[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 247 (Thursday, December 27, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 66665-66670]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-28161]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 300

[Docket No. 180716667-8667-01]
RIN 0648-BI36


International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; 2019 and 2020 
Commercial Fishing Restrictions for Pacific Bluefin Tuna in the Eastern 
Pacific Ocean

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is proposing 
regulations under the Tuna Conventions Act of 1950 (TCA) to implement 
Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) Resolution C-18-01 
(Measures for the Conservation and Management of Bluefin Tuna in the 
Eastern Pacific

[[Page 66666]]

Ocean, 2019-2020) and Resolution C-18-02 (Amendment to Resolution C-16-
08 on a Long-term Management Framework for the Conservation and 
Management of Pacific Bluefin Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean). This 
proposed rule would implement annual limits on commercial catch of 
Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) in the eastern Pacific Ocean 
(EPO) for 2019 and 2020. This action is necessary to conserve Pacific 
bluefin tuna and for the United States to satisfy its obligations as a 
member of the IATTC.

DATES: Comments on the proposed rule and supporting documents must be 
submitted in writing by January 16, 2019.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by 
NOAA-NMFS-2018-0126, by any of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2018-0126, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to Celia Barroso, NMFS West 
Coast Region Long Beach Office, 501 W Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long 
Beach, CA 90802. Include the identifier ``NOAA-NMFS-2018-0126'' in the 
comments.
    Instructions: Comments must be submitted by one of the above 
methods to ensure they are received, documented, and considered by 
NMFS. Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or 
individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be 
considered. All comments received are a part of the public record and 
will generally be posted for public viewing on www.regulations.gov 
without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, 
address, etc.) submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly 
accessible. Do not submit confidential business information, or 
otherwise sensitive or protected information. NMFS will accept 
anonymous comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to 
remain anonymous).
    Please submit written comments regarding the burden-hour estimates 
or other aspects of the collection-of-information requirements 
contained in this proposed rule and subject to the Paperwork Reduction 
Act to Celia Barroso, NMFS West Coast Region Long Beach Office (see 
address above) and by email to [email protected] or fax to 
(202) 395-7285.
    Copies of the draft Regulatory Impact Review (RIR) and other 
supporting documents are available via the Federal eRulemaking Portal: 
http://www.regulations.gov, docket NOAA-NMFS-2018-0126, or contact the 
Highly Migratory Species Branch Chief, Heidi Taylor, 501 W Ocean Blvd., 
Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90208, or [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Celia Barroso, NMFS, 562-432-1850, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background on the IATTC

    The United States is a member of the IATTC, which was established 
in 1949 and operates under the Convention for the Strengthening of the 
IATTC, established by the 1949 Convention between the United States of 
America and the Republic of Costa Rica (Antigua Convention). See: 
https://www.iattc.org/PDFFiles2/Antigua_Convention_Jun_2003.pdf.
    The IATTC consists of 21 member nations and five cooperating non-
member nations. The IATTC facilitates scientific research into, as well 
as the conservation and management of, tuna and tuna-like species in 
the IATTC Convention Area (Convention Area). The Convention Area is 
defined as waters of the EPO within the area bounded by the west coast 
of the Americas and by 50[deg] N latitude, 150[deg] W longitude, and 
50[deg] S latitude. The IATTC maintains a scientific research and 
fishery monitoring program, and regularly assesses the status of tuna, 
shark, and billfish stocks in the EPO to determine appropriate catch 
limits and other measures to promote sustainable fisheries and prevent 
overexploitation.

International Obligations of the United States Under the Convention

    As a Party to the Antigua Convention and a member of the IATTC, the 
United States is legally bound to implement decisions of the IATTC. The 
Tuna Conventions Act (16 U.S.C. 951 et seq.) directs the Secretary of 
Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of State and, with respect 
to enforcement measures, the U.S. Coast Guard, to promulgate such 
regulations as may be necessary to carry out the United States' 
obligations under the Antigua Convention, including recommendations and 
decisions adopted by the IATTC. The authority of the Secretary of 
Commerce to promulgate such regulations has been delegated to NMFS.

