North Pacific Fisheries Research Plan; Fee Refund

NMFS issues an interim final rule that will discontinue the 1995 North Pacific Fisheries Research Plan (Research Plan) fee collection process, authorize the issuance of annual Federal processor permits without regard to payment of Research Plan fees, and refund all fees collected (approximately $5.6 million) by NMFS under the Research Plan, along with accrued interest. A refund procedure is outlined that describes how Research Plan refund recipients will be identified, how the refunds will be calculated, and how and when refund checks will be disbursed. This action is necessary to respond to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) vote at its December 1995 meeting to repeal the Research Plan. It is intended to terminate the collection of fees authorized by the Research Plan.