[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 130 (Friday, July 8, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40731-40742]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-14115]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 300

[Docket No. 220627-0140]
RIN 0648-BK84


International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; Fishing 
Restrictions for Tropical Tuna and Silky Shark in the Eastern Pacific 
Ocean for 2022 and Beyond

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is issuing regulations under the Tuna Conventions Act 
(TCA) of 1950, as amended, to implement Resolution C-21-04 
(Conservation Measures for Tropical Tunas in the Eastern Pacific Ocean 
During 2022-2024) and Resolution C-21-06 (Conservation Measures for 
Shark Species, with Special Emphasis on the Silky Shark (Carcharhinus 
Falciformis), for the Years 2022 and 2023), which were adopted at the 
Resumed 98th Meeting of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission 
(IATTC) in October 2021. This final rule implements the C-21-04 fishing 
management measures for tropical tuna (i.e., bigeye tuna (Thunnus 
obesus), yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), and skipjack tuna 
(Katsuwonus pelamis)) in the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO). The fishing 
restrictions apply to purse seine vessels of class sizes 4-6 (carrying 
capacity of 182 metric tons (mt) or greater) and longline vessels 
greater than 24 meters (m) in overall length that fish for tropical 
tuna in the EPO. To implement Resolution C-21-06, which extended the 
previous IATTC resolution on silky shark for 2 years, the existing 
regulations on silky shark will continue in effect with no proposed 
amendments. This final rule is necessary for the conservation of 
tropical tuna stocks and silky shark in the EPO and for the United 
States to satisfy its obligations as a member of the IATTC.

DATES: Effective date: This rule is effective July 25, 2022.
    Compliance date: Compliance with 50 CFR 300.22(c)(2) through (4) 
and (d) is required as of August 8, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Copies of supporting documents that were prepared for this 
rule, including the Regulatory Impact Review, are available via the 
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: https://

[[Page 40732]]

www.regulations.gov, docket NOAA-NMFS-2021-0136, or contact Rachael 
Wadsworth, NMFS WCR SFD, NMFS West Coast Region Long Beach Office, 501 
W Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802, or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9ec9ddccb0d6d3cddef0f1ffffb0f9f1e8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="80d7c3d2aec8cdd3c0eeefe1e1aee7eff6">[email protected]</span></a>.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachael Wadsworth, NMFS WCR, at (206) 
561-3457.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background on the IATTC

    On March 28, 2022, NMFS published a proposed rule in the Federal 
Register (87 FR 17248) to implement Resolutions C-21-04 (Conservation 
Measures for Tropical Tunas in the Eastern Pacific Ocean During 2022-
2024) and C-21-06 (Conservation Measures for Shark Species, with 
Special Emphasis on the Silky Shark (Carcharhinus Falciformis), for the 
Years 2022 and 2023). These Resolutions were adopted at the Resumed 
98th Meeting of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission in October 
2021. The proposed rule contains additional background information, 
including information on the IATTC and its Convention Area, the 
international obligations of the United States as an IATTC member, and 
the need for regulations. The 30-day public comment period for the 
proposed rule closed on April 27, 2022.
    The final rule is implemented under the Tuna Conventions Act (16 
U.S.C. 951 et seq.). This final rule applies to U.S. purse seine 
vessels of class sizes 4-6 and longline vessels greater than 24 m in 
overall length fishing for tropical tunas in the IATTC Convention Area. 
The IATTC Convention Area is defined as waters of the EPO within the 
area bounded by the west coast of the Americas and by 50[deg] N 
latitude, 150[deg] W longitude, and 50[deg] S latitude.

IATTC Resolutions on Tropical Tuna Conservation and Silky Shark

    Many of the provisions of the newly adopted Resolution C-21-04 are 
identical in content to those contained in the previous IATTC 
resolutions on tropical tuna management that were in place from 2018-
2021 (C-20-06; Tropical Tunas Conservation in the EPO during 2021, 
pursuant to RES C-20-05; and C-17-02; Multiannual Program for the 
Conservation of Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean During 2018-2020). 
Resolution C-21-04 continues to include provisions for a 72-day EPO 
fishing closure period for purse seine vessels, exemptions from that 
closure period due to force majeure, a 31-day time/area EPO fishing 
closure period for purse seine vessels, catch limits of bigeye tuna 
caught in the EPO for longline vessels greater than 24 m in overall 
length, catch limit transfer requirements for bigeye tuna, a 
requirement that all tropical tuna be retained and landed (with some 
exceptions), and restrictions on the use and design of fish aggregating 
devices (FADs).
    In addition to the existing measures, Resolution C-21-04 contains 
new measures not included in previous tropical tuna resolutions. These 
include a system of additional closure days for purse seine vessels 
that exceed an annual catch level of 1,200 mt for bigeye tuna and 
amendments to provisions related to force majeure exemptions from the 
72-day closure period requirement. The Resolution also includes several 
new restrictions on FADs that include a gradual reduction in the number 
of active FADs allowed, additional reporting requirements for satellite 
buoys including activations and deactivations, and specification of 
circumstances where activations and deactivations are allowed. The 
Resolution also includes requirements for reporting cannery data and 
Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) data to the IATTC.

Final Regulations

    This final rule revises part 300, subpart C of title 50 of the Code 
of Federal Regulations (CFR). Although Resolutions C-21-04 and C-21-06 
are in effect through 2024 and 2023 respectively, these regulations 
will not expire concurrently with the Resolutions. Instead, because the 
IATTC will likely continue to adopt similar conservation and management 
measures upon expiration of those resolutions, and to avoid a lapse in 
the management of the fishery that may occur between expiration of the 
proposed regulations and implementation of new measures adopted by the 
IATTC, the regulations will remain in effect until they are amended or 
replaced.
    The TCA gives NMFS the authority under paragraph 16 U.S.C. 955(a) 
to promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the 
United States international obligations under the Antigua Convention 
and the TCA, including recommendations and decisions adopted by the 
IATTC. In past years, NMFS has implemented IATTC resolutions for 
specific calendar years, and this approach has led to lapses in 
management in the affected fisheries in subsequent years. Given the 
time-consuming nature of the U.S. domestic rulemaking process, combined 
with the increasingly frequent delayed adoption of IATTC resolutions, 
implementing domestic measures that do not expire until new measures 
are in place is necessary to carry out the United States' international 
obligations under the Antigua Convention and the TCA because it will 
ensure there is no lapse in management of the tropical tuna fishery or 
silky shark measures in the EPO.
    Thus, unless a date is specified in the text of the regulation, the 
regulations will remain in effect until they are amended or replaced. 
NMFS does intend to publish proposed and final rules to implement new 
resolutions adopted by the IATTC as expeditiously as possible; however, 
this approach allows existing regulations to remain in in effect and 
prevent any lapse in regulatory coverage caused by expirations. Because 
the IATTC adopted Resolution C-21-04 as a three-year conservation and 
management measure (2022-2024), the supporting analyses for this rule 
(discussed later in the Classification section) cover a three-year time 
period, with the understanding that these analyses would need to be 
supplemented should the measures remain in effect for more than three 
years. Likewise, the supporting analyses for Resolution C-21-06, which 
was adopted as a two-year conservation measure (2022-2023), cover a 
two-year period with the understanding that these analyses would also 
need to be supplemented should the measures remain in effect for more 
than two years.