Pacific Bluefin Tuna Stock Status

    In 2011, NMFS determined overfishing was occurring on Pacific 
bluefin tuna (76 FR 28422, May 17, 2011), which is considered a single 
Pacific-wide stock. Based on the results of a 2012 stock assessment 
conducted by the International Scientific Committee for Tuna and Tuna-
like Species in the North Pacific Ocean (ISC), NMFS determined that 
Pacific bluefin tuna was not only subject to overfishing, but was also 
overfished (78 FR 41033, July 9, 2013). Subsequently, based on the 
results of the 2014 and 2016 ISC stock assessments, NMFS determined 
that Pacific bluefin tuna continued to be overfished and subject to 
overfishing (80 FR 12621, March 10, 2015; 82 FR 18434, April 19, 2017).

Pacific Bluefin Tuna Resolutions

    Recognizing the need to reduce fishing mortality of Pacific bluefin 
tuna, the IATTC has adopted catch limits in the Convention Area since 
2012 (see the final rules implementing Resolution C-14-06 and 
Resolution C-16-08 for more information on previous management measures 
(80 FR 38986, July 8, 2015; 82 FR 18704, April 21, 2017)). At its 93rd 
Meeting in August 2018, the IATTC adopted Resolutions C-18-01 and C-18-
02. Resolution C-18-01 reaffirms ``that in 2018 the IATTC Scientific 
Staff did not recommend additional measures because the measures 
established in Resolution C-16-08 are adequate to meet the rebuilding 
targets. . .'' Resolution C-18-01 amends the IATTC's long-term 
management framework for Pacific bluefin tuna and Resolution C-18-02 
establishes catch limits and reporting requirements for 2019-2020. 
These resolutions and the subject of this rulemaking were approved by 
the Secretary of State, thereby prompting implementation by NMFS.
    Since 2016, the IATTC and the Northern Committee (NC) to the 
Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) have held 
annual joint working group meetings intended to develop a Pacific-wide 
approach to management of Pacific bluefin tuna. Conservation measures 
adopted by the IATTC and WCPFC have considered the recommendations of 
the Joint IATTC--WCPFC NC Working Group (Joint WG). The Joint WG 
recommendations have included rebuilding targets and criteria that must 
be met to consider future increases in catch limits. Future 
conservation measures adopted by the IATTC and WCPFC for Pacific 
bluefin tuna are also expected to be based, in part, on information and 
advice from

[[Page 66667]]

the ISC, which recently completed a stock assessment in 2018.
    In 2017, WCPFC, which has purview over the management of highly 
migratory species stocks in the western and central Pacific Ocean, 
revised a conservation and management measure for Pacific bluefin tuna 
intended to decrease the level of fishing mortality (CMM 2017-08). This 
revision incorporated the recommendations of the Joint WG, and 
continues effort and catch limits.
    Similar to previous IATTC resolutions on Pacific bluefin tuna, the 
main objective of Resolution C-18-01 is to reduce overfishing and to 
rebuild the stock by setting limits on commercial catch in the IATTC 
Convention Area during 2019 and 2020. C-18-01 establishes a combined 
catch limit of 600 metric tons (mt) for 2019 and 2020, with some 
potential modification, applicable to commercial vessels of each member 
or cooperating non-member, except Mexico, with a historical record of 
Pacific bluefin tuna catch from the EPO (i.e., including the United 
States). Total catch is not to exceed 425 mt in a single year. The 
potential modifications to the biennial catch limit in Resolution C-18-
01 may result from the following: (a) The deduction of any amount 
harvested in 2017 and 2018 that exceeds the biennial limit established 
in Resolution C-16-08 (i.e., any amount above 600 mt) in accordance 
with Paragraph 5 of Resolution C-18-01 and Paragraph 3 of Resolution C-
18-02; (b) the addition of an amount of the biennial limit established 
in Resolution C-16-08 that was not harvested by the end of the 2018 
calendar year in accordance with Paragraph 6 of Resolution C-18-01 and 
Paragraph 4 of Resolution C-18-02, which limits the amount of under-
harvest that may be carried over to 5 percent of the original limit 
(i.e., not to exceed 30 mt); and (c) if the IATTC revises catch limits 
for 2020 in accordance with Paragraph 12 of Resolution C-18-01.

Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) Recommendations for the 
Implementation of C-18-01

    In accordance with a PFMC recommendation, NMFS implemented the 
catch limits in Resolution C-16-08 with a 25-mt trip limit until catch 
is within 50 mt of the annual limit (i.e., annual limit is 425 mt in 
2017) and a 2-mt trip limit when catch is within 50 mt of the annual 
limit (82 FR 18704, April 21, 2017). However, the annual limit was 
exceeded in 2017. The catch rate was more rapid than anticipated, which 
caused the annual limit to be exceeded before the fishery was closed on 
August 28, 2017 (82 FR 40720). This series of events prompted NMFS and 
the PFMC to reconsider management measures for 2018 to avoid exceeding 
the biennial limit. Consequently, NMFS implemented a 1-mt Pacific 
bluefin tuna trip limit applicable to commercial U.S. vessels--except 
large-mesh drift gillnet vessels, which are subject to a 2-mt trip 
limit--in 2018 (83 FR 13203), March 28, 2018).
    At its September 2018 meeting, the PFMC made the following 
recommendations for implementing catch limits established in Resolution 
C-18-01 for 2019 and 2020: (a) For 2019, an annual limit of 300 mt; and 
a 15-mt trip limit until landings reach 200 mt, at which time the trip 
limit is reduced to 2 mt; (b) for 2020, the annual limit is calculated 
using the amount caught in 2019 and any over-harvest or under-harvest 
consistent with Resolutions C-18-01 and C-18-02; and a 15-mt trip limit 
until the cumulative 2019-2020 landings reach 475 mt, at which time the 
trip limit is reduced to 2 mt; (c) Pacific bluefin tuna landings must 
be reported within 24 hours of landing using the California electronic 
landing receipt (e-ticket) reporting system; and (d) that NMFS develop 
a method to close the fishery or reduce the trip limit via United 
States Coast Guard radio broadcast, or other means that will halt 
additional fishing in the timeliest possible manner.
    Under the California Code of Regulations, as of July 1, 2019, 
California e-tickets will be mandatory (Title 14 Sec.  197) and must be 
submitted within three business days. To assist with catch limit 
monitoring, the PFMC recommended NMFS require that dealers, or buyers, 
submit the e-tickets to E-Tix--the electronic reporting system for 
commercial fishery landings in California--or submittal to the 
California Department of Fish and Wildlife within 24 hours.

Pacific Bluefin Tuna Catch History

    While Pacific bluefin tuna catch by U.S. commercial vessels fishing 
in the Convention Area exceeded 1,000 mt per year in the early 1990s, 
annual catches have remained below 500 mt for more than a decade. The 
U.S. commercial catch of Pacific bluefin tuna in the Convention Area 
for the years 2002 to 2018 can be found in Table 1 below. Average 
annual Pacific bluefin tuna landings by U.S. commercial vessels fishing 
in the Convention Area from 2011 to 2015 represent only one percent of 
the average annual landings of Pacific bluefin tuna for all fleets 
fishing in the Convention Area. For information on Pacific bluefin tuna 
harvests in the Convention Area through 2017, see http://isc.fra.go.jp/fisheries_statistics/index.html; for preliminary information for 2018, 
see http://www.iattc.org/CatchReportsDataENG.htm.

 Table 1--Annual U.S. Commercial Catch, in Metric Tons (mt), of Pacific
       Bluefin Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean From 2002 to 2018
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Year                              Catch (mt)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002....................................................              62
2003....................................................              40
2004....................................................              11
2005....................................................             208
2006....................................................               2
2007....................................................              44
2008....................................................               1
2009....................................................             416
2010....................................................               1
2011....................................................             118
2012....................................................              42
2013....................................................              11
2014....................................................             408
2015....................................................              96
2016....................................................             343
2017....................................................             484
2018....................................................          * 55.9
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: Highly Migratory Species Stock Assessment and Fishery
  Evaluation: http://www.pcouncil.org/highly-migratory-species/stock-assessment-and-fishery-evaluation-safe-documents/current-hms-safe-document/ document/.
* Preliminary estimate of 2018 Pacific bluefin tuna landed catch by
  United States based on communications with California Department of
  Fish and Wildlife on December 4, 2018.

