[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 44 (Monday, March 7, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12648-12655]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-04542]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 635

[Docket No. 220224-0058]
RIN 0648-BL16


Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna and 
North Atlantic Albacore Quotas

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is proposing to modify the baseline annual U.S. quota and 
subquotas for Atlantic bluefin tuna and the baseline annual U.S. North 
Atlantic albacore (northern albacore) quota. This action is necessary 
to implement binding recommendations of the International Commission 
for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) adopted in 2021, as 
required by the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA), and to achieve 
domestic management objectives under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).

DATES: Written comments must be received by April 6, 2022. NMFS will 
hold a public hearing via conference call and webinar for this proposed 
rule on March 24, 2022, from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. EDT. For webinar 
registration information, see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of 
this document.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by 
NOAA-NMFS-2022-0024, by electronic submission. Submit all electronic 
public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and enter ``NOAA-NMFS-2022-0024'' in the Search 
box. Click on 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 will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), 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).
    NMFS will hold a public hearing via conference call and webinar on 
this proposed rule. For specific location, date and time, see the 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document.
    Copies of this proposed rule and supporting documents are available 
from the Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Management Division website at 
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/atlantic-highly-migratory-species 
or by contacting Carrie Soltanoff at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0f6c6e7d7d666a217c60637b6e616069694f61606e6e21686079"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="15767467677c703b667a7961747b7a7373557b7a74743b727a63">[email protected]</span></a> or 301-
427-8503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carrie Soltanoff 
(<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#305351424259551e435f5c44515e5f5656705e5f51511e575f46"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="395a584b4b505c174a56554d5857565f5f7957565858175e564f">[email protected]</span></a>) or Larry Redd, Jr. (<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1c707d6e6e65326e7978785c72737d7d327b736a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="04686576767d2a76616060446a6b65652a636b72">[email protected]</span></a>) at 
301-427-8503, or Steve Durkee (<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9be8effeedfeb5ffeee9f0fefedbf5f4fafab5fcf4ed"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f08384958695de9485829b9595b09e9f9191de979f86">[email protected]</span></a>) at 202-670-6637.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Atlantic tunas fisheries are managed under 
the authority of ATCA (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.) and the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.). The 2006 Consolidated Atlantic HMS 
Fishery Management Plan (2006 Consolidated HMS FMP) and its amendments 
are implemented by regulations at 50 CFR part 635. Section 635.27 
divides the U.S. bluefin tuna quota recommended by ICCAT and as 
implemented by the United States among domestic fishing categories and 
provides the annual bluefin tuna quota adjustment process. Section 
635.23(e) implements the ICCAT-recommended U.S. northern albacore quota 
and provides the annual northern albacore quota adjustment process.
    Since 1982, ICCAT has recommended a total allowable catch (TAC) of 
western Atlantic bluefin tuna for contracting parties fishing on the 
stock, and since 1991, ICCAT has recommended specific quotas within 
that TAC for the United States and other contracting parties. ICCAT 
adopted a 20-year rebuilding program for western Atlantic bluefin tuna 
in 1998. The rebuilding plan period was set as 1999 through 2018. In 
2017, ICCAT adopted an interim conservation and management measure for 
western Atlantic bluefin tuna as to transition from the rebuilding 
program to a long-term management strategy for

[[Page 12649]]

the stock. Under this interim measure, ICCAT adopted a bluefin tuna TAC 
and associated U.S. quota, which NMFS implemented in a 2018 final rule 
(83 FR 51391; October 11, 2018). In 2009, ICCAT established a northern 
albacore rebuilding program, including a TAC and several provisions to 
limit catches by contracting parties (for major and minor harvesters). 
NMFS implemented the ICCAT-recommended U.S. northern albacore quota in 
the same 2018 quota rule (83 FR 51391; October 11, 2018).
    Through this action, NMFS proposes to adjust the annual U.S. 
baseline bluefin tuna quota and subquotas and the annual U.S. baseline 
northern albacore quota to implement the quotas recommended by ICCAT as 
required by ATCA and to achieve domestic management objectives under 
the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    NMFS has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA), Regulatory 
Impact Review (RIR), and an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis 
(IRFA), which analyze the anticipated environmental, social, and 
economic impacts of several alternatives for each of the major issues 
contained in this proposed rule. A summary of the analyses is provided 
below. The full list of alternatives and their analyses are provided in 
the draft EA/RIR/IRFA and are not repeated here.
    A copy of the draft EA/RIR/IRFA prepared for this proposed rule is 
available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES).

