[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 222 (Friday, November 16, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57998-58013]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-24146]



[[Page 57997]]

Vol. 83

Friday,

No. 222

November 16, 2018

Part IV





 Department of Commerce





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

  Federal Register / Vol. 83 , No. 222 / Friday, November 16, 2018 / 
Unified Agenda  

[[Page 57998]]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Office of the Secretary

13 CFR Ch. III

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

19 CFR Ch. III

37 CFR Chs. I, IV, and V

48 CFR Ch. 13

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


Fall 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 spring 2018 agenda. The purpose of the Agenda is to provide 
information to the public on regulations that are currently under 
review, being proposed, or issued by Commerce. The agenda is intended 
to facilitate comments and views by interested members of the public.
    Commerce's fall 2018 regulatory agenda includes regulatory 
activities that are expected to be conducted during the period October 
1, 2018, through September 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, Regulation, and 
Oversight, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230, 
telephone: 202-482-3151.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Commerce hereby publishes its fall 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 June 18, 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.
    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.
    In this edition of Commerce's regulatory agenda, a list of the most 
important significant regulatory and deregulatory actions and a 
Statement of Regulatory Priorities are included in the Regulatory Plan, 
which appears in both the online Unified Agenda and in part II of the 
issue of the Federal Register that includes the Unified Agenda.
    Because publication in the Federal Register is mandated for the 
regulatory flexibility agendas required by the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act, Commerce's printed agenda entries include only:
    (1) Rules that are in the Agency's regulatory flexibility agenda, 
in accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act, because they are 
likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities; and
    (2) Rules that the Agency has identified for periodic review under 
section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    Printing of these entries is limited to fields that contain 
information required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act's Agenda 
requirements. Additional information on these entries is available in 
the Unified Agenda published on the internet. In addition, for fall 
editions of the Agenda, Commerce's entire Regulatory Plan will continue 
to be printed in the Federal Register.
    Within Commerce, the Office of the Secretary and various operating 
units may issue regulations. 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 FMP 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 fall 2018 regulatory agenda follows.

Peter B. Davidson,
General Counsel.

[[Page 57999]]



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


          Bureau of Industry and Security--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
199.......................  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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
200.......................  Comprehensive Fishery              0648-BD32
                             Management Plan for
                             Puerto Rico.
201.......................  Comprehensive Fishery              0648-BD33
                             Management Plan for St.
                             Croix.
202.......................  Comprehensive Fishery              0648-BD34
                             Management Plan for St.
                             Thomas/St. John.
203.......................  Implementation of a                0648-BD59
                             Program for
                             Transshipments by Large
                             Scale Fishing Vessels in
                             the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
204.......................  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.
205.......................  International Fisheries;           0648-BG04
                             South Pacific Tuna
                             Fisheries; Implementation
                             of Amendments to the
                             South Pacific Tuna Treaty.
206.......................  Illegal, Unregulated, and          0648-BG11
                             Unreported Fishing;
                             Fisheries Enforcement;
                             High Seas Driftnet
                             Fishing Moratorium
                             Protection Act.
207.......................  International Fisheries;           0648-BG66
                             Western and Central
                             Pacific Fisheries for
                             Highly Migratory Species;
                             Requirements to Safeguard
                             Fishery Observers.
208.......................  Regulatory Amendment to            0648-BH70
                             the Pacific Coast
                             Groundfish Fishery
                             Management Plan to
                             Implement an Electronic
                             Monitoring Program for
                             Bottom Trawl and Non-
                             Whiting Midwater Trawl
                             Vessels.
209.......................  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.
210.......................  Atlantic Highly Migratory          0648-BH75
                             Species; Shortfin Mako
                             Shark Management Measures.
211.......................  Framework Adjustment to            0648-BH80
                             Modify a Commercial
                             Accountability Measure in
                             the Summer Flounder,
                             Scup, and Black Sea Bass
                             Fishery Management Plan.
212.......................  Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries         0648-BH87
                             Conservation and
                             Management Act;
                             Traceability Information
                             Program for Seafood (Reg
                             Plan Seq No. 18).
213.......................  Revisions to Regulations           0648-BH88
                             for Species With
                             Sideboard Limits That
                             Cannot Support Directed
                             Fishing by Vessels
                             Subject to Sideboards in
                             the Bering Sea and
                             Aleutian Islands and Gulf
                             of Alaska.
214.......................  2019-2020 Harvest                  0648-BH93
                             Specifications and
                             Management Measures for
                             Pacific Coast Groundfish
                             and Fishery Management
                             Plan.
215.......................  Framework Action to the            0648-BI39
                             Fishery Management Plan
                             for Reef Fish Resources
                             of the Gulf of Mexico,
                             Modification of Gulf of
                             Mexico Red Snapper and
                             Hogfish Annual Catch
                             Limits.
216.......................  Revision to Critical               0648-BH95
                             Habitat Designation for
                             Endangered Southern
                             Resident Killer Whales.
217.......................  Designation of Critical            0648-BI06
                             Habitat for the Mexico,
                             Central American, and
                             Western Pacific Distinct
                             Population Segments of
                             Humpback Whales Under the
                             Endangered Species Act.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in The Regulatory Plan in part II of this
  issue of the Federal Register.