Proposed Regulations for Pacific Bluefin Tuna for 2019-2020

    This proposed rule would establish catch and trip limits for U.S. 
commercial vessels that catch Pacific bluefin tuna in the Convention 
Area, pre-trip notification requirements, and accelerated landing 
receipt submission deadlines for 2019 and 2020. In 2019, the catch 
limit for the entire U.S. fleet would be 300 mt. In 2020, NMFS would 
announce the catch limit in a Federal Register notice, which would be 
calculated as the amount caught in 2019 subtracted from the biennial 
limit, but not to exceed 425 mt. The U.S. biennial limit is 600 mt, 
before any additions or deductions based on the over-harvest and under-
harvest provisions of Resolutions C-18-01 and C-18-02.
    In 2019 and 2020, NMFS would impose a 15-mt trip limit until catch 
is within 50 mt of the annual limit, at which time NMFS would impose a 
2-mt trip limit through the end of the year, or until the fishery is 
closed. However, if the annual limit in 2020 is 125 mt or less, the 
trip limit will be 2 mt for the entire calendar year or until the 
fishery is closed.

[[Page 66668]]

    As of July 1, 2019, E-tickets, which as of that date will be 
required under California Code of Regulations (Title 14, Sec.  197) and 
must be submitted within three business days, would be required to be 
submitted within 24 hours if any Pacific bluefin tuna is included in a 
landing into California. This accelerated submission deadline is 
required in order to better monitor catch limits. During periods in 
which the trip limit is 15 metric tons, purse seine vessels would not 
be allowed to retain or land Pacific bluefin tuna unless NMFS received 
a pre-trip notification. Vessel operators would be required to provide 
this pre-trip notification at least 48 hours in advance of the fishing 
trip. The pre-trip notification must include the vessel owner's or 
operator's name, contact information, vessel name, port of departure, 
and the intended date of departure for this trip. NMFS would use the 
contact information provided in the pre-trip notification to notify 
purse seine vessel owners or operators if an inseason action (i.e., 
reduction in trip limit or fishery closure) is expected or imposed. The 
pre-trip notification would be completed by sending an email to 
[email protected]. A reply will be sent automatically to the 
vessel operator to confirm receipt of the pre-trip notification.
    The pre-trip notification would assist NMFS in closely tracking 
catch to manage the trip limits and fishery closure requirements. For 
the purposes of tracking catch of Pacific bluefin tuna, NMFS would 
assume that 15 metric tons of Pacific bluefin tuna will be caught on 
every trip for which a pre-trip notification was provided. Along with 
other available fishery information, such as landing receipts, NMFS 
would estimate when the overall catch is expected to reach either the 
threshold to reduce the trip limit (i.e., within 50 mt of the annual 
limit) or the annual limit. NMFS would then make decisions on inseason 
actions based on those estimates. NMFS would encourage owners or 
operators of purse seine vessels to call NMFS at 562-432-1850 in 
advance of landing with an estimate of how much Pacific bluefin tuna 
was caught on the trip.