Bluefin Tuna Annual Quota and Subquotas

Recent ICCAT Stock Assessment and Recommendation

    ICCAT sets bluefin tuna and northern albacore conservation and 
management measures, including TACs, following consideration of the 
latest stock assessment information and management advice provided by 
the Standing Committee on Research and Statistics (SCRS), ICCAT's 
scientific body. Starting in 2023, for northern albacore, three-year 
constant annual TACs will be set applying the harvest control rule 
established in the management procedure in ICCAT Recommendation 21-04.
    The SCRS conducted a western bluefin tuna stock assessment in 2021. 
This assessment used data through 2020 and updated the modeling 
assumptions given scientific concerns expressed by the SCRS regarding 
the 2020 assessment update. The 2021 assessment results were more 
positive than in 2020 as detailed below.
    Due to continued uncertainty regarding stock recruitment potential 
and the SCRS' continued inability to resolve the divergent (i.e., low 
vs. high) recruitment potential scenarios, the SCRS did not estimate 
spawning stock biomass (SSB) or determine stock status based on maximum 
sustainable yield (MSY) reference points. Rather than presenting two 
SSB series based on these two scenarios, the SCRS presented total 
biomass information to assess the stock, which does not depend on which 
of these scenarios is selected. The 2021 stock assessment estimated 
that the total biomass increased by 9 percent over 2017 through 2020. 
In the 2021 assessment, the SCRS also concluded that overfishing was 
not occurring. In recent years, the SCRS has focused on giving short-
term management advice based on an F<INF>0.1</INF> reference point 
(taken to be a proxy for achieving F<INF>MSY</INF>) assuming that near 
term recruitment will be similar to the recent past recruitment. The 
F<INF>0.1</INF> strategy compensates for the effect of recruitment 
changes on biomass by allowing higher catches when recent recruitment 
is higher and reducing catches when recent recruitments are lower. 
Fishing consistently at F<INF>0.1</INF> will, over the long-term, cause 
the stock to fluctuate around the corresponding long-term biomass 
(B<INF>0.1</INF>), whatever the future recruitment potential. The 2021 
report indicates that the total allowable catch (TAC) in place for 2018 
through 2021 likely did not lead to overfishing relative to 
F<INF>0.1</INF>, and that the stock showed clear signs of several 
strong subsequent recruitment years. Domestically, following the 2017 
stock assessment, NMFS determined that the overfished status for 
bluefin tuna is unknown and that the stock is not subject to 
overfishing, and this status remains in effect.
    Recognizing that the results of the 2021 stock assessment and 
projections, including the Kobe matrix, do not capture the full degree 
of uncertainty regarding the spawner-recruit relationship, the effects 
of stock mixing, and other aspects of the assessment and projections, 
the SCRS recommended that managers should use the scientific advice 
with caution. Toward that end, the SCRS recommended that a moderate 
increase to the TAC was allowable and provided additional advice on 
alternative approaches to assist in determining the level of an 
appropriate moderate increase in TAC. Considering this advice, ICCAT 
adopted a TAC of 2,726 mt at its November 2021 meeting (Rec. 21-07), 
which is a 16-percent increase from the prior TAC of 2,350 mt. The 
recommendation describes the adopted TAC as a precautionary TAC that 
prevents overfishing with a high probability, prioritizes continued 
stock growth, including into the long-term, and ensures relative 
stability by avoiding a large fluctuation in catches.

Quotas and Domestic Allocations

    Under ICCAT Recommendation 21-07, the annual U.S. quota is 1,316.14 
mt, plus 25 mt to account for bycatch related to pelagic longline 
fisheries in the Northeast Distant gear restricted area (NED), 
resulting in a total of 1,341.14 mt. The 1,316.14-mt quota is an 
increase of 68.28 mt (5.5 percent) from the 1,247.86-mt level 
established via the 2018 quota rule. All TAC, quota, and weight 
information provided in this action are whole weight amounts.
    This action proposes implementing the ICCAT-recommended quota of 
1,341.14 mt, which would remain in effect until changed (for instance 
as a result of a new ICCAT bluefin tuna TAC and U.S. quota 
recommendation).
    The ICCAT-recommended bluefin tuna quota proposed in this action 
would be divided among the established regulatory domestic bluefin tuna 
subquota categories. To calculate the subquotas under the existing 
regulations, 68 mt first is subtracted from the baseline annual U.S. 
bluefin tuna quota and allocated to the Longline category quota. 
Second, the remaining quota is divided among the categories according 
to the following percentages: General--47.1 percent; Angling--19.7 
percent; Harpoon--3.9 percent; Purse Seine--18.6 percent; Longline--8.1 
percent (plus the 68-mt initial allocation); Trap--0.1 percent; and 
Reserve--2.5 percent. The resulting subquotas would be codified at 
Sec.  635.27(a) and would remain in effect until changed. Within the 
bluefin tuna quota proposed in this action and consistent with the 
ICCAT-recommended limit on the harvest of school bluefin tuna 
(measuring 27 to less than 47 inches curved fork length), the school 
bluefin tuna subquota would be 134.1 mt. The 25-mt NED allocation is in 
addition to these subquotas.
    The table below shows the proposed quotas and subquotas that result 
from applying this process. These quotas would be codified at Sec.  
635.27(a) and would remain in effect until changed. The proposed rule 
for Amendment 13 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP (86 FR 27686, May 21, 
2021) proposed modifications to the category quotas specified in Table 
1. NMFS is completing a Final Environmental Impact Statement and final 
rule for Amendment 13 and the quotas and subquotas are not affected by 
Amendment 13 at this time.

[[Page 12650]]



                              Table 1--Proposed Annual Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Quotas
                                                [In metric tons]
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Category                                           Annual                        Subquotas
                                                 baseline
                                                    quota
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General..................................           587.9
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                                                           January-March \1\..........         31.2
                                                           June-August................        293.9
                                                           September..................        155.8
                                                           October-November...........         76.4
                                                           December...................         30.6
Harpoon..................................            48.7
Longline.................................           169.1
Trap.....................................             1.2
Purse Seine..............................           232.2
Angling..................................           245.9
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                                                           School.....................        134.1
                                                              Reserve.................  ...........         24.8
                                                           North of 39[deg]18' N lat..  ...........         51.6
                                                           South of 39[deg]18' N lat..  ...........         57.7
                                                           Large School/Small Medium..        106.1
                                                              North of 39[deg]18' N     ...........         50.1
                                                               lat.                     ...........         56.0
                                                           South of 39[deg]18' N lat..
                                                           Trophy.....................          5.7
                                                              North of 39[deg]18' N     ...........          1.9
                                                               lat.                     ...........          1.9
                                                           South of 39[deg]18' N lat..  ...........          1.9
                                                           Gulf of Mexico.............
Reserve..................................            31.2
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Baseline Quota......................    \2\ 1,316.14
    Total U.S. Quota, including 25 mt for    \2\ 1,341.14
     NED (Longline).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ January 1 through the effective date of a closure notice filed by NMFS announcing that the January subquota
  is reached or projected to be reached, or through March 31, whichever comes first.
\2\ Totals subject to rounding error.

