Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 163 / Thursday, August 26, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 47593 

(vi) Any other information requested 

by the issuing official. 

Subtitle E [Removed and reserved] 

■ 3. Remove and reserve subtitle E. 

[FR Doc. 2021–17532 Filed 8–25–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3110–05–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Fish and Wildlife Service 

50 CFR Part 91 

[Docket No. FWS–HQ–MB–2021–0048; 

FXMB 12330900000//212//FF09M13000] 

RIN 1018–BF62 

Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and 

Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp) 

Contest 

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, 

Interior. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service (Service), are revising 

the regulations governing the annual 

Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and 

Conservation Stamp Contest (also 

known as the Federal Duck Stamp 

Contest (Contest)). We are removing the 

previously specified permanent theme 

and the mandatory inclusion of an 

appropriate hunting element within all 

Contest entries and revising the 

qualifications of the judging panel to 

reflect this change beginning with the 

2022 Contest. 

DATES: This rule is effective September 

27, 2021. 

ADDRESSES: You can view the 2022 

Contest Artist Brochure after October 1, 

2021, by one of the following methods: 

• Accessing the Duck Stamp Contest 

& Event Information page at: https://

www.fws.gov/birds/get-involved/duckstamp/duck-stamp-contest-and-eventinformation.php. 

• Requesting a copy by contacting the 

person listed under FOR FURTHER

INFORMATION CONTACT. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Jerome Ford, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service, Department of the Interior, 

(202) 208–1050. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

History of the Federal Migratory Bird 

Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck 

Stamp) Program 

On March 16, 1934, Congress passed 

and President Franklin D. Roosevelt 

signed the Migratory Bird Hunting 

Stamp Act, which was later amended to 

become the Migratory Bird Hunting and 

Conservation Stamp Act (16 U.S.C. 718– 

718j, 48 Stat. 452). Popularly known as 

the Duck Stamp Act, the law requires all 

waterfowl hunters who have attained 

the age of 16 to buy an annual stamp. 

Funds generated from Duck Stamp sales 

are used to protect waterfowl and 

wetland habitat that is incorporated into 

the National Wildlife Refuge System 

from willing sellers and those interested 

in obtaining conservation easements. 

Over 1.5 million stamps are sold each 

year, and, as of 2021, Federal Duck 

Stamps have generated more than $1.1 

billion for the conservation of more than 

6 million acres of waterfowl habitat in 

the United States. In addition to 

waterfowl, numerous other birds, 

mammals, fish, reptiles, and amphibians 

benefit from habitat protected by the 

Duck Stamp revenues, including an 

estimated one-third of the nation’s 

endangered and threatened species. The 

healthy wetlands protected by Duck 

Stamp funding sequester carbon and 

contribute to addressing the impacts of 

climate change, including absorbing 

flood waters and storm surge. These 

wetlands purify water supplies and 

provide economic support to local 

communities as they attract outdoor 

recreationists from many different 

backgrounds. 

History of the Duck Stamp Contest 

The first Federal Duck Stamp was 

designed at President Roosevelt’s 

request by Jay N. ‘‘Ding’’ Darling, a 

nationally known political cartoonist for 

the Des Moines Register and a hunter 

and wildlife conservationist. In 

subsequent years, noted wildlife artists 

were asked to submit designs for the 

stamp. The first Contest was opened in 

1949 to any U.S. artist who wished to 

enter. Since then, the Contest has 

attracted large numbers of entrants, and 

it remains the only art competition of its 

kind sponsored by the U.S. Government. 

The Secretary of the Interior appoints a 

panel of judges who have expertise in 

the area of art, waterfowl, or philately to 

select each year’s winning design. 

Winners receive no compensation for 

the work, except a pane of Duck Stamps, 

based on their winning design, signed 

by the Secretary of the Interior. 

However, winners maintain the 

copyright to their artwork and may sell 

prints of their designs, which are sought 

by hunters, conservationists, and art 

collectors. 

Waterfowl hunters have been the 

greatest contributors to the program, as 

they are required to purchase Duck 

Stamps in order to hunt waterfowl. 

Many individuals not engaged in 

hunting also purchase Duck Stamps to 

contribute to conservation or for the 

stamp’s artistic value. 

