[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 33 (Tuesday, February 19, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 4758]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-02576]



[[Page 4758]]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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; Reopen Public Comment Period

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopen public comment period.

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

SUMMARY: On December 27, 2018, NMFS published a proposed rule in the 
Federal Register to implement annual limits on commercial catch of 
Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) in the eastern Pacific Ocean 
(EPO) for 2019 and 2020. Comments were due by January 16, 2019. 
However, due to a lapse in appropriations, the link to the public 
comment portal provided in the proposed rule was not active. 
Consequently, NMFS is reopening the public comment period for an 
additional 15 calendar days.

DATES: Comments on the proposed rule and supporting documents must be 
submitted in writing by March 6, 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 by fax 
to (202) 395-7285.
    Copies of the draft Regulatory Impact Review (RIR) and other 
supporting documents are available via the Federal eRulemaking Portal: 
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: On December 27, 2018, NMFS published a 
proposed rule under the Tuna Conventions Act of 1950 to implement 
Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission Resolution C-18-01 (Measures 
for the Conservation and Management of Bluefin Tuna in the Eastern 
Pacific 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) (83 FR 66665). This proposed rule would implement annual 
limits on commercial catch of Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) 
in the 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.
    As a result of the U.S. government partial lapse in appropriations, 
the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov that was cited in 
the proposed rule as a method to provide public comments was not active 
during the entire comment period. Therefore, NMFS has decided to reopen 
the period for public comment for an additional 15 days.
    The notice of the proposed rule (83 FR 66665, December 27, 2018) 
contains more background information, which is not repeated here.

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

    Dated: February 12, 2019.
Samuel D. Rauch, III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-02576 Filed 2-15-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P