Source: https://regulations.justia.com/regulations/fedreg/2015/10/27/2015-27258.html
Timestamp: 2020-02-24 10:13:31
Document Index: 249054056

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 52', 'art 55', 'art 300', 'art 300', 'art 300', 'ART 300', 'art 300', '§ 300', '§ 300', 'art 67']

International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; Vessel Register Required Information, International Maritime Organization Numbering Scheme, 65683-65686 [2015-27258] :: National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration :: Department Of Commerce :: Regulation Tracker :: Justia
Justia Regulation Tracker Department Of Commerce National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; Vessel Register Required Information, International Maritime Organization Numbering Scheme, 65683-65686 [2015-27258]
International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; Vessel Register Required Information, International Maritime Organization Numbering Scheme, 65683-65686 [2015-27258]
Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 207 / Tuesday, October 27, 2015 / Proposed Rules In addition, the SIP is not approved to apply on any Indian reservation land or in any other area where the EPA or an Indian tribe has demonstrated that a tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian country, the rule does not have tribal implications as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), nor will it impose substantial direct costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law. List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52 Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Ozone, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. Dated: October 15, 2015. Dennis J. McLerran, Regional Administrator, Region 10. [FR Doc. 2015–27165 Filed 10–26–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 55 [EPA–R03–OAR–2014–0568; FRL–9917–70– Region 3] Outer Continental Shelf Air Regulations Consistency Update for Maryland Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Proposed rule. AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to update a portion of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Air Regulations. Requirements applying to OCS sources located within 25 miles of States’ seaward boundaries must be updated periodically to remain consistent with the requirements of the corresponding onshore area (COA), as mandated by the Clean Air Act, as amended in 1990 (the Act). The portion of the OCS air regulations that is being updated pertains to the requirements for OCS sources for which Maryland is the designated COA. In the Final Rules section of this Federal Register, EPA is taking this action as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views this as a noncontroversial submittal and anticipates no adverse comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the direct final rule. If no adverse comments are received in response to this action, no further activity is contemplated. If EPA receives adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:30 Oct 26, 2015 Jkt 238001 public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. EPA will not institute a second comment period. Any parties interested in commenting on this action should do so at this time. DATES: Comments must be received in writing by November 27, 2015. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID Number EPA– R03–OAR–2014–0568 by one of the following methods: A. www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. B. Email: campbell.dave@epa.gov. C. Mail: EPA–R03–OAR–2014–0568, Dave Campbell, Associate Director, Office of Permits and Air Toxics, Mailcode 3AP10, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103. D. Hand Delivery: At the previouslylisted EPA Region III address. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket’s normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA–R03–OAR–2014– 0568. EPA’s policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change, and may be made available online at www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through www.regulations.gov or email. The www.regulations.gov Web site is an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an email comment directly to EPA without going through www.regulations.gov, your email address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD–ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 65683 of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. Docket: All documents in the electronic docket are listed in the www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, i.e., CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, is not placed on the Internet and will be publicly available only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically in www.regulations.gov or in hard copy during normal business hours at the Air Protection Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103. Copies of the State submittal are available at the Maryland Department of the Environment, 1800 Washington Boulevard, Suite 705, Baltimore, Maryland 21230. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cathleen Van Osten, (215) 814–2746, or by email at vanosten.cathleen@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For further information, please see the information provided in the direct final action, with the same title, that is located in the ‘‘Rules and Regulations’’ section of this Federal Register publication. Dated: March 10, 2015 William C. Early, Acting, Regional Administrator, Region III. Editorial Note: This document was received for publication by the Office of the Federal Register on October 21, 2015. [FR Doc. 2015–27159 Filed 10–26–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 300 [Docket No. 150902807–5949–01] RIN 0648–BE99 International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; Vessel Register Required Information, International Maritime Organization Numbering Scheme National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments. AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\27OCP1.SGM 27OCP1 65684 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 207 / Tuesday, October 27, 2015 / Proposed Rules NMFS proposes to implement a resolution adopted by the InterAmerican Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) by requiring U.S. vessels, fishing for tuna and tuna-like species with a capacity equal to or greater than 100 gross resister tons (GRT), to have an International Maritime Organization (IMO) number. The IMO numbers will be included with information the United States sends to the IATTC for vessels authorized to fish in the IATTC Convention Area for tuna and tuna-like species, and will enable more effective tracking of vessels that may be engaging in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. DATES: Comments must be submitted in writing by November 27, 2015. A public hearing will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. PST, on November 12, 2015, in Long Beach, CA. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this proposed rule and supporting documents, including the Regulatory Flexibility Act certification and Regulatory Impact Review, identified by NOAA–NMFS–2015–0129, by any of the following methods: • Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-20150129, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. • Mail: Attn: Chris Fanning, NMFS West Coast Region, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802. Include the identifier ‘‘NOAA–NMFS2015-0129’’ in the comments. • Public hearing: The public is welcome to attend a public hearing and offer comments on this proposed rule from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. PST, on November 12, 2015, at 501 W. Ocean Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802. The public may also participate in the public hearing via conference line: 1–888–790– 6181, passcode 47596. Instructions: NMFS may not consider comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:30 Oct 26, 2015 Jkt 238001 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Fanning, NMFS, West Coast Region, 562–980–4198. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS is issuing a proposed rule under the authority of the Tuna Conventions Act of 1950, as amended (TCA), to implement the new regional vessel register (RVR) requirements in Resolution C–14–01 (Resolution (Amended) on a Regional Vessel Register) adopted by the IATTC at its June 2014 annual meeting. U.S. vessels that have been authorized to fish for tuna and tuna-like species in the IATTC Convention Area of the eastern Pacific Ocean must be included on the RVR. NMFS adds authorized vessels to the RVR by submitting vessel information to the Secretariat of the IATTC. The Convention Area includes the waters bounded by the coast of the Americas, the 50 °N. and 50 °S. parallels, and the 150 °W. meridian. The proposed rule would require that U.S. fishing vessels of 100 GRT (or 100 gross tonnage (GT)) or greater operating in the IATTC Convention Area obtain IMO numbers. An IMO number is a unique vessel identifier that is permanently associated with the vessel hull, even if the vessel name changes or the vessel is reflagged to another nation. IMO numbers enable more effective tracking of vessels that may be engaging in IUU fishing. An estimated 120 U.S. vessels would be subject to this rule, of which approximately 90 percent already have an IMO number. Resolution C–14–01 requires each member of the IATTC, including the United States, to maintain a record of its fishing vessels authorized to fish for tuna and tuna-like species in the IATTC Convention Area and to share the information in its record with the IATTC periodically for purposes of maintaining the RVR. In 2014, the IATTC decided to require an additional piece of information in members’ records for fishing vessels of 100 GRT (or 100 gross tonnage (GT)) or greater: Either the IMO number or Lloyd’s Register number. An IMO number, also known as an IMO ship identification number, is the number issued for a ship or vessel under the ship identification number scheme adopted by the IMO. As used in C–14–01, ‘‘Lloyd’s Register number,’’ or ‘‘LR number,’’ has the same meaning as an IMO number except that an LR number refers to the number issued for a vessel not required to have an IMO number under IMO agreements. Accordingly, C–14–01 now requires IATTC members to ensure that IMO numbers or Lloyd’s Register numbers are issued for such vessels. The PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 administrator of the IMO ship identification number scheme issues both types of numbers using the same numbering scheme. Hereafter, ‘‘IMO number’’ is used to refer to both IMO numbers and Lloyd’s Register numbers. IHS Maritime, located in Surrey, England, currently issues IMO numbers via their Web site at: http:// www.imonumbers.lrfairplay.com/ default.aspx. For each of the subject fishing vessels, the proposed rule would require that the owner of the fishing vessel either ensure that an IMO number has been issued for the vessel or apply to NMFS for an exemption from the requirement. Resolution C–14–01 (at footnote 1) allows for an exemption from the IMO number requirement in extraordinary circumstances if the vessel owner has followed all appropriate procedures to obtain a number. 