The 2020 Final Rule and 2021 Contest 

On May 8, 2020, the Service 

published a final rule (85 FR 27313) 

revising the regulations in title 50 of the 

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 

part 91 (50 CFR part 91) governing the 

annual Federal Duck Stamp Contest. 

The Contest regulations made 

permanent the theme ‘‘celebrating our 

waterfowl hunting heritage’’ for all 

future Contests. The regulations 

required the inclusion of a waterfowl 

hunting-related scene or accessory in 

every entry but did not specify what 

accessories to include. Requirements for 

the judging panel specified that all 

judges would have one or more 

prerequisite qualifications, which could 

include the ability to recognize 

waterfowl hunting accessories. An 

image of a drake lesser scaup with a 

lanyard and duck calls was chosen as 

the winner of the 2020 Contest, and this 

image appears on the 2021–2022 

Federal Duck Stamp. 

The 2021 Contest species and 

regulations, with the permanent theme 

and mandatory inclusion of waterfowl 

hunting-related accessories or scenes in 

all entries, were widely publicized and 

in effect for the 2021 Contest. The entry 

period for artwork closed on August 15, 

2021. The Service reminded artists that 

their entries for the 2021 Contest must 

adhere to the theme, entry 

qualifications, and judging requirements 

published in the regulations. Regardless 

of the effective date of this rule (see 

DATES, above), the 2021 Contest species 

and regulations apply to the 2021 

Contest. 

Proposed Rule To Amend the Duck 

Stamp Regulations 

On June 23, 2021, we published a 

proposed rule (86 FR 32878) to remove 

the permanent ‘‘celebrating our 

waterfowl hunting heritage’’ theme, 

which required the mandatory inclusion 

of an appropriate hunting-related 

element in all Contest entries, and 

accordingly to revise the qualifications 

for selection as a judge and the scoring 

criteria for the Contest, beginning with 

the 2022 Contest. The Service proposed 

the changes to the regulations to allow 

artists more freedom of expression when 

designing their Contest entries. 

Summary of Public Comments and 

Responses 

We accepted public comments on our 

June 23, 2021, proposed rule for 30 

days, ending July 23, 2021, and we 

invited comments on the proposed 

changes from artists, stamp collectors, 


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47594 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 163 / Thursday, August 26, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

hunters, and other user groups. We 

received more than 200 unique 

responses, including those from 15 

organizations, specifically addressing 

the proposed rule. Commenters 

included self-identified members 

representing artists, waterfowl hunters, 

Duck Stamp and art print collectors, 

National Wildlife Refuge users, bird 

watchers, photographers, former Duck 

Stamp Contest judges, and several 

others who identified as 

conservationists or outdoor 

recreationists. The 15 organizations 

responding included all four Flyway 

Councils, bird watching organizations, 

bird conservation and advocacy 

organizations, avian ornithological 

organizations, and National Wildlife 

Refuge System support groups. 

Overall, more than 80 percent of 

respondents were in favor of the 

proposed rule. All organizations 

expressed their support of removing the 

mandatory inclusion of hunting 

accessories. The majority of comments 

in favor of removing the theme 

expressed their opinion that a broader 

appeal for the stamp will allow for 

marketing to all audiences interested in 

conserving habitat. A focus on the 

common desire for habitat conservation, 

without alienating and dividing 

different user groups was recommended 

as the best way to increase sales and 

program support. 

All of the self-identified Duck Stamp 

artists indicated they were in favor of 

removing the permanent theme and 

mandatory inclusion of a waterfowl 

hunting accessory or theme. Artists 

reported that the permanent theme 

stifled their creativity, that the 

mandatory inclusion of a hunting 

accessory was difficult from a design 

and composition perspective, that the 

requirement limited the choice of 

eligible subjects to hunted waterfowl 

species, that the mandatory accessory 

inclusion detracts from the natural 

beauty of the waterfowl species itself, 

and that the requirement put new, 

young, and nonhunting artists at a 

severe disadvantage for successfully 

competing in the Contest. Artists and 

others commenting on the artwork itself 

pointed to the decrease in number of 

entries and a decrease in quality of the 

2018 and 2020 entries, as indicators that 

artists were not happy with the 

mandatory inclusion. 

Twenty-seven percent of those 

wishing to see the permanent theme 

removed pointed out that traditionally, 

the Duck Stamp Contest has not had a 

mandate for the inclusion of a 

mandatory hunting theme or accessory. 

