[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 166 (Wednesday, August 26, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52675-52694]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-16753]



[[Page 52675]]

Vol. 85

Wednesday,

No. 166

August 26, 2020

Part IV





 Department of Commerce





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

  Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 166 / Wednesday, August 26, 2020 / 
UA: Reg Flex Agenda  

[[Page 52676]]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Office of the Secretary

13 CFR Ch. III

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

19 CFR Ch. III

37 CFR Chs. I, IV, and V

48 CFR Ch. 13

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


Spring 2020 Semiannual Agenda of Regulations

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Commerce.

ACTION: Semiannual regulatory agenda.

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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 pre-rulemaking, proposed 
rules, final rules, long-term actions, and rulemaking actions completed 
since the fall 2019 agenda. The purpose of the Agenda is to provide 
information to the public on regulations that are currently under 
review, being proposed, or issued by Commerce. The agenda is intended 
to facilitate comments and views by interested members of the public.
    Commerce's spring 2020 regulatory agenda includes regulatory 
activities that are expected to be conducted during the period May 1, 
2020, through April 30, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    Specific: For additional information about specific regulatory 
actions listed in the agenda, contact the individual identified as the 
contact person.
    General: Comments or inquiries of a general nature about the agenda 
should be directed to Asha Mathew, Chief Counsel for Regulation, Office 
of the Assistant General Counsel for Legislation and Regulation, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230, telephone: 202-482-3151.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Commerce hereby publishes its spring 2020 
Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions pursuant 
to Executive Order 12866 and the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 
601 et seq. Executive Order 12866 requires agencies to publish an 
agenda of those regulations that are under consideration pursuant to 
this order. By memorandum of January 16, 2020, the Office of Management 
and Budget issued guidelines and procedures for the preparation and 
publication of the spring 2020 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.
    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 and submit to 
NMFS Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) for the fisheries within their 
respective areas in the EEZ. The Councils are required by law to 
conduct public hearings on the development of FMPs and FMP amendments. 
Consistent with applicable law, environmental and other analyses are 
developed that consider alternatives to proposed actions.
    Pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the Councils also submit to 
NMFS proposed regulations they deem necessary or appropriate to 
implement FMPs. The proposed regulations, FMPs, and FMP amendments are 
subject to review and approval by NMFS, based on consistency with the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable law. The Council process for 
developing FMPs and amendments makes it difficult for NMFS to determine 
the significance and timing of some regulatory actions under 
consideration by the Councils at the time the semiannual regulatory 
agenda is published.
    Commerce's spring 2020 regulatory agenda follows.

Michael Walsh,
Chief of Staff, Performing the Delegated Duties of the General Counsel.
    Department of Commerce authorizes LaTonya Datcher of RISC to 
digitally sign for our agency as the relevant signer at DOC is not 
equipped to technically do digital signing at this time. DOC 
acknowledges that RISC will include DOC's Preamble and Unified 
Agenda Entries containing a RISC digital signature in the Unified 
Agenda related to documents that RISC publishes on our behalf.
LaTonya Datcher (Digital Signature)
Program Analyst.

[[Page 52677]]



         International Trade Administration--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
14........................  Modifications to                   0625-AB10
                             Regulations to Improve
                             Administration and
                             Enforcement of
                             Antidumping and
                             Countervailing Duty Laws.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


           Bureau of Industry and Security--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
15........................  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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
16........................  Comprehensive Fishery              0648-BD32
                             Management Plan for
                             Puerto Rico.
17........................  International Fisheries;           0648-BG04
                             South Pacific Tuna
                             Fisheries; Implementation
                             of Amendments to the
                             South Pacific Tuna Treaty.
18........................  Illegal, Unregulated, and          0648-BG11
                             Unreported Fishing;
                             Fisheries Enforcement;
                             High Seas Driftnet
                             Fishing Moratorium
                             Protection Act.
19........................  International Fisheries;           0648-BG66
                             Western and Central
                             Pacific Fisheries for
                             Highly Migratory Species;
                             Requirements to Safeguard
                             Fishery Observers.
20........................  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.
21........................  Amendment 21 to the Summer         0648-BJ18
                             Flounder, Scup, and Black
                             Sea Bass Fishery
                             Management Plan.
22........................  Establish National                 0648-BJ33
                             Insurance Requirements
                             for Observer Providers.
23........................  Bering Sea and Aleutian            0648-BJ42
                             Islands Pacific Cod Pot
                             Catcher/Processor License
                             Limitation Program
                             Adjustment.
24........................  Amendment 121 to the               0648-BJ49
                             Fishery Management Plan
                             for Groundfish of the
                             Bering Sea and Aleutian
                             Islands Management Area
                             and Amendment 110 to the
                             Fishery Management Plan
                             for Groundfish of the
                             Gulf of Alaska.
25........................  Salmon Bycatch                     0648-BJ50
                             Minimization in the
                             Pacific Coast Groundfish
                             Fishery.
26........................  Modification of Multi-Day          0648-BJ60
                             Trip Possession Limits
                             for Federally-Permitted
                             Charter/Headboat Vessels
                             in the Fishery Management
                             Plans (FMP) in the Gulf
                             of Mexico.
27........................  Designation of Critical            0648-BC56
                             Habitat for the Arctic
                             Ringed Seal.
28........................  Amendment and Updates to           0648-BF90
                             the Pelagic Longline Take
                             Reduction Plan.
29........................  Designation of Critical            0648-BG26
                             Habitat for the
                             Threatened Caribbean
                             Corals.
30........................  Atlantic Large Whale Take          0648-BJ09
                             Reduction Plan
                             Modifications to Reduce
                             Serious Injury and
                             Mortality of Large Whales
                             in Commercial Trap/Pot
                             Fisheries Along the U.S.
                             East Coast.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
31........................  Commerce Trusted Trader            0648-BG51
                             Program.
32........................  Rule to Implement the For-         0648-BG75
                             Hire Reporting Amendments.
33........................  New England Industry-              0648-BG91
                             Funded Monitoring
                             Amendment.
34........................  Area of Overlap Between            0648-BH59
                             the Convention Areas of
                             the Inter-American
                             Tropical Tuna Commission
                             and the Western and
                             Central Pacific Fisheries
                             Commission.
35........................  Omnibus Deep-Sea Coral             0648-BH67
                             Amendment.
36........................  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.
37........................  Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries         0648-BH87
                             Conservation and
                             Management Act;
                             Traceability Information
                             Program for Seafood.
38........................  Vessel Movement,                   0648-BI45
                             Monitoring, and
                             Declaration Management
                             Enhancement for the
                             Pacific Coast Groundfish
                             Fishery; Pacific Coast
                             Groundfish Fishery
                             Management Plan.
39........................  Framework Adjustment 59 to         0648-BJ12
                             the Northeast
                             Multispecies Fishery
                             Management Plan.
40........................  Vessel Monitoring Systems;         0648-BJ15
                             Amendment to Type-
                             Approval Requirements.
41........................  Regulatory Amendment to            0648-BJ40
                             Adjust the North Pacific
                             Observer Program Partial
                             Coverage Fee.
42........................  Reducing Disturbances to           0648-AU02
                             Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins
                             From Human Interactions.
43........................  Taking and Importing               0648-BB38
                             Marine Mammals: Taking
                             Marine Mammals Incidental
                             to Geophysical Surveys
                             Related to Oil and Gas
                             Activities in the Gulf of
                             Mexico.
44........................  Revision to Critical               0648-BH95
                             Habitat Designation for
                             Endangered Southern
                             Resident Killer Whales.
45........................  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.
46........................  Wisconsin-Lake Michigan            0648-BG01
                             National Marine Sanctuary
                             Designation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 52678]]