Inseason Action Announcements

    When NMFS determines that catch is expected to be within 50 mt of 
the annual limit (based on pre-trip notifications, landing receipts, or 
other available information), a 2-mt trip limit would be imposed by 
NMFS, effective upon the time and date that would appear in a notice on 
the NMFS WCR website (https://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/migratory_species/bluefin_tuna_harvest_status.html) and 
announced over a United States Coast Guard (USCG) Notice to Mariners 
that will be broadcast three times per day for four days on USCG 
channel 16 VHF. NMFS would then publish a notice of the reduced trip 
limit in the Federal Register as soon as practicable. If the annual 
limit in 2020 is 125 mt or less, NMFS would not need to provide a 
notice that the trip limit has been reduced because the trip limit 
would be 2 mt for the entire calendar year.
    When NMFS determines that the annual catch limit is expected to be 
reached in 2019 or 2020 (based on pre-trip notifications, landings 
receipts, or other available fishery information), NMFS would prohibit 
commercial fishing for, or retention of, Pacific bluefin tuna for the 
remainder of the calendar year (i.e., fishery closure). NMFS would 
provide a notice on the NMFS WCR website and the USCG would provide a 
Notice to Mariners three times per day for four days on USCG channel 16 
VHF announcing that the targeting, retaining, transshipping or landing 
of Pacific bluefin tuna will be prohibited on a specified effective 
time and date through the end of that calendar year. Upon that 
effective date, a commercial fishing vessel of the United States may 
not be used to target, retain on board, transship, or land Pacific 
bluefin tuna captured in the Convention Area. However, any Pacific 
bluefin tuna already on board a fishing vessel on the effective date 
could be retained on board, transshipped, and/or landed, to the extent 
authorized by applicable laws and regulations, provided that they are 
landed within 14 days of the effective date. NMFS would then publish a 
notice of the fishery closure in the Federal Register as soon as 
practicable.
    In 2020, NMFS would publish a notice in the Federal Register 
announcing the 2020 catch limit.
    In the event the trip limit was reduced early or the fishery was 
closed due to an overestimation of catch, NMFS could increase the trip 
limit to 15 metric tons or re-open the fishery after landing receipts 
have been received and the landed catch quantity confirmed. NMFS would 
announce these actions on the NMFS WCR website and by USCG Notice to 
Mariners on USCG channel 16 VHF.
    Although the PFMC recommended a more conservative threshold to 
reduce the trip limit, NMFS' proposal to make the pre-trip notification 
and inseason actions effective upon website posting and via USCG radio 
broadcast (rather than waiting for filing of a notice with the Office 
of the Federal Register) is expected to enable NMFS to adequately 
manage the fishery by reducing the trip limit and/or closing the 
fishery in a timely manner, if needed.
    The PFMC, at its November 2018 meeting, recommended an alternative 
to the pre-trip notification in the proposed regulations. Instead of 
requiring the pre-trip notification by purse seine vessels be received 
by NMFS 48 hours in advance of a trip, the PFMC recommended it be 
required 24 hours in advance of a trip. Additionally, instead of 
prohibiting retention or landing of any Pacific bluefin tuna if the 
pre-trip notification was not received by NMFS, the PFMC recommended 
allowing up to two metric tons of Pacific bluefin tuna to be retained 
or landed without providing a pre-trip notification. (i.e., prohibiting 
the retention or landing of Pacific bluefin tuna in excess of 2 metric 
tons). NMFS is seeking public comment on this November 2018 
recommendation of the PFMC in addition to the proposal set forth in the 
regulatory text below.

Proposed Catch Reporting

    NMFS would provide updates on Pacific bluefin tuna catches in the 
Convention Area to the public via the IATTC listserv and the NMFS West 
Coast Region website: http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/migratory_species/bluefin_tuna_harvest_status.html. 
Specifically, beginning April 1 of each year, NMFS would update the 
NMFS West Coast Region website weekly, at a minimum, provided the 
updates do not disclose confidential information (in accordance with 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act section 402 
(b), 16 U.S.C. 1881a). These updates are intended to help participants 
in the U.S. commercial fishery plan for reduced trip limits and 
attainment of the annual limits.