Tuna Conservation Measures for 2022 and Beyond

    The final rule implements the provisions of Resolution C-21-04 and 
applies to U.S. commercial fishing vessels using purse seine and 
longline gear to catch tropical tuna in the IATTC Convention Area. 
Several provisions included in Resolution C-21-04 do not need to be 
implemented through this rule because they were already codified in 
regulations and are not set to expire. The continuing and new tropical 
tuna provisions are described below.
    First, this rule maintains a 750 mt catch limit on bigeye tuna 
caught by longline vessels greater than 24 m in overall length in the 
IATTC Convention Area (50 CFR 300.25(a)(2)). Second, the rule maintains 
the prohibition on purse seine vessels of class size 4 to 6 (i.e., 
vessels with a carrying capacity greater than 182 mt) from fishing for 
tropical tuna in the IATTC Convention Area for a period of 72 days (50 
CFR 300.25(e)(1)). Specifically, vessels will continue to be prohibited 
from fishing in the EPO for 72 days during one of the following two 
periods: (1) from July 29 to October 8; or (2) from November 9 to

[[Page 40733]]

January 19 of the following year (50 CFR 300.25(e)(1)(i) and (ii)). 
Third, the rule maintains a closure period (i.e., Corralito closure) 
for the purse seine fishery for tropical tuna within the area of 
96[deg] and 110[deg] W and between 4[deg] N and 3[deg] S from 0000 
hours on October 9 to 2400 hours on November 8 (50 CFR 300.25(e)(5)). 
The three regulations described in this paragraph are amended by this 
rule solely to specify that they apply beyond the 2021 calendar year 
and are no longer linked to specific years in the regulations. Due to 
the addition of new requirements in Sec.  300.25(e) (discussed later in 
this section), the closure requirement described in Sec.  300.25(e)(5) 
will also be moved to Sec.  300.25(e)(6).
    This rule also continues, for 2022 and beyond, several other 
regulations that were in effect in 2021 but that did not specify in the 
regulatory text the calendar years to which they apply. Therefore, 
under this rule, those regulations continue to be in effect with no 
changes or with minor clarifying revisions, as indicated below:
    <bullet> Provisions related to transferring longline catch limits 
for bigeye tuna between IATTC members (50 CFR 300.25(a)(5)).
    <bullet> Provisions related to selection of a 72-day closure period 
(50 CFR 300.25(e)(2) and (3)). Due to the addition of new regulations 
in Sec.  300.25(e), these provisions have been moved from Sec.  
300.25(e)(2) and (3) to Sec.  300.25(e)(3) and (4), and they also 
include minor non-substantive clarifying revisions.
    <bullet> Provisions related to exemptions from the 72-day closure 
period requirement due to force majeure (50 CFR 300.25(e)(4)). Due to 
the addition of new requirements in Sec.  300.25(e), these provisions 
have been moved from Sec.  300.25(e)(4) to Sec.  300.25(e)(5). The 
regulation also includes non-substantive revisions intended to clarify 
eligibility for a force majeure exemption.
    <bullet> Requirements related to stowing gear during time/area 
closure periods (50 CFR 300.25(e)(6)). Due to the addition of new 
requirements in Sec.  300.25(e), this requirement has been moved from 
Sec.  300.25(e)(6) to Sec.  300.25(e)(7).
    <bullet> A requirement for all tropical tuna to be retained on 
board and landed (with certain exceptions) (50 CFR 300.27(a)).
    <bullet> A number of restrictions related to FADs for purse seine 
vessels in the IATTC Convention Area (50 CFR 300.22(a)(3); 50 CFR 
300.28). Due to changes to Sec.  300.22, the FAD restrictions in Sec.  
300.22(a)(3) have been moved to Sec.  300.22(c). The regulation also 
includes some non-substantive revisions intended to clarify the 
existing reporting requirements for Active FADs.
    <bullet> The prohibitions against failing to comply with gear-
stowing restrictions, retention requirements, and FAD-related 
restrictions (50 CFR 300.24(e), (f), (m), (nn), (oo), and (pp)).
    This rule implements several new fishing restrictions on purse 
seine vessels, in accordance with Resolution C-21-04. The new 
restrictions include a system of additional closure days for class size 
4-6 purse seine vessels that exceed specified annual catch levels for 
bigeye tuna (see 50 CFR 300.25(e)(2)). These catch levels begin at 
1,200 mt of bigeye tuna with 10 additional closure days and increase in 
increments of 300 mt and 3 additional closure days beyond that level. 
In 2023 and 2024, U.S. purse seine vessels that exceed a certain annual 
catch level of bigeye tuna will be required to increase the number of 
closure days they observe in the following year, as specified in Table 
1.

 Table 1--Bigeye Tuna Catch Levels and Corresponding Additional Closure
                                  Days
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Additional
                Catch level (mt) exceeded                  closure days
                                                             observed
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,200...................................................              10
1,500...................................................              13
1,800...................................................              16
2,100...................................................              19
2,400...................................................              22
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, the rule implements minor revisions to force majeure 
exemptions from the 72-day closure period requirement to clarify when 
to submit information to NMFS and that the exemption does not apply to 
the additional closure days specified in table 1 (see 50 CFR 
300.25(e)(5)(i) through (vi)).
    The rule also implements several new restrictions on FADs. These 
include changes to 50 CFR 300.28(c) to provide for a gradual reduction 
in the number of active FADs allowed from 2022 to 2024 and beyond, 
additional reporting requirements for satellite buoys, including 
specific information about activations and deactivations, in 50 CFR 
300.22(c)(3) and (4), and specification of circumstances where 
activations and deactivations are allowed in the changes to 50 CFR 
300.28(d) and (e). The rule also implements new requirements for vessel 
owners or operators to report cannery data directly to the IATTC and to 
also make the data available to NMFS upon request, no later than 10 
days after completion of unloading and the last day of grading by size 
(see 50 CFR 300.22(d)). Cannery data reported to NMFS will be treated 
as confidential in accordance with NOAA Administrative Order 216-100 
for confidential fisheries data, and data provided from NMFS to IATTC 
or directly to IATTC from vessel owners or operators will be kept 
confidential according to IATTC confidentiality standards such as those 
in C-15-07. Further instructions about reporting will be included in a 
compliance guide available after publication of the final rule. The 
changes to 50 CFR 300.21 include the addition of definitions for 
``activation of a satellite buoy,'' ``deactivation of a satellite 
buoy,'' ``reactivation of a satellite buoy,'' ``signal loss,'' and 
revise the ``Active FAD'' definition. The corresponding prohibitions 
listed in 50 CFR 300.24 are also updated accordingly. Finally, this 
action also notifies the public that, consistent with the VMS reporting 
requirements specified in paragraph 25 of Resolution C-21-04, and 
beginning on January 1, 2023, NMFS will report VMS data, which vessels 
are currently required to submit under 50 CFR 300.26, to the IATTC. VMS 
data reported from NMFS to the IATTC will be kept confidential 
according to IATTC confidentiality standards.

Regional Vessel Register Regulations

    In addition to implementing the measures in the tropical tuna 
resolution, the rule also slightly reorganizes 50 CFR part 300, subpart 
C, and clarifies existing regulations pertaining to the IATTC Regional 
Vessel Register (RVR). Specifically, the regulations in 50 CFR 300.23, 
``Persons and vessels exempted,'' are now found in 50 CFR 300.20, 
``Purpose and scope,'' and the regulations pertaining to the RVR, 
previously found in 50 CFR 300.22(b), are now found in 50 CFR 300.23, 
which has been renamed ``IATTC Regional Vessel Register.'' This change 
is intended to improve readability and provide easier access to the RVR 
regulations. The RVR regulations in 50 CFR 300.23 also include some 
minor housekeeping edits for clarifying purposes.

Silky Shark Regulations

    The IATTC also extended existing conservation measures for silky 
shark without change (see Resolution C-21-06). Therefore, under this 
rule the silky shark regulations in 50 CFR 300.27(e) and (f) will 
continue to be in effect without change. Those regulations prohibit 
U.S. purse seine and longline vessels from retaining on board, 
transshipping, storing, or landing any part or whole carcass of a silky 
shark,

[[Page 40734]]

with the exception of silky shark caught by purse seine that is not 
seen during fishing operations and is delivered into the vessel hold. 
Even though the text of those regulations remains unchanged, the 
heading for Sec.  300.27(e) has been changed to make clear that 
paragraph applies to both purse seine and longline vessels.

Public Comments and Responses

    NMFS received three comments during the 30-day comment period on 
the proposed rule, which closed on April 27, 2022. One comment was 
anonymous and two were from individual members of the public.
    Comment 1: One individual commenter expressed concern for the 
impacts of silky shark bycatch in fisheries due to the life history and 
vulnerability of silky sharks to overfishing. The commenter supported 
the extension of silky shark measures to help prevent further declines.
    Response: NMFS thanks the commenter for the support for extending 
silky shark measures. NMFS agrees that due to the incidental catch rate 
of silky shark in tuna purse seine fisheries and longline fisheries in 
the EPO, mitigation measures may be needed.
    Comment 2: The anonymous commenter supported both tuna and silky 
shark measures in the proposed rule and recommended that more 
communication between NMFS and U.S. fishing communities take place so 
that increased transparency and a shift towards a more co-managed 
governance system can be observed.
    Response: NMFS thanks the commenter for the support for extending 
tropical tuna and silky shark measures in the EPO. NMFS agrees that 
communication with stakeholders, such as those in fishing communities, 
are essential for management. NMFS West Coast Region (WCR) hosts public 
meetings at least once a year prior to annual meetings of the IATTC 
where stakeholders can provide input and help to inform U.S. positions 
going into IATTC meetings. These meetings are announced in the Federal 
Register and NMFS encourages those with expertise and input to 
participate in these meetings.
    Comment 3: Another individual commenter recommended additional 
protections for silky shark to reduce bycatch in fisheries, such as 
additional FAD regulations to reduce entanglements.
    Response: NMFS thanks the commenter for the support for extending 
silky shark measures. NMFS agrees that due to the incidental catch rate 
of silky shark in tuna purse seine fisheries using FADs in the EPO, 
mitigation measures may be needed. NMFS will continue working through 
the IATTC Working Group on FADs to consider additional measures to 
reduce entanglements and improve FAD fishing practices to reduce 
bycatch.