It was also pointed out that only three 

entries prior to 2018 successfully 

included a hunting accessory due to the 

artist’s choice. 

Of the respondents against the 

removal of the theme, many seemed to 

misunderstand the intent of the rule 

change or how it related to previous 

Contest regulations. Two-thirds of those 

wanting the theme to remain expressed 

the mistaken impression that the theme 

and a hunting accessory were traditional 

elements in the Contest regulations. The 

permanent theme and the mandatory 

hunting accessory inclusion were only 

instituted in the 2020 Contest after a 

temporary inclusion in the 2018 

Contest. The majority of comments that 

expressed disapproval in removing the 

mandatory hunting element expressed 

that the Service was trying to change the 

tradition of the artwork or rewrite 88 

years of history and support for the 

Duck Stamp program by the waterfowl 

hunting community. The Service does 

not intend to change the formal name of 

the Duck Stamp or otherwise diminish 

the contributions to conservation by the 

waterfowl hunting community. Instead, 

we prefer to find other ways to celebrate 

our waterfowl hunting community. 

Thirty-six percent of self-identified 

waterfowl hunters were also in favor of 

removing the permanent theme. Only 

one person who indicated they were in 

favor of keeping the permanent theme 

self-identified as a nonhunter. 

Several commenters simply expressed 

disapproval or support for the proposed 

revised Contest rules. However, the 

majority had specific comments, which 

are presented below under headings that 

identify similar subjects. Several 

commentators offered suggestions that 

were outside the scope of this rule; 

these are not addressed at this time but 

may be further investigated. 

Permanent Theme Recognizes 

Waterfowl Hunters 

(1) Comment: Of the commenters 

opposed to removing the permanent 

theme of ‘‘celebrating our waterfowl 

hunting heritage,’’ many stated that 

hunters provided all or most of the 

funding for wildlife conservation and 

only waterfowl hunters purchased Duck 

Stamps. Some self-identified waterfowl 

hunters stated they purchased more 

than one annual stamp. Several 

expressed that the removal of the 

permanent theme was against the 

tradition and purpose of the Federal 

Duck Stamp. A couple of commenters 

stated that if the hunting theme was 

removed, as hunters, they would opt out 

of purchasing a Duck Stamp. Several 

were strongly opposed to the 

nonhunting community having any say 

in the perpetuation of the theme. 

Those who responded in favor of 

removing the permanent theme stated 

that they purchased stamps and 

included self-identified hunters, 

nonhunters, bird watchers, users of and 

volunteers at National Wildlife Refuges, 

general conservationists or naturalists, 

land managers, photographers, and 

stamp and art collectors. 

Nonconsumptive users expressed the 

desire to also feel recognized and 

appreciated for their conservation 

contributions as they were voluntary 

contributors and were not legally bound 

to purchase a Duck Stamp for hunting. 

Many commented that they were aware 

and thankful for the contributions to 

conservation that hunters have made 

but felt that the permanent theme was 

not necessary because the hunting 

community was acknowledged in other 

ways. Recognizing the decrease in the 

number of waterfowl hunters and the 

increase in the number of 

nonconsumptive users who benefit from 

habitat conservation led to several 

comments stating the nonhunting 

community had the responsibility to 

take on a larger financial contribution to 

the conservation of wildlife habitat 

within the National Wildlife Refuge 

System. Comments from several 

respondents recognized that habitat 

conservation provides many benefits of 

which hunting is just one and that it 

was the responsibility of all to support 

conservation. Several comments asked 

hunters to recognize the advocacy of all 

who worked to conserve habitat. Several 

commented that the permanent theme 

reinforced the idea that the Duck 

Stamp’s only purpose was as a hunting 

stamp, rather than a widely available 

mechanism to raise funds for habitat 

conservation within the National 

Wildlife Refuge System. 

Service Response: The Service made 

no changes to the final rule in response 

to these comments. The Service will 

continue to provide information and 

messaging that honors hunters’ 

conservation contributions and 

promotes the interest and contributions 

of all user groups towards habitat 

conservation. The Service will use 

messaging on the Duck Stamp to 

highlight important anniversaries, 

successes, and challenges in habitat and 

wildlife conservation. The formal name 

of the Duck Stamp will continue to 

promote both the hunting and general 

conservation purposes of the stamp. 