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 West Coast Regional Administrator. Upon receipt of a request for an exemption, the West Coast Regional Administrator will assist the fishing vessel owner in requesting an IMO number. If the West Coast 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, he or she will issue an exemption from the requirements for the vessel and its owner, and notify the owner of the exemption. NMFS notes that IHS Maritime is a private third party, and it is conceivable that an eligible vessel may not be able to complete the necessary steps and supply the required information, resulting in a denied vessel number request. To minimize the burden on affected U.S. businesses, NMFS is not proposing to require that vessel owners report the IMO numbers associated with their vessel to NMFS. NMFS will collect that information via data available from the United States Coast Guard and IHS Maritime directly. Classification The NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that this proposed rule is consistent with the TCA and other applicable laws, subject to further consideration after public comment. This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866. E:\FR\FM\27OCP1.SGM 27OCP1 srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 207 / Tuesday, October 27, 2015 / Proposed Rules Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 605(b), the Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration that this action would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The small entities to which the proposed action would apply are all U.S. commercial fishing vessels that may target tuna and tuna-like species in the IATTC Convention Area. As of August 2015, there are 1,798 Pacific Highly Migratory Species permits. Of these, 118 vessels are 100 GRT or greater and 104 of the vessels have already been issued an IMO number. Thus, the proposed action would initially require 14 vessels to obtain IMO numbers. For these 14 vessels, the average annual revenue per vessel from all finfish fishing activities since 2010 has been $1.3 million, and less than $20.5 million when considering both an individual vessel or per vessel average. Complying with the IMO number requirement in this proposed action requires no out-ofpocket expenses because applications are free. The 30 minutes estimated to apply for an IMO number would not result in a significant opportunity cost to the fisherman considering it is a onetime occurrence for the life of the vessel hull. The rule is not expected to change fishery operations. Accordingly, the impact of this rule on the affected vessel owners’ and operators’ income is expected to be de minimis. This proposed rule contains a collection-of-information requirement subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), which has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under control numbers 0648– 0387. A request for revision to account for the additional information that would be required pursuant this rule is under OMB review. Public reporting burden for obtaining an IMO number, or for making an IMO exemption request are each estimated to average 30 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate, or any other aspect of this data collection, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to NMFS (see VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:30 Oct 26, 2015 Jkt 238001 ADDRESSES) and to Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA_ Submission@omb.eop.gov or fax to 202– 395–7285). Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a 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: http://www.cio.noaa.gov/ services_programs/prasubs.html. List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 300 Administrative practice and procedure, Fish, Fisheries, Fishing, Marine resources, Vessels, Reporting and record keeping requirements, Treaties. Dated: October 21, 2015. Samuel D. Rauch III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 300, subpart C, is proposed to be amended as follows: PART 300—INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES REGULATIONS Subpart C—Eastern Pacific Tuna Fisheries 1. The authority citation for 50 CFR part 300, subpart C, continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 16 U.S.C. 951 et seq. 2. In § 300.22, revise paragraph (b)(3) to read as follows: ■ § 300.22 Eastern Pacific fisheries recordkeeping and written reports. * * * * * (b) * * * (3) Vessel information. (i) 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 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 65685 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; 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 and other parts of the CFR. (ii) 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. (iii) Requirement for IMO number. 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. 