   National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Long-Term Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
47........................  Implementation of a                0648-BD59
                             Program for
                             Transshipments by Large
                             Scale Fishing Vessels in
                             the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
48........................  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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


   National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
49........................  Comprehensive Fishery              0648-BD33
                             Management Plan for St.
                             Croix.
50........................  Comprehensive Fishery              0648-BD34
                             Management Plan for St.
                             Thomas/St. John.
51........................  Jonah Crab Fishery;                0648-BF43
                             Interstate Fishery
                             Management Plan for Jonah
                             Crab.
52........................  Vision Blueprint                   0648-BI32
                             Commercial Regulatory
                             Amendment 27 to the
                             Fishery Management Plan
                             for the Snapper-Grouper
                             Fishery of the South
                             Atlantic Region.
53........................  Amendment 21-4 to the              0648-BI35
                             Pacific Coast Groundfish
                             Fishery Management Plan:
                             Trawl Catch Share Program
                             5-Year Review Follow-On
                             Actions.
54........................  Framework Adjustment 13 to         0648-BI49
                             the Atlantic Mackerel,
                             Squid, and Butterfish
                             Fishery Management Plan.
55........................  Atlantic Highly Migratory          0648-BI51
                             Species; Pelagic Longline
                             Bluefin Tuna Area-Based
                             and Weak Hook Management.
56........................  Reduce Gulf of Mexico Red          0648-BI63
                             Grouper Annual Catch
                             Limits and Annual Catch
                             Targets.
57........................  Amendment 118 to Allow             0648-BI65
                             Halibut Retention in BSAI
                             IFQ Pot Gear in the
                             Fishery Management Plan
                             for Groundfish of the
                             BSAI.
58........................  Interim 2019 Tribal                0648-BI67
                             Pacific Whiting
                             Allocation and Require
                             Consideration of Chinook
                             Salmon Bycatch Before
                             Reapportioning Tribal
                             Whiting; Pacific Coast
                             Groundfish.
59........................  Requirements to Safeguard          0648-BI86
                             Fishery Observers in the
                             Eastern Pacific Ocean.
60........................  Framework Action to Reduce         0648-BI95
                             Gulf of Mexico Red
                             Grouper Annual Catch
                             Limits and Annual Catch
                             Targets to the Fishery
                             Management Plan for the
                             Reef Fish Resources of
                             the Gulf of Mexico.
61........................  Amendment 18 to the                0648-BI96
                             Fishery Management Plan
                             for the Shrimp Fishery of
                             the Gulf of Mexico, U.S.
                             Waters.
62........................  Revisions to the Seabird           0648-BI99
                             Avoidance Program for the
                             Pacific Coast Groundfish
                             Fishery Management Plan.
63........................  Amendment 120 to the               0648-BJ02
                             Fishery Management Plan
                             for Groundfish of the
                             Bering Sea and Aleutian
                             Islands Management Area
                             and Amendment 108 to the
                             Fishery Management Plan.
64........................  Framework Adjustment 6 and         0648-BJ13
                             2019-2021 Atlantic
                             Herring Fishery
                             Specifications.
65........................  Framework Action to the            0648-BJ28
                             Fishery Management Plan
                             for Reef Fish Resources
                             of the Gulf of Mexico;
                             Modification to the
                             Recreational For-Hire Red
                             Snapper Annual Catch
                             Target (ACT) Buffer.
66........................  Framework Adjustment 32 to         0648-BJ51
                             the Atlantic Sea Scallop
                             Fishery Management Plan.
67........................  Regulation to Reduce               0648-BG45
                             Incidental Bycatch and
                             Mortality of Sea Turtles
                             in the Southeastern U.S.
                             Shrimp Fisheries.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


            Patent and Trademark Office--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
68........................  Trademark Fee Adjustment..         0651-AD42
------------------------------------------------------------------------


              Patent and Trademark Office--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
69........................  Setting and Adjusting              0651-AD31
                             Patent Fees During Fiscal
                             Year 2020.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)

International Trade Administration (ITA)

Proposed Rule Stage

14. Modifications to Regulations To Improve Administration and 
Enforcement of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Laws

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Other.
    Legal Authority: 19 U.S.C. 1671 et seq.; Pub. L. 114-125, sec. 421
    Abstract: Pursuant to its authority under Title VII of the Tariff 
Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), the Department of Commerce 
(Commerce) proposes to modify its regulations under Part 351 of Title 
19 to improve administration and enforcement of the antidumping duty 
(AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) laws. Specifically, Commerce 
proposes to modify its regulation concerning the time for submission of 
comments pertaining to industry support in AD and CVD proceedings; to 
modify its regulation regarding new shipper reviews; to modify its 
regulation concerning scope matters in AD and CVD proceedings; to 
promulgate a new regulation concerning circumvention of AD and CVD 
orders; to promulgate a new regulation concerning covered

[[Page 52679]]

merchandise referrals received from U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
(CBP); to promulgate a new regulation pertaining to Commerce requests 
for certifications from interested parties to establish whether 
merchandise is subject to an AD or CVD order; and to modify its 
regulation regarding importer reimbursement certifications filed with 
CBP. Finally, Commerce proposes to modify its regulations regarding 
letters of appearance in AD and CVD proceedings and importer filing 
requirements for access to business proprietary information. Commerce 
is seeking public comments on this proposed rule.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   06/00/20  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0625-AB10

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)

Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)

Completed Actions

15. 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) is amending 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 People's Republic of 
China (China), Russia, or Venezuela. Specifically, this rule expands 
the licensing requirements for China to include ``military end users,'' 
in addition to ``military end use.'' It broadens the items for which 
the licensing requirements and review policy apply and expand the 
definition of ``military end use.'' Next, it creates 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 adds Electronic Export Information filing 
requirements in the Automated Export System for exports to China, 
Russia, and Venezuela.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Rule..........................   04/28/20  85 FR 23459
Final Rule; Correction..............   06/03/20  85 FR 34306
Final Rule Effective................   06/29/20  .......................
Final Rule; Correction Effective....   06/29/20  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

16. 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: In response to a recommendation of the Caribbean Fishery 
Management Council, this action would establish three new FMPs (Puerto 
Rico FMP, St. Thomas/St. John FMP and St. Croix FMP) and repeal and 
replace the existing U.S. Caribbean-wide FMPs (the FMP for the Reef 
Fish Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), the FMP 
for the Spiny Lobster Fishery of Puerto Rico and the USVI, the FMP for 
Queen Conch Resources of Puerto Rico and the USVI, and the FMP for the 
Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and 
the USVI). For each of the Puerto Rico, St. Thomas/St. John, and St. 
Croix FMPs, the action would also modify the composition of the stocks 
to be managed; organize those stocks for effective management; 
establish status determination criteria, management reference points, 
and accountability measures for managed stocks; identify essential fish 
habitat for stocks new to management; and establish framework measures.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   07/00/20  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

17. 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................................   06/00/20  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[[Page 52680]]

Phone: 808 725-5000, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BG04

18. 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................................   06/00/20  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Alexa Cole, Director, Office of International 
Affairs and Seafood Inspection, Department of Commerce, National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 427-8286, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BG11

19. 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................................   08/00/20  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

20. 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................................   06/00/20  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