Changes From the Proposed Rule

    No changes were made between the proposed and final rule.

Classification

    The NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that this rule is 
consistent with the TCA and other applicable laws.
    This rule has been determined to be not significant for purposes of 
Executive Order 12866.
    This rule includes changes to collection of information 
requirements for purposes of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 
amendments to Office of Management and Business (OMB) Control Number 
0648-0148 have been submitted to OMB for review and approval with 
regard to the changes identified in this final rule. There are no 
changes to information collection for OMB Control Number 0648-0214 
(Pacific Islands Region Logbook Family of Forms) as a result of this 
final rule. NMFS is amending the supporting statement for the West 
Coast Region Pacific Tuna Fisheries Logbook, Fish Aggregating Device 
Form, and Observer Safety Reporting, OMB Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) 
requirements (OMB Control No. 0648-0148) to include the new data 
collection requirements for deactivations and reactivations of 
satellite buoys associated with FADs and for cannery data as described 
in the preamble. NMFS estimates that the public reporting burden for 
the collection of information for satellite buoys associated with FADs 
will average 3 minutes per form and average 5 minutes for cannery data, 
including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data 
sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and 
reviewing the collection of information.
    Send comments on these or any other aspects of the collection of 
information to the ADDRESSES above, and by email to 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#622d2b30233d3117000f0b11110b0d0c220d0f004c070d124c050d14"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="541b1d06150b072136393d27273d3b3a143b39367a313b247a333b22">[email protected]</span></a>, or fax to (202) 395-5806. Notwithstanding 
any other provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, 
and no person shall be subject to penalty for failure to comply with, a 
collection of information subject to the requirements of the PRA, 
unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number. All currently approved NOAA collections of information 
may be viewed at: https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
    Under section 553(d) of the Administrative Procedure Act, an agency 
must delay the effective date of regulations for 30 days after 
publication in the Federal Register, unless the agency finds good cause 
to make the regulations effective sooner. The Assistant Administrator 
for Fisheries has determined that good cause exists to issue this final 
rule without providing a 30-day delay after publication and providing a 
15-day delay instead, with the exception of new or revised 
recordkeeping requirements at 50 CFR 300.22(c)(2) through (4) and (d), 
for which compliance will be deferred until 30 days after publication 
to comply with PRA requirements.
    NMFS is obligated to implement these measures as soon as possible 
to conserve silky shark and tropical tuna stocks in the EPO and to 
comply with the international obligations of the United States under a 
binding resolution adopted by the IATTC under the Antigua Convention, 
which constitutes good cause. After two failed attempts to adopt the 
resolutions implemented through this rulemaking, the IATTC finally 
adopted those resolutions in late-October 2021, a little more than two 
months before existing resolutions were set to expire and the new 
resolutions would become effective. NMFS therefore did not have 
sufficient time to promulgate regulations implementing those measures 
before January 1, 2022. Commercial purse seine and longline vessels 
began fishing for tropical tuna in the EPO on January 1, 2022. The 
first purse seine closure period, which is a key part of the tropical 
tuna management measures, begins on July 29, 2022. If the rule is 
further delayed with a 30-day delay in the effective date, it will not 
be effective in time for the purse seine closure. NMFS will therefore 
be unable to enforce the closure period and U.S. fishing vessels risk 
being out of compliance with international agreements that are intended 
to prevent overfishing of tropical tuna by the purse seine fleet. Given 
this timing, delaying the effective date for a full 30 days would be 
contrary to the public interest in conserving tropical tuna stocks in 
the EPO. Such a delay would also be contrary to the public's interest 
in ensuring the U.S. is in compliance with its international 
obligations to implement the tropical tuna resolution.
    The owners and operators of U.S. purse seine and longline vessels 
operating in the EPO are already

[[Page 40735]]

familiar with how to comply with the measures being implemented through 
this rulemaking. Many of the measures are identical to the measures 
that have been in place for the past 4 years and therefore no 
additional steps are necessary to come into compliance with them. As 
described in the earlier in this rule under ``Final Regulations.'' the 
new measures being implemented by this rulemaking include: a system of 
additional closure days for purse seine vessels that exceed an annual 
catch level of 1,200 mt for bigeye tuna, amendments to provisions 
related to force majeure exemptions from the 72-day closure period 
requirement, restrictions on FADs that include a gradual reduction in 
the number of active FADs allowed, additional reporting requirements 
for satellite buoys including activations and deactivations, and 
specification of circumstances where activations and deactivations are 
allowed. In addition, the rule also includes requirements for reporting 
cannery data and VMS data to the IATTC.
    As noted earlier in this section, NMFS is maintaining the 30-day 
delay in compliance date for the new or revised recordkeeping 
requirements at 50 CFR 300.22(c) through (4) and (d). The steps 
required to come into compliance with the remaining new regulations 
implemented by this rulemaking involve reading and becoming familiar 
with the following regulations amended by this rule to specify that 
they apply beyond the 2021. This includes regulations for the 750 mt 
catch limit on bigeye tuna caught by longline vessels greater than 24 m 
in overall length in the IATTC Convention Area (50 CFR 300.25(a)(2)), 
closure for fishing for tropical tuna in the IATTC Convention Area for 
a period of 72 days (50 CFR 300.25(e)(1)), and maintaining a closure 
period for the purse seine fishery for tropical tuna within the area of 
96[ordm] and 110[ordm] W and between 4[deg] N and 3[deg] S from 0000 
hours on October 9 to 2400 hours on November 8 (50 CFR 300.25(e)(5)).
    NMFS is confident this can be accomplished within a week of 
publication of this rule. Many of the affected individuals attended the 
IATTC meetings in 2021 and were therefore apprised of these new 
measures when they were adopted. Industry representatives were also 
consulted in advance of the meetings through a U.S. Delegation call and 
were involved in briefings and discussions with the U.S. Department of 
State and NOAA officials on the periphery of the October 2021 IATTC 
meeting. Providing 15 days for entities to meet the requirements of 
this rule balances their need for time to comply with the need to 
effectively manage the tropical tuna stock and meet the United States' 
obligation to enact the first purse seine closure on July 29. As soon 
as the rule is published, NMFS will send a notice of this rule to 
owners of vessels that are affected by this rule.
    The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce 
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration during the proposed rule stage that this action would 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. The factual basis for the certification was published in the 
proposed rule (March 28, 2022, 87 FR 17248) and is not repeated here. 
No comments were received regarding this certification. As a result, a 
regulatory flexibility analysis was not required and none was prepared.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 300

    Administrative practice and procedure, Fish, Fisheries, Fishing, 
Marine resources, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Treaties.

    Dated: June 27, 2022.
Samuel D. Rauch, III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
    For the reasons set out in the preamble, the National Marine 
Fisheries Service amends 50 CFR part 300, subpart C, as follows:

PART 300--INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES REGULATIONS

Subpart C--Eastern Pacific Tuna Fisheries

0
1. The authority citation for part 300, subpart C, continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 951 et seq.

0
2. Revise Sec.  300.20 to read as follows:


Sec.  300.20  Purpose and scope.

    (a) The regulations in this subpart are issued under the authority 
of the Tuna Conventions Act of 1950, as amended (Act), and apply to 
persons and vessels subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. 
The regulations implement recommendations and other decisions of the 
Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) for the conservation 
and management of stocks of tunas and tuna-like species and other 
species of fish taken by vessels fishing for tunas and tuna-like 
species in the IATTC Convention Area. The Secretary of Commerce, in 
consultation with the Secretary of State and, with respect to 
enforcement measures, the U.S. Coast Guard, may promulgate such 
regulations as may be necessary to carry out the U.S. international 
obligations under the Convention for the Establishment of an Inter-
American Tropical Tuna Commission (Convention), the Convention for the 
Strengthening of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission 
Established by the 1949 Convention between the United States of America 
and the Republic of Costa Rica (Antigua Convention), and the Act, 
including recommendations and other decisions adopted by the IATTC.
    (b) This subpart does not apply to:
    (1) Any person or vessel authorized by the IATTC, the Assistant 
Administrator, or any state of the United States to engage in fishing 
for research purposes; or
    (2) Any person or vessel engaged in sport fishing for personal use.