    In addition to the proposed measures, in the EA for this action, 
NMFS analyzed a no action alternative that would maintain the current 
U.S. annual bluefin tuna quota of 1,247.86 mt and the current 
subquotas. The EA for this action describes the impacts of the no 
action alternative and the preferred alternative proposed here.

Northern Albacore Annual Quota

Recent ICCAT Stock Assessment and Recommendations

    In 2020, the SCRS conducted a stock assessment using a production 
model and data through 2018. The stock assessment concluded that the 
relative abundance of northern albacore has continued to increase over 
the last years and that the probability of the stock being in the green 
quadrant of the Kobe plot (not overfished (B>B<INF>MSY</INF>) and not 
undergoing overfishing (F<F<INF>MSY</INF>)) is 98.4 percent. Following 
consideration of the 2020 stock assessment, ICCAT adopted an interim 
harvest control rule for northern albacore. Recommendation 20-04 
established a one-year TAC of 37,801 mt for 2021, which represented a 
12.5 percent increase with respect to the previous TAC established in 
2017. Application of ICCAT's northern albacore allocations to 
Contracting Parties resulted in an annual U.S. quota of 711.5 mt, which 
was a 12.5-percent increase (79.1 mt) from the 632.4-mt quota. The 
recommendation called on ICCAT to review the interim harvest control 
rule in 2021 with a view to adopting a long-term management procedure 
at that point.
    In 2021, ICCAT adopted Recommendation 21-04, which established a 
management procedure that resulted in maintaining the 2021 TAC of 
37,801 mt (set using the initial harvest control rule) for 2022 and 
2023, including the annual U.S. quota of 711.5 mt, which was first 
established in Recommendation 20-04. The management procedure 
establishes reference points, dictates that stock assessments shall be 
conducted every three years, sets a process for establishing a three-
year constant annual TAC (beginning for the 2024-2026 management 
period) using values estimated from each stock assessment and through 
application of the recommendation's harvest control rule. The 
parameters of the harvest control rule include the following: ``the 
maximum catch limit recommended is 50,000 mt in order to avoid adverse 
effects of potentially inaccurate stock assessments,'' and the maximum 
change in the catch limit shall not exceed 25 percent in case of 
increase or 20 percent in case of decrease of the previous recommended 
catch limit when the current biomass is greater than or equal to the 
biomass threshold level. The recommendation called on the SCRS to test 
further harvest control rules supporting management objectives over 
2022-2023. Additionally, the recommendation called on the Commission to 
review the management procedure established to consider if any 
revisions are needed taking into account any further analyses of 
harvest control rules in 2022 or 2023.

Domestic Quotas

    Although an increase in the U.S. northern albacore quota to 711.5 
mt was recommended for 2021 in ICCAT Recommendation 20-04, NMFS did not 
codify the quota increase at that time, due to the low level of 
northern albacore landings compared to the baseline quota, as described 
in the rule to adjust the 2021 northern albacore, swordfish,

[[Page 12651]]

and bluefin tuna Reserve category quotas (86 FR 54659, October 4, 
2021).
    At its 2021 annual meeting, under Recommendation 21-04, ICCAT 
adopted a management procedure for northern albacore and maintained the 
711.5-mt U.S. northern albacore quota for 2022 and 2023. Accordingly, 
this action proposes modifying the baseline annual U.S. northern 
albacore quota from the 632.4-mt level established in the 2018 quota 
rule to 711.5 mt. The associated EA also analyzes the effects of three-
year quotas of up to 950 mt, where the quota is set through application 
of Recommendation 21-04's harvest control rule. This level of 950 mt is 
derived from the maximum allowable catch limit recommended in the 
northern albacore management procedure. The maximum catch limit of 
50,000 mt recommended in the management procedure represents an 
approximately 32 percent increase over the current TAC of 37,801 mt. 
Assuming the portion of the overall quota allocated to the United 
States remains the same in future years under the management procedure, 
such an increase would result in a maximum annual baseline U.S. quota 
of 950 mt. This analysis anticipates that NMFS would implement U.S. 
northern albacore quotas as recommended by ICCAT in accordance with the 
management procedure, up to the analyzed maximum baseline quota of 950 
mt. The baseline quota would remain at 711.5 mt annually until changed 
by ICCAT. NMFS would implement any new baseline quotas through final 
rulemaking, assuming no new management measures are adopted or other 
relevant changes in circumstances occur. Additionally, consistent with 
current practice, NMFS annually would provide notice to the public of 
the baseline northern albacore quota with any annual adjustments as 
allowable for over- and underharvest in the Federal Register as 
appropriate. NMFS would evaluate the need for any additional 
environmental analyses or proposed and final rulemaking when a new 
quota is adopted by ICCAT and implemented by NMFS.
    In addition to the proposed measures, in the EA for this action, 
NMFS analyzed a no action alternative that would maintain the current 
U.S. annual northern albacore quota of 632.4 mt, as well as an 
alternative that would implement the ICCAT-recommended 711.5-mt U.S. 
annual northern albacore quota without considering a maximum quota 
under the northern albacore management procedure. The EA for this 
action describes the impacts of these two alternatives and the 
preferred alternative proposed here.