21. Amendment 21 to 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: This rulemaking action proposes measures recommended by 
the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and Atlantic States Marine 
Fisheries Commission that would adjust the current state-by-state 
commercial quota allocations in the summer flounder fishery and update 
the goals and objective for summer flounder fishery management in the 
Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan 
(FMP). The revised quota allocation would maintain the current state-
by-state allocation percentages when distributing the annual coastwide 
quota up to 9.55 million pounds. In years when the coastwide quota is 
above 9.55 million pounds, additional quota beyond this trigger would 
be distributed in equal shares to all states except Maine, Delaware, 
and New Hampshire (i.e., states with very little directed fishing 
effort), which would split one percent of the additional quota. The 
current state-by-state quota allocations have not been adjusted since 
originally implemented in 1993. The intent of this amendment is to 
modify the allocations to respond to changes in summer flounder 
distribution while also recognizing the states' historical reliance on 
summer flounder. The Council and Board intend to review the adjusted 
quota allocations again in no more than 10 years.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   06/00/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 52681]]

    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-BJ18

22.  Establish National Insurance Requirements for Observer 
Providers

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Other.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1855(d)
    Abstract: NMFS is proposing to establish uniform, nationally 
applicable minimum insurance requirements for companies that provide 
observer or at-sea monitor services for federally managed fisheries 
subject to monitoring requirements. This action would supersede 
outdated or inappropriate regulatory insurance requirements thereby 
easing the regulatory and cost burden for observer/at-sea monitor 
providers. Additionally, this action would mitigate potential liability 
risks associated with observer and at-sea monitor deployments for 
vessel owners and shore side processors that are subject to monitoring 
requirements.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   06/00/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: David Detlor, Acting Director, Office of Science 
and Technology, National Marine Fisheries Service, Department of 
Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-
West Highway, Room 12450, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 427-8100, 
Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BJ33

23.  Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Pacific Cod Pot Catcher/
Processor License Limitation Program Adjustment

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: In response to a recommendation by the North Pacific 
Fishery Management Council (Council), this action announces the 
establishment of a control date for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
(BSAI) Pacific cod pot catcher/processor sector. Currently, pot 
catcher/processor vessels fishing for Pacific cod in the BSAI are 
required to have a License Limitation Program (LLP) that is endorsed 
for fishing Pacific cod by gear type, operational type, and area. The 
Council is evaluating participation and effort in the BSAI Pacific cod 
catcher/processor fishery in response to a potential need to control 
entry and participation in the Pacific cod pot catcher/processor 
sector. Specifically, the Council is considering options to address and 
potentially eliminate latent Bering Sea pot catcher/processor endorsed 
LLPs (which are LLP endorsements not recently utilized) in order to 
increase stability for Pacific cod-dependent pot catcher/processors, 
maintain consistently low rates of halibut and crab bycatch, and ensure 
that condensed fishing seasons do not result in safety-at-sea concerns. 
The Council may use the control date if it decides to recommend 
removing latent BSAI Pacific cod endorsements on pot catcher/processor 
LLPs to limit participation in the sector. Any fishing activity after 
the control date would not be assured to be considered should the 
Council recommend and NMFS implement a regulatory amendment to remove 
latent LLP endorsements. This announcement is intended, in part, to 
promote awareness of the potential eligibility criteria for future 
access to discourage speculative entry into the BSAI Pacific cod sector 
while the Council and NMFS consider whether and how access to the 
sector should be further controlled.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANPRM...............................   12/10/19  84 FR 67421
ANPRM Comment Period End............   12/10/19
NPRM................................   04/00/21
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BJ42

24.  Amendment 121 to the Fishery Management Plan for 
Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area and 
Amendment 110 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf 
of Alaska

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This action proposes to implement the North Pacific 
Fishery Management Council's Amendments to the Bering Sea/Aleutian 
Islands (Amendment 121) and Gulf of Alaska (Amendment 110) Groundfish 
Fishery Management Plans (FMPs). These Amendments would move sculpins 
into the Ecosystem Component of the FMPs, which is a category of non-
target species that are not in need of conservation and management. 
Magnuson-Stevens Act National Standard guidelines include options to 
identify non-target species in FMPs (species caught incidentally during 
the pursuit of target stocks in a fishery) that do not require 
conservation and management as ecosystem component species. As an 
Ecosystem Component, this action proposes that catch specifications for 
sculpins (Overfishing Level, Acceptable Biological Catch, Total 
Allowable Catch) would no longer be required, but instead, regulations 
would prohibit directed fishing forsculpins, require recordkeeping and 
reporting to monitor and report catch of sculpins annually, and 
establish a sculpins maximum retainable amount when directed fishing 
for groundfish species at 20 percent to discourage retention while 
allowing flexibility to prosecute groundfish fisheries. This proposed 
action would free up approximately 5,000 metric tons (mt) of total 
allowable catch (TAC) under the 2 million mt optimum yield limit for 
the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands management area. This TAC could be 
allocated to any groundfish target species during the annual harvest 
specifications process, thereby allowing for some flexibility with 
allocations.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Availability..............   03/23/20  85 FR 13610
NPRM................................   04/23/20  85 FR 22703
NPRM Comment Period End.............   05/23/20
Final Action........................   08/00/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BJ49

25.  Salmon Bycatch Minimization in the Pacific Coast 
Groundfish Fishery

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: The proposed action would implement salmon bycatch 
minimization measures in the Pacific

[[Page 52682]]

Coast groundfish fishery to comply with the terms and conditions of a 
December 2017 biological opinion on Endangered Species Act-listed 
salmon interactions in the groundfish fishery. The proposed action 
would establish additional management tools (e.g., area-based closures 
and gear restrictions) the Council and NMFS could use as needed to keep 
fishery sectors within Chinook and coho salmon bycatch guidelines as 
established in a prior rulemaking. The proposed action would establish 
the rules or circumstances under which the fishery sectors would be 
allowed to access an established salmon bycatch Reserve. Under the 
proposed action, NMFS is required to take an action before fishery 
participants can access the Reserve; such action may include 
implementation of a measure such as an area-based closure or gear 
restriction, or approval of a plan outlining how a whiting cooperative 
will minimize its salmon bycatch. Finally, the proposed action would 
change the bycatch levels at which the trawl fishery would be closed in 
order to preserve 500 Chinook salmon as bycatch so that the 
recreational and fixed gear fisheries could continue operating in years 
of high trawl fishery bycatch.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   06/00/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BJ50

26.  Modification of Multi-Day Trip Possession Limits for 
Federally-Permitted Charter/Headboat Vessels in the Fishery Management 
Plans (FMP) in the Gulf of Mexico

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule would promote efficiency in the utilization of 
the reef fish and CMP resources and a potential decrease in regulatory 
discards by providing the owners and operators of federally permitted 
for-hire vessels greater flexibility in determining when to allow 
passengers to retain the possession limit on multi-day trips. The rule 
would modify the on-board possession limit for federal for-hire trips 
in the Gulf of Mexico, which currently allows anglers to retain two 
daily bag limits on a trip more than 24 hours, after the first 24 hours 
of that trip. The rule would increase the required trip duration to 
more than 30 hours, but would allow anglers to retain the second daily 
bag limit at any time after the federal for-hire vessel leaves the 
dock. All other requirements to retain the possession limit would be 
unchanged. In addition, this rule would modify the language in 
622.21(a)(3)(iii) and 622.22(a)(3)(iii). The change would remove the 
wording `sequentially coded' from the sentence `NMFS will provide each 
Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) dealer the necessary paper forms, 
sequentially coded, and instructions for submission of the forms to the 
RA'.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   06/00/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BJ60

27. 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.....................   09/00/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BC56

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

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   06/00/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Donna Wieting, Director, Office of Protected 
Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 427-8400.
    RIN: 0648-BF90

29. Designation of Critical Habitat for the Threatened Caribbean Corals

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
    Abstract: NMFS listed 5 Caribbean corals as threatened under the 
Endangered Species Act on October 10, 2014. Critical habitat shall be 
designated

