94-10765. North Pacific Fisheries Research Plan  

  • [Federal Register Volume 59, Number 87 (Friday, May 6, 1994)]
    [Unknown Section]
    [Page 0]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 94-10765]
    
    
    [[Page Unknown]]
    
    [Federal Register: May 6, 1994]
    
    
    =======================================================================
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
    
    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    
    50 CFR Parts 301, 671, 672, 675, 676, and 677
    
    [Docket No. 940412-4112; I.D. 033194E]
    RIN 0648-AD80
    
     
    
    North Pacific Fisheries Research Plan
    
    AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
    Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
    
    ACTION: Proposed rule and notice of hearings.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: NMFS issues a proposed rule to implement the North Pacific 
    Fisheries Research Plan (Research Plan) for the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) 
    groundfish fishery, Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area 
    (BSAI) groundfish fishery, Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands area king 
    and Tanner crab fisheries, and Pacific halibut fishery in convention 
    waters off Alaska. The Research Plan would provide an industry-funded 
    observer program and promote management, conservation, and scientific 
    understanding of groundfish, halibut, and crab resources off Alaska.
    
    DATES: Comments on this proposed rule must be received by July 5, 1994.
        Public hearings on the proposed Research Plan will be held as 
    follows:
    
    1. June 7, 1994, 7:00 p.m., Anchorage, Alaska.
    2. June 15, 1994, 10:30 a.m., Seattle, Washington.
    3. June 16, 1994, 10:00 a.m., Portland, Oregon.
    
    ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to Ronald J. Berg, Chief, Fisheries 
    Management Division, Alaska Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, 
    P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802 (Attn: Lori Gravel). Individual copies 
    of the proposed Research Plan and the environmental assessment/
    regulatory impact review (EA/RIR) may be obtained from the North 
    Pacific Fishery Management Council, P.O. Box 103136, Anchorage, AK 
    99510.
        Public hearings will be held at the following locations:
    
    1. Anchorage--Anchorage Hilton Hotel, 500 W. 3rd Avenue, Anchorage, 
    Alaska (907-272-7411)
    2. Seattle--Alaska Fisheries Science Center Auditorium, 7600 Sand Point 
    Way Northeast, Building 9, Seattle, Washington (206-526-4197)
    3. Portland--Red Lion Inn, 909 North Hayden Island Dr., Jantzen Beach, 
    Portland, Oregon (503-283-4466).
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronald J. Berg, Chief, Fisheries 
    Management Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, at 907-586-7228.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    Background
    
        The domestic groundfish fisheries of the BSAI and GOA in the 
    exclusive economic zone (EEZ) are managed under the Fishery Management 
    Plan (FMP) for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
    Islands Area and the FMP for Groundfish of the GOA. The FMPs were 
    prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) 
    under the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 
    1801 et seq.) (Magnuson Act) and are implemented for the U.S. fishery 
    by regulations at 50 CFR parts 620, 672, and 675. The domestic fishery 
    for Pacific halibut off Alaska is managed by the International Pacific 
    Halibut Commission (IPHC), as provided by the Northern Pacific Halibut 
    Act of 1982 (16 U.S.C. 773-773k), with implementing regulations at 50 
    CFR part 301. Regulations implementing individual fishing quotas (IFQs) 
    for the domestic groundfish and halibut fisheries off Alaska are at 50 
    CFR part 676. The king and Tanner crab fisheries of the Bering Sea and 
    Aleutian Islands area are managed under the FMP for the Commercial King 
    and Tanner Crab Fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. This 
    FMP delegates management of the crab resources in the Bering Sea and 
    Aleutian Islands area to the State of Alaska (State) with Federal 
    oversight. Regulations necessary to carry out the crab FMP appear at 50 
    CFR part 671.
        Section 313 of the Magnuson Act, as amended by section 404 of the 
    High Seas Driftnet Fisheries Enforcement Act, Pub. L. 102-582, 
    authorizes the Council to prepare, in consultation with the Secretary 
    of Commerce (Secretary), a Research Plan for all fisheries under the 
    Council's jurisdiction except salmon fisheries. The proposed Research 
    Plan would require that observers be stationed on certain fishing 
    vessels and U.S. fish processors participating in the BSAI groundfish, 
    GOA groundfish, and Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands area king and 
    Tanner crab fisheries, and it would allow these requirements to be 
    extended to the halibut fishery off Alaska. Observers would be deployed 
    for the purpose of collecting data necessary for the conservation, 
    management, and scientific understanding of fisheries under the 
    Council's authority. The Research Plan also would establish a system of 
    fees to pay for the costs of implementing the Research Plan. The fees 
    would be based on the exvessel value of retained catch in the BSAI and 
    GOA groundfish fisheries, the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands area king 
    and Tanner crab fisheries, and the Pacific halibut fishery off Alaska 
    (Research Plan fisheries). Future recommendations by the Council to 
    include other fisheries under the Research Plan would require an 
    amendment or amendments to the Research Plan and to the regulations 
    implementing it.
        Regulations implementing Amendments 18 and 13 to the FMPs for 
    Groundfish of the GOA and the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and 
    Aleutian Islands Area, respectively (54 FR 50386, December 6, 1989), 
    authorized a data collection program to obtain information necessary 
    for conservation and management of the groundfish fisheries. One of the 
    measures in Amendments 18 and 13 authorized a comprehensive domestic 
    fishery observer program. The Secretary, in consultation with the 
    Council, prepared and implemented an Observer Plan to implement 
    provisions of that program (55 FR 4839, February 12, 1990). The Alaska 
    Board of Fisheries (Board) implemented a Shellfish Onboard Observer 
    Program for the king and Tanner crab fisheries off Alaska in April 1988 
    (5 AAC 39.645). Currently, no observer program is established for the 
    Pacific halibut fishery in convention waters off Alaska.
        Two problems with the current Federal and State observer programs 
    have been identified. First, the costs of observer coverage are not 
    borne by all fishery participants. Under the current Federal observer 
    program, some groundfish operations are required to pay for 100 percent 
    observer coverage, others are required to pay for 30 percent coverage, 
    and still other operations that benefit from the observer program pay 
    none of the cost. The last group includes some groundfish and all 
    halibut operations, because they have no observer coverage 
    requirements. State king and Tanner crab regulations require observer 
    coverage for all vessels that process king or Tanner crab in waters off 
    Alaska, but mandate no observer coverage for crab catcher vessels or 
    shoreside processors.
        Second, the current method of paying for observers under the 
    Federal and State observer programs limits NMFS and State control over 
    the observer programs and impedes the agencies' ability to manage the 
    programs effectively. Observer contractors are not solely responsible 
    to NMFS or to the State for the quality of their work performance; 
    sometimes they have conflicting responsibilities to their clients, to 
    whom they are providing observers, and to NMFS or to the State. The 
    owners and operators of vessels and processing facilities now are 
    responsible for making arrangements with an observer contractor of 
    their choice to meet observer requirements and for paying the costs of 
    observers directly to that contractor. This direct business 
    relationship, and the ability of an owner or operator to select among 
    the group of contractors, mean that the contractors and, indirectly, 
    the observers, work for the operations they are observing. This 
    relationship could provide a means for an operation to reward or 
    penalize contractors and their observers and thus negatively influence 
    the work performance of the observers and quality of the data 
    collected. This appearance of a conflict of interest could reduce the 
    credibility of observer data.
        To resolve these problems, the Council initiated development of the 
    Research Plan. A draft EA/RIR for the Research Plan was initially 
    reviewed and approved for public distribution and comment by the 
    Council and its advisory bodies at their January 15-17, 1991, meetings. 
    After reviewing written comments and advice from its advisory bodies, 
    and hearing public testimony at its meetings of April 23-26, 1991, the 
    Council further refined the Research Plan. A revised EA/RIR was 
    reviewed and approved for public distribution and comment by the 
    Council and its advisory bodies at their April 20-26, 1992, meetings. 
    After reviewing written comments, obtaining further advice from its 
    advisory bodies, and hearing public testimony at its June 23-28, 1992, 
    meeting, the Council adopted the Research Plan and recommended that it 
    be submitted to the Secretary for review. The EA/RIR was updated in 
    December 1993 to reflect newly available information. The Council 
    approved the Research Plan as described in this proposed rule at its 
    December 1993 meeting.
    
    Description of the Proposed Research Plan
    
    Objectives
    
        1. Provide a framework for an observer program for the Alaska 
    groundfish fisheries and the Pacific halibut fishery to accommodate 
    inseason management and stock assessment needs, and to provide 
    accurate, real-time data of sufficient quality to implement an 
    individual vessel incentive program developed to meet specified 
    management objectives of the Council;
        2. Provide a framework for an observer program for Bering Sea and 
    Aleutian Islands area king and Tanner crab fisheries to accommodate 
    inseason management needs, monitor industry compliance with Federal and 
    State regulations, and collect biological and management data necessary 
    to achieve the sustained yield of the crab resource without 
    overfishing;
        3. Ensure that the groundfish and crab observer programs are 
    efficient and cost effective, that any increased costs are commensurate 
    with the quality and usefulness of the data to be derived from any 
    revisions to the programs, and that such changes are necessary to meet 
    fishery management needs; and
        4. Provide for cooperation and coordination between the groundfish 
    observer program administered by NMFS and the crab observer program 
    administered by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G).
    