Request for Comments

    NMFS is requesting comments on this proposed rule which may be 
submitted via www.regulations.gov or at a public conference call/
webinar. NMFS solicits comments on this action by April 6, 2022 (see 
DATES and ADDRESSES).
    During the comment period, NMFS will hold a public hearing via 
conference call and webinar for this proposed action. Requests for sign 
language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to 
Carrie Soltanoff at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3b585a4949525e154854574f5a55545d5d7b55545a5a155c544d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b6d5d7c4c4dfd398c5d9dac2d7d8d9d0d0f6d8d9d7d798d1d9c0">[email protected]</span></a> or 301-427-8503, at least 
7 days prior to the meeting.
    The conference call and webinar will take place on March 24, 2022, 
from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. EDT. Information for registering and accessing 
the webinar can be found at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/changes-atlantic-bluefin-tuna-and-north-atlantic-albacore-quotas-proposed.
    The public is reminded that NMFS expects participants at public 
conference calls and webinars to conduct themselves appropriately. At 
the beginning of each conference call and webinar, the moderator will 
explain how the conference call and webinar will be conducted and how 
and when participants can provide comments. NMFS representative(s) will 
structure the conference call and webinars so that all members of the 
public will be able to comment, if they so choose, regardless of the 
controversial nature of the subject(s). Participants are expected to 
respect the ground rules, and those that do not may be asked to leave 
the conference call and webinars.

Classification

    The NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that the proposed 
rule is consistent with the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and its 
amendments, other provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, ATCA, and 
other applicable law, subject to further consideration after public 
comment.
    This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    An Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) was prepared, as 
required by section 603 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA). The 
IRFA describes the economic impact this proposed rule, if adopted, 
would have on small entities. A description of the action, why it is 
being considered, and the legal basis for this action are contained at 
the beginning of this section in the preamble and in the SUMMARY 
section of the preamble. A summary of the analysis follows. A copy of 
this analysis is available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES).
    Section 603(b)(1) requires agencies to describe the reasons why the 
action is being considered. The purpose of this proposed rulemaking is, 
consistent with the objectives of the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and its 
amendments, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, ATCA, and other applicable law, 
to analyze the impacts of the alternatives for implementing the ICCAT-
recommended U.S. bluefin tuna and northern albacore quotas and 
allocating the bluefin tuna quota per the codified quota regulations.
    Section 603(b)(2) of the RFA requires agencies to state the 
objectives of, and legal basis for, the proposed action. The objective 
of this proposed rulemaking is to implement ICCAT recommendations 
consistent with ATCA and achieve domestic management objectives under 
the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The legal basis for the proposed rule is the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act and ATCA.
    Section 603(b)(3) of the RFA requires agencies to provide an 
estimate of the number of small entities to which the rule would apply. 
NMFS established a small business size standard of $11 million in 
annual gross receipts for all businesses in the commercial fishing 
industry (NAICS 11411) for RFA compliance purposes. The Small Business 
Administration (SBA) has established size standards for all other major 
industry sectors in the United States, including the scenic and 
sightseeing transportation (water) sector (NAICS code 487210), which 
includes for-hire (charter/party boat) fishing entities. The SBA has 
defined a small entity under the scenic and sightseeing transportation 
(water) sector as one with average annual receipts (revenue) of less 
than $8.0 million.
    NMFS considers all HMS permit holders, both commercial and for-
hire, to be small entities because they had average annual receipts of 
less than their respective sector's standard of $11 million and $8 
million. Regarding those entities that would be directly affected by 
the preferred alternatives, the average annual revenue per active 
pelagic longline vessel is estimated to be $202,000, based on 
approximately 90 active vessels that produced an estimated $18.2 
million in revenue in 2020, well below the NMFS small business size 
standard for commercial fishing businesses of $11 million. No single 
pelagic longline vessel has exceeded $11 million in revenue in recent 
years.
    Other non-longline HMS commercial fishing vessels typically earn 
less

[[Page 12652]]