[[Page 52683]]

to the maximum extent prudent and determinable at the time a species is 
proposed for listing (50 CFR 424.12). We concluded that critical 
habitat was not determinable for the 5 corals at the time of listing. 
However, we anticipated that critical habitat would be determinable in 
the future given on-going research. We, therefore, announced in the 
final listing rules that we would propose critical habitat in separate 
rulemakings. This rule proposes to designate critical habitat for the 5 
Caribbean coral species listed in 2014. A separate proposed critical 
habitat rule is being prepared for the 15 Indo-Pacific corals listed as 
threatened in 2014. The proposed designation for the Caribbean corals 
may include marine waters in Florida, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, 
Navassa Island, and Flower Garden Banks containing essential features 
that support all stages of life history of the corals. The proposed 
rule is not likely to have an annual effect on the economy of $100 
million or more or adversely affect the economy. NMFS has contacted the 
Departments of the Navy, Air Force, and Army as well as the U.S. Coast 
Guard requesting information related to potential national security 
impacts that may result from the critical habitat designation. Based on 
information provided, we concluded that there will be an impact on 
national security in only 1 area offshore Dania Beach, FL, and will 
propose to exclude it from the designations.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   07/00/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Donna Wieting, Director, Office of Protected 
Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 427-8400.
    RIN: 0648-BG26

30. Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan Modifications To Reduce 
Serious Injury and Mortality of Large Whales in Commercial Trap/Pot 
Fisheries Along the U.S. East Coast

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1387 et seq.
    Abstract: In response to recent recommendations from the Atlantic 
Large Whale Take Reduction Team (TRT) to reduce the risk of North 
Atlantic right whale entanglement in commercial trap/pot fisheries 
along the U.S. East Coast, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) 
intends to propose regulations to amend the Atlantic Large Whale Take 
Reduction Plan (Plan). In April 2019, the TRT recommended that state 
and Federal East Coast fisheries reduce vertical lines through gear 
reconfigurations and potential lobster trap allocation caps, as well as 
modify fishing gear to reduce the breaking strength of rope. The TRT 
also recommended additional buoy line marking and additions or 
modifications to areas that are already closed to trap/pot fishing. The 
state government members of the TRT are collaborating with the TRT's 
industry representatives to scope and develop the appropriate 
management measures to achieve the TRT's recommendations for fisheries 
operating in state waters. Based on what state measures are developed, 
this rulemaking action would propose comparable management measures for 
fisheries operating in Federal waters.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   07/00/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BJ09

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Final Rule Stage

National Marine Fisheries Service

31. Commerce Trusted Trader Program

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   01/17/18  83 FR 2412
NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/19/18
Withdrawal..........................   06/00/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Alexa Cole, Director, Office of International 
Affairs and Seafood Inspection, Department of Commerce, National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 427-8286, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BG51

32. Rule To Implement the For-Hire Reporting Amendments

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Availability..............   03/14/18  83 FR 11164
NPRM................................   04/04/18  83 FR 14400

[[Page 52684]]

 
NPRM Comment Period End.............   05/04/18  .......................
Final Action........................   02/24/20  85 FR 10331
Final Rule..........................   07/00/20  .......................
Final Action Effective..............   09/01/20  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Roy E. Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast 
Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 
727 824-5305, Fax: 727 824-5308, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BG75

33. New England Industry-Funded Monitoring Amendment

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule implements measures for industry funding and 
prioritizing available Federal funding to pay for additional 
monitoring, consistent with specific monitoring coverage targets 
recently set by the New England Fishery Management Council, for New 
England fishery management plans. Specifically, this action would 
modify all the New England fishery management plans to allow 
standardized development of future, plan-specific, industry-funded 
monitoring programs. This action would also prioritize industry-funded 
monitoring programs across New England fishery management plans when 
available Federal funding falls short of the total needed to fully fund 
all monitoring programs. Finally, this rule implements industry-funded 
monitoring requirements for the Atlantic Herring fishery management 
plan.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Availability..............   09/19/18  83 FR 47326
NPRM................................   11/07/18  83 FR 55665
NPRM Comment Period End.............   12/24/18  .......................
Final Action........................   02/07/20  85 FR 7414
Final Action Effective..............   03/09/20  .......................
Correcting Amendment................   06/00/20  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BG91

34. Area of Overlap Between the Convention Areas of the Inter-American 
Tropical Tuna Commission and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries 
Commission

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 951 et seq.
    Abstract: Under authority of the Western and Central Pacific 
Fisheries Convention Implementation Act and the Tuna Conventions Act, 
an area of overlap (overlap area) exists between the respective areas 
of competence of the Commission for the Conservation and Management of 
Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean 
and the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission. NMFS proposes to 
change the application of the two Commissions' management decisions in 
the overlap area to specifically apply Inter-American Tropical Tuna 
Commission management measures in the overlap area rather than those of 
the Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory 
Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean that currently 
apply there.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANPRM...............................   06/12/18  83 FR 27305
ANPRM Comment Period End............   07/12/18  .......................
NPRM................................   11/07/19  84 FR 60040
NPRM Comment Period End.............   11/22/19  .......................
Final Action........................   06/00/20  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BH59

35. Omnibus Deep-Sea Coral Amendment

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This action would implement the New England Fishery 
Management Council's Omnibus Deep-Sea Coral Amendment. The Amendment 
would implement measures that reduce impacts of fishing gear on deep-
sea corals in the Gulf of Maine and on the outer continental shelf. In 
doing so, this action would prohibit the use of mobile bottom-tending 
gear in two areas in the Gulf of Maine (Mount Desert Rock and Outer 
Schoodic Ridge), and it would prohibit the use of all gear (with an 
exception for red crab pots) along the outer continental shelf in 
waters deeper than a minimum of 600 meters.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Availability..............   08/26/19  84 FR 44596
NPRM................................   01/03/20  85 FR 285
NPRM Comment Period End.............   02/18/20  .......................
Final Action........................   07/00/20  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BH67

36. 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:

[[Page 52685]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Availability..............   06/21/18  83 FR 28797
NPRM................................   10/26/18  83 FR 54069
Correction..........................   11/08/18  83 FR 55850
Comment Period Extended.............   11/20/18  83 FR 58522
NPRM Comment Period End.............   11/26/18  .......................
Comment Period Extended End.........   01/09/19  .......................
Final Action........................   06/00/20  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

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

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; Pub. L. 115-141
    Abstract: On December 9, 2016, NMFS issued a final rule that 
established a risk-based traceability program to track seafood from 
harvest to entry into U.S. commerce. The final rule included, for 
designated priority fish species, import permitting and reporting 
requirements to provide for traceability of seafood products offered 
for entry into the U.S. supply chain, and to ensure that these products 
were lawfully acquired and are properly represented. Shrimp and abalone 
products were included in the final rule to implement the Seafood 
Import Monitoring Program, but compliance with Seafood Import 
Monitoring Program requirements for those species was stayed 
indefinitely due to the disparity between Federal reporting programs 
for domestic aquaculture of shrimp and abalone products relative to the 
requirements that would apply to imports under Seafood Import 
Monitoring Program. In section 539 of the Consolidated Appropriations 
Act, 2018, Congress mandated lifting the stay on inclusion of shrimp 
and abalone in Seafood Import Monitoring Program and authorized the 
Secretary of Commerce to require comparable reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements for domestic aquaculture of shrimp and abalone. This 
rulemaking would establish permitting, reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements for domestic producers of shrimp and abalone from the 
point of production to entry into commerce.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   10/11/18  83 FR 51426
NPRM Comment Period End.............   11/26/18  .......................
Final Action........................   06/00/20  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Alexa Cole, Director, Office of International 
Affairs and Seafood Inspection, Department of Commerce, National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 427-8286, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BH87