    Determination of Research Plan Fees
    
        NMFS would annually establish a Research Plan fee percentage for 
    the upcoming calendar year. As described in this preamble, the fee 
    percentage would be based on standard exvessel prices by species and 
    projections of the following: (1) Retained catches by species (i.e., 
    catch retained by either at-sea or shoreside processors) in all 
    Research Plan fisheries; (2) observer program costs; and (3) the 
    surplus in the North Pacific Fishery Observer Fund (Fund), other 
    sources of funding for the Research Plan, and nonpayments. After 
    consulting with the Council and State, NMFS would publish the fee 
    percentage and the values of the variables on which it is based in the 
    Federal Register and invite comments. After considering comments 
    received and again consulting with the Council and the State, NMFS 
    would publish final values in the Federal Register.
        Standard Exvessel Prices. NMFS would annually establish standard 
    exvessel prices for species harvested in Research Plan fisheries. These 
    prices would be used in estimating the total exvessel value of the 
    Research Plan fisheries for the coming year and in assessing fees. The 
    standard exvessel prices would be based on: (1) Exvessel price 
    information for the most recent 12-month period for which data are 
    available, (2) factors that are expected to change exvessel prices in 
    the upcoming calendar year, and (3) any other relevant information that 
    may affect expected exvessel prices during the upcoming calendar year.
        Retained Catch. NMFS would project retained catch, by species, for 
    the Research Plan fisheries annually, using the best available 
    information concerning expected catches and discards.
        Total Exvessel Value. NMFS would annually calculate the total 
    exvessel value of retained catches for Research Plan fisheries as the 
    sum of the products of the standard exvessel prices and projected 
    retained catches, for all Research Plan species.
        Observer Program Costs. NMFS and ADF&G would each prepare an annual 
    budget that identifies expected recoverable Research Plan costs for the 
    upcoming calendar year. Recoverable costs identified in each budget 
    would include: (1) Costs for observer training, certification, 
    briefing, and debriefing; (2) costs for stationing observers, including 
    travel, salaries, benefits, and insurance; (3) costs for data 
    collection, transmission, input, processing, and management; and (4) 
    contract services and general program operational costs, excluding 
    overhead. The estimated budget would be based on anticipated observer 
    coverage and the anticipated costs directly incurred in carrying out 
    the Research Plan. The observer program costs also would include the 
    costs associated with a risk-sharing pool to provide comprehensive 
    insurance coverage for vessels and owners if such an insurance program 
    is established under section 313 of the Magnuson Act (see Risk-sharing 
    Pool, in this preamble.)
        Surplus Funds, Other Sources of Funding, and Fee Nonpayment. 
    Annually, NMFS would project each of the following: (1) The surplus 
    that would be in the Fund at the end of the current calendar year, (2) 
    the funds that would be available from other sources for use in funding 
    the Research Plan during the upcoming calendar year, and (3) the 
    nonpayment rate on fees assessed under the Research Plan during the 
    upcoming calendar year.
        Calculation of the Fee Percentage. Under the Magnuson Act, the fee 
    percentage established to pay for the costs of implementing the 
    Research Plan may not exceed 2 percent of the exvessel value of fish 
    harvested under the authority of the Council (except salmon), including 
    shellfish and the Northern Pacific halibut fishery. Annually, the fee 
    percentage for the upcoming calendar year will be set equal to the 
    lesser of 2 percent of the exvessel value of retained catch in the 
    Research Plan fisheries or the fee percentage calculated using the 
    equation described above and set out at Sec. 677.11(a)(3).
        If the fee percentage calculated using this formula is greater than 
    2 percent, there would be a funding shortfall due to the 2 percent 
    limit in the Magnuson Act. This would require a reevaluation of the 
    levels of coverage that would be required and funded. Available funds 
    would be utilized to address the Research Plan objectives in the 
    following priority: (1) Status of stock assessments (i.e., collection 
    of data on total catch, species composition, size, sex, and age); (2) 
    inseason management; (3) bycatch monitoring; and (4) vessel incentive 
    programs and regulatory compliance.
    
    Fee Assessments
    
        Processors would be responsible for collecting all fee assessments 
    and for paying them bimonthly (i.e., every 2 months). Section 313 of 
    the Magnuson Act stipulates that fees shall be assessed against all 
    fishing vessels and U.S. fish processors participating in Research Plan 
    fisheries under the jurisdiction of the Council, including those not 
    required to have observers. Fee assessments would not apply to fish, 
    except halibut, caught in the territorial sea (0-3 miles), or to any 
    fish caught in internal waters of the State. Recordkeeping and 
    reporting requirement changes that would require processors to indicate 
    if fish are caught in Federal or State waters will be developed prior 
    to implementation of the fee collection system.
        Catcher vessels would be expected to pay half of the fee 
    liabilities on their retained catches to the processor(s) responsible 
    for making the bimonthly fee assessment payments to NMFS. NMFS would 
    calculate bimonthly fee assessments by multiplying the fee percentage 
    times the standard exvessel price times the round weight or round-
    weight equivalent of all retained catches, by species, in Research Plan 
    fisheries. For example, if the fee percentage for Research Plan 
    fisheries were 1.00 percent, and the standard exvessel price of pollock 
    were $0.09/lb ($0.20/kg), a retained catch of 500,000 lbs (227,727 kg) 
    of pollock would result in a fee assessment due from the processor of:
    
    0.0100 x $0.09/lb. x 500,000 lbs=$450.00.
    
        Retained catch is defined as the catch retained by either at-sea or 
    shoreside processors. The round weight of fish delivered to shoreside 
    processors would be determined from scale weights. Standard product 
    recovery rates would be used to derive round-weight equivalents when 
    other than whole fish is delivered to shoreside processors. Standard 
    product recovery rates also would be used to calculate round-weight 
    equivalents of groundfish and halibut harvested by or delivered to at-
    sea processors. For crab at-sea processors, scale weights of sample 
    catches would be used to calculate weight of retained catch. NMFS is 
    developing a regulatory amendment to establish standard product 
    recovery rates that would be used throughout the industry to calculate 
    round-weight equivalents of retained catch. Assuming Secretarial 
    approval, NMFS anticipates that standard product recovery rates will be 
    effective by 1995. If a more reliable system for determining total 
    weights is implemented in the future, these regulations would be 
    amended accordingly. Public comment is specifically encouraged on this 
    aspect of the proposed Research Plan.
        NMFS would obtain values for the weight of retained catch to be 
    used in calculating fee assessments through existing data reporting 
    systems. Groundfish data would be obtained from Weekly Production 
    Reports or from ADF&G fish tickets for those vessel operators who are 
    not required to submit Weekly Production Reports under Federal 
    regulations but who sell catch directly to consumers. Crab data would 
    be obtained from ADF&G Weekly Processor Reports, fish tickets, or other 
    required reports. Halibut data would be obtained from the IPHC or from 
    Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) reports, when available.
        NMFS would bill processors bimonthly for their fee assessments. The 
    bimonthly periods would be determined on the basis of weekly reporting 
    periods. NMFS is preparing a rule to revise the definition of a weekly 
    reporting period. Assuming its approval, the 1995 bimonthly periods 
    would be January 1 through February 25; February 26 through April 29; 
    April 30 through July 1; July 2 through September 2; September 3 
    through October 28; and October 29 through December 31. The Director, 
    Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Director) would need to receive payments 
    within 30 days of the date the bill is issued. Interest and 
    administrative charges would be charged for late payments. Payments 
    would be deposited in the Fund within the U.S. Treasury.
        A processor would be required to notify the Regional Director, in 
    writing, within 30 days of issuance of the bill, if any billed amount 
    is disputed. The processor would be responsible for paying the 
    undisputed amount of the bill within 30 days of its issuance, and for 
    providing documentation supporting the disputed amount claimed to be 
    under- or over-billed. Within 60 days of the date of issuance of the 
    disputed bill, the Regional Director would review the disputed bill and 
    the documentation provided by the processor, and would notify the 
    processor of his determination. If the Regional Director determines a 
    billing error has occurred, the processor's account would be rectified 
    by credit or subsequent billing. If the Regional Director determines a 
    billing error has not occurred, the balance of the disputed bill would 
    be due within 15 days of issuance of the determination. Interest and 
    administrative charges would be assessed for payments that are not 
    received within 15 days. Processor permits would not be issued until 
    all fee assessments are paid. (See Permit and Recordkeeping 
    Requirements in this preamble).
        The Council recommended requiring guarantees equal to the maximum 
    estimated quarterly fee assessment for the upcoming calendar year to 
    secure anticipated fee liabilities, in the form of prepayments, letter 
    of credit, surety bond, or lien on property. NMFS believes that the 
    requirement of such guarantees is premature and could be burdensome to 
    the industry, particularly to smaller enterprises, and costly to 
    administer. Small or marginally profitable enterprises could have 
    difficulty in securing such guarantees. There are irrecoverable costs 
    associated with guarantees such as letters of credit and surety bonds. 
    Some guarantees may be of limited value in ensuring necessary cash 
    flows and achieving the objectives of the Research Plan. Collection 
    could also be difficult to accomplish in a timely and cost-effective 
    manner.
        Instead, NMFS is proposing a simplified system to encourage timely 
    fee assessment payments by processors that would consist of: (1) 
    Bimonthly billing, (2) semi-annual processor permitting with a 
    requirement that all Research Plan fee assessments must be current 
    before a permit would be issued, (3) a prohibition against processing 
    landings from Research Plan fisheries without a valid processing 
    permit, and (4) a prohibition against delivery of catch from Research 
    Plan fisheries to a processor not possessing a valid processing permit. 
    This system also has the advantage of greatly simplified reporting and 
    recordkeeping requirements for processors and reduced administrative 
    costs for NMFS. The extent of nonpayment of fee assessments, which is 
    inherent in any fee collection system, would be taken into account in 
    determining the fee percentage rate for the following year. The 
    proposed system is designed to minimize such nonpayment.
    
    First Year of the Research Plan
    
        During the first, or start-up, year of the Research Plan, NMFS 
    would accumulate necessary start-up funds in the Fund. Fees would be 
    assessed against all fishing vessels and U.S. fish processors 
    participating in Research Plan fisheries under the authority of the 
    Council. Processors would be responsible for collecting all fee 
    assessments and for paying them bimonthly. The observer coverage 
    requirements in the Federal Observer Plan and existing State Bering Sea 
    and Aleutian Islands area king and Tanner crab regulations (5 AAC 
    39.645) would remain in effect during the start-up year.
        During the first year of the Research Plan (1995), all processors 
    and vessels participating in Research Plan fisheries would pay the full 
    fee assessment. Vessel operators and processors that currently are 
    required to carry observers under the Federal Observer Plan and under 
    State regulations would continue to do so during the first year of the 
    Research Plan. NMFS would issue rebates to those who paid directly for 
    required observer coverage during the first year of the Research Plan. 
    The rebate per standard observer day would equal either the actual 
    payment to an observer contractor per standard observer day or the 
    standardized cost of a standard observer day, whichever is less. A 
    standard observer day is defined as all or part of a 24-hour period 
    that begins at 0001 hours Alaska local time (A.l.t.) and ends at 2400 
    A.l.t., during which an observer is stationed on a vessel or at a 
    shoreside facility for purposes of complying with observer coverage 
    requirements set forth in the proposed rule at Sec. 677.10(a). A 
    standard observer day cannot be attributed to more than one vessel or 
    shoreside facility.
        The standardized cost of a standard observer day would be based on 
    the estimate(s) of the cost per observer day used to calculate both the 
    total cost of the Research Plan and the fee percentage during 1995. 
    Proposed standardized cost(s) will be published in the Federal Register 
    for public review and comment as part of the annual Research Plan 
    specification process set forth at Sec. 677.11 of the proposed rule. At 
    this time, NMFS anticipates that standardized cost(s) could range 
    between $170 and $265 per day, depending on whether 100 percent or 30 
    percent observer coverage is obtained.
        The rebates issued for vessel or processor observer coverage may 
    exceed Research Plan fee payments. However, issuance of a rebate to a 
    processor would be dependent on the processor being current with 
    respect to submitting its fee payments. The rebates would be based on 
    information provided to NMFS by observer contractors on an Observer 
    Coverage Rebate Application (Form FPP-2). This information would 
    include the number of standard observer days paid for by each vessel or 
    processor and the amount paid for those observer days. The required 
    information would be submitted by each observer contractor within 15 
    days after the end of each calendar month in which it received payments 
    for providing observers. Initial rebates would not be issued before 
    mid-year, to allow for the collection of sufficient funding for the 
    rebate program. Subsequent rebates for 1995 observer coverage would be 
    issued on a more regular basis, e.g. bimonthly.
        NMFS believes that a fund equal to approximately two-thirds of the 
    estimated annual cost needed to operate the Research Plan is the 
    minimum amount needed to begin full operation of the Research Plan and 
    to ensure that cash flow is adequate to meet start-up costs. Assuming 
    approval of regulations implementing the Research Plan, full 
    implementation of the observer and fee portions of the Research Plan is 
    anticipated to begin January 1, 1996.
    