revenue than pelagic longline vessels and, thus, would also be 
considered small entities. Based on 2021 permit information, NMFS 
predicts that the preferred alternatives would apply to the following 
numbers of non-pelagic longline permit holders that fish commercially 
or engage in commercial activities: 2,730 General category, 4,055 
Charter/Headboat, 35 Harpoon category, and 34 seafood dealers that 
purchase bluefin tuna and northern albacore. There are no Purse Seine 
category permits issued currently, however there are five historical 
participants in the purse seine fishery that are allocated bluefin tuna 
quota that may participate in the Individual Bluefin Quota (IBQ) 
leasing program.
    NMFS has determined that the preferred alternatives would not 
likely directly affect any small organizations or small government 
jurisdictions defined under RFA, nor would there be disproportionate 
economic impacts between large and small entities.
    This action would apply to all participants in the Atlantic tuna 
fisheries, i.e., to the over 7,000 permit holders that held an Atlantic 
HMS Charter/Headboat or an Atlantic Tunas permit as of October 2021. 
This proposed rule is expected to directly affect commercial and for-
hire fishing vessels that possess an Atlantic Tunas permit or Atlantic 
HMS Charter/Headboat permit. It is unknown what portion of HMS Charter/
Headboat permit holders actively participate in the bluefin tuna and 
northern albacore fisheries or provide fishing services for 
recreational anglers. As summarized in the 2021 SAFE Report for 
Atlantic HMS, there were 7,104 commercial Atlantic tunas or Atlantic 
HMS permits in 2021, as follows: 2,730 in the Atlantic Tunas General 
category; 35 in the Atlantic Tunas Harpoon category; 282 in the 
Atlantic Tunas Longline category; 2 in the Atlantic Tunas Trap 
category; and 4,055 in the HMS Charter/Headboat category. The 90 active 
pelagic longline vessels described above are a subset of the 282 
Atlantic Tunas Longline permits issued, 136 of which received IBQ 
shares. This constitutes the best available information regarding the 
universe of permits and permit holders recently analyzed. NMFS has 
determined that this action would not likely directly affect any small 
government jurisdictions defined under the RFA.
    Section 603(b)(4) of the RFA requires agencies to describe any new 
reporting, record-keeping, and other compliance requirements. This 
proposed rule does not contain any new collection of information, 
reporting, or record-keeping requirements.
    Under section 603(b)(5) of the RFA, agencies must identify, to the 
extent practicable, relevant Federal rules which duplicate, overlap, or 
conflict with the proposed action. Fishermen, dealers, and managers in 
these fisheries must comply with a number of international agreements, 
domestic laws, and other fishery management measures. These include, 
but are not limited to, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, ATCA, the High Seas 
Fishing Compliance Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the 
Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the 
Paperwork Reduction Act, and the Coastal Zone Management Act. This 
proposed action has been determined not to duplicate, overlap, or 
conflict with any relevant regulations, Federal or otherwise.
    Under section 603(c) of the RFA, agencies must describe any 
significant alternatives to the proposed rule which accomplish the 
stated objectives of applicable statutes and which minimize any 
significant economic impact of the proposed rule on small entities. 
Specifically, the RFA (5 U.S.C. 603(c)(1)-(4)) lists four general 
categories of significant alternatives to assist an agency in the 
development of significant alternatives. These categories of 
alternatives are: (1) Establishment of differing compliance or 
reporting requirements or timetables that take into account the 
resources available to small entities; (2) clarification, 
consolidation, or simplification of compliance and reporting 
requirements under the rule for such small entities; (3) use of 
performance rather than design standards; and, (4) exemptions from 
coverage of the rule, or any part thereof, for small entities.
    Regarding the first, second, and fourth categories, NMFS cannot 
establish differing compliance or reporting requirements for small 
entities or exempt small entities from coverage of the rule or parts of 
it, because all of the businesses impacted by this rule are considered 
small entities, and thus the requirements are already designed for 
small entities. Thus, no alternatives are discussed that fall under the 
first and fourth categories described above. Amendment 7 implemented 
criteria for determining the availability of bluefin tuna quota for 
Purse Seine category participants and IBQs for the Longline category. 
These criteria under Amendment 7 and the eligibility criteria for IBQs 
for the Longline category can be considered individual performance 
standards. NMFS has not yet found a practical means of applying 
individual performance standards to the other quota categories while 
concurrently complying with the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Thus, there are 
no alternatives considered under the third category.
    This rulemaking proposes to implement the recently adopted ICCAT-
recommended U.S. bluefin tuna and northern albacore quotas and, for 
bluefin tuna, to apply the allocations for each quota category per the 
codified quota regulations. This action would be consistent with ATCA, 
under which the Secretary promulgates regulations as necessary to 
implement binding ICCAT recommendations.
    As described below, NMFS analyzed several different alternatives in 
this proposed rulemaking and provides rationales for identifying the 
preferred alternatives to achieve the desired objectives. The IRFA 
assumes that each permit holder will have similar catch and gross 
revenues to show the relative impact of the proposed action on permit 
holders.
    For bluefin tuna, NMFS analyzed a no action alternative, 
Alternative A1, that would maintain the current U.S. annual bluefin 
tuna quota of 1,247.86 mt and the current subquotas. NMFS also analyzed 
Alternative A2, the preferred alternative, that would increase the U.S. 
annual bluefin tuna quota, as described below.
    NMFS has estimated the average impact that establishing the 
increased annual U.S. baseline bluefin tuna quota for all domestic 
quota categories under the preferred alternative would have on 
individual categories and the permit holders within those categories. 
As mentioned above, the 2021 bluefin tuna ICCAT recommendation 
increased the annual U.S. baseline bluefin tuna quota for 1,316.14 mt 
and continues to provide 25 mt annually for incidental catch of bluefin 
tuna related to directed longline fisheries in the NED. The annual U.S. 
baseline bluefin tuna subquotas would be adjusted consistent with the 
process (i.e., the formulas) established in Amendment 7 and as codified 
in the quota regulations (as shown in Table 1), and these amounts (in 
mt) would be codified. The proposed rule for Amendment 13 (86 FR 27686, 
May 21, 2021) proposed modifications to the annual U.S. baseline 
bluefin tuna subquotas. NMFS is completing a Final Environmental Impact 
Statement and final rule for Amendment 13. Amendment 13 does not affect 
the proposals in this action.
    To calculate the average ex-vessel bluefin tuna revenues under this 
action, NMFS first estimated potential category-wide revenues. The most 
recent ex-vessel average price per pound

[[Page 12653]]