38. Vessel Movement, Monitoring, and Declaration Management Enhancement 
for the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Pacific Coast Groundfish 
Fishery Management Plan

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This rulemaking action would implement the Pacific 
Fishery Management Council's action to implement various measures that 
provide more efficient and effective monitoring, improve enforcement of 
restricted areas, and reduce costs for the Pacific coast groundfish 
fleet. This action would: Increase the required frequency of signals 
transmitted from type-approved vessel monitoring system (VMS) units 
from once per hour to every 15 minutes to provide finer-scale vessel 
location data; allow vessels to use alternative VMS units; add a VMS 
declaration to indicate when a vessel is testing gear; allow vessels 
participating in the midwater trawl whiting fishery to change their 
declaration while at-sea to select a new whiting fishery; and allow 
vessels to move pot gear from one management area to another during a 
single trip while retaining fish from the primary management area.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   10/10/19  84 FR 54579
NPRM Comment Period End.............   11/12/19
Final Action........................   06/11/20  85 FR 35594
Final Action Effective..............   07/13/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BI45

39. Framework Adjustment 59 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 rulemaking action proposes to implement management 
measures included in the New England Fishery Management Council's 
Framework Adjustment 59 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery 
Management Plan (Framework 59) developed in response to new scientific 
information. The proposed action would set fishing years 2020-2022 
specifications for 15 groundfish stocks, and fishing year 2020 total 
allocable catches (TAC) for the three U.S./Canada stocks: Eastern 
Georges Bank cod, Eastern Georges Bank haddock, and Georges Bank 
yellowtail flounder. This action would also revise the Georges Bank cod 
incidental TAC to remove the allocation to the Closed Area I Hook Gear 
Haddock Special Access Program, and as necessary in response to any new 
data coming from the Marine Recreational Information Program, address 
commercial/recreational allocation issues.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   05/29/20  85 FR 32347
NPRM Comment Period End.............   06/15/20  .......................
Final Action........................   07/00/20  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BJ12

40. Vessel Monitoring Systems; Amendment to Type--Approval Requirements

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: The U.S. Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) program type-
approves enhanced mobile transceiver units (EMTUs) for use in the U.S. 
Currently, the only option for transferring VMS data from ship to NMFS 
is by satellite-

[[Page 52686]]

linked communication services. All owners of vessels participating in 
the NOAA VMS program are required to carry a NMFS-approved EMTU or MTU 
to comply with the Vessel Monitoring System requirements. The proposed 
rule would modify the type-approval requirements to allow for 
communication service by cellular EMTUs (EMTU-Cs), in addition to 
satellite-only models. The need for the rule is to set out procedures 
and requirements for initial type-approvals; compliance with, and 
revocations and appeals of type-approvals; and technical, service, and 
performance specifications. This would allow EMTU-Cs to be type-
approved and used in certain federally managed fisheries with a VMS 
requirement. Generally, cellular communication services come at a 
significantly lower cost than satellite services. A lower cost could 
ease the financial burden on fishermen, while providing NMFS with 
additional capabilities to manage fishery resources, and to protect 
marine species and ecologically sensitive areas.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   01/24/20  85 FR 4257
NPRM Comment Period End.............   02/24/20
Final Action........................   06/00/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: James Landon, Department of Commerce, National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Hwy., Bldg. SSMC 
3, Room 3151, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 427-8245, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BJ15

41.  Regulatory Amendment To Adjust the North Pacific Observer 
Program Partial Coverage Fee

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: In response to a recommendation by the North Pacific 
Fishery Management Council, this action would modify the fee percentage 
assessed on groundfish and halibut landings made by vessels operating 
in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska management 
areas. This action would increase the observer fee from 1.25 percent to 
1.65 percent of the ex-vessel value of landings made by vessels that 
are not in the full coverage category. Fee revenues are used to fund 
deployment of observers and electronic monitoring (EM) in the partial 
coverage category of the North Pacific Observer Program. This action is 
necessary to provide additional funding to deploy observers and EM in 
the partial coverage category to better meet monitoring objectives for 
the North Pacific Observer Program. Section 313 of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act establishes that data collected 
by well- trained, independent observers and EM are a cornerstone of the 
sustainable management of Federal fisheries off Alaska.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   03/09/20  85 FR 13618
NPRM Comment Period End.............   04/08/20
Final Action........................   07/00/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BJ40

42. Reducing Disturbances to Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins From Human 
Interactions

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANPRM...............................   12/12/05  70 FR 73426
ANPRM Comment Period End............   01/11/06
NPRM................................   08/24/16  81 FR 57854
NPRM Comment Period End.............   10/23/16
NPRM Comment Period Reopened........   11/16/16  81 FR 80629
NPRM Comment Period Reopened End....   12/01/16
Final Action........................   07/00/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-AU02

43. Taking and Importing Marine Mammals: Taking Marine Mammals 
Incidental to Geophysical Surveys Related to Oil and Gas Activities in 
the Gulf of Mexico

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Other.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.
    Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service is taking this 
action in response to an October 17, 2016, petition from the U.S. 
Department of Interior (DOI), Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), 
to promulgate regulations governing the authorization of take of marine 
mammals incidental to oil and gas industry geophysical surveys 
conducted in support of hydrocarbon exploration and development on the 
Outer Continental Shelf in the Gulf of Mexico from approximately 2019 
through 2024.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   06/22/18  83 FR 29212
NPRM Comment Period End.............   08/21/18
Final Action........................   06/00/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BB38

44. 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

[[Page 52687]]

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................................   09/19/19  84 FR 49214
NPRM Comment Period End.............   12/18/19
Final Rule..........................   09/00/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

45. 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................................   10/09/19  84 FR 54354
NPRM Comment Period End.............   12/09/19
NPRM Comment Period Extended........   11/27/19  84 FR 65346
NPRM Comment Period Extended End....   01/31/20
Final Action........................   10/00/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

NOS/ONMS

46. Wisconsin--Lake Michigan National Marine Sanctuary Designation

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   01/09/17  82 FR 2269
NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/31/17
Final Action........................   06/00/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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: 240 533-0650, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BG01


[[Page 52688]]



DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Long-Term Actions

National Marine Fisheries Service

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

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 951 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule would implement the Inter-American Tropical 
Tuna Commission program to monitor transshipments by large-scale tuna 
fishing vessels, and would govern transshipments by U.S. large-scale 
tuna fishing vessels and carrier, or receiving, vessels. The rule would 
establish: Criteria for transshipping in port; criteria for 
transshipping at sea by longline vessels to an authorized carrier 
vessel with an Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission observer onboard 
and an operational vessel monitoring system; and require the Pacific 
Transshipment Declaration Form, which must be used to report 
transshipments in the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission 
Convention Area. This rule is necessary for the United States to 
satisfy its international obligations under the 1949 Convention for the 
Establishment of an Inter-American Tropical Tuna, to which it is a 
Contracting Party.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
To Be Determined....................           To Be Determined
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Barry Thom, Phone: 503 231-6266, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BD59

48. 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
                                     -----------------------------------
To Be Determined....................           To Be Determined
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Michael Tosatto, Phone: 808 725-5000, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BF41

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Completed Actions

49. 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. This new Plan, in conjunction with similar comprehensive 
Fishery Management Plans being developed for Puerto Rico and St. 
Thomas/St. John, would 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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Merged With 0648-BD32...............   01/31/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

50. 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. This new Plan, in conjunction with 
similar comprehensive Fishery Management Plans being developed for St. 
Croix and Puerto Rico, would replace the Spiny Lobster, Reef Fish, 
Coral and Queen Conch Fishery

[[Page 52689]]

Management Plans presently governing the commercial and recreational 
harvest in U.S. Caribbean exclusive economic zone waters.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Merged With 0648-BD32...............   01/31/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