    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
218.......................  Modification of the                0648-BE77
                             Temperature-Dependent
                             Component of the Pacific
                             Sardine Harvest Guideline
                             Control Rule to
                             Incorporate New
                             Scientific Information.
219.......................  Regulatory Amendment to            0648-BF52
                             the Pacific Coast
                             Groundfish Fishery
                             Management Plan to
                             Implement an Electronic
                             Monitoring Program for
                             the Pacific Whiting
                             Fishery.
220.......................  Commerce Trusted Trader            0648-BG51
                             Program (Reg Plan Seq No.
                             20).
221.......................  Rule to Implement the For-         0648-BG75
                             Hire Reporting Amendments.
222.......................  Allow Halibut Individual           0648-BG94
                             Fishing Quota Leasing to
                             Community Development
                             Quota Groups.
223.......................  Amendment 116 to the               0648-BH02
                             Fishery Management Plan
                             for Groundfish of the
                             Bering Sea and Aleutian
                             Islands Management Area.
224.......................  Atlantic Highly Migratory          0648-BH54
                             Species; Atlantic Bluefin
                             Tuna and North Atlantic
                             Albacore Quotas.
225.......................  Regulation to Reduce               0648-BG45
                             Incidental Bycatch and
                             Mortality of Sea Turtles
                             in the Southeastern U.S.
                             Shrimp Fisheries.
226.......................  Regulatory Amendment to            0648-BG57
                             Authorize a Recreational
                             Quota Entity.
227.......................  Wisconsin-Lake Michigan            0648-BG01
                             National Marine Sanctuary
                             Designation.

[[Page 58000]]

 
228.......................  Mallows Bay-Potomac River          0648-BG02
                             National Marine Sanctuary
                             Designation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in The Regulatory Plan in part II of this
  issue of the Federal Register.


   National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Long-Term Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
229.......................  Pacific Coast Groundfish           0648-BE90
                             Fishing Capacity
                             Reduction Loan Refinance.
230.......................  Voting Criteria for a              0648-BG36
                             Referendum on a Gulf of
                             Mexico Reef Fish Catch
                             Share Program for For-
                             Hire Vessels With
                             Landings Histories.
231.......................  Reducing Disturbances to           0648-AU02
                             Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins
                             From Human Interactions.
232.......................  Designation of Critical            0648-BC56
                             Habitat for the Arctic
                             Ringed Seal.
233.......................  Amendment and Updates to           0648-BF90
                             the Pelagic Longline Take
                             Reduction Plan.
234.......................  Endangered and Threatened          0648-BG26
                             Species; Designation of
                             Critical Habitat for
                             Threatened Caribbean and
                             Indo-Pacific Reef-
                             building Corals.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