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 Web site of IHS Maritime. (iv) 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 West Coast Regional Administrator. The request must be sent by mail to NMFS West Coast Region, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802, 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. E:\FR\FM\27OCP1.SGM 27OCP1 65686 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 207 / Tuesday, October 27, 2015 / Proposed Rules srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS (v) Exemption process. Upon receipt of a request for an exemption under paragraph (b)(3)(iv) of this section, the West Coast Regional Administrator will, to the extent he or she determines appropriate, assist the fishing vessel owner in requesting an IMO number. If the West Coast Regional Administrator determines that the fishing vessel owner has followed all appropriate procedures and yet is unable to obtain an IMO VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:30 Oct 26, 2015 Jkt 238001 number for the fishing vessel, he or she will issue an exemption from the requirements of paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section for the vessel and its owner and notify the owner of the exemption. The West Coast Regional Administrator may limit the duration of the exemption. The West Coast Regional Administrator may rescind an exemption at any time. If an exemption is rescinded, the fishing vessel owner PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 9990 must comply with the requirements of paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section 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. * * * * * [FR Doc. 2015–27258 Filed 10–26–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\27OCP1.SGM 27OCP1
[Pages 65683-65686]
[FR Doc No: 2015-27258]
[Docket No. 150902807-5949-01]
International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; Vessel Register
Required Information, International Maritime Organization Numbering
American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) by requiring U.S. vessels,
fishing for tuna and tuna-like species with a capacity equal to or
greater than 100 gross resister tons (GRT), to have an International
Maritime Organization (IMO) number. The IMO numbers will be included
with information the United States sends to the IATTC for vessels
authorized to fish in the IATTC Convention Area for tuna and tuna-like
species, and will enable more effective tracking of vessels that may be
engaging in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
DATES: Comments must be submitted in writing by November 27, 2015. A
public hearing will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. PST, on November 12,
2015, in Long Beach, CA.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this proposed rule and supporting
documents, including the Regulatory Flexibility Act certification and
Regulatory Impact Review, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2015-0129, by any of
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2015-0129, click the
``NOAA-NMFS-2015-0129'' in the comments.
hearing and offer comments on this proposed rule from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
PST, on November 12, 2015, at 501 W. Ocean Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long
Beach, CA 90802. The public may also participate in the public hearing
via conference line: 1-888-790-6181, passcode 47596.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS is issuing a proposed rule under the
authority of the Tuna Conventions Act of 1950, as amended (TCA), to
implement the new regional vessel register (RVR) requirements in
Resolution C-14-01 (Resolution (Amended) on a Regional Vessel Register)
adopted by the IATTC at its June 2014 annual meeting. U.S. vessels that
have been authorized to fish for tuna and tuna-like species in the
IATTC Convention Area of the eastern Pacific Ocean must be included on
the RVR. NMFS adds authorized vessels to the RVR by submitting vessel
information to the Secretariat of the IATTC. The Convention Area
includes the waters bounded by the coast of the Americas, the 50
[deg]N. and 50 [deg]S. parallels, and the 150 [deg]W. meridian. The
proposed rule would require that U.S. fishing vessels of 100 GRT (or
100 gross tonnage (GT)) or greater operating in the IATTC Convention
Area obtain IMO numbers.
An IMO number is a unique vessel identifier that is permanently
associated with the vessel hull, even if the vessel name changes or the
vessel is reflagged to another nation. IMO numbers enable more
effective tracking of vessels that may be engaging in IUU fishing. An
estimated 120 U.S. vessels would be subject to this rule, of which
approximately 90 percent already have an IMO number.
Resolution C-14-01 requires each member of the IATTC, including the
United States, to maintain a record of its fishing vessels authorized
to fish for tuna and tuna-like species in the IATTC Convention Area and
to share the information in its record with the IATTC periodically for
purposes of maintaining the RVR. In 2014, the IATTC decided to require
an additional piece of information in members' records for fishing
vessels of 100 GRT (or 100 gross tonnage (GT)) or greater: Either the
IMO number or Lloyd's Register number. An IMO number, also known as an
IMO ship identification number, is the number issued for a ship or
vessel under the ship identification number scheme adopted by the IMO.
As used in C-14-01, ``Lloyd's Register number,'' or ``LR number,'' has
the same meaning as an IMO number except that an LR number refers to
the number issued for a vessel not required to have an IMO number under
IMO agreements. Accordingly, C-14-01 now requires IATTC members to
ensure that IMO numbers or Lloyd's Register numbers are issued for such
vessels. The administrator of the IMO ship identification number scheme
issues both types of numbers using the same numbering scheme.