51. Jonah Crab Fishery; Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Jonah 
Crab

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.
    Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service implements Federal 
Jonah crab regulations to help achieve the goal of the Atlantic States 
Marine Fisheries Commission's Interstate Fishery Management Plan to 
promote Jonah crab conservation, reduce the possibility of recruitment 
failure, and allow the industry to continue fishing the resource at 
present levels. The Jonah Crab Plan was developed out of concern for 
potential impacts to the status of the Jonah crab resource, given the 
recent and rapid increase in landings. Commercial and recreational 
measures and reporting requirements were recommended for Federal 
implementation in the Jonah Crab Plan. Measures include: Permitting, 
minimum size, prohibition on retaining egg-bearing females, and 
incidental bycatch limit, and reporting requirements that are 
consistent with American lobster fishery requirements. Most States have 
implemented measures consistent with the Plan. These measures 
complement those implemented by the States.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANPRM...............................   10/13/16  81 FR 70658
ANPRM Comment Period End............   11/14/16
NPRM................................   03/22/19  84 FR 10756
NPRM Comment Period End.............   04/22/19
Final Action........................   11/13/19  84 FR 61569
Final Action Effective..............   12/12/19
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BF43

52. Vision Blueprint Commercial Regulatory Amendment 27 to the Fishery 
Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic 
Region

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: During a series of stakeholder meetings in 2014, the 
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) gathered input from 
commercial fishermen throughout the region. Based on the input, the 
Council developed the 2016-2020 Vision Blueprint for the commercial 
sector of the Snapper-Grouper Fishery Management Plan (Vision 
Blueprint). The Vision Blueprint identifies the goals, objectives, 
strategies, and actions that support the vision for the snapper-grouper 
fishery. This rulemaking action implements Regulatory Amendment 27, 
which addresses specific action items in the Vision Blueprint for the 
commercial sector of the Snapper-Grouper FMP such as seasonal 
management, trip limits and minimum size limits, and intends to allow 
more equitable access, minimize discards, and achieve optimum yield.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   10/17/19  84 FR 55531
NPRM Comment Period End.............   11/18/19
Final Action........................   01/27/20  85 FR 4588
Final Action Effective..............   02/26/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BI32

53. Amendment 21-4 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management 
Plan: Trawl Catch Share Program 5-Year Review Follow-On Actions

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: Based on the Pacific Fishery Management Council's and 
NOAA Fisheries 5-year review of the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery 
Trawl Catch Share Program, completed in 2017, this rulemaking action 
implements the Council's recommendation to adjust the Program. 
Adjustments are aimed at modifying outdated Program regulations and 
making the Program more effective, specifically by: Changing bycatch 
hard caps for canary rockfish and widow rockfish in the at-sea whiting 
sector to set asides; removing the formulas used to determine at-sea 
whiting sector set-aside amounts of canary rockfish, widow rockfish, 
darkblotched rockfish, and Pacific ocean perch, and instead determining 
appropriate amounts through the adaptive biennial harvest specification 
process; allowing post-season quota trading for vessel accounts in 
deficit at the end of the year; eliminating the September 1st 
expiration deadline for unused quota not transferred to a vessel 
account; setting permit ownership accumulation limits for the whiting 
Catcher Processor sector; and requiring new economic data collections 
for Catcher Processor permit owners and quota share owners to better 
evaluate Catch Share program performance. Similar collections are 
currently required for the shorebased catcher and at-sea mothership 
sectors; this action would provide complete economic performance data 
for all sectors of the Catch Share Program.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Availability..............   08/30/19  84 FR 45706
NPRM................................   10/10/19  84 FR 54561
NPRM Comment Period End.............   10/29/19
Final Action........................   12/17/19  84 FR 68799
Final Action Effective..............   01/16/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BI35

54. Framework Adjustment 13 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and 
Butterfish Fishery Management Plan

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

[[Page 52690]]

    Abstract: This rulemaking implemented the Mid-Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council's action to establish a rebuilding program that 
would rebuild the Atlantic mackerel stock within five years (by 2023), 
implement Atlantic mackerel catch limits for 2019-2021, and set a catch 
cap for river herring and shad in the mackerel fishery. The objectives 
of this action are to eliminate overfishing and rebuild this stock, as 
required by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act, and limit bycatch of river herring and shad in the Atlantic 
mackerel fishery. This action would: Set 2019-2021 Atlantic mackerel 
acceptable biological catch, establish a rebuilding program that sets 
commercial catch limits to rebuild the stock within five years, modify 
the directed fishery closure process to slow effort and harvest rates 
as the quota is approached and preserve sufficient quota for mackerel 
bycatch in other fisheries, and specify 2019-2021 river herring and 
shad catch caps for the mackerel fishery.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   06/07/19  84 FR 26634
NPRM Comment Period End.............   07/08/19
Final Action........................   10/30/19  84 FR 58053
Final Action Effective..............   11/29/19
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BI49

55. Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Pelagic Longline Bluefin Tuna 
Area-Based and Weak Hook Management

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.
    Abstract: Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) fisheries are 
managed under the dual authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Conservation 
and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) and the Atlantic Tunas 
Convention Act (ATCA). This rulemaking will address the area-based and 
weak hook management measures for bluefin tuna in the pelagic longline 
fishery. NMFS implemented an individual bluefin tuna quota system for 
pelagic longline fishery participants in 2015. With this approach and 
its emphasis on individual vessel accountability, NMFS has determined 
some fleetwide measures may be redundant. This action would 
appropriately streamline regulations and increase flexibility to the 
Atlantic pelagic longline fishery while maintaining bycatch reduction 
and conservation and management obligations.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   07/12/19  84 FR 33205
NPRM Correction.....................   08/08/19  84 FR 38918
NPRM Comment Period End.............   09/30/19
Final Action........................   04/02/20  85 FR 18812
Final Action Effective..............   04/02/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Jennifer M. Wallace, Acting Director, Office of 
Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13362, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301 427-8500, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0648-BI51

56. Reduce Gulf of Mexico Red Grouper Annual Catch Limits and Annual 
Catch Targets

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) 
has requested that NMFS publish a rule under section 305(c) of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) to 
temporarily reduce the red grouper commercial and recreational Annual 
Catch Limits (ACLs) and associated Annual Catch Targets (ACTs). In 
October 2018, the Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) 
reviewed the results of an interim analysis performed by the Southeast 
Fisheries Science Center and recommended that the Council reduce the 
red grouper commercial and recreational ACLs and ACTs, effective for 
the 2019 fishing year. In addition, there have been recent deceases in 
red grouper landings and public testimony at the October Council 
meeting expressed concern about the status of the red grouper stock. 
Therefore, the Council is developing a framework action to reduce the 
ACLs and ACTs. In the meantime, based on these recent unforeseen 
circumstances, and consistent with the Council's request, NMFS intends 
to implement a rule under MSA section 305(c) to establish lower red 
grouper ACLs and ACTs for 2019.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed Emergency Rule.............   03/05/19  84 FR 7864
Proposed Emergency Rule Comment        03/20/19
 Period End.
Final Emergency Rule................   05/17/19  84 FR 22389
Final Emergency Rule Effective......   05/17/19
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BI63

57. Amendment 118 To Allow Halibut Retention in BSAI IFQ Pot Gear in 
the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the BSAI