0
3. Amend Sec.  300.21 by:
0
a. Adding in alphabetical order a definition for ``Activation of a 
satellite buoy'';
0
b. Revising the definition of ``Active FAD'';
0
c. Adding in alphabetical order a definition for ``Deactivation of a 
satellite buoy'';
0
d. Revising the definition of ``Fish aggregating device (FAD)''; and
0
e. Adding definitions in alphabetical order for ``Reactivation of a 
satellite buoy'', ``Satellite buoy'', and ``Signal loss''.
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  300.21  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Activation of a satellite buoy means the act of initializing 
network service for receiving the satellite buoy's position. Activation 
is done by the buoy supplier company at the request of the vessel owner 
or manager. Following activation, the vessel owner pays for the 
communication service. The buoy can be transmitting or not, depending 
if it has been switched on.
    Active FAD means a FAD deployed at sea where activation of the 
satellite buoy has occurred and the satellite buoy is transmitting its 
location and is being tracked by the vessel owner or operator. A FAD 
shall be considered an Active FAD unless/until the vessel owner or 
operator is no longer tracking its location and the vessel owner or 
operator notifies the IATTC that the FAD is deactivated.
* * * * *
    Deactivation of a satellite buoy means the act of canceling network 
service for receiving the satellite buoy's position. Deactivation is 
done by the buoy supplier company at the request of the vessel owner or 
manager. Following

[[Page 40736]]

deactivation, the communication service is no longer paid for and the 
buoy stops transmitting.
* * * * *
    Fish aggregating device (FAD) means anchored, drifting, floating or 
submerged objects deployed and/or tracked by vessels, including through 
the use of radio and/or satellite buoys, for the purpose of aggregating 
target tuna species for purse-seine fishing operations.
* * * * *
    Reactivation of a satellite buoy means the act of re-initializing 
network service for transmission of a satellite buoy's position after 
deactivation. The procedure is the same as the one to be followed for 
activation of a satellite buoy.
* * * * *
    Satellite buoy means a buoy that uses a satellite network service 
to indicate its geographical position and is compliant with 
requirements in Sec.  300.28(a) to be clearly marked with a unique 
identification code.
* * * * *
    Signal loss means the situation in which, without any intervention 
of the owner, operator, or manager, a satellite buoy cannot be located 
by the owner on a monitoring device. The main causes of signal loss are 
buoy retrieved by another vessel or person (at-sea or on-shore), FAD 
sinking, and buoy failure.
* * * * *

0
4. Revise Sec.  300.22 to read as follows:


Sec.  300.22  Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

    (a) Logbooks--(1) General logbook reporting. The master or other 
person in charge of a commercial fishing vessel or commercial passenger 
fishing vessel (CPFV) authorized to fish for tuna and tuna-like species 
in the Convention Area, or a person authorized in writing to serve as 
the agent for either person, must keep an accurate log of operations 
conducted from the fishing vessel.
    (2) Longline and other non-purse seine logbooks. Maintaining and 
submitting any logbook required by existing state or Federal regulation 
will be sufficient to comply with paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
    (3) Purse seine logbooks. For purse seine vessels greater than 400 
st (362.8 mt) carrying capacity that are authorized to purse seine for 
tuna in the Convention Area, the log must include for each day the 
date, noon position (stated in latitude and longitude or in relation to 
known physical features), and the tonnage of fish on board, by species. 
The record and bridge log maintained and submitted at the request of 
the IATTC will be sufficient to comply with this paragraph (a)(3) and 
with paragraph (a)(1) of this section, provided the items of 
information specified by the IATTC are accurately entered in the log. 
For purse seine vessels of 400 st (362.8 mt) carrying capacity or less, 
maintaining and submitting any logbook required by existing state or 
Federal regulation will be sufficient to comply with paragraph (a)(1) 
of this section.
    (b) Whale shark encirclement reporting. The owner and operator of a 
purse seine fishing vessel of the United States that encircles a whale 
shark (Rhincodon typus) while commercially fishing in the Convention 
Area must ensure that the incident is recorded on the log that is 
required by paragraphs (a)(1) and (3) of this section. The log must 
include the following information: The number of individual whale 
sharks with which the vessel interacted, details of how and why the 
encirclement happened, where it occurred, steps taken to ensure safe 
release, and an assessment of the life status of the whale shark upon 
release (including whether the animal was released alive, but 
subsequently died), as may be further specified by NMFS.
    (c) FAD reporting--(1) Reporting on FAD interactions. U.S. purse 
seine vessel operators must provide the observer with the FAD 
identification code and, as appropriate, the other information in the 
FAD interaction standard format provided by the HMS Branch. U.S. vessel 
owners and operators, without an observer onboard, must ensure that any 
interaction or activity with a FAD is reported using a FAD interaction 
standard format provided by the HMS Branch. The owner and operator 
shall ensure that the form is submitted within 30 days of each landing 
or transshipment of tuna or tuna-like species to the address specified 
by the HMS Branch.
    (2) Reporting on Active FADs. U.S. vessel owners and operators must 
record or maintain daily information on buoy location and acoustic data 
for all Active FADs that have been deployed in the water in the IATTC 
Convention Area and report that information to the IATTC, using a 
format and address provided by the HMS Branch. Daily information on 
buoy location must include date, time, buoy identifier, latitude, 
longitude, IMO number, and speed. Daily acoustic data will vary 
depending on the buoy company, but must include company, buoy 
identifier, latitude, longitude, date, time, and available layers of 
data. Further instructions on reporting data specific for different 
buoys companies are available in a compliance guide. This information 
must be submitted for each calendar month no later than 90 days after 
the month covered by the report.
    (3) Deactivation of Active FADs. U.S. vessel owners and operators 
must report any deactivation of a satellite buoy, including the reason 
for deactivation, date, latitude, longitude, buoy identifier, and 
speed. This information must be reported to the IATTC, using a format 
and address provided by the HMS Branch. This information must be 
submitted for each calendar month no later than 90 days after the month 
covered by the report.
    (4) Reactivation of Active FADs. U.S. vessel owners and operators 
must report any remote reactivation of a satellite buoy, including the 
reason for remote reactivation, date, latitude, longitude, buoy 
identifier, speed. This information must be reported to the IATTC, 
using a format and address provided by the HMS Branch. This information 
must be submitted for each calendar month no later than 90 days after 
the month covered by the report.
    (d) Cannery reporting. U.S. vessel owners and operators must report 
processing plant data for fish caught in the IATTC Convention Area to 
the IATTC, and also make the data available to NMFS upon request, no 
later than 10 days after completion of unloading and the last day of 
grading by size. Instructions for reporting are available in a 
compliance guide.

0
5. Revise Sec.  300.23 to read as follows:


Sec.  300.23   IATTC Regional Vessel Register.

    (a) IATTC Regional Vessel Register (Vessel Register). The Vessel 
Register shall include, consistent with resolutions of the IATTC, all 
commercial fishing vessels and CPFVs authorized to fish for tuna and 
tuna-like species in the Convention Area. Except as provided under 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section, tuna purse seine vessels must be 
listed on the Vessel Register and categorized as active under paragraph 
(c)(2) of this section in order to fish for tuna and tuna-like species 
in the Convention Area.
    (1) Exception from requirement for inclusion on the Vessel 
Register. Once per year, a vessel that is permitted and authorized 
under an alternative international tuna purse seine fisheries 
management regime in the Pacific Ocean may exercise an option to fish 
with purse seine gear to target tuna in the Convention Area without the 
vessel's capacity counted towards the cumulative carrying capacity 
described under paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section. This exception is 
for a single fishing trip that does not exceed 90 days in