Waterfowl will continue to be the 

primary species of focus on the Duck 

Stamp. Waterfowl hunters will still be 

required to purchase an annual stamp, 

as a theme or depicted species on the 

stamp has no bearing on the legal 


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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 163 / Thursday, August 26, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 47595 

requirements for migratory bird hunters 

to have a valid Duck Stamp as part of 

their annual licensing. As the 

permanent hunting theme was only 

instituted in 2020, removing the theme 

aligns with the origins of the Duck 

Stamp Contest. 

Mandatory Inclusion of a Hunting 

Element in Entries 

(2) Comment: Commenters in favor of 

and against removing the mandatory 

inclusion of a hunting related accessory 

presented two primary arguments: One 

based on creating the art and the annual 

art contest, and the second on the effect 

of the design on the Duck Stamp’s 

marketing potential. 

Of the commenters opposed to 

removing the mandatory inclusion of a 

hunting element in the design of the 

stamp, one stated the need for a clear 

and unambiguous illustrative 

connection between hunters and 

wildlife resource conservation. Another 

stated that the art must show a tie to 

hunting or it becomes just another 

wildlife art contest. Several commenters 

felt that removal of the mandatory 

hunting element would go against the 

traditional artwork of the Duck Stamp or 

would lead to the same stale images. 

Several commenters felt the 

mandatory inclusion greatly limited 

artistic creativity. Artists are already 

limited to producing a design that has 

a live portrayal of an eligible species as 

the dominant and central focus of their 

entry. The entry size requirements and 

the subsequent reduction of the chosen 

entry to the size of a stamp is seen as 

a limit to the choice of an appropriate 

element that could be incorporated. 

Several commenters wanted a better 

description of what was acceptable as a 

‘‘hunting element’’ and thought past 

entries in the 2018 and 2020 Contests 

incorporated inappropriate elements, 

which created a bad image of hunters 

instead of celebrating their conservation 

ethic. 

Several commenters felt that the 

overall design should promote wildlife 

and were afraid that mandatory 

inclusions made viewers lose sight of 

the beauty of the depicted species itself. 

One respondent commented that the 

inclusion of hunting elements limits the 

eligible species list to those only with 

open seasons and favored the most 

popularly harvested species. 

Because not all artists who enter the 

Contest are hunters, many felt they were 

at an unfair disadvantage in composing 

their entry and gathering reference 

materials. One commenter also noted 

that any hunting element or scene 

would need to be appropriate for the 

depicted season and plumage of 

waterfowl so that no implicit game 

violations would be illustrated. The 

mandatory inclusion of a hunting 

element was seen to discourage young 

and new artists interested in entering 

the Contest but who are already 

overwhelmed by the restrictive rules 

and competition. 

Service Response: The Service made 

no changes to the final rule in response 

to these comments. Like other elements, 

hunting accessories and scenes will be 

optional to be used at the artist’s 

discretion in their composition. The 

Service does not intend to change 

requirements for the entry size or 

remove the primary focus of the Duck 

Stamp art from the actual waterfowl 

species. Comments on the judging 

procedures are not within the scope of 

this rule and will not be addressed here. 

The Service believes the annual 

Contest functions to promote wildlife 

artists, inform different audiences about 

the many contributions to conservation, 

diversify our audience and stakeholders 

in habitat conservation, and promote the 

tradition and heritage of the Duck 

Stamp. The Service feels the Contest 

should be as inclusive as possible to 

achieve these goals. 

Marketing the Duck Stamp 

(3) Comment: Those who provided 

comments on marketing the Duck Stamp 

agreed with the importance of revenues 

from sales of the stamp to conserve 

habitat. The majority of respondents 

recognized the many contributions that 

waterfowl hunters provide in their role 

as conservationists. Most felt that the 

annual purchase of a stamp, while 

necessary for legal migratory bird 

hunting, should not preclude purchase 

by other interested parties. Continuation 

of stamp and print collections, having to 

sign the stamp used for hunting, 

purchase of the stamp as a pass to a 

National Wildlife Refuge, and support of 

conservation were expressed as reasons 

to purchase a Duck Stamp other than to 

be legal while hunting migratory birds. 