   National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
235.......................  Framework Adjustment 2 to          0648-BF85
                             the Tilefish Fishery
                             Management Plan.
236.......................  Amendment 36A to the               0648-BG83
                             Fishery Management Plan
                             for the Reef Fish
                             Resources of the Gulf of
                             Mexico.
237.......................  International Fisheries;           0648-BG93
                             Western and Central
                             Pacific Fisheries for
                             Highly Migratory Species;
                             Fishing Limits in Purse
                             Seine Fisheries for 2017.
238.......................  Nontrawl Lead Level 2              0648-BG96
                             Observers.
239.......................  Atlantic Highly Migratory          0648-BG97
                             Species; Revisions to
                             Shark Fishery Closure
                             Regulations.
240.......................  Rule to Modify Mutton              0648-BG99
                             Snapper and Gag
                             Management Measures in
                             the Gulf of Mexico.
241.......................  Amendment 47 to the                0648-BH07
                             Fishery Management Plan
                             for Reef Fish Resources
                             of the Gulf of Mexico.
242.......................  Management Measures for            0648-BH13
                             Tropical Tunas in the
                             Eastern Pacific Ocean.
243.......................  Interim 2018 Pacific Coast         0648-BH31
                             Tribal Pacific Whiting
                             Allocation.
244.......................  Framework Adjustment 29 to         0648-BH51
                             the Atlantic Sea Scallop
                             Fishery Management Plan;
                             Northern Gulf of Maine
                             Measures.
245.......................  Framework Adjustment 57 to         0648-BH52
                             the Northeast
                             Multispecies Fishery
                             Management Plan.
246.......................  Small-Mesh Multispecies            0648-BH76
                             2018-2020 Specifications.
247.......................  Designate Critical Habitat         0648-BC45
                             for the Hawaiian Insular
                             False Killer Whale
                             Distinct Population
                             Segment.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)

International Trade Administration (ITA)

Proposed Rule Stage

198. 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

199. 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

[[Page 58001]]

Export Information filing requirements in the Automated Export System 
for exports to China, Russia, and Venezuela.
    Timetable:

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

    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].
    RIN: 0694-AH53

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Proposed Rule Stage

National Marine Fisheries Service

200. 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

201. 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

202. 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

203. 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

[[Page 58002]]

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................................   06/00/19  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BD59

204. 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................................   06/00/19  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

205. 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................................   12/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

206. Illegal, Unregulated, and Unreported Fishing; Fisheries 
Enforcement; High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
    Legal Authority: Pub. L. 114-81
    Abstract: This proposed rule will make conforming amendments to 
regulations implementing the various statutes amended by the Illegal, 
Unreported and Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Act of 2015 (Pub. L. 
114-81). The Act amends several regional fishery management 
organization implementing statutes as well as the High Seas Driftnet 
Fishing Moratorium Protection Act. It also provides authority to 
implement two new international agreements under the Antigua 
Convention, which amends the Convention for the establishment of an 
Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission, and the United Nations Food 
and Agriculture Organization Agreement on Port State Measures to 
Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated 
Fishing (Port State Measures Agreement), which restricts the entry into 
U.S. ports by foreign fishing vessels that are known to be or are 
suspected of engaging in illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. 
This proposed rule will also implement the Port State Measures 
Agreement. To that end, this proposed rule will require the collection 
of certain information from foreign fishing vessels requesting 
permission to use U.S. ports. It also includes procedures to designate 
and publicize the ports to which foreign fishing vessels may seek entry 
and procedures for conducting inspections of these foreign vessels 
accessing U.S. ports. Further, the rule establishes procedures for 
notification of: The denial of port entry or port services for a 
foreign vessel, the withdrawal of the denial of port services if 
applicable, the taking of enforcement action with respect to a foreign 
vessel, or the results of any inspection of a foreign vessel to the 
flag nation of the vessel and other competent authorities as 
appropriate.
    Timetable:

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

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

[[Page 58003]]

    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-BG11

207. 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................................   10/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BG66

208. Regulatory Amendment to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery 
Management Plan To Implement an Electronic Monitoring Program for 
Bottom Trawl and Non-Whiting Midwater Trawl Vessels

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: The proposed action would implement a regulatory 
amendment to the Pacific Fishery Management Council's Pacific Coast 
Groundfish Fishery Management Plan to allow bottom trawl and midwater 
trawl vessels targeting non-whiting species the option to use 
electronic monitoring (video cameras and associated sensors) in place 
of observers to meet requirements for 100-percent observer coverage. 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 fleet.
    Timetable:

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

    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-BH70

209. 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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Availability..............   06/21/18  83 FR 28797
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

210. 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................................   07/27/18  83 FR 35590
NPRM Comment Period End.............   10/01/18  .......................
Final Action........................   02/00/19  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

[[Page 58004]]

    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-BH75

211. Framework Adjustment To Modify a Commercial Accountability Measure 
in the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management 
Plan

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: As per action by the Mid Atlantic Fishery Management 
Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, this rule 
would propose to adjust the current pound-for-pound accountability 
measures required for non-landings overages (i.e., overages that occur 
because of higher-than-expected dead discard estimates) in the summer 
flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries. When overages cannot be 
addressed through a landings-based accountability measure alone, this 
action would allow for a scaled payback of an annual catch limit 
overage, depending on the condition of the stock rather than a pound-
for-pound payback of the annual catch limit overage.
    Timetable:

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

    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-BH80

212. Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act; 
Traceability Information Program for Seafood

    Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 18 in part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.
    RIN: 0648-BH87

213. Revisions to Regulations for Species With Sideboard Limits That 
Cannot Support Directed Fishing by Vessels Subject to Sideboards in the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule proposes to implement an action of the Northern 
Pacific Fishery Management Council by revising Federal regulations to 
prohibit directed fishing for those species with sideboard limits that 
are not large enough to support directed fishing by non-exempt American 
Fisheries Act vessels in the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands and Gulf of 
Alaska and crab vessels in the Crab Rationalization Program (CR 
Program) in the Gulf of Alaska, or for those species that are fully 
allocated to other programs (e.g., flathead sole, rock sole, Western 
Aleutian Islands Atka mackerel). NMFS would then no longer publish 
American Fisheries Act and CR Program sideboard amounts for those 
species in the annual harvest specifications. In addition, the action 
would remove the sideboard limit on American Fisheries Act catcher/
processors for Central Aleutian Islands Atka mackerel because the 
sideboard limit under the American Fisheries Act (11.5 percent) is 
constrained by the allocation to the trawl limited access sector (10 
percent) that was established by the Amendment 80 Program. The primary 
benefits of this action are that it would streamline the annual harvest 
specifications, reduce the annual costs of preparing and publishing the 
annual harvest specifications in the Federal Register, and simplify 
NMFS' annual programming changes to the agency's groundfish catch 
accounting system. This action would not alter how NMFS actually 
manages the relevant sideboard limits, and NMFS would continue to 
monitor Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska groundfish catch 
to ensure that each species' total allowable catch limit is not 
exceeded. This action would not incur any negative impacts to American 
Fisheries Act and crab sideboard limited vessels for the foreseeable 
future.
    Timetable:

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

    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-BH88

214.  2019-2020 Harvest Specifications and Management Measures 
for Pacific Coast Groundfish and Fishery Management Plan