information for each commercial quota category is used to estimate 
potential ex-vessel gross revenues under the proposed subquotas (i.e., 
2021 prices for the General, Harpoon, Longline/Trap categories, and 
2015 prices for the Purse Seine category). The proposed baseline 
subquotas could result in estimated gross revenues of $12.3 million 
annually, if finalized and fully utilized, broken out by quota 
category. Note that in recent years, the Purse Seine category has not 
landed any bluefin tuna and 75 percent of the Purse Seine quota has 
been transferred to the Reserve category, which typically is then 
transferred to the General category (this is a simplification for the 
purposes of this analysis, Reserve category quota can be transferred to 
any other category after consideration of regulatory criteria). The 
remaining 25 percent of Purse Seine category quota is available for 
leasing to Atlantic Tunas Longline permit holders under the IBQ 
Program. The following quota category amounts assume the 174.2 mt is 
transferred to the General category (75 percent of the purse seine 
quota) and 58.1 mt is available to the pelagic longline fishery (25 
percent of the purse seine quota). Revenues in each category are as 
follows: General category: $9.3 million (762.1 mt * $5.55/lb); Harpoon 
category: $660,289 (48.7 mt * $6.15/lb); Purse Seine category: $0 
million (0 mt * $3.21/lb); Longline category: $2.3 million (227.2 mt * 
$4.52/lb); and Trap category: $10,556 (1.2 mt * $3.99/lb).
    Using the above methodology, the current baseline subquotas under 
Alternative A1 could result in estimated gross revenues of $11.6 
million annually, if finalized and fully utilized, broken out by 
category. The following quota category amounts assume the 164.5 mt is 
transferred to the General category (75 percent of the purse seine 
quota) and 55 mt is available to the pelagic longline fishery (25 
percent of the purse seine quota). Revenues in each category are as 
follows: General category: $8.8 million (720.2 mt * $5.55/lb); Harpoon 
category: $623,690 (46 mt * $6.15/lb); Purse Seine category: $0 (0 mt * 
$3.21/lb); Longline category: $2.2 million (218.6 mt * $4.52/lb); and 
Trap category: $10,556 (1.2 mt * $3.99/lb). Note that these revenues 
are likely an underestimation for the General and Harpoon categories, 
which typically receive additional quota from the Reserve category 
(i.e., from the baseline Reserve subquota, and from the up to 10 
percent of the U.S. baseline quota that could be carried forward from 
the previous year's underharvest). These revenues are likely an 
overestimation for the Longline and Trap categories, which do not 
typically land their entire quotas allocated for incidental bluefin 
tuna catch. For comparison, in 2021, gross revenues were approximately 
$12.0 million, broken out by category as follows: General--$10.5 
million, Harpoon--$755,924, Purse Seine--$0, Longline--$753,067, and 
Trap--$0.
    No affected entities would be expected to experience negative 
economic impacts as a result of this action. On the contrary, each of 
the bluefin tuna quota categories would increase relative to the 
baseline quotas that applied in prior years, and thus economic impacts 
would be expected to be positive.
    To estimate the potential average ex-vessel revenues for each 
permit holder that could result from this action for bluefin tuna, NMFS 
divided the potential annual gross revenues for the General, Harpoon, 
Purse Seine, and Trap category by the number of permit holders. For the 
Longline category, NMFS divided the potential annual gross revenues by 
the number of permit holders that are IBQ share recipients. This is an 
appropriate approach for bluefin tuna fisheries, in particular, because 
available landings data (weight and ex-vessel value of the fish in 
price-per-pound) allow NMFS to calculate the gross revenue earned by a 
permit holder on a successful trip. The available data (particularly 
from non-Longline permit holders) do not, however, allow NMFS to 
calculate the effort and cost associated with each successful trip 
(e.g., the cost of gas, bait, ice, etc.), so net revenue for each 
permit holder cannot be calculated. As a result, NMFS analyzes the 
average impact of the proposed alternatives among all permit holders in 
each category using gross revenues. The potential annual gross revenues 
reflect the analysis above, in which the Purse Seine category quota was 
divided among the General and Longline categories.
    Success rates for catching and landing bluefin tuna vary widely 
across permit holders in each category (due to extent of vessel effort 
and availability of commercial-sized bluefin tuna to permit holders 
where they fish), but for the sake of estimating potential revenues per 
permit holder, category-wide revenues can be divided by the number of 
permits in each category. For the Longline fishery, category-wide 
revenue is divided by the number of permits that received IBQ shares to 
determine potential revenue per the 136 permit holders that are IBQ 
share recipients, as indicated below, and actual revenues would depend, 
in part, on each permit holder's IBQ in 2022. It is unknown what 
portion of HMS Charter/Headboat permit holders actively participate in 
the bluefin tuna fishery. HMS Charter/Headboat vessels may fish 
commercially under the General category quota and retention limits. 
Therefore, NMFS is estimating potential General category ex-vessel 
revenue changes using the number of General category permit holders 
only.
    Estimated potential 2022 bluefin tuna revenues on a per permit 
holder basis under Alternative A1, the no action alternative, 
considering the number of permit holders and estimated gross revenues 
listed above, under the current subquotas, could be $3,228 for the 
General category permit holders; $17,819 for the Harpoon category 
permit holders; $0 for the Purse Seine category (no active vessels); 
$16,010 for the Longline category (using 136 IBQ share recipients); and 
$5,279 for the Trap category permit holders. Estimated potential 2022 
bluefin tuna revenues on a per permit holder basis under the preferred 
alternative, considering the number of permit holders and estimated 
gross revenues listed above and the proposed subquotas, could be $3,407 
for the General category permit holders; $18,865 for the Harpoon 
category permit holders; $0 for the Purse Seine category (no active 
vessels); $16,912 for the Longline category (using 136 IBQ share 
recipients); and $5,279 for the Trap category permit holders.
    As noted above, there are no active purse seine vessels landing 
bluefin tuna, but Purse Seine category participants do lease bluefin 
tuna quota to Atlantic Tunas Longline permit holders under the IBQ 
Program. As described in Draft Amendment 13, the recent lease price for 
Purse Seine category quota is $1.25/lb. Under Alternative A1, if the 
full 55 mt of Purse Seine quota were leased to the Longline category, 
revenue for Purse Seine category participants would be $151,568, or 
$30,314 per participant ($151,568/5 participants). Under Alternative 
A2, if the full 58.1 mt of Purse Seine quota were leased to the 
Longline category, revenue for Purse Seine category participants would 
be $160,111, or $32,022 per participant.
    Because the directed commercial categories have underharvested 
their subquotas in recent years, the potential increases in ex-vessel 
revenues under both alternatives likely overestimate the probable 
economic impacts to permit holders in those categories relative to 
recent conditions. Additionally, there has been substantial interannual 
variability in ex-vessel revenues in each category in recent years, due 
to recent changes in bluefin tuna availability and other factors. 
Overall, because the U.S.