[[Page 40737]]

duration. At any time during the calendar year, a vessel exercising 
this exception shall follow the procedures, where applicable, described 
in paragraph (c) of this section. No more than 32 of such trips are 
allowed each calendar year. After the commencement of the 32nd such 
trip, the Regional Administrator shall announce, in the Federal 
Register and by other appropriate means, that no more such trips are 
allowed for the remainder of the calendar year. Under 50 CFR 
216.24(b)(6)(iii)(C), vessel assessment fees must be paid for vessels 
exercising this option.
    (2) Requirements for inclusion of purse seine vessels on the Vessel 
Register. Inclusion on the tuna purse seine portion of the Vessel 
Register is valid through December 31 of each year. New tuna purse 
seine vessels may be added to the Vessel Register at any time to 
replace those previously removed by the Regional Administrator, 
provided that the total capacity of the replacement vessel or vessels 
does not exceed that of the tuna purse seine vessel or vessels being 
replaced.
    (b) Vessel information to be collected for the Vessel Register--(1) 
Required information. Information on each commercial fishing vessel or 
CPFV authorized to use purse seine, longline, drift gillnet, harpoon, 
troll, rod and reel, or pole and line fishing gear to fish for tuna and 
tuna-like species in the Convention Area for sale shall be collected by 
the Regional Administrator to conform to IATTC resolutions governing 
the Vessel Register. This information initially includes, but is not 
limited to, the vessel name and registration number; the name and 
business address of the owner(s) and managing owner(s); a photograph of 
the vessel with the registration number legible; previous vessel 
name(s) and previous flag (if known and if any); port of registry; 
International Radio Call Sign; IMO number (if applicable); vessel 
length, beam, and moulded depth; gross tonnage, fish hold capacity in 
cubic meters, and carrying capacity in metric tons and cubic meters; 
engine horsepower; date and place where built; and type of fishing 
method or methods used. The required information shall be collected as 
part of existing information collections as described in this part and 
other parts of the CFR.
    (2) IMO numbers. For the purpose of this section, an ``IMO number'' 
is the unique six or seven digit number issued for a vessel under the 
ship identification number scheme adopted by the International Maritime 
Organization (IMO) and managed by the entity identified by the IMO 
(currently IHS Maritime) and is also known as a Lloyd's Register 
number.
    (3) Requirements for IMO numbers. The owner of a fishing vessel of 
the United States used for commercial fishing for tuna and tuna-like 
species in the IATTC Convention Area shall ensure that an IMO number 
has been issued for the vessel if the vessel's Certificate of 
Documentation issued under 46 CFR part 67 indicates that the vessel's 
total internal volume is 100 gross register tons or greater or 100 
gross tonnage or greater. In addition, the owner of a fishing vessel of 
the United States engaging in fishing activities for tuna or tuna-like 
species in the IATTC Convention Area, and for which a high seas fishing 
permit under Sec.  300.333 is required, shall ensure that an IMO number 
has been issued for the vessel if the vessel's total internal volume is 
less than 100 gross registered tons or less than 100 gross tons, but 
equal to or greater than 12 meters in overall length, as indicated in 
the vessel's Certificate of Documentation issued under 46 CFR part 67 
or State documentation. A vessel owner may request that an IMO number 
be issued for a vessel by following the instructions given by the 
administrator of the IMO ship identification number scheme; those 
instructions are currently available on the website of IHS Markit, 
https://imonumbers.lrfairplay.com/.
    (4) Request for exemption. In the event that a fishing vessel 
owner, after following the instructions given by the designated manager 
of the IMO ship identification number scheme, is unable to ensure that 
an IMO number is issued for the fishing vessel, the fishing vessel 
owner may request an exemption from the requirement from the Regional 
Administrator. The request must be sent by mail to NMFS HMS Branch, 
West Coast Region, 501 W Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802, 
or by email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a0d7c3d28ec8cdd3e0cecfc1c18ec7cfd6">[email protected]</a>, and must include the vessel's name, 
the vessel's official number, a description of the steps taken to 
request an IMO number, and a description of any responses from the 
administrator of the IMO ship identification number scheme.
    (5) Exemption process. Upon receipt of a request for an exemption 
under paragraph (b)(4) of this section, the Regional Administrator 
will, to the extent they determine appropriate, assist the fishing 
vessel owner in requesting an IMO number. If the Regional Administrator 
determines that the fishing vessel owner has followed all appropriate 
procedures and yet is unable to obtain an IMO number for the fishing 
vessel, they will issue an exemption from the requirements of paragraph 
(b)(3) of this section for the vessel and its owner and notify the 
owner of the exemption. The Regional Administrator may limit the 
duration of the exemption. The Regional Administrator may rescind an 
exemption at any time. If an exemption is rescinded, the fishing vessel 
owner must comply with the requirements of paragraph (b)(3) within 30 
days of being notified of the rescission. If the ownership of a fishing 
vessel changes, an exemption issued to the former fishing vessel owner 
becomes void.
    (c) Purse seine Vessel Register listing. For a tuna purse seine 
vessel to be listed on the Vessel Register and to be categorized as 
either ``active'' or ``inactive'' in the following calendar year, the 
vessel owner or managing owner must submit to the Regional 
Administrator the required permit applications, written notifications, 
and fees as described under 50 CFR 216.24(b) and under paragraphs 
(c)(2) and (3) of this section as well as payment of the vessel 
assessment fee, where applicable, to the IATTC.
    (1) Restrictions for purse seine vessels. The following 
restrictions apply:
    (i) The cumulative carrying capacity of all tuna purse seine 
vessels on the Vessel Register may not exceed 31,866 cubic meters in a 
given year; and
    (ii) A purse seine vessel in excess of 400 st (362.8 mt) carrying 
capacity may not be added to active status on the Vessel Register 
unless the captain of the vessel has obtained a valid operator permit 
under 50 CFR 216.24(b)(2).
    (2) Active status for purse seine vessels. As early as August 1 of 
each year, vessel owners or managing owners may request that a purse 
seine vessel qualified to be listed on the Vessel Register under 
paragraph (a)(2) of this section be categorized as active for the 
following calendar year. To request a purse seine vessel in excess of 
400 st (362.8 mt) carrying capacity be listed on the Vessel Register 
and be categorized as active, the vessel owner or managing owner must 
submit to the Regional Administrator the vessel permit application and 
payment of the permit application fee and submit to the IATTC payment 
of the vessel assessment fee.
    (i) To request a purse seine vessel of 400 st (362.8 mt) carrying 
capacity or less be listed on the Vessel Register and be categorized as 
active, the vessel owner or managing owner must submit to the HMS 
Branch written notification including, but not limited to, a vessel 
photograph, the vessel information as described under paragraph (b) of 
this section, and the owner or managing owner's signature, business 
email address, and business telephone and fax numbers. If a purse seine 
vessel of 400

[[Page 40738]]