Those in favor of the removing the 

permanent hunting theme and the 

mandatory hunting element 

overwhelmingly stated that this was a 

precursor to increasing sales and 

expanding support for the Duck Stamp 

as a conservation tool. They expressed 

the opinion that mandatory inclusion of 

hunting elements in the artwork was a 

divisive and alienating barrier which 

perpetuated the perception of 

exclusivity of Duck Stamp purchasers. 

Several individual comments indicated 

that stamps that are artistically pleasing 

and concentrate on the wildlife species 

itself are the ones most sought after and 

are what attracts new audiences to the 

Duck Stamp. 

Several respondents offered other 

specific changes to the Duck Stamp that 

they felt would make them more 

accepted among different audiences. 

Several specific marketing tactics were 

also suggested. 

Service Response: The Service made 

no changes to the final rule in response 

to these comments. The Service is 

continually looking for ways to increase 

our relevance and promote our mission 

among a changing demographic while 

recognizing all partners. The Service 

believes the Duck Stamp can play an 

important role in supporting habitat 

conservation among an increasingly 

diverse population but only if it is seen 

as an inclusive tool with a wide appeal 

to a variety of stakeholders. 

While the Service appreciates the 

comments on specific marketing tactics 

for the Duck Stamp, they are beyond the 

scope of this rule and are not addressed 

here. 

Effect of Final Rule on 2021 Duck 

Stamp Contest 

(4) Comment: One comment was 

received that stated that the Service 

should make accommodations for artists 

who did not include the mandatory 

hunting element or theme in their 

entries for the 2021 Contest. 

Service Response: The Service made 

no changes to the final rule in response 

to this comment. This final rule will be 

in effect starting with the 2022 Contest 

and will not change the requirements 

for the 2021 Contest entries. The Contest 

Rules Brochure for the 2021 Contest was 

made public in October 2020. This 

annual brochure outlined the 

requirements for entries in the 2021 

Contest, included a list of the eligible 

species, and emphasized the 

requirement of the mandatory inclusion 

of a waterfowl hunting element or 

scene. Many artists begin their entries as 

soon as the brochure is available and 

work diligently throughout the 

following months to complete it on 

time. Art entries are accepted beginning 

on June 1, and must be postmarked by 

August 15 to be eligible for the Contest. 

Artists have been made aware of the 

2021 Contest requirements and are 

expected to follow all the rules or be 

disqualified. As in the 2018 and 2020 

Contests, the mandatory hunting 

accessory or scene can include a variety 

of different elements; there are many 

ways an artist may choose to illustrate 

the required theme of ‘‘celebrating our 

waterfowl hunting heritage’’ to be 

successful in adhering to this 

requirement. 


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47596 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 163 / Thursday, August 26, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

Judge Qualifications and Scoring 

Criteria 

(5) Comment: Six of the seven 

comments did not oppose the alignment 

of the qualifications for selection as a 

judge and the scoring criteria for the 

Contest with the removal of the 

permanent theme and requirement for 

inclusion of a mandatory waterfowl 

hunting accessory in Contest entries. 

One comment stated that given the 

change in the Contest rules, the Service 

should eliminate the qualification that a 

judge be familiar with the wildlife 

sporting world in which the Duck 

Stamp is used. Several comments 

addressed other changes to the judging 

panel and process that are beyond the 

scope of this rule. 

Service Response: The Service made 

no changes to the final rule in response 

to these comments. An understanding of 

the wildlife sporting world in which the 

Duck Stamp is used is only one of 

several qualifications that an individual 

may possess in order to qualify to be a 

judge. 

Amendments to Existing Regulations 

The Service made no changes to the 

final rule in response to the comments 

we received on the proposed rule. As 

we proposed on June 23, 2021, at 86 FR 

32878, this rule removes the permanent 

theme of ‘‘celebrating our waterfowl 

hunting heritage’’ and the mandatory 

inclusion of a waterfowl hunting-related 

scene or accessory in Contest entries 

and accordingly revises the 

qualifications for selection as a judge 

and the scoring criteria for the Contest, 

beginning with the 2022 Contest. 

Accordingly, this rule sets forth 

amended regulations for: 

• The Contest restrictions on subject 

matter for entries at 50 CFR 91.14. 

• Judge qualifications at 50 CFR 

91.21(b). 

• Scoring criteria at 50 CFR 91.23. 

