[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 16, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32027-32028]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-12667]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XB127]


Fishing Capacity Reduction Program for the Southeast Alaska Purse 
Seine Salmon Fishery

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

ACTION: Notice that the 2021 season fee rates will not change.

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SUMMARY: NMFS performs an annual evaluation of the Southeast Alaska 
Purse Seine Salmon Fishing Capacity Reduction (Buyback) Loans. Our 
analysis reveals Loan A (or BBSA-001A) is currently ahead of schedule 
and Loan B (or BBSA-001B) is 2 years, or approximately $410,000, behind 
its scheduled amortization. Due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, 
NMFS has determined it is in the best interest of the fishery to keep 
the annual Buyback fee rates for both Loan A and Loan B at 1 percent 
for 2021. Maintaining the current fee rates will minimally impact Loan 
A and Loan B will receive approximately $30,000 more than the scheduled 
annual amortized amount. The 2021 fishing season runs from June 1, 2021 
through December 31, 2021.

[[Page 32028]]


DATES: The Buyback Loan A and Loan B program fee rates will remain at 1 
percent beginning with landings on June 1, 2021. The first due date for 
fee payments at these rates will be July 15, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Send questions about this notice to Elaine Saiz, Chief, 
Financial Services Division, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 
East-West Highway--13th Floor, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3282.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elaine Saiz, (301) 427-8752.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Purpose

    The purpose of this notice is to announce the continuance of the 
current fee rates for the reduction fishery in accordance with the 
framework rule's 50 CFR 600.1013(b). Section 600.1013(b) directs NMFS 
to recalculate the fee to a rate that will be reasonably necessary to 
ensure reduction loan repayment within the specified 40-year term.
    For the 2020 fishing season, the fee rate for both Loan A and Loan 
B was 1 percent of the landed value and any subsequent bonus payment. 
For the 2021 fishing season, the fee rate will remain unchanged at 1 
percent for both Loan A and Loan B. A letter was previously sent by 
mail informing all Buyback permit holders and buyers that the rates 
would remain at 1 percent for each loan in the 2021 season. Fish buyers 
may continue to use Pay.gov to disburse collected fee deposits at: 
http://www.pay.gov/paygov/. Please visit the NOAA Fisheries website for 
additional information at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/funding-and-financial-services/southeast-alaska-purse-seine-salmon-fishery-buyback-program.

II. Notice

    The fee rates for the Buyback Loans A and B are effective June 1, 
2021.
    Fish sellers and fish buyers must pay and collect the fee in the 
manner set out in 50 CFR 600.1107 and the framework rule. Consequently, 
all harvesters and fish buyers should read subpart L to Sec.  600.1013 
to understand how fish harvesters must pay and fish buyers must collect 
the fee.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1861 et seq.; Pub. L. 108-447.

    Dated: June 8, 2021.
Brian T. Pawlak,
Chief Financial Officer/Chief Administrative Officer, Director, Office 
of Management and Budget, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-12667 Filed 6-15-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P