[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 44 (Thursday, March 5, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 12908]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-04473]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XV177]


Fishing Capacity Reduction Program for the Bering Sea and 
Aleutian Islands American Fisheries Act Pollock

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

ACTION: Notice of loan repayment.

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SUMMARY: NMFS issues this notice to inform interested parties that the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) American Fisheries Act (AFA) 
Pollock loan in the fishing capacity reduction program for the inshore 
component of the BSAI Pollock Fishery has been repaid. Therefore, 
buyback fee collections on AFA Pollock will cease for all landings 
after February 29, 2020.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before 5 p.m. EST March 20, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: Send comments about this notice to Elaine Saiz, Chief, 
Financial Services Division, NMFS, Attn: BS/AI AFA Pollock Buyback, 
1315 East-West Highway #13100, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (see FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT).

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 21, 1999, NMFS published a 
Federal Register document (64 FR 71396) proposing regulations to 
implement an industry fee system for repaying the reduction loan. The 
final rule was effective and fees were first due on February 10, 2000 
(65 FR 5278, February 3, 2000). Interested persons should review these 
for further program details.
    The BSAI AFA Pollock Capacity Reduction (Buyback) loan in the 
amount of $75,000,000 will be repaid in full upon receipt of buyback 
fees on landings through February 29, 2020. Based on buyback fees 
received to date, landings after February 29, 2020, will not be subject 
to the buyback fee. Therefore, buyback loan fees will no longer be 
collected in the BS/AI Pollock Fishery on future landings.
    Buyback fees not yet forwarded to NMFS for AFA Pollock landings 
through February 29, 2020, should be forwarded to NMFS immediately. Any 
overpayment of buyback fees submitted to NMFS will be refunded on a 
pro-rata basis based upon best available fish ticket landings data. Any 
discrepancies in fees owed and fees paid must be resolved immediately. 
After the sub-loan is closed, no further adjustments to fees paid and 
fees received can be made.

    Dated: February 28, 2020.
Brian Pawlak,
Chief Financial Officer/Chief Administrative Officer, Director, Office 
of Management and Budget, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-04473 Filed 3-2-20; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P