[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 136 (Tuesday, July 20, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38262-38263]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-15374]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 635

[Docket No. 210510-0103]
RIN 0648-BI08


Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna 
Fisheries Management; Extension of Comment Period

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: On May 21, 2021, NMFS published the proposed rule for Draft 
Amendment 13 to the 2006 Consolidated Highly Migratory Species (HMS) 
Fishery Management Plan (FMP) to modify management measures applicable 
to the incidental and directed bluefin fisheries. In the proposed rule, 
NMFS announced a 60-day comment period ending on July 20, 2021. During 
a public webinar, the Blue Water Fishermen's Association requested that 
NMFS extend the comment period to provide additional opportunities for 
the public and other interested parties to consider and comment on the 
proposed measures and related analyses. NMFS is extending the comment 
period for this action until September 20, 2021. NMFS will consider 
comments received on the proposed rule in determining whether

[[Page 38263]]

and how to implement final management measures.

DATES: The comment period for the proposed rule published May 21, 2021, 
at 86 FR 27686, is extended. Comments should be received on or before 
September 20, 2021.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the proposed rule, as published 
on May 21, 2021 (86 FR 27686), identified by ``NOAA-NMFS-2019-0042,'' 
by electronic submission. Submit all electronic public comments via the 
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NOAA-NMFS-2019-0042, click the ``Comment'' icon, complete the required 
fields, and enter or attach your comments. Comments sent by any other 
method, to any other address or individual, or received after the close 
of the comment period, may not be considered by NMFS. All comments 
received are a part of the public record and generally will be posted 
for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal 
identifying information (e.g., name, address), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous). Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in 
Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only. Written comments 
regarding the burden-hour estimates or other aspects of the collection-
of-information requirements contained in this proposed rule may also be 
submitted via www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular 
information collection by selecting ``Currently under Review--Open for 
Public Comments'' or by using the search function.''
    Copies of the supporting documents--including the draft 
environmental impact statement (DEIS), Regulatory Impact Review (RIR), 
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA), the Three-Year Review 
of the IBQ Program, and the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and amendments 
are available from the HMS website at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/atlantic-highly-migratory-species or by contacting Tom Warren 
([email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Warren--(978) 281-9260 
([email protected]) or Karyl Brewster-Geisz--(301) 427-8503 
([email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Atlantic bluefin tuna fisheries are 
managed under the dual authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) and the Atlantic 
Tunas Convention Act (ATCA). The 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and its 
amendments are implemented by regulations at 50 CFR part 635. A brief 
summary of the background of this proposed rule is provided below. 
Additional information regarding bluefin tuna management can be found 
in the proposed rule (86 FR 27686; May 21, 2021), the DEIS accompanying 
the proposed rule, the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and its amendments, 
the annual HMS Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Reports, 
and online at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/atlantic-highly-migratory-species.
    On May 21, 2021 (86 FR 27686), NMFS published Draft Amendment 13 to 
the 2006 Consolidated Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery Management 
Plan (FMP), proposing to modify management measures applicable to the 
incidental and directed bluefin fisheries. As described in the proposed 
rule, the measures would make several changes to the Individual Bluefin 
Quota (IBQ) Program in the pelagic longline fishery for Atlantic HMS. 
Proposed changes included the distribution of IBQ shares only to active 
vessels, implementation of a cap on IBQ shares that may be held by an 
entity, and implementation of a cost recovery program. The proposed 
measures would also make changes to directed bluefin fisheries by 
discontinuing the Purse Seine category and reallocating that bluefin 
quota to other directed quota categories; capping Harpoon category 
daily bluefin landings; modifying the recreational trophy bluefin areas 
and subquotas; modifying regulations regarding electronic monitoring of 
the pelagic longline fishery as well as green-stick use; and modifying 
the regulation regarding permit category changes.
    Blue Water Fishermen's Association requested the comment period be 
extended at the July 8, 2021, public webinar. In their request they 
noted that the HMS Advisory Panel had insufficient time to review the 
DEIS between its release on May 21, 2021, and the Spring HMS Advisory 
Panel meeting on May 25 through 27, 2021. They were also concerned that 
NMFS' presentation to the HMS Advisory Panel did not include all of the 
alternatives analyzed in the DEIS and that there was insufficient time 
during the meeting to fully discuss the proposed measures, the 
alternatives, and their impacts. After considering the request and in 
light of similar comments the Spring HMS Advisory Panel meeting, NMFS 
has determined that it is reasonable to extend the comment period to 
enable the HMS Advisory Panel to further discuss Amendment 13 at its 
Fall 2021 meeting in September and to allow additional opportunities 
for public comment. Therefore, NMFS is extending the comment period 
until September 20, 2021. This revised comment period allows time for 
HMS Advisory Panel members, the regulated community, and the general 
public to further consider the rulemaking documents, and the analyses, 
data, and conclusions relevant to the proposed management measures in 
them, and to provide comments to NMFS. NMFS will consider these 
comments in determining which final management measures to implement.

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: July 13, 2021.
Samuel D. Rauch, III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-15374 Filed 7-19-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P