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: Every other year, the Pacific Fishery Management Council 
(Council) makes recommendations to set biennial allowable harvest 
levels for Pacific Coast groundfish, and recommends management measures 
for commercial, recreational, and tribal fisheries that are designed to 
achieve those harvest levels consistent with the Pacific Coast 
Groundfish Fishery Management Plan. For the 2019-2020 biennium, the 
Council has recommended the following: Harvest specifications, 
including overfishing limits, acceptable biological catches, and annual 
catch limits; management measures to achieve those specifications; 
changes to the yelloweye rockfish rebuilding plan, which would increase 
the annual catch limit for this species for the 2-year biennial 
management period; and measures to reduce salmon bycatch in the 
groundfish fisheries. The specifications and management measures that 
would be forwarded by this action would be in effect from January 1, 
2019, through December 31, 2020.
    Timetable:

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

    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-BH93

215.  Framework Action to the Fishery Management Plan for Reef 
Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico, Modification of Gulf of Mexico 
Red Snapper and Hogfish Annual Catch Limits

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

[[Page 58005]]

    Abstract: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council recently 
took action to revise the acceptable biological catch and the annual 
catch limits for the Gulf of Mexico stocks of red snapper and hogfish. 
This action was taken in response to the most recent stock assessments 
for these species and the recommendations from the Council's Scientific 
and Statistical Committee. The red snapper and hogfish assessments 
found the stocks are neither overfished nor undergoing overfishing. 
This rulemaking would implement the Council's action by increasing the 
acceptable biological catch for red snapper and setting the annual 
catch limit to be equal to the acceptable biological catch. The 
established allocations would be used to set the commercial and 
recreational component annual catch limits, and recreational component 
annual catch targets. The acceptable biological catch for hogfish would 
decrease and the stock annual catch limit would be set equal to the 
acceptable biological catch. There are no allocations or annual catch 
targets for Gulf hogfish.
    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-BI39

216.  Revision to Critical Habitat Designation for Endangered 
Southern Resident Killer Whales

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
    Abstract: The proposed action would revise the designation of 
critical habitat for the endangered Southern Resident killer whale 
distinct population segment, pursuant to section 4 of the Endangered 
Species Act. Critical habitat for this population is currently 
designated within inland waters of Washington. In response to a 2014 
petition, NMFS is proposing to expand the designation to include areas 
occupied by Southern Resident killer whales in waters along the U.S. 
West Coast. Impacts from the designation would stem mainly from Federal 
agencies' requirement to consult with NMFS, under section 7 of the 
Endangered Species Act, to ensure that any action they carry out, 
permit (authorize), or fund will not result in the destruction or 
adverse modification of critical habitat of a listed species. Federal 
agencies are already required to consult on effects to the currently 
designated critical habitat in inland waters of Washington, but 
consultation would be newly required for actions affecting the expanded 
critical habitat areas. Federal agencies are also already required to 
consult within the Southern Resident killer whales' range (including 
along the U.S. West Coast) to ensure that any action they carry out, 
permit, or fund will not jeopardize the continued existence of the 
species; this requirement would not change with a revision to the 
critical habitat designation.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   09/00/19  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BH95

217.  Designation of Critical Habitat for the Mexico, Central 
American, and Western Pacific Distinct Population Segments of Humpback 
Whales Under the Endangered Species Act

