FR 51492
NPRM Comment Period End.............   12/05/17  .......................
Final Action........................   04/09/18  83 FR 15240
Final Action Effective..............   04/09/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Michael Pentony, Regional Administrator, Greater 
Atlantic Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930, Phone: 978 281-9283, Fax: 978 281-9207, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BF82

68. Blueline Tilefish Amendment to the Golden Tilefish Fishery 
Management Plan

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council developed an 
amendment to its Golden Tilefish Fishery Management Plan, which 
implements management measures for the blueline tilefish fishery north 
of the Virginia/North Carolina border. This action establishes the 
management framework for this fishery, including: Permitting, 
recordkeeping, and reporting requirements; trip limits for both the 
commercial and recreational sectors of the fishery; and the process for 
setting specifications and annual catch limits.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Availability..............   06/14/17  82 FR 27223
NPRM................................   06/28/17  82 FR 29263
NPRM Comment Period End.............   07/28/17  .......................
Final Action........................   11/15/17  82 FR 52851
Final Action Effective..............   12/15/17  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No.
    Agency Contact: Michael Pentony, Regional Administrator, Greater 
Atlantic Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930, Phone: 978 281-9283, Fax: 978 281-9207, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BF86

69. Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; 
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Specifications and Management 
Measures and Fishery Management Plan Amendment 27

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This final rule established the 2017-2018 harvest 
specifications and management measures for groundfish taken in the U.S. 
exclusive economic zone off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and 
California, consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 
and Management Act and the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management 
Plan (Fishery Management Plan), including harvest specifications 
consistent with default harvest control rules in the Fishery Management 
Plan. This action also included regulations to implement Amendment 27 
to the Fishery Management Plan, which adds deacon rockfish to the 
Fishery Management Plan, reclassifies big skate as an actively managed 
stock, adds a new inseason management process for commercial and 
recreational groundfish fisheries in California, and makes several 
clarifications to existing regulations.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Availability..............   09/30/16  81 FR 67287
NPRM................................   10/28/16  81 FR 75266
NPRM Comment Period End.............   11/28/16  .......................
Final Rule..........................   02/07/17  82 FR 9634
Final Rule Effective................   02/07/17  .......................
Correcting Amendment................   12/21/17  82 FR 60567
Correcting Amendment Effective......   12/21/17  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Barry Thom, Regional Administrator, West Coast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 1201 NE Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 1100, Portland, OR 
97232, Phone: 503 231-6266, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BG17

70. Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 
Authorization of an Oregon Recreational Fishery for Midwater Groundfish 
Species

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule authorizes the use of midwater long-leader gear 
for recreational fishing in waters seaward of a line approximating 40 
fathoms (73 m) off the coast of Oregon. Midwater long-leader gear is 
allowed for both charter and private vessels seaward of the 40 fathom 
seasonal depth closure and monitored with the existing Oregon Ocean 
Recreational Boat Sampling program. The season will occur between the 
months of April and September, months currently subject to depth 
restrictions.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/19/17  82 FR 60170
NPRM Comment Period End.............   01/18/18  .......................
Final Action........................   03/29/18  83 FR 13428

[[Page 27115]]

 
Final Action Effective..............   04/01/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Barry Thom, Regional Administrator, West Coast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 1201 NE Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 1100, Portland, OR 
97232, Phone: 503 231-6266, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BG40

71. Amendment 41 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper 
Fishery of the South Atlantic Region

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: NMFS publishes regulations to implement Amendment 41. 
This amendment updates biological benchmarks, modifies allowable 
fishing levels, and revises management measures for mutton snapper 
based on the latest stock assessment. Revisions to management measures 
include designation of ``spawning months,'' during which stricter 
regulations may apply, as well as modifications to the minimum size 
limit, recreational bag limit, and commercial trip limit.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Availability..............   09/26/17  82 FR 44756
NPRM................................   10/24/17  82 FR 49167
NPRM Comment Period End.............   11/24/17  .......................
Final Action........................   01/11/18  83 FR 1305
Final Action Effective..............   02/10/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BG77

72. Amendment 46 to the Fishery Management Plan for Reef Fish Resources 
of the Gulf of Mexico To Establish a Gray Triggerfish Rebuilding Plan