st (362.8 mt) carrying capacity or less is required by the Agreement on 
the IDCP to carry an observer, the vessel owner or managing owner must 
also submit payment of the vessel assessment fee to the IATTC.
    (ii) The Regional Administrator must receive the vessel permit 
application or written notification and payment of the permit 
application fee and payment confirmation of the vessel assessment fee 
no later than September 15 for vessels for which a DML was requested 
for the following year and no later than November 30 for vessels for 
which a DML was not requested for the following year. Submission of the 
vessel permit application or written notification and payment of the 
vessel assessment fee and permit application fee will be interpreted by 
the Regional Administrator as a request for a vessel to be categorized 
as active.
    (3) Inactive status for purse seine vessels. (i) From August 1 
through November 30 of each year, vessel owners or managing owners may 
request that purse seine vessels qualified to be listed on the Vessel 
Register under paragraph (a)(2) of this section be categorized as 
inactive for the following calendar year. To request a purse seine 
vessel in excess of 400 st (362.8 mt) carrying capacity be listed on 
the Vessel Register and categorized as inactive for the following 
calendar year, the vessel owner or managing owner must submit to the 
IATTC payment of the associated vessel assessment fee. Payment of the 
vessel assessment fee consistent with inactive status will be 
interpreted by the Regional Administrator as a request for the vessel 
to be categorized as inactive.
    (ii) To request a tuna purse seine vessel of 400 st (362.8 mt) 
carrying capacity or less be listed on the Vessel Register and 
categorized as inactive for the following calendar year, the vessel 
owner or managing owner must submit to the HMS Branch a written 
notification including, but not limited to, the vessel name and 
registration number and the vessel owner or managing owner's name, 
signature, business address, business email address, and business 
telephone and fax numbers. Payment of the vessel assessment fee is not 
required for vessels of 400 st (362.8 mt) carrying capacity or less to 
be categorized as inactive.
    (iii) At any time during the year, a vessel owner or managing owner 
may request that a tuna purse seine vessel qualified to be listed on 
the Vessel Register under paragraph (a)(2) of this section be 
categorized as inactive for the remainder of the calendar year, 
provided the cumulative carrying capacity described in paragraph 
(c)(1)(i) of this section is not exceeded. To request a purse seine 
vessel in excess of 400 st (362.8 mt) carrying capacity be listed on 
the Vessel Register and categorized as inactive for the remainder of 
the calendar year, the vessel owner or managing owner must submit to 
the IATTC payment of the associated vessel assessment fee. To request a 
tuna purse seine vessel of 400 st (362.8 mt) carrying capacity or less 
be listed on the Vessel Register and categorized as inactive for the 
remainder of the calendar year, the vessel owner or managing owner must 
submit to the HMS Branch written notification as described in paragraph 
(c)(3)(i) of this section. Payment of the vessel assessment fee is not 
required for such vessels.
    (iv) The vessel owner or managing owner of a purse seine vessel 
listed as active on the Vessel Register that has sunk may request the 
vessel be listed as sunk and categorized as inactive on the Vessel 
Register. To request the vessel be listed as sunk and categorized as 
inactive on the Vessel Register, the vessel owner or managing owner 
must submit to the HMS Branch written notification within 30 days of 
the vessel's sinking. Written notification shall include, but is not 
limited to, the vessel name, date of sinking, registration number, the 
vessel owner or managing owner's name, signature, business address, 
business email address, and business telephone and fax numbers. For 
subsequent calendar years, vessel assessment fee payment shall be made 
as described in paragraph (c)(3) of this section.
    (v) A vessel listed as inactive or sunk on the Vessel Register for 
more than two consecutive calendar years after January 21, 2020, 
requesting active status will be prioritized according to the hierarchy 
under paragraph (e) of this section. A vessel listed as inactive or 
sunk on the Vessel Register for more than two consecutive calendar 
years after January 21, 2020, will be removed from the Vessel Register 
as described in paragraph (f)(9) of this section.
    (d) Frivolous requests for purse seine vessels on the Vessel 
Register. (1) Except as described under paragraph (d)(2) of this 
section, requests for active status under paragraph (c)(2) of this 
section will be considered frivolous if, for a vessel categorized as 
active on the Vessel Register in a given calendar year:
    (i) Less than 20 percent of the vessel's total landings, by weight, 
in that same year is comprised of tuna harvested by purse seine in the 
Convention Area; or
    (ii) The vessel did not fish for tuna at all in the Convention Area 
in that same year.
    (2) Requests described under paragraph (d)(1) of this section will 
not be considered frivolous requests if:
    (i) The vessel's catch pattern fell within the criteria described 
in paragraph (d)(1) of this section as a result of force majeure or 
other extraordinary circumstances as determined by the Regional 
Administrator; or
    (ii) The vessel's carrying capacity is 400 st (362.8 mt) or less 
and there was at least one documented landing of tuna caught by the 
vessel in the Convention Area in the calendar year prior to the year in 
which the request is made and through November 15 of the year of the 
request, unless the vessel was not able to make a landing as a result 
of force majeure or other extraordinary circumstances as determined by 
the Regional Administrator.
    (iii) The vessel was listed as inactive before January 21, 2020, 
and has not been listed as inactive for more than two consecutive 
calendar years since January 21, 2020.
    (e) Listing hierarchy for purse seine vessels on the Vessel 
Register. Requests for active status and inactive status will be 
prioritized according to the following hierarchy:
    (1) Requests received for replacement vessels with a carrying 
capacity equal to or less than a vessel removed from the Vessel 
Register under a request described in paragraph (j) of this section;
    (2) Requests received for vessels that were categorized as active 
in the previous year, unless the request was determined to be frivolous 
by the Regional Administrator under paragraph (c)(2) of this section;
    (3) Requests received for vessels that were categorized as inactive 
under paragraph (c)(3) of this section in the previous year, unless 
that vessel has been listed as inactive or sunk under paragraph (c)(3) 
for more than 2 consecutive calendar years after January 21, 2020;
    (4) Requests for vessels not described in paragraphs (e)(1) through 
(3) of this section, and requests, if applicable, by replacement 
vessels for the portion of the carrying capacity greater than the 
amount authorized to the vessel that was replaced under paragraph (j) 
of this section, will be prioritized on a first-come, first-served 
basis according to the date and time of receipt, provided that the 
associated vessel assessment fee is paid by the applicable deadline 
described in 50 CFR 216.24(b)(6)(iii); and

[[Page 40739]]

    (5) Requests received from owners or managing owners of vessels 
that were determined by the Regional Administrator to have made a 
frivolous request for active status under paragraph (d) of this section 
or that have been listed as inactive or sunk as described in paragraph 
(c)(3) of this section for more than two consecutive calendar years 
after January 21, 2020.
    (f) Removal from the Vessel Register. A vessel may be removed from 
the Vessel Register by the Regional Administrator under any of the 
following circumstances:
    (1) The vessel has sunk and the vessel owner or managing owner has 
not submitted written notification as described in paragraph (c)(3)(iv) 
of this section.
    (2) By written request of the vessel's owner or managing owner.
    (3) Following a final agency action on a permit sanction for a 
violation.
    (4) For failure to pay a penalty or for default on a penalty 
payment agreement resulting from a final agency action for a violation.
    (5) The U.S. Maritime Administration or the U.S. Coast Guard 
notifies NMFS that:
    (i) The owner has submitted an application for transfer of the 
vessel to foreign registry and flag; or
    (ii) The documentation for the vessel has been or will be deleted 
for any reason.
    (6) The vessel does not have a valid state registration or U.S. 
Coast Guard certificate of documentation.
    (7) For tuna purse seine vessels, by written notification from the 
owner or managing owner of the intent to transfer the vessel to foreign 
registry and flag, as described in paragraph (i) of this section.
    (8) For tuna purse seine vessels, the request for active status on 
the Vessel Register has been determined to be a frivolous request.
    (9) For tuna purse seine vessels, the vessel has been listed as 
inactive or sunk on the Vessel Register for more than two consecutive 
calendar years after January 21, 2020.
    (g) Process for removal from the Vessel Register. When a vessel is 
removed from the Vessel Register under paragraph (f) of this section, 
the Regional Administrator shall promptly notify the vessel owner in 
writing of the removal and the reasons therefore. For a removal from 
the Vessel Register under Sec.  300.30(f)(3), the Regional 
Administrator will not accept a request to reinstate the vessel to the 
Vessel Register for the term of the permit sanction. For a removal from 
the Vessel Register under Sec.  300.30(f)(4), the Regional 
Administrator will not accept a request to reinstate the vessel to the 
Vessel Register until such time as payment is made on the penalty or 
penalty agreement, or such other duration as NOAA and the vessel owner 
may agree upon.
    (h) Procedures for replacing purse seine vessels removed from the 
Vessel Register. (1) A purse seine vessel that was previously listed on 
the Vessel Register, but not included for a given year or years, may be 
added back to the Vessel Register and categorized as inactive at any 
time during the year, provided the cumulative carrying capacity 
described in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section is not exceeded. The 
owner or managing owner of a purse seine vessel of more than 400 st 
(362.8 mt) carrying capacity must pay the vessel assessment fee 
associated with inactive status. The owner or managing owner of a purse 
seine vessel of 400 st (362.8 mt) carrying capacity or less must submit 
written notification as described in paragraph (c)(3) of this section.
    (2) A purse seine vessel may be added to the Vessel Register and 
categorized as active in order to replace a vessel or vessels removed 
from active or inactive status under paragraph (f) of this section, 
provided the total carrying capacity described in paragraph (c)(1)(i) 
of this section is not exceeded and the owner submits a complete 
request under paragraph (h)(4) of this section.
    (3) Notification of available capacity after a purse seine vessel 
has been removed from the Vessel Register will be conducted as follows:
    (i) After a purse seine vessel categorized as active or inactive is 
removed from the Vessel Register, the Regional Administrator will 
notify owners or managing owners of vessels eligible for, but not 
included on, the Vessel Register that replacement capacity is available 
on the active or inactive list of the Vessel Register.
    (ii) When a purse seine vessel categorized as active or inactive on 
the Vessel Register has been removed from the Vessel Register under the 
procedures described in paragraph (j) of this section, the Regional 
Administrator will not make available the capacity of the vessel 
removed from the Vessel Register, and will reserve that capacity for a 
replacement vessel for a period of 2 years from the date of 
notification described in paragraph (j)(4) of this section. The 
replacement vessel will be eligible to be listed as active on the 
Vessel Register at the same carrying capacity or less as that of the 
vessel it is replacing. If the replacement vessel has a carrying 
capacity greater than the vessel being replaced, the vessel owner or 
managing owner may request additional carrying capacity allocated to 
the vessel in accordance with paragraph (e)(4) of this section. If 
additional carrying capacity is not available, the replacement vessel 
must reduce its carrying capacity to no more than the previously 
authorized carrying capacity amount for the vessel being replaced by 
complying with the protocol for sealing wells adopted by the IATTC, 
prior to it being listed as active on the Vessel Register. Such a 
vessel may apply for additional carrying capacity as it becomes 
available under the procedures described in paragraph (e)(4).
    (4) Vessel owners or managing owners may request a purse seine 
vessel of 400 st (362.8 mt) carrying capacity or less be categorized as 
active to replace a vessel or vessels removed from the Vessel Register 
by submitting to the HMS Branch written notification as described in 
paragraph (c)(2) of this section and, only if the vessel is required by 
the Agreement on the IDCP to carry an observer, payment of the vessel 
assessment fee to the IATTC within 10 business days after submission of 
the written notification. The replacement vessel will be eligible to be 
categorized as active on the Vessel Register at the same carrying 
capacity or less as that of the vessel or vessels it is replacing. If 
the replacement vessel has a carrying capacity greater than the vessel 
being replaced, the vessel owner or managing owner may request 
additional carrying capacity allocated to the vessel in accordance with 
paragraph (e)(4) of this section. If additional carrying capacity is 
not available, the replacement vessel must reduce its capacity to no 
more than the previously authorized carrying capacity for the vessel or 
vessels being replaced by complying with the protocol for sealing wells 
adopted by the IATTC, prior to it being listed as active on the Vessel 
Register. Such a vessel may apply for additional carrying capacity as 
it becomes available. Payments received will be subject to a 10 percent 
surcharge for vessels that were listed as active on the Vessel Register 
in the previous calendar year, but not listed as inactive at the 
beginning of the calendar year for which active status was requested.
    (5) Vessel owners or managing owners may request a purse seine 
vessel in excess of 400 st (362.8 mt) carrying capacity be categorized 
as active to replace a vessel or vessels removed from the Vessel 
Register by submitting to the Regional Administrator the vessel permit 
application as described under 50 CFR 216.24(b) and payment of the 
vessel assessment fee to the IATTC and payment of the permit 
application fee to