    Permit and Recordkeeping Requirements
    
        After the first year of the Research Plan, most of the burden of 
    recordkeeping would rest with processors, who would be responsible for 
    collecting and paying the bimonthly Research Plan fee assessment when 
    billed by NMFS. During the first year of the Research Plan, additional 
    reporting requirements would be implemented for observer contractors to 
    support the rebate program for direct observer costs. The rebate 
    program and associated recordkeeping requirements are described above.
        All processors of Research Plan fisheries would need a Federal 
    Processing Permit. A Federal Processing Permit Application (Form FPP-1) 
    would be required to obtain a processing permit, and would serve to 
    gather information about the processor and its owner. Fishermen who 
    sell their catch directly to the public at a dock, roadside, or 
    elsewhere would be considered processors under the Research Plan. Each 
    processing vessel or shoreside facility would be required to submit a 
    separate permit application, even if several vessels or facilities are 
    owned by the same company.
        Permits would be issued for each of the two 6-month periods--
    January 1 through June 30, and July 1 through December 31. No permit 
    would be issued until the permit application is complete and all fee 
    assessments paid. Processors that have paid their accounts and 
    submitted complete permit applications would be issued a permit within 
    30 days. Permits would not be issued to those processors not submitting 
    complete applications or to those whose accounts are past due, until 
    their applications are complete and their accounts are paid. Processing 
    fish from Research Plan fisheries without a valid permit, or delivering 
    fish from Research Plan fisheries to a processor not possessing a valid 
    permit, would be prohibited. NMFS would make available to the public a 
    list of those processors holding valid permits to process fish from 
    Research Plan fisheries.
    
    Observer Coverage
    
        During the first year of the Research Plan (1995), observer 
    coverage levels in the groundfish fishery would be as currently 
    required by the Federal Observer Plan. All king and Tanner crab 
    catcher/processors and mothership processors in the Bering Sea and 
    Aleutian Islands area would continue to carry observers under the State 
    Shellfish Onboard Observer Program. Observer coverage would not be 
    required for the halibut fishery.
        Starting with the second year of the Research Plan (1996), NMFS 
    would annually determine the level of observer coverage necessary to 
    achieve the objectives of the Research Plan. NMFS would consider the 
    amount of available funds, as well as the objectives of the program, in 
    determining the appropriate observer coverage levels. NMFS would 
    annually present an analysis of observer coverage, including criteria 
    for selection of vessels to carry observers if coverage is less than 
    100 percent, to the Council, and to the State in the case of the Bering 
    Sea and Aleutian Islands area king and Tanner crab fisheries. NMFS 
    would then publish the proposed levels of coverage in the Federal 
    Register and invite comments. State costs for observer coverage in the 
    Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands area king and Tanner crab fisheries 
    allowable under the Magnuson Act would be paid from fees collected from 
    all Research Plan fisheries. After considering comments received and 
    again consulting with the Council, and with the State in the case of 
    the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands area king and Tanner crab 
    fisheries, NMFS would publish the final levels of observer coverage for 
    the upcoming year in the Federal Register.
    
    Inseason Changes in Observer Coverage
    
        The Regional Director may increase or decrease the observer 
    coverage requirements for the groundfish, halibut, and crab observer 
    programs at any time during the effective period of the Research Plan 
    to improve the accuracy, reliability, and availability of observer 
    data, and to ensure solvency of the observer program, so long as the 
    conditions set forth in section 313 of the Magnuson Act are met, and 
    based on one or more of the following findings:
        1. A significant change in fishing methods, times, or areas for a 
    specific fishery or fleet component has occurred, or is likely to 
    occur.
        2. A significant change in catch or bycatch composition for a 
    specific fishery or fleet component has occurred, or is likely to 
    occur.
        3. Unanticipated shortfalls in the North Pacific Fishery Observer 
    Fund require decreased observer coverage to maintain solvency of the 
    observer programs.
        4. An increase in observer coverage is necessary to ensure or 
    improve data availability or quality in order to meet specific fishery 
    management objectives.
        Any decrease in observer coverage due to unanticipated funding 
    shortfalls must be consistent with the following priorities: (a) Status 
    of stock assessments (i.e., collection of data on total catch, species 
    composition, size, sex, and age); (b) inseason management; (c) bycatch 
    monitoring; and (d) vessel incentive programs and regulatory 
    compliance. Any increased costs must be commensurate with the quality 
    and usefulness of the data to be derived from any revised program and 
    necessary to meet fishery management needs.
        The Regional Director would consult with the Commissioner of ADF&G 
    prior to making inseason changes in observer coverage level for the 
    crab observer program. NMFS would publish changes in observer coverage 
    requirements in the Federal Register, with the reasons for the changes 
    and any special instructions to vessels required to carry observers, at 
    least 10 calendar days prior to their implementation.
    
    Groundfish and Halibut Observers
    
        Groundfish and halibut observers would be either employees of NMFS 
    or employees of NMFS observer contractors. Observer contracts would be 
    subject to a competitive bid process and would comply with Federal and 
    agency procurement regulations. A minimum of three contractors would be 
    used in accordance with the procurement regulations, if cost effective, 
    and if three or more bidders are qualified.
        Observers would possess the education and specific training as 
    specified in the contracts issued by the Federal Government to provide 
    groundfish or halibut observers. The observers' duties are described in 
    detail in the NMFS observer manual, which is updated as necessary and 
    is available from the NMFS Observer Program, Alaska Fisheries Science 
    Center, 7600 Sand Point Way N.E., BIN C15700, Building 4, Seattle, WA 
    98115. Observer duties may include the collection of data on catch, 
    effort, bycatch, and discards of finfish and shellfish, including 
    prohibited species catches, to facilitate inseason management. 
    Observers may collect information on gear, processing, or other fishing 
    information; biological samples to determine species, length, weight, 
    age, sex composition of catch, and predator-prey interactions; or any 
    other information needed to manage the fisheries. They may collect data 
    on marine mammals, seabirds, and other species as appropriate. 
    Information obtained from observers would also be used to monitor 
    compliance with fishing and related regulations.
        The Regional Director would review fishery monitoring programs and 
    report to the Council on methods to improve data collection and 
    sampling techniques and to provide for real-time data transmission from 
    the groundfish and halibut fleet, including daily reporting and other 
    measures as appropriate to improve the accuracy and efficiency of 
    fishery monitoring programs.
        A final rule was published on April 29, 1994, (59 FR 22133) that 
    authorizes NMFS to disclose specified observer data on prohibited 
    species bycatch or bycatch rates. This authority would continue under 
    the Research Plan and is included in this proposed rule 
    (Sec. 677.10(f)).
    
    Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area King and Tanner Crab Observers
    
        Crab observers would either be employees of ADF&G, or employees of 
    NMFS observer contractors. The observers would be required to possess 
    the education and specific training requirements as specified in the 
    contracts issued by the Federal Government to provide crab observers. 
    The observers' duties are described in detail in the ADF&G observer 
    manual, which will be updated as necessary. The ADF&G observer manual 
    is available from ADF&G, Box 308, Dutch Harbor, AK 99692-0308. Crab 
    observer duties may include the collection of data on catch, effort, 
    bycatch, and discards of finfish and shellfish to facilitate inseason 
    management. Observers may also collect biological samples to determine 
    information such as species, length, weight, age, sex composition of 
    catch, predator-prey interactions, or any other biological information 
    needed to manage the fisheries. They may also collect data on marine 
    mammals, seabirds, and other species as appropriate. Crab observers 
    also provide an effective means to ensure management compliance.
        The State would review its fishery monitoring and data transmission 
    programs in conjunction with NMFS, to coordinate methods to improve 
    data collection and sampling techniques, provide for real-time data 
    transmission from the fleet, including daily reporting, improve the 
    accuracy and efficiency of fishery monitoring programs, and improve 
    coordination between State and Federal agencies. Initially, data 
    collection, transmission, and input programs would be the same as 
    specified under existing State regulations and guidelines to facilitate 
    inseason management.
    
    Notification of Observer Contractors by Processors and Operators of 
    Vessels Required To Carry Observers
    
        Processors and operators of vessels required to carry observers 
    under the Research Plan would be responsible for meeting their observer 
    coverage requirements. To ensure that an observer will be available, 
    processors and vessel operators would be required to notify the 
    appropriate agency or observer contractor, as identified by NMFS, not 
    less than 60 days prior to their need for an observer. This 
    notification must be in writing or facsimile copy. A second 
    notification to the appropriate observer contractor, in writing, 
    facsimile copy, or by telephone, must be made not less than 10 days 
    prior to the need for an observer, to make final arrangements for 
    observer deployment. Proposed ports from which observers may embark/
    disembark are Akutan, Atka, Beaver Inlet, Chignik, Cordova, Craig, 
    Dutch Harbor, Homer, Juneau, Ketchikan, Kenai, King Cove, Kodiak, 
    Petersburg, Sand Point, Seward, Sitka, St. George, St. Paul, Valdez, 
    Wrangell, and Yakutat. Ports were selected using the following 
    criteria: (1) Previous selection by observer contractors, (2) 
    accessibility and transportation costs, and (3) availability of 
    overnight accommodations. Public comments on this list of ports is 
    specifically encouraged. This list would be reviewed annually by NMFS, 
    in consultation with the Council and the State, during the annual 
    budget review process.
        During the first year of the Research Plan (1995), observer 
    coverage requirements would be as described in Sec. 677.10(a). NMFS 
    would publish subsequent observer coverage requirements, along with the 
    names of the observer contractors, information for contacting 
    contractors, and a list of embarkment/disembarkment ports for 
    observers, annually in the Federal Register, prior to the beginning of 
    the calendar year to which the coverage requirements apply (see 
    Observer Coverage in this preamble).
    
