Proposed Rule2021-15374
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries Management; Extension of Comment Period
Primary source
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Published
July 20, 2021
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
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 and how to implement final management measures.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 136 (Tuesday, July 20, 2021)</title>
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[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 [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[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 <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NOAA-NMFS-2019-0042">https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NOAA-NMFS-2019-0042</a>, 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 <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> 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 <a href="http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a>. 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 <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/atlantic-highly-migratory-species">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/atlantic-highly-migratory-species</a> or by contacting Tom Warren
(<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#43172b2c2e22306d14223131262d032d2c22226d242c35"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="84d0ecebe9e5f7aad3e5f6f6e1eac4eaebe5e5aae3ebf2">[email protected]</span></a>).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Warren--(978) 281-9260
(<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0155696e6c60722f56607373646f416f6e60602f666e77"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3f6b5750525e4c11685e4d4d5a517f51505e5e11585049">[email protected]</span></a>) or Karyl Brewster-Geisz--(301) 427-8503
(<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6823091a1104462a1a0d1f1b1c0d1a452f0d011b122806070909460f071e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5f143e2d2633711d2d3a282c2b3a2d72183a362c251f31303e3e71383029">[email protected]</span></a>).
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: <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/atlantic-highly-migratory-species">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/atlantic-highly-migratory-species</a>.
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
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