[[Page 40740]]

the Regional Administrator within 10 business days after submission of 
the vessel permit application for the replacement vessel. The 
replacement vessel will be eligible to be categorized as active on the 
Vessel Register at the same carrying capacity as that of the vessel or 
vessels it is replacing. If the replacement vessel has a carrying 
capacity greater than the vessel being replaced, the vessel owner or 
managing owner may request additional carrying capacity allocated to 
the vessel in accordance with paragraph (e)(4) of this section. If 
additional carrying capacity is not available, the replacement vessel 
must reduce its carrying capacity to no more than the previously 
authorized carrying capacity for the vessel or vessels being replaced 
by complying with the protocol for sealing wells adopted by the IATTC, 
prior to it being listed as active on the Vessel Register. Such a 
vessel may apply for additional carrying capacity as it becomes 
available. The replacement vessel will also only be eligible to be 
categorized as active on the Vessel Register if the captain of the 
replacement vessel possesses an operator permit under 50 CFR 216.24(b). 
Payments received will be subject to a 10 percent surcharge for vessels 
that were listed as active on the Vessel Register in the previous 
calendar year, but not listed as inactive at the beginning of the 
calendar year for which active status was requested.
    (6) The Regional Administrator will forward requests to replace 
vessels removed from the Vessel Register within 15 days of receiving 
each request.
    (i) Transfers of purse seine vessels to a foreign registry and 
flag. The owner or managing owner of a purse seine vessel listed on the 
Vessel Register must provide written notification to the Regional 
Administrator prior to submitting an application for transfer of the 
vessel to foreign registry and flag. Written notification must be 
submitted to the Regional Administrator at least 10 business days prior 
to submission of the application for transfer. The written notification 
must include the vessel name and registration number; the expected date 
that the application for transfer will be submitted; and the vessel 
owner or managing owner's name and signature. Vessels that require 
approval by the U.S. Maritime Administration prior to transfer of the 
vessel to foreign registry and flag will not be subject to the 
notification requirement described in this paragraph (i).
    (j) Aging fleet provision for purse seine vessels. (1) The vessel 
owner or managing owner of a purse seine vessel listed as active or 
inactive on the Vessel Register may request to replace the current 
vessel with a new or used vessel without losing the vessel's placement 
in the hierarchy of requests for active status as described in 
paragraph (e) of this section. The replacement vessel will be eligible 
to be listed as active on the Vessel Register at the same carrying 
capacity or less as that of the vessel it is replacing. If the 
replacement vessel has a carrying capacity greater than the vessel 
being replaced, the vessel owner or managing owner may request 
additional carrying capacity be allocated to the vessel in accordance 
with paragraph (e)(4) of this section. If additional carrying capacity 
is not available at the time the request to be listed as active on the 
Vessel Register is received by the Regional Administrator, the 
replacement vessel must reduce its carrying capacity to no more than 
the previously authorized carrying capacity of the vessel being 
replaced by complying with the protocol for sealing wells adopted by 
the IATTC, prior to it being listed as active on the Vessel Register. 
Such a vessel may apply for additional carrying capacity as it becomes 
available under the procedures described in paragraph (e)(4). This 
aging fleet provision may be used only once per vessel by the vessel 
owner or managing owner.
    (2) A request made under this provision may include a request to 
remove the vessel from the Vessel Register. The Regional Administrator 
will ensure the amount of carrying capacity equal to or less of the 
vessel being replaced will be available for the replacement vessel for 
up to 2 years from the date of notification described in paragraph 
(j)(4) of this section.
    (3) To request a vessel be replaced under this provision, the 
vessel owner or managing owner must submit to the HMS Branch written 
notification including, but not limited to, the vessel name and 
registration number, the vessel owner or managing owner's name, 
signature, business address, business email address, and business 
telephone and fax numbers, and the expected month and year the 
replacement vessel will be ready to fish in the Convention Area.
    (4) Within 30 days of receiving each request described in paragraph 
(j)(3) of this section, the Regional Administrator shall notify the 
vessel owner or managing owner in writing whether the request has been 
accepted or denied, and the reasons therefore.

0
6. Amend Sec.  300.24 by revising paragraphs (n), (ff), (kk), and (ll) 
to read as follows:


Sec.  300.24  Prohibitions.

* * * * *
    (n) Use a fishing vessel of class size 4-6 to fish with purse seine 
gear in the IATTC Convention Area in contravention of Sec.  300.25(e).
* * * * *
    (ff) Fail to provide information to an observer or record or report 
data on FADs as required in Sec.  300.22(c).
* * * * *
    (kk) When deploying a FAD, activate the satellite buoy attached to 
a FAD in a location other than on a purse seine vessel at sea as 
required in Sec.  300.28(b).
    (ll) Fail to activate a satellite buoy before deploying a FAD at 
sea as required in Sec.  300.28(b).
* * * * *

0
7. Amend Sec.  300.25 by revising paragraphs (a)(2) and (e) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  300.25  Fisheries management.

    (a) * * *
    (2) There is a limit of 750 metric tons of bigeye tuna that may be 
caught by longline gear in the Convention Area by U.S. commercial 
fishing vessels that are over 24 meters in overall length. The catch 
limit within a calendar year is subject to increase if the United 
States receives a transfer of catch limit from another IATTC member or 
cooperating non-member, per paragraph (a)(5) of this section.
* * * * *
    (e) Purse seine closures--(1) 72-day closure. A U.S. commercial 
purse seine fishing vessel that is of class size 4-6 (more than 182 
metric tons carrying capacity) may not be used to fish with purse seine 
gear in the Convention Area for 72 days during one of the following two 
periods:
    (i) From 0000 hours Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) July 29 to 
2400 hours UTC October 8; or
    (ii) From 0000 hours UTC November 9 to 2400 hours UTC January 19 of 
the following year.
    (2) Additional closure days for vessels that exceed bigeye tuna 
catch levels. (i) In 2023 and 2024, U.S. purse seine vessels that 
exceed a certain annual catch level of bigeye tuna must increase the 
number of closure days they observe in the following year, as specified 
in table 1 to this paragraph (e)(2).
    (ii) The additional days of closure must be added to one of the two 
closure periods indicated in paragraph (e)(1) of this section. For 
vessels observing the first closure period, the additional days must be 
added at the beginning of the closure period. For vessels observing the 
second closure period, the additional days must be added to the end of 
the

[[Page 40741]]

closure period. The HMS Branch will confirm the determination of annual 
catch levels for U.S. purse vessels based on information provided by 
the IATTC and notify any U.S. vessel that exceeds a given catch level.