Classification

    This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), the U.S. Small Business 
Administration (SBA) defines a ``small business'' (or ``small entity'') 
as one with annual revenue that meets or is below an established size 
standard. On December 29, 2015, NMFS issued a final rule establishing a 
small business size standard of $11 million in annual gross receipts 
for all businesses primarily engaged in the commercial fishing industry 
(NAICS 11411) for RFA compliance purposes only (80 FR 81194). The $11 
million standard

[[Page 66669]]

became effective on July 1, 2016, and is to be used in place of the 
U.S. SBA current standards of $20.5 million, $5.5 million, and $7.5 
million for the finfish (NAICS 114111), shellfish (NAICS 114112), and 
other marine fishing (NAICS 114119) sectors of the U.S. commercial 
fishing industry in all NMFS rules subject to the RFA after July 1, 
2016. Id. at 81194.
    The small entities the proposed action would directly affect are 
all U.S. commercial fishing vessels that may target (e.g., coastal 
pelagic purse seine vessels) or incidentally catch (e.g., drift 
gillnet) Pacific bluefin tuna in the Convention Area; however, not all 
vessels that have participated in this fishery decide to do so every 
year. U.S. commercial catch of Pacific bluefin tuna from the IATTC 
Convention Area is primarily made in waters off of California by the 
coastal pelagic small purse seine fleet, which targets Pacific bluefin 
tuna opportunistically, and other fleets (e.g., California large-mesh 
drift gillnet, surface hook-and-line, west coast longline, and Hawaii's 
pelagic fisheries) that catch Pacific bluefin tuna in small quantities, 
such as incidentally.
    Revenues of coastal purse seine vessels are not expected to be 
significantly altered as a result of this rule, which is applicable to 
2019-2020 only. Since 2006, the average annual revenue per vessel from 
all finfish fishing activities for the U.S. purse seine fleet that have 
landed Pacific bluefin tuna has been less than $11 million, whether 
considering an individual vessel or per vessel average. Since 2008, in 
years Pacific bluefin tuna was landed, purse seine vessels that caught 
Pacific bluefin tuna had an average ex-vessel revenue of about $2.4 
million per vessel (based on all species landed). Annually, from 2013 
to 2017, the number of small coastal pelagic purse seine vessels that 
landed Pacific bluefin tuna in the Convention Area ranged from zero to 
eight. In 2013, the coastal purse seine fishery did not land Pacific 
bluefin tuna. In 2014 and 2015, four and five vessels landed Pacific 
bluefin tuna, respectively. In 2014, eight purse seine vessels fishing 
in the Convention Area landed highly migratory species (HMS) in 
California, but only four of them were involved in landing roughly 401 
mt of Pacific bluefin tuna, worth about $588,000, in west coast ports. 
Similarly, in 2015, 11 vessels fishing in the Convention Area landed 
HMS in California, but only 5 vessels landed approximately 86 mt of 
Pacific bluefin tuna, worth about $75,000. In 2016, 9 vessels landed 
HMS, but only 5 landed approximately 316 mt of Pacific bluefin tuna 
worth about $352,000. In 2017, 9 vessels landed HMS and 8 landed 
Pacific bluefin tuna; these vessels landed approximately 466 mt of 
Pacific bluefin tuna worth about $516,000. The revenue derived from 
Pacific bluefin tuna is a fraction of the overall revenue for coastal 
pelagic purse seine vessels (1.4 percent annually from 2008-2017) as 
they typically harvest other species, including Pacific sardine, 
Pacific mackerel, squid, and anchovy. The value of Pacific bluefin tuna 
in coastal pelagic purse seine fishery from 2008-2017 was $1.17/
kilogram. This amount is negligible relative to the fleet's annual 
revenue resulting from other species. Since implementing a 25-mt trip 
limit (2015-2017), average catch was 14.8 mt per trip. Thirty-four of 
61 trips, conducted by 3 to 8 vessels, that landed Pacific bluefin tuna 
from 2015-2017 exceeded 15 mt; however, vessels are expected to shift 
their focus and target other species, such as yellowfin tuna, if 
available, or coastal pelagic species.