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: Following a 2015 NMFS determination of the lack of 
adequate progress in rebuilding the Gulf gray triggerfish stock, the 
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council had two years under the 
Magnuson Stevens Act to develop actions to rebuild the affected stock. 
The Council has now proposed to amend the Fishery Management Plan to 
focus on the stock's rebuilding. This action implements that amendment. 
The action establishes a 9-year rebuilding time period; retains the 
current gray triggerfish annual catch limits and annual catch targets 
for the recreational and commercial sectors; modifies the recreational 
fixed closed season, recreational bag limit, recreational size limit, 
and commercial trip limit.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Availability..............   08/30/17  82 FR 41205
NPRM................................   09/25/17  82 FR 44551
NPRM Comment Period End.............   10/25/17  .......................
Final Action........................   12/15/17  82 FR 59523
Final Action Effective..............   01/16/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BG87

73. Rule To Modify Greater Amberjack Allowable Harvest and Rebuilding 
Plan in the Gulf of Mexico

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule adjusts the Gulf of Mexico greater amberjack 
rebuilding plan, to modify through 2020-based on information from the 
2017 stock assessment that indicated that the stock is not making 
adequate progress towards rebuilding-greater amberjack annual catch 
limits and annual catch targets (which equal the quotas) for both the 
commercial and recreational fisheries. The modifications are projected 
to rebuild the stock by 2027. In addition, the rule would change the 
recreational seasonal closure from June through July each year to 
January 1 through June 30 each year. This change would protect the 
stock during peak spawning and extend the season later in the fishing 
year, leading to a more reliable open season.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/20/17  82 FR 55074
NPRM Comment Period End.............   12/05/17  .......................
Final Action........................   12/28/17  82 FR 61485
Final Action Effective..............   01/27/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BH14

74. Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Individual Bluefin Quota 
Program; Quarterly Accountability

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.
    Abstract: This action modified the Atlantic highly migratory 
species regulations to require vessels in the pelagic longline fishery 
to account for bycatch of bluefin tuna using Individual Bluefin Quota 
on a quarterly basis instead of before commencing any fishing trip 
while in quota debt or with less than the minimum required Individual 
Bluefin Quota balance. Previously, regulations required permitted 
Atlantic Tunas Longline vessels to possess a minimum amount of 
Individual Bluefin Quota to depart on a fishing trip with pelagic 
longline gear onboard and account for bluefin tuna catch (fish retained 
or discarded dead) using Individual Bluefin Quota. At the end of a trip 
on which bluefin tuna are caught, a vessel's Individual Bluefin Quota 
balance was reduced by the amount caught. If the trip catch exceeded 
the vessel's available quota, the vessel would incur quota debt (i.e., 
exceeding its available Individual Bluefin Quota balance). In this 
case, the regulations previously required the vessel to obtain 
additional Individual Bluefin Quota through leasing to resolve that 
quota debt and to acquire the minimum Individual Bluefin Quota amount, 
before departing on a subsequent trip using pelagic longline gear. This 
action implemented accountability on a quarterly basis instead of after 
each trip to minimize constraints on fishing for target species and 
support business planning while accounting for all bluefin tuna catch 
and

[[Page 27116]]

maintaining incentives to avoid bluefin catch. Quarterly accountability 
requires vessel owners to resolve quota debt and obtain the minimum 
amount of Individual Bluefin Tuna prior to fishing for the first time 
during each new calendar quarter. The annual U.S. Bluefin tuna quota 
remains unaffected by this measure, as it results from International 
Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas recommendations.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   10/25/17  82 FR 49303
NPRM Comment Period End.............   11/24/17  .......................
Final Action........................   12/28/17  82 FR 61489
Final Action Effective..............   01/27/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Alan Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable 
Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13362, Silver Spring, MD 
20910, Phone: 301 713-2334, Fax: 301 713-0596, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BH17

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)

Patent and Trademark Office (PTO)

Completed Actions

75. Setting and Adjusting Patent Fees During Fiscal Year 2017

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Fully or Partially Exempt.
    Legal Authority: Pub. L. 112-29
    Abstract: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office) 
takes this action to set and adjust Patent fee amounts to provide the 
Office with a sufficient amount of aggregate revenue to recover its 
aggregate cost of operations while helping the Office maintain a 
sustainable funding model, reduce the current patent application 
backlog, decrease patent pendency, improve quality, and upgrade the 
Office's business information technology capability and infrastructure.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   10/03/16  81 FR 68150
NPRM Comment Period End.............   12/02/16  .......................
Final Rule..........................   11/14/17  82 FR 52780
Final Rule Effective................   01/16/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Brendan Hourigan, Director, Office of Planning and 
Budget, Department of Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 
1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450, Phone: 571 272-8966, Fax: 571 273-
8966, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0651-AD02

[FR Doc. 2018-11235 Filed 6-8-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-12-P