These regulatory amendments allow 

artists more freedom of expression when 

designing their Contest entries and 

better engage the nonhunting audience 

in understanding that Duck Stamps are 

a vital tool available for all to contribute 

to habitat conservation. The Service 

acknowledges that waterfowl hunters 

remain the primary customers of Duck 

Stamps, as these hunters must carry an 

annual signed stamp as part of their 

licensing requirements, and rather than 

mandating a permanent theme for the 

Contest and the inclusion of a huntingrelated accessory in Contest entries, we 

will develop other methods to promote 

the wildlife and habitat conservation 

contributions by waterfowl hunters. 

Required Determinations 

For this final rule, we affirm the 

following required determinations 

provided in our June 23, 2021, proposed 

rule (86 FR 32878): • National Environmental Policy Act 

(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); • Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 

1531 et seq.); • Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 

601 et seq.); • Small Business Regulatory 

Enforcement Fairness Act (5 U.S.C. 

804(2)); • Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 

(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.); • Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 

U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); and • Executive Orders 12630, 12866, 

12988, 13132, 13175, 13211, and 13563. 

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 91 

Hunting, Wildlife. 

Regulation Promulgation 

Accordingly, we amend part 91, 

subchapter G of chapter I, title 50 of the 

Code of Federal Regulations, as follows: 

PART 91—MIGRATORY BIRD 

HUNTING AND CONSERVATION 

STAMP CONTEST 

■ 1. The authority citation for part 91 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 16 U.S.C. 718j; 31 

U.S.C. 9701. 

■ 2. Revise § 91.14 to read as follows: 

§ 91.14 Restrictions on subject matter for 

entry. 

A live portrayal of any bird(s) of the 

five or fewer identified eligible 

waterfowl species must be the dominant 

feature of the design. The design may 

depict more than one of the eligible 

species. The judges’ overall mandate is 

to select the best design that will make 

an interesting, useful, and attractive 

duck stamp that will be accepted and 

prized by hunters, stamp collectors, 

conservationists, and others. The design 

must be the contestant’s original handdrawn creation. The entry design may 

not be copied or duplicated from 

previously published art, including 

photographs, or from images in any 

format published on the internet. 

Photographs, computer-generated art, or 

art produced from a computer printer or 

other computer/mechanical output 

device (airbrush method excepted) are 

not eligible to be entered into the 

contest and will be disqualified. An 

entry submitted in a prior contest that 

was not selected for a Federal or State 

stamp design may be submitted in the 

current contest if the entry meets the 

criteria set forth in this section. 

■ 3. Amend § 91.21 by revising 

paragraph (b) to read as follows: 

§ 91.21 Selection and qualification of 

contest judges. 

* * * * * 

(b) Qualifications. The panel of five 

judges will comprise individuals who 

have one or more of the following 

prerequisites: Recognized art 

credentials, knowledge of the 

anatomical makeup and the natural 

habitat of the eligible waterfowl species, 

an understanding of the wildlife 

sporting world in which the Duck 

Stamp is used, an awareness of philately 

and the role the Duck Stamp plays in 

stamp collecting, and demonstrated 

support for the conservation of 

waterfowl and wetlands through active 

involvement in the conservation 

community. 

* * * * * 

■ 4. Revise § 91.23 to read as follows: 

§ 91.23 Scoring criteria for contest. 

Entries will be judged on the basis of 

anatomical accuracy, artistic 

composition, and suitability for 

reduction in the production of a stamp. 

Shannon A. Estenoz, 

Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and 

Parks. 

[FR Doc. 2021–18479 Filed 8–24–21; 11:15 am] 

BILLING CODE 4333–15–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

50 CFR Part 665 

[RTID 0648–XB264] 

Pacific Island Fisheries; 2021 U.S. 

Territorial Longline Bigeye Tuna Catch 

Limits for the Commonwealth of the 

Northern Mariana Islands 

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries 

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 

Commerce. 

ACTION: Announcement of a valid 

specified fishing agreement. 

SUMMARY: NMFS announces a valid 

specified fishing agreement that 

allocates up to 1,500 metric tons (t) of 

the 2021 bigeye tuna limit for the 

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 

Islands (CNMI) to U.S. longline fishing 

vessels. The agreement supports the 

long-term sustainability of fishery 

resources of the U.S. Pacific Islands, and 

fisheries development in the CNMI. 

DATES: The specified fishing agreement 

was valid as of July 15, 2021. The start 


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