    Since 2006, the average annual revenue per vessel from all finfish 
fishing activities for the U.S. fleet with landings of Pacific bluefin 
tuna in small quantities, such as from incidental catch, has been less 
than $11 million. These vessels include drift gillnet, surface hook-
and-line, and longline gear-types. The revenues of these vessels are 
also not expected to be significantly altered by the rule. From 2013 to 
2017, the number of drift gillnet, surface hook-and-line, and longline 
vessels that participated in this fishery range from 7 to 13, 1 to 61, 
and 1 to 3, respectively. During these years, vessels with gears other 
than purse seine landed an annual average of 17.4 mt of Pacific bluefin 
tuna, worth approximately $135,100. Of these landings, only one trip 
exceeded 2 mt. As a result, it is anticipated that proposed reduced 
trip limits will not have a significant impact on these vessels. If the 
fishery is closed before the calendar year, regulatory discards by 
these fleets are likely. Such a scenario would result in a greater 
impact to the fleet that catches Pacific bluefin tuna in small 
quantities, as opposed to the coastal purse seine fleet, which would 
simply cease targeting of Pacific bluefin tuna. This could result in a 
greater conservation benefit for the overfished Pacific bluefin stock.
    Although there are no disproportionate impacts between small and 
large business entities because all affected business entities are 
small, the impacts among the business entities will be different. 
Implementation of the reduced trip limit for an entire calendar year 
(i.e., in the event the catch limit in 2020 is 125 mt or less) in this 
proposed action would impose a greater economic impact on the U.S. 
coastal purse seine fleet. Prior to the implementation of a 25-mt trip 
limit in 2015, these vessels landed an average of 41 mt per trip, and 
are capable of landing over 70 mt in a single trip (based on landings 
from purse seine vessels landing Pacific bluefin tuna in the EPO from 
2011-2014). The purse seine fleet might not target Pacific bluefin tuna 
if the trip limit were 2 mt or less; however, as observed in 2018 while 
the trip limit is restricted to 1 mt for purse seine vessels, some 
purse seine vessels did land Pacific bluefin tuna in small quantities. 
Under the current regulations at 50 CFR 300.25(g)(2) and taking into 
account the 2017 catch, which exceeded the 2017 annual limit by at 
least 50 mt, a total of about 114 mt is available to U.S. commercial 
vessels in 2018.
    NMFS considers all entities subject to this action, which based on 
recent participation ranges from eight to 85 because participation 
fluctuates substantially from year-to-year, to be small entities as 
defined by both the former, lower size standards and the revised size 
standards. Because each affected vessel is a small business, there are 
no disproportional affects to small versus large entities. Based on 
profitability analysis above, the proposed action, if adopted, will not 
have significant adverse economic impacts on these small business 
entities. As a result, an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is 
not required and was not prepared for this proposed rule.
    This proposed rule contains a new collection-of-information 
requirement subject to review and approval by OMB under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act (PRA). This requirement has been submitted to OMB for 
approval. The proposed new requirements are listed below. The estimates 
for the public reporting burden of all responses combined for each 
proposed requirement are as follows: E-ticket submission: 0 hours 
because submission will already be required by California Code of 
Regulations; Pre-trip notification: 4.25 hours; Voluntary pre-landing 
notification: 2.55 hours.
    Public comment is sought regarding: Whether this proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall 
have practical utility; the accuracy of the burden estimate; ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information, including through the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. Send comments