    Coordination Between the Federal Groundfish Observer Program and the 
    State King and Tanner Crab Observer Program Under the Research Plan
    
        Under authority of the FMP for the Commercial King and Tanner Crab 
    Fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands, the State king and 
    Tanner crab observer program for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
    area was designed by the Board and is administered by ADF&G.
        NMFS and ADF&G would form a work group to maximize efficiency in 
    administration and implementation of the groundfish, halibut, and king 
    and Tanner crab observer programs. The University of Alaska, as an 
    observer training entity, would be a member of this work group when 
    required to help in the development of observer training and debriefing 
    procedures. The work group would review costs and identify possible 
    cost-saving measures, including the use of contractors to perform some 
    or all of the duties under the Research Plan, other than briefing or 
    debriefing. The work group also would review the costs and benefits of 
    training observers in Alaska or elsewhere.
        The work group would address items including: (1) Development of 
    consistent, cost-effective, and compatible observer training and 
    debriefing procedures; (2) development of a consistent data collection, 
    transmission, and processing system, including a single database 
    available to both agencies on a real-time basis; and (3) identification 
    of costs that are appropriate for reimbursement to the State pursuant 
    to the Magnuson Act. NMFS and ADF&G would annually provide to the 
    Council a report detailing steps taken to improve overall coordination 
    between the two observer programs and to improve administrative 
    efficiency.
    
    Observer Oversight Committee
    
        The Council Chairman would establish an Observer Oversight 
    Committee (Committee) to provide advice to the Council, the Board, the 
    Commissioner of ADF&G, and the Regional Director on general provisions 
    of the observer and fee portions of the Research Plan. NMFS, with the 
    assistance of ADF&G, would annually provide Research Plan reports and 
    budget documents to the Committee. The Committee would consist of 
    industry representatives from the following groups: Factory trawler, 
    catcher trawler, shoreside processor, crab catcher vessel, freezer 
    longliner, non-freezer longliner, crab catcher-processor, vessels under 
    60 ft (18.3 m) in length overall, observers, observer contractors, and 
    an independent observer training representative. The Committee would 
    meet with NMFS and ADF&G staff within the annual cycle of the Research 
    Plan to review the reports and budgets and provide input to the Council 
    on fee levels and observer coverage needs. The Committee would not have 
    oversight of the daily operations of the Federal and State observer 
    programs.
    
    Risk-sharing Pool
    
        Under section 313 of the Magnuson Act, the Secretary will review 
    the feasibility of establishing a risk-sharing pool to provide 
    comprehensive commercial insurance coverage for vessels and owners, and 
    the availability of such insurance for vessels and owners, against 
    liability from civil suits by observers. If the Secretary determines 
    that a risk-sharing pool is feasible, any implementing regulations 
    would be codified at subpart B of 50 CFR part 677.
    
    Public Comment and Hearings
    
        Public comments on the proposed Research Plan and its implementing 
    regulations are invited for 60 days. During this comment period, the 
    Secretary will conduct public hearings, as required by the Magnuson 
    Act, in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington for the purpose of receiving 
    public comments on the proposed regulations (see DATES and ADDRESSES 
    for dates and locations). NMFS will consider public comments received 
    in preparing the final rule implementing the Research Plan.
    
    Classification
    
        The General Counsel of the Department of Commerce certified to the 
    Small Business Administration that this proposed rule, if adopted, 
    would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
    small entities. Although it would affect all firms in the Research Plan 
    fisheries, it would not decrease revenues by more than 2 percent. Since 
    costs are approximately equal to revenues in the Research Plan 
    fisheries, costs are not expected to go up by more than 2 percent. 
    Thus, while a substantial number of small entities would be affected, 
    the effect is not expected to be economically significant.
        This proposed rule contains collection-of-information requirements 
    subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act. These collections of 
    information have been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget 
    for approval. Public reporting burden for each year of this collection 
    is estimated to average 0.5 hours per response for completing the semi-
    annual Federal Processing Permit Application, 0.25 hours per response 
    for notifying contractors of needs for observers, and 1.0 hour per 
    response to provide information to document claims of disputed bills. 
    For the first year of the Research Plan, completion of Observer 
    Coverage Rebate Application forms is estimated to average 0.16 hours 
    per response. All reporting burden estimates include 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 these burden 
    estimates, or any other aspect of the data requirements, including 
    suggestions for reducing the burden, to NMFS (see ADDRESSES) and to the 
    Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and 
    Budget, Washington, DC 20503 (ATTN: NOAA Desk Officer).
        This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for 
    purposes of E.O. 12866.
    
    List of Subjects in 50 CFR Parts 301, 671, 672, 675, 676, and 677
    
        Fisheries, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
    
        Dated: April 29, 1994.
    Rolland A. Schmitten,
    Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
    Service.
    
        For the reasons set out in the preamble, title 50 CFR is proposed 
    to be amended as follows:
    
    PART 301--PACIFIC HALIBUT FISHERIES
    
        1. The authority citation for part 301 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 5 UST 5; TIAS 2900; 16 U.S.C. 773-773k.
    
        2. Section 301.23 is added to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 301.23  North Pacific Fisheries Research Plan.
    
        Permit requirements, observer requirements, and fee assessments for 
    the Northern Pacific halibut fishery under the North Pacific Fisheries 
    Research Plan are contained in part 677 of this chapter.
    
    PART 671--KING AND TANNER CRAB FISHERIES OF THE BERING SEA AND 
    ALEUTIAN ISLANDS
    
        3. The authority citation for part 671 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    
        4. A new Sec. 671.4 is added to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 671.4  Permits.
    
        All processors of Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands area king and 
    Tanner crab must comply with permit requirements contained in 
    Sec. 677.4 of this chapter.
        5. A new Sec. 671.21 is added to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 671.21  Observer requirements.
    
        Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands area king and Tanner crab observer 
    requirements are contained in part 677 of this chapter.
    
    PART 672--GROUNDFISH OF THE GULF OF ALASKA
    
        6. The authority citation for part 672 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    
        7. In Sec. 672.4, introductory text of paragraph (b) is 
    redesignated introductory text of paragraph (b)(1); existing paragraphs 
    (b)(1) through (10) are redesignated paragraphs (b)(1) (i) through (x), 
    respectively; and a new paragraph (b)(2) is added to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 672.4  Permits.
    
    * * * * *
        (b) * * *
        (2) All processors of Gulf of Alaska groundfish must comply with 
    permit requirements contained in Sec. 677.4 of this chapter, in 
    addition to any applicable requirements of this Sec. 672.4.
    * * * * *
        8. Section 672.27 is revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 672.27  Observer requirements.
    
        Gulf of Alaska groundfish observer requirements are contained in 
    part 677 of this chapter.
    
    PART 675--GROUNDFISH OF THE BERING SEA AND ALEUTIAN ISLANDS AREA
    
        9. The authority citation for part 675 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    
        10. In Sec. 675.4, introductory text of paragraph (b) is 
    redesignated introductory text of paragraph (b)(1); existing paragraphs 
    (b)(1) through (10) are redesignated paragraphs (b)(1) (i) through (x), 
    respectively; and a new paragraph (b)(2) is added to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 675.4  Permits.
    
    * * * * *
        (b) * * *
        (2) All processors of Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management 
    area groundfish must comply with permit requirements contained in 
    Sec. 677.4 of this chapter, in addition to any applicable requirements 
    of this Sec. 675.4.
    * * * * *
        11. Section 675.25 is revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 675.25  Observer requirements.
    
        Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area groundfish observer 
    requirements are contained in part 677 of this chapter.
    
    PART 676--LIMITED ACCESS MANAGEMENT OF FEDERAL FISHERIES IN AND OFF 
    ALASKA
    
        12. The authority citation for part 676 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq. and 1801 et seq.
    
        13. In Sec. 676.13, paragraph (a)(1) introductory text is revised 
    to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 676.13  Permits.
    
        (a) * * *
        (1) In addition to the permit and licensing requirements prescribed 
    at 50 CFR parts 301, 672, 675, and 677, all fishing vessels that 
    harvest IFQ halibut or IFQ sablefish must have onboard:
    * * * * *
        14. In Sec. 676.16, paragraph (r) is added to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 676.16  General prohibitions.
    
    * * * * *
        (r) Any person who is issued a registered buyer permit under 
    Sec. 676.13(a)(2) of this part and who also is required to obtain a 
    Federal processing permit under Sec. 677.4 of this chapter may not 
    transfer or receive sablefish harvested in Federal waters or halibut 
    unless the person possesses a valid permit issued under Sec. 677.4 of 
    this chapter.
        15. Part 677 is added to read as follows:
    
    PART 677--NORTH PACIFIC FISHERIES RESEARCH PLAN
    
    Subpart A--General Provisions of the North Pacific Fisheries 
    Research Plan.
    
    Sec.
    677.1  Purpose and scope.
    677.2  Definitions.
    677.3  Relation to other laws.
    677.4  Permits.
    677.5  Recordkeeping and reporting.
    677.6  Research Plan fee.
    677.7  General prohibitions.
    677.8  Facilitation of enforcement.
    677.9  Penalties.
    677.10  General requirements.
    677.11  Annual Research Plan specifications.
    677.12  Compliance.
    
    Subpart B--General Provisions of Risk-Sharing Pool for Insurance 
    Purposes.  [Reserved]
    
    Figures--Part 677
    Figure 1--Federal Processing Permit Application (Form FPP-1).
    Figure 2--Observer Coverage Rebate Application (Form FPP-2).
    
        Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    
    Subpart A--General Provisions of the North Pacific Fisheries 
    Research Plan.
    
    
    Sec. 677.1  Purpose and scope.
    