                       Table 1 to Paragraph (e)(2)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Additional
                Catch level (mt) exceeded                  closure days
                                                             observed
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,200...................................................              10
1,500...................................................              13
1,800...................................................              16
2,100...................................................              19
2,400...................................................              22
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Choice of closure period. A vessel owner, manager, or 
association representative of a vessel that is subject to the 
requirements of paragraph (e)(1) of this section must provide written 
notification to the Regional Administrator declaring which one of the 
two closure periods identified in paragraph (e)(1) their vessel will 
observe in that year. This written notification must be submitted by 
email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="88ffebfaa6e0e5fbc8e6e7e9e9a6efe7fe">[email protected]</a> and must be received no later than May 15 of 
the relevant calendar year. The written notification must include the 
vessel name and registration number, the closure dates that will be 
observed by that vessel, and the vessel owner or managing owner's name, 
signature, business address, and business telephone number.
    (4) Default closure period. If written notification is not 
submitted per paragraph (e)(3) of this section for a vessel subject to 
the requirements under paragraph (e)(1) of this section, that vessel 
must observe the second closure period under paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of 
this section.
    (5) Request for exemption due to force majeure. A vessel may 
request a reduced closure period if a force majeure event renders the 
vessel unable to proceed to sea outside one of the two closure periods 
specified in paragraph (e)(1) of this section for at least 75 
continuous days. A vessel will only be eligible for an exemption due to 
force majeure if the vessel was disabled in the course of fishing 
operations by mechanical and/or structural failure, fire, or explosion.
    (i) A request for an exemption due to force majeure must be made to 
the Highly Migratory Species Branch no later than 20 calendar days 
after the end of the period of inactivity due to force majeure. The 
request must be made via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="730410015d1b1e00331d1c12125d141c05">[email protected]</a> or by contacting the 
HMS Branch. The request must include the name and official number of 
the vessel, vessel owner or manager's name and signature, and evidence 
to support the request, which may include but is not limited to 
photographs, repair bills, certificates of departure from port, and in 
the case of a marine casualty, a completed copy of the U.S. Coast Guard 
Form CG-2692A (See 46 CFR 4.05-10).
    (ii) If accepted by the Sustainable Fisheries Division, the request 
for exemption due to force majeure will be forwarded to the IATTC 
Director. If declined by the Sustainable Fisheries Division, the 
applicant may provide additional information or documentation to the 
Sustainable Fisheries Division with a request that the initial decision 
be reconsidered by email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cdbaaebfe3a5a0be8da3a2acace3aaa2bb">[email protected]</a>, or by contacting the HMS 
Branch Chief.
    (iii) If the request for an exemption due to force majeure is 
accepted by the IATTC, the vessel may observe a reduced closure period 
of 40 consecutive days in the same year during which the force majeure 
event occurred, in one of the two closure periods described in 
paragraph (e)(1) of this section. After a request is accepted by the 
IATTC, the vessel owner or manager must specify to the HMS Branch which 
40 consecutive days the vessel will observe for their reduced closure 
period.
    (iv) If the request for an exemption due to force majeure is 
accepted by the IATTC and the vessel has already observed a closure 
period described in paragraph (e)(1) of this section in the same year 
during which the force majeure event occurred, the vessel may observe a 
reduced closure period of 40 consecutive days the following year, in 
one of the two closure periods described in paragraph (e)(1).
    (v) An exemption due to force majeure will only apply to the 72-day 
closure period required under paragraph (e)(1) of this section. Vessels 
that are both granted a reduced 40-day initial closure period due to 
force majeure under this paragraph (e)(5) and required to observe 
additional closure days for exceeding bigeye tuna catch levels under 
paragraph (e)(2) of this section must observe the reduced closure 
period consecutively with the additional closure days by adding the 
additional closure days to either the beginning of the first reduced 
closure period or the end of the second reduced closure period.
    (vi) Any purse seine vessel for which a force majeure request is 
accepted by the IATTC must carry an observer aboard authorized pursuant 
to the International Agreement on the International Dolphin 
Conservation Program, unless that vessel has been granted an exemption 
from the Regional Administrator.
    (6) 31-day area closure. A U.S. fishing vessel of class size 4-6 
(more than 182 metric tons carrying capacity) may not be used from 0000 
hours on October 9 to 2400 hours on November 8 to fish with purse seine 
gear within the area bounded at the east and west by 96[deg] and 
110[deg] W longitude and bounded at the north and south by 4[deg] N and 
3[deg] S latitude.
    (7) Requirement to stow gear. At all times while a vessel is in a 
time/area closed period established under paragraph (e)(1) or (6) of 
this section, unless fishing under the exception under paragraph (e)(5) 
of this section, the fishing gear of the vessel must be stowed in a 
manner as not to be readily available for fishing. In particular, the 
boom must be lowered as far as possible so that the vessel cannot be 
used for fishing, but so that the skiff is accessible for use in 
emergency situations; the helicopter, if any, must be tied down; and 
launches must be secured.
* * * * *

0
8. Amend Sec.  300.27 by revising paragraph (e) to read as follows:


Sec.  300.27  Incidental catch and tuna retention requirements.

* * * * *
    (e) Silky shark restrictions for purse seine and longline vessels. 
The crew, operator, and owner of a commercial purse seine or longline 
fishing vessel of the United States used to fish for tuna or tuna-like 
species is prohibited from retaining on board, transshipping, storing, 
or landing any part or whole carcass of a silky shark (Carcharhinus 
falciformis) that is caught in the IATTC Convention Area, except as 
provided in paragraph (f) of this section.
* * * * *

0
9. Amend Sec.  300.28 by:
0
a. Revising paragraphs (b) and (c);
0
b. Redesignating paragraphs (d) and (e) as paragraphs (f) and (g);
0
c. Adding new paragraphs (d) and (e); and,
0
d. Revising the introductory text to newly redesignated paragraph (g).
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  300.28  FAD restrictions.

* * * * *
    (b) Activating FADs for purse seine vessels. When deploying a FAD 
in the IATTC Convention Area, a vessel owner, operator, or crew must 
activate the satellite buoy while the FAD is onboard the purse seine 
vessel and before it is deployed in the water.

[[Page 40742]]

    (c) Restrictions on Active FADs for purse seine vessels. U.S. 
vessel owners and operators of purse-seine vessels with the following 
well volume in cubic meters (m\3\) must not have more than the 
following number of Active FADs per vessel in the IATTC Convention Area 
at any one time during the following years.

                        Table 1 to Paragraph (c)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Active FAD
                   Well volume (m\3\)                          limit
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         For 2022 calendar year
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,200 or more...........................................             400
426-1,199...............................................             270
213-425.................................................             110
0-212...................................................              66
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         For 2023 calendar year
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,200 or more...........................................             340
426-1,199...............................................             255
213-425.................................................             105
0-212...................................................              64
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    For 2024 calendar year and beyond
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,200 or more...........................................             340
426-1,199...............................................             210
213-425.................................................              85
0-212...................................................              50
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (d) Restrictions on satellite buoy deactivations. A vessel owner or 
operator that deactivates a satellite buoy attached to a FAD must 
comply with the reporting requirements for buoy deactivations in Sec.  
300.22(c)(3). A U.S. vessel owner or operator shall only deactivate a 
satellite buoy attached to a FAD that was activated in the IATTC 
Convention Area in the following circumstances:
    (1) Complete loss of signal reception;
    (2) Beaching;
    (3) Appropriation of a FAD by a third party;
    (4) Temporarily during a selected closure period;
    (5) For being outside of the area between the meridians 150[deg] W 
and 100[deg] W, and the parallels 8[deg] N and 10[deg] S; the area 
between the meridian 100[deg] W and the coast of the American continent 
and the parallels 5[deg] N and 15[deg] S; or
    (6) Transfer of ownership.
    (e) Restrictions on satellite buoy reactivations. A vessel owner or 
operator that reactivates a satellite buoy must comply with the 
reporting requirements for satellite buoy reactivations in Sec.  
300.22(c)(4). A U.S. vessel owner or operator shall only remotely 
reactivate a satellite buoy at sea that was activated in the IATTC 
Convention Area in the following circumstances:
    (1) To assist in the recovery of a beached FAD;
    (2) After a temporary deactivation during the closure period; or
    (3) Transfer of ownership while the FAD is at sea.
* * * * *
    (g) FAD design requirements to reduce entanglements. All FADs 
onboard or deployed in the IATTC Convention Area by U.S. vessel owners, 
operators, or crew, must comply with the following design requirements:

* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2022-14115 Filed 7-7-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P


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