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
    Abstract: This action will propose the designation of critical 
habitat for three distinct population segments of humpback whales 
(Megaptera novaeangliae) pursuant to section 4 of the Endangered 
Species Act. The three distinct population segments of humpback whales 
concerned--the Mexico, Central American, and Western Pacific distinct 
population segments--were listed under the Endangered Species Act on 
September 8, 2016, thereby triggering the requirement under section 4 
of the Endangered Species Act to designate critical habitat to the 
maximum extent prudent and determinable. Proposed critical habitat for 
these three distinct population segments of humpback whales will 
include marine habitats within the Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea and 
will likely overlap with several existing designations, including 
critical habitat for leatherback sea turtles, North Pacific right 
whales, Steller sea lions, southern resident killer whales, and the 
southern distinct population segment of green sturgeon. Impacts from 
the designations for humpback whales would stem from the statutory 
requirement for Federal agencies to consult with NMFS, under section 7 
of the Endangered Species Act, to ensure that any action they carry 
out, authorize, or fund will not result in the destruction or adverse 
modification of humpback whale critical habitat. Within many of the 
areas we are evaluating for potential proposal as critical habitat for 
the humpback whales distinct population segments, Federal agencies are 
already required to consult on effects to currently designated critical 
habitat for other listed species. Federal agencies are also already 
required to consult with NMFS under section 7 of the Endangered Species 
Act to ensure that any action they authorize, fund or carry out will 
not jeopardize the continued existence of the listed distinct 
population segments of humpback whales.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   06/00/19  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BI06

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Final Rule Stage

National Marine Fisheries Service

218. 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

[[Page 58006]]

calculate the temperature parameter of the Pacific sardine harvest 
guideline control rule under the Fishery Management Plan. The harvest 
guideline control rule, in conjunction with the overfishing limit and 
acceptable biological catch control rules, is used to set annual 
harvest levels for Pacific sardine. The temperature parameter is 
calculated annually. 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........................   10/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

219. 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........................   10/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

220. Commerce Trusted Trader Program

    Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 20 in part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.
    RIN: 0648-BG51

221. 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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Availability..............   03/14/18  83 FR 11164
NPRM................................   04/04/18  83 FR 14400
NPRM Comment Period End.............   05/04/18  .......................
Final Action........................   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-BG75

222. 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.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   02/23/18  83 FR 8028
NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/26/18  .......................
Final Action........................   10/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

223. 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

[[Page 58007]]

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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Availability..............   05/18/18  83 FR 23250
NPRM................................   06/06/18  83 FR 26237
NPRM Comment Period End.............   07/06/18
Correction..........................   07/20/18  83 FR 28604
Final Action........................   10/00/18
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

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

    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: 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................................   07/06/18  83 FR 31517
NPRM Comment Period End.............   08/06/18
Final Action........................   10/00/18
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

225. 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........................   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-BG45

226. 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........................   10/00/18
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

227. 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

[[Page 58008]]

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........................   06/00/19
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

228. Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary Designation

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    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........................   01/00/19
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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)

Long-Term Actions

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

National Marine Fisheries Service

229. 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.
    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 at this time.
    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: Brian Pawlak, Phone: 301 427-8621, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BE90

230. 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................................           To Be Determined
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Phone: 727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-
5308, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BG36

231. 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.

[[Page 58009]]

    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
Final Action........................   11/00/19
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

232. 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
Proposed Rule 2.....................   11/00/19
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

233. 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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
To Be Determined....................           To Be Determined
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Donna Wieting, Phone: 301 427-8400.
    RIN: 0648-BF90

234. 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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
To Be Determined....................           To Be Determined
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Donna Wieting, Phone: 301 427-8400.
    RIN: 0648-BG26

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)

Completed Actions

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

235. 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 developed a 
framework adjustment to its Tilefish Fishery Management Plan, which 
modified management measures for the tilefish fishery to improve the 
management of the species. The measures eliminated the current call-in 
reporting requirement; prohibited a vessel from fishing for more than 
one Individual Fishing Quota allocation at the same time; required 
tilefish to be landed with the head attached; clarified what fishing 
gears are allowed in the recreational fishery; and made 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........................   03/13/18  83 FR 10390
Final Action Effective..............   04/12/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Michael Pentony, Regional Administrator, Greater 
Atlantic

[[Page 58010]]

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

236. 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 implemented 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 improved 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 
addressed non-activated individual fishing quota accounts and provided 
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................................   03/22/18  83 FR 12326
NPRM Comment Period End.............   04/20/18  .......................
Final Action........................   06/12/18  83 FR 27297
Final Action Effective..............   07/12/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BG83