        (a) These regulations implement the North Pacific Fisheries 
    Research Plan developed by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council 
    under the Magnuson Act.
        (b) Regulations in this part govern elements of the Research Plan 
    for the following fisheries under the Council's authority: Bering Sea 
    and Aleutian Islands management area groundfish, Gulf of Alaska 
    groundfish, and Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands area king and Tanner 
    crab in the exclusive economic zone; and halibut from convention waters 
    off Alaska.
    
    
    Sec. 677.2  Definitions.
    
        In addition to the definitions in the Magnuson Act and in 50 CFR 
    part 620, the terms used in this part have the following meanings:
        ADF&G means the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
        At-sea processor means a catcher/processor or mothership processor 
    vessel as defined in this section.
        Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area is defined at 
    Sec. 675.2 of this chapter.
        Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands area is defined at Sec. 671.2 of 
    this chapter.
        Bimonthly refers to a time period calculated on the basis of weekly 
    reporting periods as follows: Each bimonthly period begins at 0001 
    hours A.l.t. of the first Sunday of the first weekly reporting period 
    that has at least 4 days in the associated calendar month and ends at 
    2400 hours A.l.t., the last Saturday of the last weekly reporting 
    period that has at least 4 days in the next calendar month, with the 
    exception of the first bimonthly period, which begins at 0001 hours, 
    A.l.t., January 1, and the last bimonthly period, which ends at 2400 
    hours, A.l.t., December 31. Dates of each bimonthly period will be 
    published in the Federal Register prior to the beginning of the 
    calendar year for which they apply.
        Catcher vessel means a vessel that is used for catching fish.
        Catcher/processor means a processor vessel that is used for 
    catching fish and processing that fish.
        Commissioner of ADF&G means the principal executive officer of 
    ADF&G.
        Convention waters off Alaska means all waters off Alaska in halibut 
    regulatory areas 2C, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E as defined in 50 
    CFR part 301.
        Exvessel price means the price in dollars received by a harvester 
    for fish from Research Plan fisheries. Exvessel price excludes any 
    value added by processing.
        Fee percentage means the annually calculated assessment rate, in 
    percent of exvessel value of Research Plan fisheries, used to determine 
    fee assessments under the Research Plan.
        Fishing day means a 24-hour period, from 0001 A.l.t. through 2400 
    A.l.t., in which fishing gear is retrieved and groundfish, as defined 
    at Sec. 672.2 or Sec. 675.2 of this chapter, halibut, or king or Tanner 
    crab are retained. Days during which a vessel only delivers unsorted 
    codends to a processor are not fishing days.
        Fishing trip means the time period during which one or more fishing 
    days occur that starts on the day when fishing gear is first deployed 
    and ends on the day the vessel: offloads groundfish, as defined at 
    Sec. 672.2 or Sec. 675.2 of this chapter, halibut, or king or Tanner 
    crab; returns to an Alaskan port; or leaves the EEZ off Alaska and 
    adjacent waters of the State of Alaska.
        Groundfish is defined at Sec. 672.2 or Sec. 675.2 of this chapter.
        Gulf of Alaska is defined at Sec. 672.2 of this chapter.
        Halibut means Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis).
        King crab means red king crab (Paralithodes camtschatica), blue 
    king crab (P. platypus), brown (or golden) king crab (Lithodes 
    aequispina), and scarlet (or deep sea) king crab (Lithodes couesi).
        Landing is defined at Sec. 672.2 of this chapter.
        Length overall is defined at Sec. 672.2 of this chapter.
        Mothership processor vessel means a processor vessel that receives 
    and processes fish from other vessels and is not used for catching 
    fish.
        Processing or to process means the preparation of fish to render it 
    suitable for human consumption, industrial uses, or long term storage, 
    including, but not limited to, cooking, canning, smoking, salting, 
    drying, freezing, and rendering into meal or oil, but does not mean 
    icing, bleeding, heading, or gutting.
        Processor means any facility or vessel that processes fish for 
    commercial use or consumption, any person who receives fish from 
    fishermen for commercial purposes, and fishermen who sell fish directly 
    to another individual for use as bait or personal consumption.
        Regional Director means the Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 
    21668, Juneau, AK 99802.
        Research Plan means the North Pacific Fisheries Research Plan 
    developed by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under the 
    Magnuson Act.
        Research Plan fisheries means the following fisheries: Bering Sea 
    and Aleutian Islands management area groundfish, Gulf of Alaska 
    groundfish, Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands area king and Tanner crab; 
    and halibut from convention waters off Alaska.
        Retained catch means the catch retained by either at-sea or 
    shoreside processors, in round weight or round-weight equivalents, from 
    Research Plan fisheries.
        Round weight or round-weight equivalents means:
        (1) For groundfish processed by shoreside processors--scale weights 
    of retained catches; for other than whole fish delivered to shoreside 
    processors, fish product weight, as defined at Sec. 672.2 of this 
    chapter, divided by NMFS standard product recovery rates.
        (2) For groundfish processed by at-sea processors--fish product 
    weight, as defined at Sec. 672.2 of this chapter, of each product 
    divided by NMFS standard product recovery rates.
        (3) For Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands area crab processed by 
    catcher/processors--scale weight of a subsample multiplied by the 
    number of subsamples comprising the retained catch.
        (4) For Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands area crab processed by 
    mothership processor vessels--scale weights of retained catches.
        Shoreside processor or shoreside processing facility means 
    processor as defined in this section.
        Standard exvessel price means the exvessel price for species 
    harvested in Research Plan fisheries, calculated annually by NMFS for 
    each species or species group, from exvessel price information for all 
    product forms, used in determining fee assessments.
        Standard observer day means all or part of a 24-hour period that 
    begins at 0001 hours Alaska local time (A.l.t.) and ends at 2400 
    A.l.t., during which an observer is stationed on a vessel or at a 
    shoreside facility for purposes of complying with observer coverage 
    requirements at Sec. 677.10(a). A standard observer day cannot be 
    attributed to more than one vessel or shoreside facility.
        Standardized cost of an observer day means the cost per observer 
    day used to calculate both the annual total cost of the Research Plan 
    and the fee percentage specified under the annual Research Plan 
    specification process at Sec. 677.11.
        Tanner crab means Chionoecetes species or hybrids of these species.
    
    
    Sec. 677.3  Relation to other laws.
    
        (a) The relation of this part to other laws is set forth in 
    Sec. 620.3 of this chapter and paragraphs (b) through (c) of this 
    section.
        (b) Domestic fishing for groundfish. Regulations governing the 
    conservation and management of groundfish in the Gulf of Alaska and the 
    Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area are set forth at 50 CFR 
    parts 672 and 675, respectively. The conservation and management of 
    groundfish in waters of the territorial sea and internal waters of the 
    State of Alaska are governed by Alaska State regulation at 5 AAC 28 and 
    Alaska Statute at A.S. 16.
        (c) King and Tanner crab fishing. Regulations governing the 
    conservation and management of king crab and Tanner crab in the Bering 
    Sea and Aleutian Islands area are governed by Alaska Statutes at A.S. 
    16 and Alaska State regulations at 5 AAC 34, 35, and 39; and at part 
    671 of this chapter.
    
    
    Sec. 677.4  Permits.
    
        (a) General. In addition to the permit and licensing requirements 
    at Secs. 301.3, 672.4, 675.4, and 676.13 of this chapter, all 
    processors of fish from Research Plan fisheries must have a Federal 
    Processing Permit issued by the Regional Director under this section. 
    Such permits shall be issued without charge.
        (b) Application. The permit required under paragraph (a) of this 
    section may be obtained by submitting to the Regional Director a 
    completed Federal Processing Permit Application (Form FPP-1; see figure 
    1) containing the following information:
        (1) The semi-annual period for which the permit is requested.
        (2) The Research Plan fishery or fisheries for which the permit is 
    requested.
        (3) If the application is for an amended permit, the current 
    Federal Processing Permit number and an indication of the information 
    that is being amended.
        (4) The processor owner's name or names; mailing address; person 
    responsible, if the owner is a company; managing company, if any; 
    telephone number; FAX number; and telex number.
        (5) If the processing facility is a shoreside processor, the 
    plant's name, address, ADF&G Processor Code, telephone number, FAX 
    number, and telex number.
        (6) If the processing facility is a vessel, the vessel's name, home 
    port, net tonnage, length overall, U.S. Coast Guard number, telephone 
    number, FAX number, telex number, INMARSAT (satellite communications) 
    number, and ADF&G number.
        (7) The owner's name, signature, and date.
        (c) Issuance. (1) Permits required under this section will be 
    issued by the Regional Director semi-annually.
        (2) The Regional Director will issue a permit required under 
    paragraph (a) of this section upon receipt of a complete application, 
    if all Research Plan fees due are paid. Upon receipt of an incomplete 
    or improperly completed application, the Regional Director will notify 
    the applicant of the deficiency. No permit will be issued to an 
    applicant until a complete application is submitted and all fees are 
    paid.
        (d) Notification of change. Any person who has applied for and 
    received a permit under this section must notify the Regional Director, 
    in writing, of any change in the information provided under paragraph 
    (b) of this section within 10 days of the date of that change.
        (e) Duration. The permit issued by the Regional Director will 
    continue in full force and effect for the period January 1 through June 
    30, or July 1 through December 31, of the year for which it was issued, 
    or until it is revoked, suspended, or modified under part 621 (Civil 
    Procedures) of this chapter.
        (f) Alteration. No person may alter, erase, or mutilate any permit 
    issued under this section. Any permit that has been intentionally 
    altered, erased, or mutilated is invalid.
        (g) Transfer. Permits issued under this section are not 
    transferable or assignable. Each permit is valid only for the processor 
    for which it is issued. The Regional Director must be notified of a 
    change in ownership, pursuant to paragraph (d) of this section.
        (h) Inspection. The permit issued under this section must be 
    maintained on the processor vessel or at the shoreside processor. The 
    permit must be available for inspection upon request by an authorized 
    officer or any employee of NMFS or ADF&G designated by the Regional 
    Director or Commissioner of ADF&G.
        (i) Sanctions. Procedures governing permit sanctions are found at 
    subpart D of 15 CFR part 904.
        (j) Disclosure. NMFS will maintain a list of permitted processors 
    that may be disclosed for public inspection.
    
    
    Sec. 677.5  Recordkeeping and reporting.
    
        (a) Applicability. Any processor that processes fish from a 
    Research Plan fishery is responsible for compliance with the applicable 
    recordkeeping and reporting requirements of this part.
        (b) General requirements. Any form, record, or report that is 
    required to be submitted or provided to the Regional Director must be 
    addressed or delivered to the National Marine Fisheries Service, P.O. 
    Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802. Submissions must be complete, legible, and 
    in English.
    