[[Page 66670]]

on these or any other aspects of the collection of information to Celia 
Barroso, NMFS West Coast Region Long Beach Office at the ADDRESSES 
above, and by email to [email protected] or fax to (202) 395-
7285.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 300

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

    Dated: December 20, 2018.
Donna S. Wieting,
Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 300 is 
proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 300--INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES REGULATIONS

0
1. The authority citation for part 300, subpart C, continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 951 et seq.

0
2. In Sec.  300.24, revise paragraph (u) to read as follows:


Sec.  300.24  Prohibitions.

* * * * *
    (u) Use a United States commercial fishing vessel in the Convention 
Area to target, retain on board, transship, or land Pacific bluefin 
tuna in contravention of Sec.  300.25(g)(4) through (7) and (g)(9) 
through (10).
* * * * *
0
3. In Sec.  300.25, revise paragraph (g) to read as follows:


Sec.  300.25  Fisheries management.

* * * * *
    (g) Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) commercial catch 
limits in the eastern Pacific Ocean for 2019-2020. The following is 
applicable to the U.S. commercial fishery for Pacific bluefin tuna in 
the Convention Area in the years 2019 and 2020.
    (1) The 2019-2020 biennial limit is either:
    (i) 600 metric tons increased by the amount, not to exceed 30 
metric tons, of Pacific bluefin tuna catch remaining from the 2018 U.S. 
commercial catch limit; or,
    (ii) 600 metric tons reduced by the amount of Pacific bluefin tuna 
caught in 2018 in excess of the 2018 U.S. commercial catch limit.
    (2) For the calendar year 2019, all commercial fishing vessels of 
the United States combined may capture, retain, transship, or land no 
more than 300 metric tons.
    (3) In 2020, NMFS will publish a notice in the Federal Register 
announcing the 2020 catch limit. For the calendar year 2020, all 
commercial fishing vessels of the United States combined may capture, 
retain on board, transship, or land no more than the 2020 annual catch 
limit. The 2020 catch limit is the lesser of: The 2019-2020 biennial 
limit reduced by the amount caught by U.S. commercial vessels in 2019; 
or 425 metric tons.
    (4) In 2019 and 2020, a 15-metric ton trip limit will be in effect 
until NMFS anticipates that catch will be within 50 metric tons of the 
catch limit, after which a 2-metric ton trip limit will be in effect 
upon the effective date provided in actual notice, in accordance with 
paragraph (g)(8) of this section.
    (5) After NMFS determines that the catch limits under paragraphs 
(g)(2) and (3) of this section are expected to be reached by a future 
date, NMFS will close the fishery effective upon the date provided the 
actual notice, in accordance with paragraph (g)(8) of this section. 
Upon the effective date in the actual notice, targeting, retaining on 
board, transshipping, or landing Pacific bluefin tuna in the Convention 
Area shall be prohibited, as described in paragraph (g)(6) of this 
section.
    (6) Beginning on the date provided in the actual notice of the 
fishing closure notice announced under paragraph (g)(5) of this 
section, a commercial fishing vessel of the United States may not be 
used to target, retain on board, transship, or land Pacific bluefin 
tuna captured in the Convention Area through the end of the calendar 
year, with the exception that any Pacific bluefin tuna already on board 
a fishing vessel on the effective date of the notice may be retained on 
board, transshipped, and/or landed within 14 days after the effective 
date published in the fishing closure notice, to the extent authorized 
by applicable laws and regulations.
    (7) If an inseason action taken under paragraphs (g)(4), (5), or 
(6) of this section is based on overestimate of actual catch, NMFS will 
reverse that action in the timeliest possible manner, provided NMFS 
finds that reversing that action is consistent with the management 
objectives for the affected species. The fishery will reopen effective 
on the date provided in the actual notice in accordance with paragraph 
(g)(8) of this section.
    (8) Inseason actions taken under paragraphs (g)(4), (5), (6), and 
(7) of this section will be by actual notice from posting on the 
National Marine Fisheries West Coast Region website (https://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/migratory_species/bluefin_tuna_harvest_status.html) and a United States Coast Guard 
Notice to Mariners. The Notice to Mariners will be broadcast three 
times daily for four days. This action will also be published in the 
Federal Register as soon as practicable. Inseason actions will be 
effective from the time specified in the actual notice of the action 
(i.e., website posting and United States Coast Guard Notice to 
Mariners), or at the time the inseason action published in the Federal 
Register is effective, whichever comes first.
    (9) While the 15-metric ton trip limit is in effect, Pacific 
bluefin tuna may be retained or landed from a purse seine vessel only 
if the owner or operator provided a pre-trip notification to NMFS 48 
hours in advance of departing on the fishing trip. The notification 
shall be made to NMFS at [email protected], and must include 
the owner or operator's name, contact information, vessel name, port of 
departure, and intended date and time of departure.
    (10) As of July 2, 2019, if landing Pacific bluefin tuna into the 
State of California, fish landing receipts must be submitted within 24 
hours to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in accordance 
with the requirements of applicable State regulations.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2018-28161 Filed 12-26-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P