[[Page 12654]]

quota has not been fully harvested in recent years and because the 
increase in quota under Alternative A2 is relatively minor, the 
expected economic impacts on individual permit holders as a result of 
this action is minor.
    For northern albacore, NMFS analyzed three alternatives. 
Alternative B1, the no action alternative, would maintain the current 
U.S. baseline northern albacore quota of 632.4 mt. Alternative B2 would 
implement the 2021 northern albacore ICCAT recommendation that 
increased the annual U.S. baseline northern albacore quota to 711.5 mt. 
Alternative B3 would implement the 2021 ICCAT recommendation for 
northern albacore by establishing an annual baseline quota of 711.5 mt 
(the same level as in Alternative B2 for 2022) and would analyze and 
anticipate implementation of subsequent quotas set consistent with the 
management procedure's harvest control rule, with a maximum of 950 mt, 
consistent with the process set out in Recommendation 21-04. This quota 
would be adjusted annually for overharvest and underharvest consistent 
with existing regulations and ICCAT recommendations.
    NMFS does not subdivide the U.S. northern albacore quota into 
category subquotas. The most recent ex-vessel average price per pound 
information is used to estimate potential ex-vessel gross revenues. 
Potential annual gross revenues are divided by the total number of 
Atlantic tunas or Atlantic HMS permit holders that are authorized to 
retain and sell northern albacore, however, note that not all permit 
holders will sell northern albacore each year. As described for bluefin 
tuna, this analysis excludes HMS Charter/Headboat permit holders and 
includes the 136 Atlantic Tunas Longline permit holders that received 
IBQ shares. In addition, trap category permit holders cannot retain 
northern albacore. The total number of permit holders that would 
potentially land northern albacore is 2,901 (2,730 in the Atlantic 
Tunas General category; 35 in the Atlantic Tunas Harpoon category; 136 
in the Atlantic Tunas Longline category (IBQ share recipients)). If the 
entire quota is harvested under Alternative B1, the no action 
alternative, estimated annual gross revenues would be $1.75 million 
(632.4 mt ww/1.25 * $1.57/lb dw) and average annual revenue across all 
permit holders would be $604 ($1.75 million/2,901 permit holders). If 
the entire quota is harvested under Alternative B2, estimated annual 
gross revenues would be $1.97 million (711.5 mt ww/1.25 * $1.57/lb dw) 
and average annual revenue across all permit holders would be $679 
($1.97 million/2,901 permit holders). If the entire maximum quota is 
harvested under Alternative B3, the preferred alternative, estimated 
annual gross revenues would be $2.63 million (950 mt ww/1.25 * $1.57/lb 
dw) and average annual revenue across all permit holders would be $907 
($2.63 million/2,901 permit holders). In the short-term, Alternative B3 
would set the same quota and produce the same estimated revenue as 
Alternative B2.
    Because the directed commercial fishery has underharvested the 
quota in recent years, the potential increases in ex-vessel revenues 
under the three analyzed alternatives likely overestimate the probable 
economic impacts relative to recent conditions. Additionally, there has 
been substantial interannual variability in ex-vessel revenues in 
recent years, due to recent changes in northern albacore availability 
and other factors. Overall, because the U.S. quota has not been fully 
harvested in recent years and because the increase in quota under 
Alternative B3 is relatively minor, the expected economic impacts on 
individual permit holders as a result of this action is minor.
    This proposed rule contains no information collection requirements 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 635

    Fisheries, Fishing, Fishing vessels, Foreign relations, Imports, 
Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Statistics, 
Treaties.

    Dated: February 28, 2022.
Samuel D. Rauch, III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 635 is 
proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 635--ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES

0
1. The authority citation for part 635 continues to read as follows:

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

0
2. In Sec.  635.27, revise paragraphs (a) introductory text, (a)(1)(i), 
(a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(4)(i), (a)(5), (a)(7)(i), (a)(7)(ii), and (e)(1) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  635.27   Quotas.

    (a) Bluefin tuna. Consistent with ICCAT recommendations, and with 
paragraph (a)(10)(iv) of this section, NMFS may subtract the most 
recent, complete, and available estimate of dead discards from the 
annual U.S. bluefin tuna quota, and make the remainder available to be 
retained, possessed, or landed by persons and vessels subject to U.S. 
jurisdiction. The remaining baseline annual U.S. bluefin tuna quota 
will be allocated among the General, Angling, Harpoon, Purse Seine, 
Longline, Trap, and Reserve categories, as described in this section. 
Bluefin tuna quotas are specified in whole weight. The baseline annual 
U.S. bluefin tuna quota is 1,316.14 mt, not including an additional 
annual 25-mt allocation provided in paragraph (a)(3) of this section. 
The bluefin quota for the quota categories is calculated through the 
following process. First, 68 mt is subtracted from the baseline annual 
U.S. bluefin tuna quota and allocated to the Longline category quota. 
Second, the remaining quota is divided among the categories according 
to the following percentages: General--47.1 percent (587.9 mt); 
Angling--19.7 percent (245.9 mt), which includes the school bluefin 
tuna held in reserve as described under paragraph (a)(7)(ii) of this 
section; Harpoon--3.9 percent (48.7 mt); Purse Seine--18.6 percent 
(232.2 mt); Longline--8.1 percent (101.1) plus the 68-mt allocation 
(i.e., 169.1 mt total not including the 25-mt allocation from paragraph 
(a)(3)); Trap--0.1 percent (1.2 mt); and Reserve--2.5 percent (31.2 
mt). NMFS may make inseason and annual adjustments to quotas as 
specified in paragraphs (a)(9) and (10) of this section, including 
quota adjustments as a result of the annual reallocation of Purse Seine 
quota described under paragraph (a)(4)(v) of this section.
    (1) * * *
    (i) Catches from vessels for which General category Atlantic Tunas 
permits have been issued and certain catches from vessels for which an 
HMS Charter/Headboat permit has been issued are counted against the 
General category quota in accordance with Sec.  635.23(c)(3). Pursuant 
to paragraph (a) of this section, the amount of large medium and giant 
bluefin tuna that may be caught, retained, possessed, landed, or sold 
under the General category quota is 587.9 mt, and is apportioned as 
follows, unless modified as described under paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of 
this section:
    (A) January 1 through the effective date of a closure notice filed 
by NMFS announcing that the January subquota is reached, or projected 
to be reached under Sec.  635.28(a)(1), or through March 31, whichever 
comes first--5.3 percent (31.2 mt);
    (B) June 1 through August 31--50 percent (293.9 mt);