    
    Sec. 677.6  Research Plan fee.
    
        (a) Fee percentage. The fee percentage will be set annually under 
    procedures at Sec. 677.11, such that the total fees equal the lesser of 
    the following:
        (1) The cost of implementing the Research Plan, including 
    nonpayments, minus any other Federal funds that support the observer 
    program and any existing surplus in the North Pacific Fishery Observer 
    Fund; or
        (2) Two percent of the exvessel value of all Research Plan 
    fisheries.
        (b) Bimonthly fee assessment. The Research Plan bimonthly fee 
    assessment is the fee percentage established pursuant to Sec. 677.11 
    for the calendar year, multiplied by the standard exvessel price 
    established pursuant to Sec. 677.11 for the calendar year, multiplied 
    by the round weight or round-weight equivalent of retained catch for 
    each species from Research Plan fisheries during the bimonthly period.
        (c) Fee assessment payments. Each processor that retains fish for 
    processing from a Research Plan fishery must collect and pay the 
    Research Plan fee. NMFS will bill each processor of Research Plan 
    fisheries for bimonthly fee assessments, based on the best available 
    information on retained catches processed during that bimonthly period. 
    Bimonthly fee assessment payments must be in the form of certified 
    check, draft, or money order payable in U.S. currency to ``NOAA-NMFS.'' 
    The Regional Director must receive payment in full within 30 calendar 
    days from the date of issuance of each bimonthly fee assessment bill. 
    Payments will be deposited in the North Pacific Fishery Observer Fund 
    within the U.S. Treasury.
        (d) Disputed fee assessments. A processor must notify the Regional 
    Director, in writing, within 30 days of issuance of the bimonthly fee 
    assessment bill, if any portion of the bimonthly fee assessment bill is 
    disputed. The processor must pay the undisputed amount of the bimonthly 
    fee assessment bill within 30 days of its issuance, and provide 
    documentation supporting the disputed portion claimed to be under- or 
    over-billed. The Regional Director will review the disputed bimonthly 
    fee assessment bill and the documentation provided by the processor, 
    and will notify the processor of his determination within 60 days of 
    the date of issuance of the disputed bimonthly fee assessment bill. If 
    the Regional Director determines a billing error had occurred, the 
    processor's account will be rectified by credit or issuance of a 
    corrected bimonthly fee assessment bill. If the Regional Director 
    determines that a billing error had not occurred, the balance of the 
    disputed bimonthly fee assessment bill is due within 15 days of 
    issuance of the determination. Late charges will be assessed for 
    payments not received within 15 days. If the processor does not dispute 
    the amount of the bimonthly fee assessment bill within 30 days of its 
    issuance, the bimonthly fee assessment will be final, and will be due 
    to the United States.
        (e) Late charges. The NOAA Office of the Comptroller shall assess 
    late charges in the form of interest and administrative charges for 
    late payment of fee assessments. Interest will accrue on the unpaid 
    amount at a percentage rate established by the Federal Reserve Board 
    and applied to funds held by the U.S. Treasury for each 30-day period, 
    or portion thereof, that the payment is overdue.
        (f) Rebates for observer coverage (Applicable from January 1, 1995, 
    through December 31, 1995.)--(1) General. During the first year of the 
    Research Plan, NMFS will rebate the cost for required observer 
    coverage.
        (2) Applicability. (i) Each processor that retains fish for 
    processing from a Research Plan fishery must collect and pay the 
    Research Plan fee under procedures set forth under paragraphs (b) 
    through (e) of this section.
        (ii) All catcher vessels and processors of Research Plan fisheries 
    must obtain observer coverage based on coverage requirements at 
    Sec. 677.10(a).
        (iii) Catcher vessels and processors that pay for required observer 
    coverage are eligible for rebates issued by NMFS during the first year 
    of the Research Plan.
        (3) Recordkeeping and reporting, for purposes of this paragraph 
    (f)--(i) Requirement. All NMFS-certified observer contractors and 
    observer contractors supplying observers for processor vessels 
    participating in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands area king and 
    Tanner crab fishery under Alaska State regulations must submit to the 
    Regional Director a completed Observer Coverage Rebate Application 
    (Form FPP-2; see figure 2). Completed forms must be submitted within 15 
    days after the end of each calendar month during which payment is 
    received for observer services provided by the observer contractor for 
    vessel or processor compliance with observer coverage requirements at 
    Sec. 677.10(a).
        (ii) Observer Coverage Rebate Application. Observer contractors may 
    obtain Observer Coverage Rebate Application forms from the Regional 
    Director. The application form requests the following information:
        (A) Observer contractor name and signature of a person serving as a 
    representative for the observer contractor;
        (B) The name and mailing address of the person from whom payment of 
    observer coverage was received and to whom the rebate will be issued;
        (C) Identification of the vessel or shoreside processing facility 
    that received observer coverage;
        (D) The total amount paid for observer coverage and the total 
    number of standard observer days paid for; and
        (E) Name of the observer(s) and date(s) of standard observer day(s) 
    paid for.
        (4) Issuance of rebates. (i) Rebates for observer coverage will be 
    based on information provided to NMFS by observer contractors on the 
    Observer Coverage Rebate Application.
        (ii) NMFS will issue rebates to the persons who paid an observer 
    contractor for observer services. The rebate for each standard observer 
    day an observer is deployed for service at a processor or aboard a 
    vessel will equal either the actual payment to the observer contractor 
    per standard observer day or the standardized cost of a standard 
    observer day, whichever is less.
        (iii) NMFS will issue rebates authorized under this paragraph (f) 
    within 6 months of the receipt of the completed application form 
    described under paragraph (f)(3) of this section. No rebate will be 
    issued to a processor until all Research Plan fees required under this 
    section are paid.
    
    
    Sec. 677.7  General prohibitions.
    
        In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 620.7 of 
    this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person to do any of the 
    following:
        (a) Forcibly assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, or 
    interfere with an observer.
        (b) Interfere with or bias the sampling procedure employed by an 
    observer, including sorting or discarding any catch before sampling; or 
    tamper with, destroy, or discard an observer's collected samples, 
    equipment, records, photographic film, papers, or personal effects 
    without the express consent of the observer.
        (c) Prohibit or bar by command, impediment, threat, coercion, or by 
    refusal of reasonable assistance, an observer from collecting samples, 
    conducting product recovery rate determinations, making observations, 
    or otherwise performing the observer's duties.
        (d) Harass an observer by conduct that has sexual connotations, has 
    the purpose or effect of interfering with the observer's work 
    performance, or otherwise creates an intimidating, hostile, or 
    offensive environment. In determining whether conduct constitutes 
    harassment, the totality of the circumstances, including the nature of 
    the conduct and the context in which it occurred, will be considered. 
    The determination of the legality of a particular action will be made 
    from the facts on a case-by-case basis.
        (e) Process fish from a Research Plan fishery without a valid 
    permit issued pursuant to this part.
        (f) Deliver fish from a Research Plan fishery to a processor not 
    possessing a valid permit issued pursuant to this part.
        (g) Apply for or receive a rebate for observer coverage under 
    provisions of Sec. 677.6(f) that is based on false or inaccurate 
    information.
        (h) Fail to carry an observer when required by the Regional 
    Director.
        (i) Fish without an observer aboard a vessel that is required to 
    carry an observer under Sec. 677.10.
        (j) Require an observer to perform duties normally performed by 
    crew members, including, but not limited to, cooking, washing dishes, 
    standing watch, vessel maintenance, assisting with the setting or 
    retrieval of gear, or any duties associated with the processing of 
    fish, from sorting the catch to the storage of the finished product.
    
    
    Sec. 677.8  Facilitation of enforcement.
    
        See Sec. 620.8 of this chapter.
    
    
    Sec. 677.9  Penalties.
    
        See Sec. 620.9 of this chapter.
    
    
    Sec. 677.10  General requirements.
    