237. 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 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. This action has been superseded by another 
rulemaking for Western and Central Pacific Fisheries for Highly 
Migratory Species (0648-BH77).
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   09/20/17  82 FR 43926
NPRM Comment Period End.............   10/05/17  .......................
Withdrawn...........................   07/02/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

238. 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 modified regulations pertaining to the 
nontrawl lead level 2 observer deployment endorsement and required 
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 increased 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 benefitted 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 included 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 were 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........................   06/29/18  83 FR 30528
Final Action Effective..............   07/30/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No.
    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

239. 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 revises the procedures in place for 
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species shark fishery closures. The 
rulemaking would change the landings level that prompts fishery closure 
and the length of time between public notice and the effective date of 
a

[[Page 58011]]

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........................   07/09/18  83 FR 31677
Final Action Effective..............   08/08/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

240. 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 established annual catch limits from 2017 
through 2020 for the Gulf of Mexico apportionment of mutton snapper and 
removed the annual catch target because this target is not currently 
used for management purposes. This rule established a recreational bag 
limit for mutton snapper, modified the minimum size limit for 
commercial and recreational mutton snapper, and modified 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........................   06/22/18  83 FR 29041
Final Action Effective..............   07/23/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

241. 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 revised 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 established 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........................   05/14/18  83 FR 22210
Final Action Effective..............   06/13/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BH07

242. 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 rule implemented 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 included additional management measures related to fish 
aggregating devices, made minor revisions to the definition of force 
majeure, included provisions related to transferring longline catch 
limits for bigeye tuna between Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission 
members, and increased 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........................   04/11/18  83 FR 15503
Final Action Effective..............   05/11/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BH13

243. 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 implemented a rule for the tribal Pacific whiting 
(whiting) fishery off the coast of Washington State. The purpose is to 
establish an interim 2018 tribal whiting allocation. 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:

[[Page 58012]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   01/24/18  83 FR 3291
NPRM Comment Period End.............   02/23/18  .......................
Final Action........................   05/15/18  83 FR 22401
Final Action Effective..............   05/15/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

244. 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 implemented the New England Fishery 
Management Council's Framework Adjustment 29 to the Atlantic Sea 
Scallop Fishery Management Plan. The Atlantic sea 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 sets 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........................   03/26/18  83 FR 12857
Final Action Effective..............   04/01/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

245. 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: This action implemented 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. 
This action has 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 has revised the 
trimester quotas for the common pool fishery; set the southern New 
England/mid-Atlantic yellowtail flounder quota for the scallop fishery; 
revised the areas, seasons, and vessels subject to the Atlantic halibut 
accountability measures; adjusted the areas, seasons, and triggers for 
southern windowpane flounder accountability measures for non-groundfish 
fisheries; revised catch thresholds for implementing the scallop 
fishery's accountability measures for southern New England yellowtail 
flounder; and provided 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................................   03/22/18  83 FR 12531
NPRM Comment Period End.............   04/06/18  .......................
Final Action........................   05/01/18  83 FR 18985
Final Action Effective..............   05/01/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

246. 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 set the small-mesh multispecies 
specifications for the 2018-2020 fishing years and reinstated 
regulatory text that was inadvertently removed from the regulations in 
a previous action. The action recommended by the New England Fishery 
Management Council adjusted 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 adjusted 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 reinstated 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 specified the 5,000 lbs possession limit for red hake 
harvested in the southern small mesh exemption area. Reinstatement 
reduced confusion in the industry because it clarified 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:

[[Page 58013]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   04/12/18  83 FR 15780
NPRM Comment Period End.............   04/27/18  .......................
Final Action........................   06/14/18  83 FR 27713
Final Action Effective..............   06/14/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

247. 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 to 
identify 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........................   07/24/18  83 FR 35062
Final Action Effective..............   08/23/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

[FR Doc. 2018-24146 Filed 11-15-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-12-P