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 773
    Abstract: In response to the North Pacific Fisheries Management 
Council's recommendation, this action allows retention of halibut in 
pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI), provided the 
operator holds sufficient halibut Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) or 
Community Development Quota (CDQ) for that IFQ regulatory area. The 
purpose of this action is to improve efficient harvest of the halibut 
resource by (1) decreasing wastage of legal-size halibut discarded in 
the existing BSAI sablefish pot fishery, and (2) potentially reducing 
whale depredation of halibut from hook-and-line gear by authorizing the 
use of pot gear in the halibut IFQ and CDQ fisheries. Currently, 
halibut are only permitted to be harvested with hook-and-line gear. As 
part of this action, NMFS would require vessels interested in retaining 
halibut in pot gear in the BSAI to install and operate Vessel 
Monitoring Systems and daily fishing logbooks and close the Pribilof 
Island Habitat Conservation Zone to all fishing with pot gear. In the 
event that there is a conservation concern for bycatch of shellfish or 
groundfish species, NMFS would have the authority to close the directed 
longline and pot halibut fisheries in both the BSAI and the Gulf of 
Alaska.
    Timetable:

[[Page 52691]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Availability..............   08/21/19  84 FR 43570
NPRM................................   10/03/19  84 FR 52852
NPRM Correction.....................   10/28/19  84 FR 57687
NPRM Comment Period End.............   11/04/19
Final Action........................   01/08/20  85 FR 840
Final Action Effective..............   02/07/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BI65

58. Interim 2019 Tribal Pacific Whiting Allocation and Require 
Consideration of Chinook Salmon Bycatch Before Reapportioning Tribal 
Whiting; Pacific Coast Groundfish

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: NMFS issued a final rule for the tribal Pacific whiting 
(whiting) fishery off the coast of Washington State. The purpose is to 
establish an interim 2019 tribal whiting allocation, and to protect 
ESA-listed Chinook salmon, as required in the Terms and Conditions of a 
December 11, 2017, Biological Opinion. NMFS developed this rule after 
discussions with the affected tribes and the non-tribal fisheries 
interests. As in prior years, this allocation is an ``interim'' 
allocation that is not intended to set precedent for future years.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   03/15/19  84 FR 9471
NPRM Comment Period End.............   04/01/19
Final Rule..........................   05/10/19  84 FR 20578
Final Rule Effective................   05/10/19
Correcting Amendment................   12/02/19  84 FR 65925
Correcting Amendment Effective......   12/02/19
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BI67

59. Requirements To Safeguard Fishery Observers 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 rulemaking action would domestically implement 
recently adopted resolutions on improving observer safety at sea by 
parties to the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) and the 
Agreement on the International Dolphin Conservation Program (AIDCP), 
including the United States. The resolutions are binding for IATTC 
member nations and AIDCP Parties, and under the Tuna Conventions Act, 
16 U.S.C. 951 et seq. and the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as 
amended. These resolutions aim to strengthen protections for observers 
required in longline and transshipment observer programs required under 
the IATTC and on purse seine vessels required by the AIDCP. In 
implementing them, this rulemaking proposes to include provisions that 
detail responsibilities for vessel owners and operators, 
responsibilities for IATTC and AIDCP members to which fishing vessels 
are flagged, responsibilities for members that have jurisdiction over 
ports, and responsibilities for observer providers. The action is 
necessary for the United States to satisfy its international 
obligations as a Member of the IATTC and AIDCP. This RIN was merged 
with 0648-BJ23.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Merged With 0648-BJ23...............   09/05/19
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BI86

60. Framework Action To Reduce Gulf of Mexico Red Grouper Annual Catch 
Limits and Annual Catch Targets 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: NMFS proposes to implement management measures described 
in a framework action to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Reef 
Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf), as prepared by the Gulf of 
Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). The framework action is 
titled ``Modification of Gulf of Mexico Red Grouper Annual Catch Limits 
and Annual Catch Targets.'' This proposed rule would reduce the red 
grouper commercial and recreational annual catch limits (ACLs) and 
annual catch targets (ACTs). The purpose of this rule is to continue 
the Gulf red grouper commercial and recreational ACL and ACT reductions 
implemented through emergency rulemaking in 2019 to protect the stock 
and to continue to achieve optimum yield.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   07/19/19  84 FR 34845
NPRM Comment Period End.............   08/19/19
Final Action........................   10/01/19  84 FR 52036
Final Action Effective..............   10/31/19
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BI95

61. Amendment 18 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery 
of the Gulf of Mexico, U.S. Waters

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This action implements the Gulf of Mexico Fishery 
Management Council's Amendment 18 to the Shrimp Fishery Management 
Plan. It would do so by adjusting the target reduction goal for 
juvenile red snapper mortality in the Federal Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) 
shrimp trawl fishery in the 10-30 fathom depth zone, as well as 
modifying the Plan's framework procedure to streamline the process to 
make future modifications to this target reduction goal. As part of the 
Gulf red snapper rebuilding plan, NMFS previously capped effort in the 
Gulf shrimp fishery based on Council recommendation to protect juvenile 
red snapper caught as bycatch in shrimp nets. However, the Gulf red 
snapper stock is no longer overfished or undergoing overfishing, and 
the red

[[Page 52692]]

snapper stock acceptable biological catch (ABC) has consistently 
increased under the rebuilding plan. Accordingly, this action is 
expected to promote economic stability and achievement of optimum yield 
in the Federal Gulf shrimp fishery by reducing effort constraints, 
while continuing to protect Gulf red snapper.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Availability..............   08/01/19  84 FR 37611
NPRM................................   08/29/19  84 FR 45459
NPRM Comment Period End.............   09/30/19
Final Action........................   02/06/20  85 FR 6816
Final Action Effective..............   03/09/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BI96

62. Revisions to the Seabird Avoidance Program for the Pacific Coast 
Groundfish Fishery Management Plan

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: In response to a recommendation by the Pacific Fishery 
Management Council, this proposed rule would require commercial 
groundfish bottom longline vessels 26 feet length overall (LOA) and 
longer managed under the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management 
Plan (FMP) to deploy streamer lines or to set gear during civil 
twilight when fishing in Federal waters north of 36 degrees N latitude. 
The purpose of this proposed rule is to reduce interactions between 
seabirds, especially Endangered Species Act listed species, and 
groundfish longline gear. The action is necessary to fulfill terms and 
conditions of a 2017 biological opinion published by the United States 
Fish and Wildlife Service to minimize takes of endangered short-tailed 
albatross by the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   09/12/19  84 FR 48094
NPRM Comment Period End.............   10/15/19
Final Rule..........................   12/11/19  84 FR 67674
Final Action Effective..............   01/10/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BI99

63. Amendment 120 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area and Amendment 108 to 
the Fishery Management Plan

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This rulemaking action proposes to implement a 
recommendation by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council 
(Council) to limit the number of catcher/processors (CPs) acting as 
motherships and taking deliveries of Pacific cod from trawl catcher 
vessels (CVs) in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) and the 
Gulf of Alaska (GOA) directed Pacific cod fisheries. In recent years, 
an unexpected increase in the number of CPs accepting such deliveries 
allowed under current regulations has resulted in increased deliveries 
of BSAI non-Community Development Quota Pacific cod by trawl CVs 
engaging in directed fishing to CPs acting as motherships, a 
corresponding decrease in the amount of Pacific cod delivered to 
shoreside processing facilities, and a faster-paced fishery (e.g., 
earlier closures of the fishing season due to quota being harvested). 
The Council determined that limiting the number of eligible licenses 
issued under the License Limitation Program (LLP) assigned to CPs to 
act as motherships in this fishery could reduce the portion of Pacific 
cod delivered offshore to recent historical levels, prevent further 
reductions in the amount of Pacific cod delivered to shoreside 
processors, and stabilize the fishing season duration. This action 
proposes to modify the LLP by establishing eligibility criteria, based 
on historic participation, for an endorsement to licenses assigned to 
CPs to act as motherships in this fishery. This action would also 
prohibit Amendment 80 sector CPs not designated on an Amendment 80 
Quota Share (QS) permit and an Amendment 80 LLP license or not 
designated on an Amendment 80 LLP/QS license from receiving Pacific cod 
harvested in the directed Pacific cod fisheries in the BSAI and GOA. 
This prohibition would ensure that only an Amendment 80 replacement CP, 
as specified under Amendment 97 to the Fishery Management Plan for 
Groundfish of the BSAI Management Area (77 FR 59852, October 21, 2012), 
and not the replaced Amendment 80 CP, could participate in directed 
Pacific cod fisheries in the BSAI or the GOA. This would limit the 
expanded use of CPs once they leave the Amendment 80 program.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Availability..............   08/21/19  84 FR 43576
NPRM................................   09/27/19  84 FR 51092
NPRM Comment Period End.............   10/28/19
Final Action........................   12/20/19  84 FR 70064
Final Action Effective..............   01/20/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BJ02