        (a) Compliance requirements applicable through December 31, 1995--
    (1) Compliance by operators of Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
    management area and Gulf of Alaska groundfish vessels--(i) Coverage 
    requirements. Observer coverage is required as follows:
        (A) A mothership processor vessel of any length that processes 
    1,000 mt or more in round weight or round-weight equivalents of 
    groundfish during a calendar month is required to have a NMFS-certified 
    observer on board the vessel each day it receives or processes 
    groundfish during that month.
        (B) A mothership processor vessel of any length that processes from 
    500 mt to 1,000 mt in round weight or round-weight equivalents of 
    groundfish during a calendar month is required to have a NMFS-certified 
    observer on board the vessel at least 30 percent of the days it 
    receives or processes groundfish during that month.
        (C) A catcher/processor or catcher vessel 125 ft (38.1 m) in length 
    overall or longer must carry a NMFS-certified observer at all times 
    while fishing for groundfish, except for vessels fishing for groundfish 
    with pot gear as provided in paragraph (a)(1)(i)(F) of this section.
        (D) A catcher/processor or catcher vessel equal to or greater than 
    60 ft (18.3 m) in length overall, but less than 125 ft (38.1 m) in 
    length overall, must carry a NMFS-certified observer during at least 30 
    percent of its fishing days in each calendar quarter in which it 
    participates for more than 3 fishing days in a directed fishery for 
    groundfish. Each vessel that participates for more than 3 fishing days 
    in a directed fishery for groundfish in a calendar quarter must carry a 
    NMFS-certified observer during at least one fishing trip during that 
    calendar quarter for each of the groundfish fishery categories defined 
    under paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section in which it participates.
        (E) A catcher/processor or catcher vessel fishing with hook-and-
    line gear that is required to carry an observer under paragraph 
    (a)(1)(i)(D) of this section must carry a NMFS-certified observer 
    during at least one fishing trip in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the 
    Gulf of Alaska during each calendar quarter in which it participates in 
    a directed fishery for groundfish in the Eastern Regulatory Area.
        (F) A catcher/processor or catcher vessel equal to or greater than 
    60 ft (18.3 m) in length overall fishing with pot gear must carry a 
    NMFS-certified observer during at least 30 percent of its fishing days 
    in each calendar quarter in which it participates for more than 3 days 
    in a directed fishery for groundfish. Each vessel that participates for 
    more than 3 fishing days in a directed fishery for groundfish using pot 
    gear must carry a NMFS-certified observer during at least one fishing 
    trip during a calendar quarter for each of the groundfish fishery 
    categories defined under paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section in which 
    it participates.
        (ii) Groundfish fishery categories requiring separate coverage--(A) 
    Pollock fishery. Fishing that results in a retained catch of pollock, 
    during any weekly reporting period, that is greater than the retained 
    catch of any other groundfish species or species group that is 
    specified as a separate groundfish fishery under this paragraph 
    (a)(1)(ii).
        (B) Pacific cod fishery. Fishing that results in a retained catch 
    of Pacific cod, during any weekly reporting period, that is greater 
    than the retained catch of any other groundfish species or species 
    group that is specified as a separate groundfish fishery under this 
    paragraph (a)(1)(ii).
        (C) Sablefish fishery. Fishing that results in a retained catch of 
    sablefish, during any weekly reporting period, that is greater than the 
    retained catch of any other groundfish species or species group that is 
    specified as a separate groundfish fishery under this paragraph 
    (a)(1)(ii).
        (D) Rockfish fishery. Fishing that results in a retained aggregate 
    catch of rockfish of the genera Sebastes and Sebastolobus, during any 
    weekly reporting period, that is greater than the retained catch of any 
    other groundfish species or species group that is specified as a 
    separate groundfish fishery under this paragraph (a)(1)(ii).
        (E) Flatfish fishery. Fishing that results in a retained aggregate 
    catch of all flatfish species, except Pacific halibut, during any 
    weekly reporting period, that is greater than the retained catch of any 
    other groundfish species or species group that is specified as a 
    separate groundfish fishery under this paragraph (a)(1)(ii).
        (F) Other species fishery. Fishing that results in a retained catch 
    of groundfish, during any weekly reporting period, that does not 
    qualify as a pollock, Pacific cod, sablefish, rockfish, or flatfish 
    fishery as defined under paragraphs (a)(1)(ii) (A) through (E) of this 
    section.
        (iii) Assignment of vessels to fisheries. During any weekly 
    reporting period, a vessel's retained catch composition of groundfish 
    species or species groups for which a TAC has been specified under 
    Sec. 672.20 or Sec. 675.20 of this chapter, in round weight or round-
    weight equivalents, will determine to which of the fishery categories 
    listed under paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section the vessel is 
    assigned.
        (A) Catcher/processor vessels will be assigned to fishery 
    categories at the end of each weekly reporting period based on the 
    round weight or round-weight equivalent of the retained catch 
    composition of groundfish reported on the vessels' weekly production 
    report submitted to the Regional Director under Sec. 672.5(c)(2) or 
    Sec. 675.5(c)(2) of this chapter.
        (B) Catcher vessels that deliver to mothership processors in 
    Federal waters during a weekly reporting period will be assigned to 
    fishery categories based on the round weight or round-weight equivalent 
    of the retained groundfish catch composition reported on the weekly 
    production report submitted to the Regional Director for that week by 
    the mothership processor under Sec. 672.5(c)(2) or Sec. 675.5(c)(2) of 
    this chapter.
        (C) Catcher vessels delivering groundfish to shoreside processors 
    or to mothership processors in Alaska State waters during a weekly 
    reporting period will be assigned to fishery categories based on the 
    round-weight equivalent of the groundfish delivered to processors 
    during that weekly reporting period and reported on one or more ADF&G 
    fish tickets as required under Alaska Statutes at A.S. 16.05.690.
        (2) Compliance by managers of Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
    management area and Gulf of Alaska groundfish shoreside processing 
    facilities--(i) Coverage requirements. Observer coverage is required as 
    follows:
        (A) A shoreside processing facility that processes 1,000 mt or more 
    in round weight or round-weight equivalents of groundfish during a 
    calendar month is required to have a NMFS-certified observer present at 
    the facility each day it receives or processes groundfish during that 
    month.
        (B) A shoreside processing facility that processes 500 mt to 1,000 
    mt in round weight or round-weight equivalents of groundfish during a 
    calendar month is required to have a NMFS-certified observer present at 
    the facility at least 30 percent of the days it receives or processes 
    groundfish during that month.
        (3) Compliance by processing vessel operators of Bering Sea and 
    Aleutian Islands area king and Tanner crab. An operator of a vessel 
    that processes king or Tanner crab must have one or more State of 
    Alaska-certified observers on board the vessel whenever king or Tanner 
    crab are received or processed, if the operator is required to do so by 
    Alaska State regulations at 5 AAC 39.645.
        (b) Compliance requirements applicable after December 31, 1995--(1) 
    General compliance requirements for Research Plan fisheries--(i) 
    Compliance by operators of Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management 
    area and Gulf of Alaska groundfish vessels from the EEZ and halibut 
    from convention waters off Alaska. An operator of a vessel that catches 
    and retains groundfish or halibut, or a vessel that processes 
    groundfish or halibut, must carry one or more NMFS-certified observers 
    on board the vessel whenever fishing operations are conducted, if the 
    operator is required to do so by the Regional Director under paragraph 
    (b)(2) of this section.
        (ii) Compliance by managers of shoreside processing facilities of 
    Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area and Gulf of Alaska 
    groundfish from the EEZ and halibut from convention waters off Alaska. 
    A manager of a shoreside processing facility that processes groundfish 
    or halibut received from vessels regulated under this part must have 
    one or more NMFS-certified observers present at the facility whenever 
    groundfish or halibut are received or processed, if the manager is 
    required to do so by the Regional Director under paragraph (b)(2) of 
    this section.
        (iii) Compliance by vessel operators of Bering Sea and Aleutian 
    Islands area king and Tanner crab. An operator of a vessel subject to 
    this part must carry one or more NMFS-certified observers or ADF&G 
    employees on board the vessel whenever fishing or processing operations 
    are conducted, if the operator is required to do so by the Regional 
    Director under paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
        (iv) Compliance by managers of shoreside processing facilities of 
    Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands area king and Tanner crab. A manager of 
    a shoreside processing facility that processes king or Tanner crab 
    received from vessels regulated under this part must have one or more 
    NMFS-certified observers, or ADF&G employees, present at the facility 
    whenever king or Tanner crab is received or processed, if the manager 
    is required to do so by the Regional Director under paragraph (b)(2) of 
    this section.
        (2) Observer coverage for Research Plan fisheries--(i) Annual 
    determination of coverage level. The appropriate level of observer 
    coverage necessary to achieve the objectives of the Research Plan, 
    given the funds available from the North Pacific Fishery Observer Fund, 
    will be established annually under procedures in Sec. 677.11.
        (ii) Inseason changes in coverage level--(A) The Regional Director 
    may increase or decrease the observer coverage requirements for the 
    groundfish, halibut, and crab observer programs at any time to improve 
    the accuracy, reliability, and availability of observer data, and to 
    ensure solvency of the observer program, so long as the standards of 
    section 313 of the Magnuson Act and other applicable Federal 
    regulations are met, and the changes are based on one or more of the 
    following:
        (1) A finding that there has been, or is likely to be, a 
    significant change in fishing methods, times, or areas, or catch or 
    bycatch composition for a specific fishery or fleet component.
        (2) A finding that such modifications are necessary to improve data 
    availability or quality in order to meet specific fishery management 
    objectives.
        (3) A finding that any decrease in observer coverage resulting from 
    unanticipated funding shortfalls must be consistent with the following 
    priorities:
        (i) Status of stock assessments;
        (ii) Inseason management;
        (iii) Bycatch monitoring; and
        (iv) Vessel incentive programs and regulatory compliance.
        (4) A determination that any increased costs are commensurate with 
    the quality and usefulness of the data to be derived from any revised 
    program, and are necessary to meet fishery management needs.
        (iii) The Regional Director will consult with the Commissioner of 
    ADF&G prior to making inseason changes in observer coverage level for 
    the crab observer program.
        (iv) NMFS will publish changes in observer coverage requirements 
    made under paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section in the Federal 
    Register, with the reasons for the changes and any special instructions 
    to vessels required to carry observers, at least 10 calendar days prior 
    to their implementation.
        (c) Vessel responsibilities. All vessels required to carry 
    observers must have passed a U.S. Coast Guard safety inspection within 
    the past 2 years and must carry proof to that effect on board. An 
    operator of a vessel must:
        (1) Provide, at no cost to observers, the State of Alaska, or the 
    United States, accommodations and food on the vessel for the observer 
    or observers that are equivalent to those provided for officers of the 
    vessel.
        (2) Maintain safe conditions on the vessel for the protection of 
    observers during the time observers are on board the vessel, by 
    adhering to all U.S. Coast Guard and other applicable rules, 
    regulations, or statutes pertaining to safe operation of the vessel.
        (3) Allow observers to use the vessel's communication equipment and 
    personnel, on request, for the entry, transmission, and receipt of 
    work-related messages, at no cost to the observers, the State of 
    Alaska, or the United States.
        (4) Allow observers access to, and the use of, the vessel's 
    navigation equipment and personnel, on request, to determine the 
    vessel's position.
        (5) Allow observers free and unobstructed access to the vessel's 
    bridge, trawl or working decks, holding bins, processing areas, freezer 
    spaces, weight scales, cargo holds, and any other space that may be 
    used to hold, process, weigh, or store fish or fish products at any 
    time.
        (6) Notify observers at least 15 minutes before fish are brought on 
    board, or fish and fish products are transferred from the vessel, to 
    allow sampling the catch or observing the transfer, unless the 
    observers specifically request not to be notified.
        (7) Allow observers to inspect and copy the vessel's daily fishing 
    logbook, daily cumulative production logbook, transfer logbook, any 
    other logbook or document required by regulations, printouts or tallies 
    of scale weights, scale calibration records, bin sensor readouts, and 
    production records.
        (8) Provide all other reasonable assistance to enable observers to 
    carry out their duties, including, but not limited to, assisting the 
    observers in measuring decks, codends, and holding bins; providing the 
    observers with a safe work area adjacent to the sample collection site; 
    providing crab observers with the necessary equipment to conduct 
    sampling, such as scales, fish totes, and baskets; assisting in 
    collecting bycatch when requested by the observers; assisting in 
    collecting and carrying baskets of fish when requested by observers; 
    and allowing observers to determine the sex of fish when this procedure 
    will not decrease the value of a significant portion of the catch.
        (9) Move the vessel to such places and at such times as may be 
    designated by the contractor, as instructed by the Regional Director, 
    for purposes of embarking and debarking observers.
        (10) Ensure that transfers of observers at sea via small boat or 
    raft are carried out during daylight hours, under safe conditions, and 
    with the agreement of observers involved.
        (11) Notify observers at least 3 hours before observers are 
    transferred, such that the observers can collect personal belongings, 
    equipment, and scientific samples.
        (12) Provide a safe pilot ladder and conduct the transfer to ensure 
    the safety of observers during transfers.
        (13) Provide an experienced crew member to assist observers in the 
    small boat or raft in which any transfer is made.
        (d) Shoreside processor responsibilities. A manager of a shoreside 
    processing facility must:
        (1) Maintain safe conditions at the processing facility for the 
    protection of observers by adhering to all applicable rules, 
    regulations, or statutes pertaining to safe operation and maintenance 
    of the processing facility.
        (2) Notify the observers, as requested, of the planned facility 
    operations and expected receipt of groundfish, crab, or halibut prior 
    to receipt of those fish.
        (3) Allow the observers to use the processing facility's 
    communication equipment, on request, for the entry, transmission, and 
    receipt of work-related messages at no cost to the observers or the 
    United States.
        (4) Allow observers free and unobstructed access to the processing 
    facility's holding bins, processing areas, freezer spaces, weight 
    scales, warehouses, and any other space that may be used to hold, 
    process, weigh, or store fish or fish products at any time.
        (5) Allow observers to inspect and copy the shoreside processing 
    facility's daily cumulative production logbook, transfer logbook, any 
    other logbook or document required by regulations; printouts or tallies 
    of scale weights; scale calibration records; bin sensor readouts; and 
    production records.
        (6) Provide all other reasonable assistance to enable the observer 
    to carry out his or her duties, including, but not limited to, 
    assisting the observer in moving and weighing totes of fish, 
    cooperating with product recovery tests, and providing a secure place 
    to store baskets of sampling gear.
        (e) Notification of observer contractors by processors and 
    operators of vessels required to carry observers. Processors and 
    operators of vessels required to carry observers under the Research 
    Plan are responsible for meeting their observer coverage requirements. 
    Processors and vessel operators must notify the appropriate observer 
    contractor, as identified by NMFS, in writing or facsimile copy, no 
    less than 60 days prior to the need for an observer, to ensure that an 
    observer will be available. Processors and vessel operators must notify 
    the appropriate observer contractor again, in writing, facsimile copy, 
    or by telephone, no less than 10 days prior to the need for an 
    observer, to make final arrangements for observer deployment. Names of 
    observer contractors, information for contacting contractors, and a 
    list of embarkment/disembarkment ports for observers will be published 
    in the Federal Register annually prior to the beginning of the calendar 
    year (see Sec. 677.11).
        (f) Release of observer data to the public--(1) The following 
    information collected by observers for each catcher processor and 
    catcher vessel during any weekly reporting period may be made available 
    to the public:
        (i) Vessel name and Federal permit number;
        (ii) Number of chinook salmon and ``other salmon'' observed;
        (iii) The ratio of total round weight of halibut or Pacific herring 
    to the total round weight of groundfish in sampled catch;
        (iv) The ratio of number of king crab or C. bairdi Tanner crab to 
    the total round weight of groundfish in sampled hauls;
        (v) The number of observed trawl hauls or fixed gear sets;
        (vi) The number of trawl hauls that were basket sampled; and
        (vii) The total weight of basket samples taken from sampled trawl 
    hauls.
        (2) The information listed in paragraphs (f)(2) (i) through (xiii) 
    of this section and collected by observers from observed hauls onboard 
    vessels using trawl gear to participate in a directed fishery for 
    groundfish other than rockfish, Greenland turbot, or Atka mackerel may 
    be made available to the public. The identity of the vessels from which 
    these data are collected will not be released. The information consists 
    of the following:
        (i) Date;
        (ii) Time of day gear is deployed;
        (iii) Latitude and longitude at beginning of haul;
        (iv) Bottom depth;
        (v) Fishing depth of trawl;
        (vi) The ratio of the number of chinook salmon to the total round 
    weight of groundfish;
        (vii) The ratio of the number of other salmon to the total round 
    weight of groundfish;
        (viii) The ratio of total round weight of halibut to the total 
    round weight of groundfish;
        (ix) The ratio of total round weight of herring to the total round 
    weight of groundfish;
        (x) The ratio of the number of king crab to the total round weight 
    of groundfish;
        (xi) The ratio of the number of C. bairdi Tanner crab to the total 
    round weight of groundfish;
        (xii) Sea surface temperature (where available); and
        (xiii) Sea temperature at fishing depth of trawl (where available).
        (3) In exceptional circumstances, the owners and operators of 
    vessels may provide to the Regional Director written justification at 
    the time observer data are submitted, or within a reasonable time 
    thereafter, that disclosure of the information listed in paragraphs (f) 
    (1) and (2) of this section could reasonably be expected to cause 
    substantial competitive harm. The determination whether to disclose the 
    information will be made pursuant to 15 CFR 4.7.
    