[[Page 12655]]

    (C) September 1 through September 30--26.5 percent (155.8 mt);
    (D) October 1 through November 30--13 percent (76.4 mt); and
    (E) December 1 through December 31--5.2 percent (30.6 mt).
* * * * *
    (2) Angling category quota. In accordance with the framework 
procedures of the Consolidated HMS FMP, prior to each fishing year, or 
as early as feasible, NMFS will establish the Angling category daily 
retention limits. In accordance with paragraph (a) of this section, the 
total amount of bluefin tuna that may be caught, retained, possessed, 
and landed by anglers aboard vessels for which an HMS Angling permit or 
an HMS Charter/Headboat permit has been issued is 245.9 mt. No more 
than 2.3 percent (5.7 mt) of the annual Angling category quota may be 
large medium or giant bluefin tuna. In addition, no more than 10 
percent of the annual U.S. bluefin tuna quota, inclusive of the 
allocation specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, may be school 
bluefin tuna (i.e., 134.1 mt). The Angling category quota includes the 
amount of school bluefin tuna held in reserve under paragraph 
(a)(7)(ii) of this section. The size class subquotas for bluefin tuna 
are further subdivided as follows:
    (i) After adjustment for the school bluefin tuna quota held in 
reserve (under paragraph (a)(7)(ii) of this section), 52.8 percent 
(57.7 mt) of the school bluefin tuna Angling category quota may be 
caught, retained, possessed, or landed south of 39[deg]18' N lat. The 
remaining school bluefin tuna Angling category quota (51.6 mt) may be 
caught, retained, possessed or landed north of 39[deg]18' N lat.
    (ii) An amount equal to 52.8 percent (56 mt) of the large school/
small medium bluefin tuna Angling category quota may be caught, 
retained, possessed, or landed south of 39[deg]18' N. lat. The 
remaining large school/small medium bluefin tuna Angling category quota 
(50.1 mt) may be caught, retained, possessed or landed north of 
39[deg]18' N lat.
    (iii) One third (1.9 mt) of the large medium and giant bluefin tuna 
Angling category quota may be caught retained, possessed, or landed, in 
each of the three following geographic areas: North of 39[deg]18' N 
lat.; south of 39[deg]18' N lat., and outside of the Gulf of Mexico; 
and in the Gulf of Mexico. For the purposes of this section, the Gulf 
of Mexico region includes all waters of the U.S. EEZ west and north of 
the boundary stipulated at 50 CFR 600.105(c).
    (3) Longline category quota. Pursuant to paragraph (a) of this 
section, the total amount of large medium and giant bluefin tuna that 
may be caught, discarded dead, or retained, possessed, or landed by 
vessels that possess Atlantic Tunas Longline category permits is 169.1 
mt. In addition, 25 mt shall be allocated for incidental catch by 
pelagic longline vessels fishing in the Northeast Distant gear 
restricted area, and subject to the restrictions under Sec.  
635.15(b)(8).
    (4) * * *
    (i) Baseline Purse Seine quota. Pursuant to paragraph (a) of this 
section, the baseline amount of large medium and giant bluefin tuna 
that may be caught, retained, possessed, or landed by vessels that 
possess Atlantic Tunas Purse Seine category permits is 232.2 mt, unless 
adjusted as a result of inseason and/or annual adjustments to quotas as 
specified in paragraphs (a)(9) and (10) of this section; or adjusted 
(prior to allocation to individual participants) based on the previous 
year's catch as described under paragraph (a)(4)(v) of this section. 
Annually, NMFS will make a determination when the Purse Seine fishery 
will start, based on variations in seasonal distribution, abundance or 
migration patterns of bluefin tuna, cumulative and projected landings 
in other commercial fishing categories, the potential for gear 
conflicts on the fishing grounds, or market impacts due to oversupply. 
NMFS will start the bluefin tuna purse seine season between June 1 and 
August 15, by filing an action with the Office of the Federal Register, 
and notifying the public. The Purse Seine category fishery closes on 
December 31 of each year.
* * * * *
    (5) Harpoon category quota. The total amount of large medium and 
giant bluefin tuna that may be caught, retained, possessed, landed, or 
sold by vessels that possess Harpoon category Atlantic Tunas permits is 
48.7 mt. The Harpoon category fishery commences on June 1 of each year, 
and closes on November 15 of each year.
* * * * *
    (7) * * *
    (i) The total amount of bluefin tuna that is held in reserve for 
inseason or annual adjustments and research using quota or subquotas is 
31.2 mt, which may be augmented by allowable underharvest from the 
previous year, or annual reallocation of Purse Seine category quota as 
described under paragraph (a)(4)(v) of this section. Consistent with 
paragraphs (a)(8) through (10) of this section, NMFS may allocate any 
portion of the Reserve category quota for inseason or annual 
adjustments to any fishing category quota.
    (ii) The total amount of school bluefin tuna that is held in 
reserve for inseason or annual adjustments and fishery-independent 
research is 18.5 percent (24.8 mt) of the total school bluefin tuna 
Angling category quota as described under paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section. This amount is in addition to the amounts specified in 
paragraph (a)(7)(i) of this section. Consistent with paragraph (a)(8) 
of this section, NMFS may allocate any portion of the school bluefin 
tuna Angling category quota held in reserve for inseason or annual 
adjustments to the Angling category.
* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (1) Annual quota. Consistent with ICCAT recommendations, the ICCAT 
northern albacore management procedure, and domestic management 
objectives, the baseline annual quota, before any adjustments, is 711.5 
mt. The total quota, after any adjustments made per paragraph (e)(2) of 
this section, is the fishing year's total amount of northern albacore 
tuna that may be landed by persons and vessels subject to U.S. 
jurisdiction.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2022-04542 Filed 3-4-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P


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