Hereafter, ``IMO number'' is used to refer to both IMO numbers and
Lloyd's Register numbers. IHS Maritime, located in Surrey, England,
currently issues IMO numbers via their Web site at: http://www.imonumbers.lrfairplay.com/default.aspx.
For each of the subject fishing vessels, the proposed rule would
require that the owner of the fishing vessel either ensure that an IMO
number has been issued for the vessel or apply to NMFS for an exemption
from the requirement. Resolution C-14-01 (at footnote 1) allows for an
exemption from the IMO number requirement in extraordinary
circumstances if the vessel owner has followed all appropriate
procedures to obtain a number. In the event that a fishing vessel
owner may request an exemption from the requirement from the West Coast
Regional Administrator. Upon receipt of a request for an exemption, the
West Coast Regional Administrator will assist the fishing vessel owner
in requesting an IMO number. If the West Coast 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, he or she will issue an exemption from the requirements for the
vessel and its owner, and notify the owner of the exemption. NMFS notes
that IHS Maritime is a private third party, and it is conceivable that
an eligible vessel may not be able to complete the necessary steps and
supply the required information, resulting in a denied vessel number
To minimize the burden on affected U.S. businesses, NMFS is not
proposing to require that vessel owners report the IMO numbers
associated with their vessel to NMFS. NMFS will collect that
information via data available from the United States Coast Guard and
IHS Maritime directly.
rule is consistent with the TCA and other applicable laws, subject to
that this action would not have a significant economic impact on a
The small entities to which the proposed action would apply are all
U.S. commercial fishing vessels that may target tuna and tuna-like
species in the IATTC Convention Area. As of August 2015, there are
1,798 Pacific Highly Migratory Species permits. Of these, 118 vessels
are 100 GRT or greater and 104 of the vessels have already been issued
an IMO number. Thus, the proposed action would initially require 14
vessels to obtain IMO numbers. For these 14 vessels, the average annual
revenue per vessel from all finfish fishing activities since 2010 has
been $1.3 million, and less than $20.5 million when considering both an
individual vessel or per vessel average. Complying with the IMO number
requirement in this proposed action requires no out-of-pocket expenses
because applications are free. The 30 minutes estimated to apply for an
IMO number would not result in a significant opportunity cost to the
fisherman considering it is a one-time occurrence for the life of the
vessel hull. The rule is not expected to change fishery operations.
Accordingly, the impact of this rule on the affected vessel owners' and
operators' income is expected to be de minimis.
by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under control numbers
0648-0387. A request for revision to account for the additional
information that would be required pursuant this rule is under OMB
review. Public reporting burden for obtaining an IMO number, or for
making an IMO exemption request are each estimated to average 30
NMFS (see ADDRESSES) and to Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs (OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov or fax to 202-395-7285).
Marine resources, Vessels, Reporting and record keeping requirements,
2. In Sec.  300.22, revise paragraph (b)(3) to read as follows:
(3) Vessel information. (i) Information on each commercial fishing
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 and other parts of the
(ii) 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.
(iii) Requirement for IMO number. The owner of a fishing vessel of
the United States used for commercial fishing for tuna and tuna-like
total internal volume is 100 gross register tons or greater. 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
available on the Web site of IHS Maritime.
Regional Administrator. The request must be sent by mail to NMFS West
Coast Region, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802, 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.
[[Page 65686]]
under paragraph (b)(3)(iv) of this section, the West Coast Regional
Administrator will, to the extent he or she determines appropriate,
assist the fishing vessel owner in requesting an IMO number. If the
West Coast 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, he or she will issue an
exemption from the requirements of paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this
section for the vessel and its owner and notify the owner of the
exemption. The West Coast Regional Administrator may limit the duration
of the exemption. The West Coast 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)(iii) of
this section 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.
[FR Doc. 2015-27258 Filed 10-26-15; 8:45 am]