    
    Sec. 677.11  Annual Research Plan specifications.
    
        (a) Proposed Research Plan specifications. Annually, after 
    consultation between the Regional Director, the Council, and, in the 
    case of observer coverage levels in the crab fisheries, the State of 
    Alaska, NMFS will publish in the Federal Register, with opportunity for 
    public comment: Proposed standard exvessel prices, total exvessel 
    value, fee percentage, levels of observer coverage for Research Plan 
    fisheries, standardized cost(s) of an observer day, and embarkment/
    disembarkment ports for observers, for the calendar year.
        (1) Standard exvessel prices. Standard exvessel prices will be used 
    in determining the annual fee percentage for the calendar year and will 
    be the basis for calculating bimonthly fee assessments. Standard 
    exvessel prices for species harvested in Research Plan fisheries for 
    each calendar year will be based on:
        (i) Exvessel price information for the most recent 12-month period 
    for which data are available;
        (ii) Factors that are expected to change exvessel prices in the 
    calendar year; and
        (iii) Any other relevant information that may affect expected 
    exvessel prices during the calendar year.
        (2) Total exvessel value. The total exvessel value of Research Plan 
    fisheries will be calculated as the sum of the product of the standard 
    exvessel prices established under paragraph (a)(1) of this section and 
    projected retained catches, by species.
        (3) Research Plan fee percentage. The Research Plan fee percentage 
    for a calendar year will equal the lesser of 2 percent of the exvessel 
    value of retained catch in the Research Plan fisheries or the fee 
    percentage calculated using the following equation:
    
    Fee percentage=[100x(RRPC-FB-OF)/V]/(1-NPR)
    
    where RRPC is the projection of recoverable Research Plan costs for 
    the coming year, FB is the projected end of the year balance of 
    funds collected under the Research Plan, OF is the projection of 
    other funding for the coming year, V is the projected exvessel value 
    of retained catch in the Research Plan fisheries for the coming 
    year, and NPR is the percent (expressed as a decimal) of fee 
    assessments that are expected to result in nonpayment.
    
        (4) Observer coverage. For the period January 1, 1995, through 
    December 31, 1995, observer coverage levels in Research Plan fisheries 
    will be as required by Sec. 677.10(a). After December 31, 1995, the 
    level of observer coverage will be determined annually by NMFS, after 
    consultation with the Council and State of Alaska, and may vary by 
    fishery and vessel or processor size, depending upon the objectives to 
    be met for the groundfish, halibut, and king and Tanner crab fisheries. 
    The Regional Director may change observer coverage inseason pursuant to 
    Sec. 677.10(b)(2)(ii).
        (5) Standardized cost of an observer day. Standardized cost of an 
    observer day is used to determine the Research Plan fee percentage. 
    During the first year of the Research Plan, NMFS will use standardized 
    cost(s) of an observer day, specified under paragraph (b) of this 
    section, as a basis for rebates issued under Sec. 677.6(f) of this 
    part.
        (6) Embarkment/disembarkment ports. Ports to be used to embark and 
    disembark observers will be selected on the basis of convenience to the 
    affected industry and on the availability of facilities, 
    transportation, and accommodations deemed by the Regional Director to 
    be necessary for the safe and reasonable deployment of observers.
        (b) Final Research Plan specifications. NMFS will consider comments 
    received on the proposed specifications and, following consultation 
    with the Council, and with the State, in the case of observer coverage 
    in the crab fisheries, will publish the final total exvessel value; 
    standard exvessel prices; fee percentage; levels of observer coverage 
    for Research Plan fisheries, including names of observer contractors 
    and information for contacting them; standardized cost(s) of an 
    observer day; and embarkment/disembarkment ports in the Federal 
    Register annually prior to the beginning of the calendar year.
    
    
    Sec. 677.12  Compliance.
    
        The operator of any fishing vessel subject to this part, and the 
    manager of any shoreside processing facility that receives groundfish, 
    halibut, or king and Tanner crab from vessels subject to this part, 
    must comply with the requirements of this part. The owner of any 
    fishing vessel subject to this part, or any shoreside processing 
    facility that received groundfish, halibut, or king and Tanner crab 
    from vessels subject to this part, must ensure that the operator or 
    manager complies with the requirements of this part and is liable, 
    either individually or jointly and severally, for compliance with the 
    requirements of this part.
    
    Subpart B--General Provisions of Risk Sharing Pool for Insurance 
    Purposes [Reserved]
    
    BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
    
    Figure 1. Federal Processing Permit Application (Form FPP-1)
    
    TP06MY94.003
    
    
    TP06MY94.004
    
    Figure 2. Observer Coverage Rebate Application (Form FPP-2)
    
    TP06MY94.005
    
    
    BILLING CODE 3510-22-C
    
    Public Reporting Burden Statement
    
        NMFS estimates that the public reporting burden will average 10 
    minutes per response for completing the Observer Coverage Rebate 
    Application, 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 these burden estimates or any other aspect of the data 
    requirements, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to Ronald 
    J. Berg, Chief, Fisheries Management Division, Alaska Region, National 
    Marine Fisheries Service, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802 (Attn: Lori 
    Gravel), and to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork 
    Reduction Project (0634-    ), Washington DC 20503 (Attn: NOAA Desk 
    Officer)
    
    [FR Doc. 94-10765 Filed 5-5-94; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
05/06/1994
Department:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Entry Type:
Uncategorized Document
Action:
Proposed rule and notice of hearings.
Document Number:
94-10765
Dates:
Comments on this proposed rule must be received by July 5, 1994.
Pages:
0-0 (1 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Federal Register: May 6, 1994, Docket No. 940412-4112, I.D. 033194E
RINs:
0648-AD80
CFR: (41)
50 CFR 676.13(a)(2)
50 CFR 677.10(a)
50 CFR 677.10(b)(2)(ii)
50 CFR 675.5(c)(2)
50 CFR 301.23
More ...