64. Framework Adjustment 6 and 2019-2021 Atlantic Herring Fishery 
Specifications

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: This rulemaking action proposes to implement the New 
England Fishery Management Council's Framework Adjustment 6 to the 
Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan. Framework 6 includes the 
Atlantic herring fishery specifications (annual catch amounts for the 
2019-2021 fishing years, as herring specifications are typically set 
for 3 years), updates to the overfished and overfishing definitions, 
and a change in the carryover provision for quota underages in the 
herring fishery. The specifications proposed in this rulemaking include 
annual gear-specific and area-specific catch caps for river herring and 
shad for Atlantic herring trips for the 2019-2021 fishing years. In 
implementing Framework 6, this action also proposes to update the 
overfished and overfishing definitions to be more consistent with the 
most recent Atlantic herring resource stock assessment and Amendment 8 
to the

[[Page 52693]]

Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan (which is being implemented 
through another rulemaking). Finally, it also proposes to temporarily 
suspend the carryover provision in the herring regulations that allows 
up to 10 percent of each Management sub-Area annual catch limit to be 
added to the quota for that sub-Area in the next applicable year.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   01/28/20  85 FR 4932
NPRM Comment Period End.............   02/12/20
Final Action Effective..............   05/05/20
Final Action........................   05/06/20  85 FR 26874
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BJ13

65.  Framework Action to the Fishery Management Plan for Reef 
Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico; Modification to the Recreational 
For-Hire Red Snapper Annual Catch Target (ACT) Buffer

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: In response to a recommendation by the Gulf of Mexico 
Fishery Management Council, this rulemaking action proposes to retain 
the 9 percent buffer between the annual catch target (ACT) and annual 
catch limit (ACL) for the red snapper for-hire component, which was 
first implemented in 2019. The ACT is used to set the season length and 
because the federal for-hire component landings have remained well 
below the ACL, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) 
and NMFS reduced the buffer between the ACT and ACL from 20 percent to 
9 percent. This reduction was initially put in place for only the 2019 
fishing season to coincide with the last year of exempted fishing 
permits that allowed each of the five Gulf states to set the season for 
private anglers landing in that state. However, given an ongoing 
rulemaking process to continue limited state management of the private 
angling component (0648-BI84), the Council recommended retention of the 
lower federal for-hire buffer. State management of the private-angling 
component is expected to reduce the uncertainty in private-angling 
landings and help constrain those landing to the private-angling ACL. 
Therefore, This will allow the federal for-hire component to continue 
to harvest more of the ACL while constraining landings to the component 
and total recreational ACL.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/12/19  84 FR 61003
NPRM Comment Period End.............   12/12/19
Final Action........................   02/20/20  85 FR 9684
Final Action Effective..............   03/23/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BJ28

66.  Framework Adjustment 32 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop 
Fishery Management Plan

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    Abstract: The purpose of this proposed rule is to approve and 
implement Framework 32 that sets management measures for the scallop 
fishery for the 2020 fishing year, including the annual catch limits 
for the limited access and limited access general category (LAGC) 
fleets, as well as days-at-sea (DAS) allocations and sea scallop access 
area trip allocations. Furthermore, Framework 32 would: Extend the 
existing seasonal closure in Closed Area II two additional weeks to 
reduce bycatch of Georges Bank yellowtail flounder and northern 
windowpane flounder, modify the one-for-one access area trip exchange 
requirements to accommodate different access area allocations, and 
close areas to fishing to protect small scallops and reduce bycatch of 
flatfish.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   02/20/20  85 FR 9705
NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/06/20
Final Action........................   03/31/20  85 FR 17754
Final Action Effective..............   04/01/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BJ51

67. 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 National Marine Fisheries Service issues this action 
to amend the alternative tow time restriction to require all skimmer 
trawl vessels 40 feet and greater in length to use turtle excluder 
devices (TEDs) designed to exclude small sea turtles in their nets. The 
purpose of this rule is to reduce incidental bycatch and mortality of 
sea turtles in the southeastern U.S. shrimp fisheries, and to aid in 
the protection and recovery of listed sea turtle populations. We are 
also amending the definition of tow time to better clarify the intent 
and purpose of tow times to reduce sea turtle mortality, and we are 
refining additional portions of the TED requirements to avoid potential 
confusion.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/16/16  81 FR 91097
NPRM Comment Period End.............   02/14/17
Final Action........................   12/20/19  84 FR 70048
Final Action Effective..............   04/01/21
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-BG45

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)

Patent and Trademark Office (PTO)

Proposed Rule Stage

68. Trademark Fee Adjustment

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Fully or Partially Exempt.
    Legal Authority: 35 U.S.C. 2; 15 U.S.C. 1113; 15 U.S.C. 1123; Pub. 
L. 112-29
    Abstract: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office) 
takes this

[[Page 52694]]

action to set and adjust Trademark fee amounts to provide the Office 
with a sufficient amount of aggregate revenue to recover its aggregate 
cost of operations while helping the Office maintain a sustainable 
funding model, ensure integrity of the Trademark register, and promote 
efficiency of processes.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   06/19/20  85 FR 37040
Final Action........................   07/00/20
NPRM Comment Period End.............   08/03/20
Final Action Effective..............   09/00/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Catherine Cain, Trademark Manual of Examining 
Procedure Editor, Department of Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office, 
P.O. Box 1451, Alexandria, VA 22313, Phone: 571 272-8946, Fax: 751 273-
8946, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0651-AD42

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)

Patent and Trademark Office (PTO)

Final Rule Stage

69. Setting and Adjusting Patent Fees During Fiscal Year 2020

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Fully or Partially Exempt.
    Legal Authority: 35 U.S.C. 2(b)(2); 5 U.S.C. 500; 15 U.S.C. 1123; 
35 U.S.C. 32; 35 U.S.C. 41; Pub. L. 113-227; 35 U.S.C. 3(a)(2)(A); 35 
U.S.C. 21; 35 U.S.C. 23; 35 U.S.C. 134; 35 U.S.C. 135; Pub. L. 112-29; 
35 U.S.C. 6; 35 U.S.C. 311; 35 U.S.C. 231; 35 U.S.C. 321-326; Pub. L. 
112-274
    Abstract: The USPTO operates like a business in that it fulfills 
requests for intellectual property products and services that are paid 
for by users of those services. The USPTO takes this action to set and 
adjusts patent fee amounts to provide sufficient aggregate revenue to 
cover aggregate cost of operations.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   07/31/19  84 FR 37398
NPRM Comment Period End.............   09/30/19
Final Action........................   06/00/20
Final Action Effective..............   08/00/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Brendan Hourigan, Director, Office of Planning and 
Budget, Department of Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 
1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450, Phone: 571 272-8966, Fax: 571 273-
8966, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0651-AD31

[FR Doc. 2020-16753 Filed 8-25-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-14-P