Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2017-2018 Biennial Specifications and Management Measures; Inseason Adjustments, 22428-22441 [2017-09877]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 93 (Tuesday, May 16, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22428-22441]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-09877]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 160808696-7010-02]
RIN 0648-BG86


Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; 
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2017-2018 Biennial Specifications and 
Management Measures; Inseason Adjustments

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

[[Page 22429]]

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Final rule; inseason adjustments to biennial groundfish 
management measures.

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SUMMARY: This final rule announces inseason changes to management 
measures in the Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries. This action, which 
is authorized by the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan 
(PCGFMP), is intended to allow fisheries to access more abundant 
groundfish stocks while protecting overfished and depleted stocks.

DATES: This final rule is effective May 12, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gretchen Hanshew, phone: 206-526-6147, 
fax: 206-526-6736, or email: gretchen.hanshew@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Electronic Access

    This rule is accessible via the Internet at the Office of the 
Federal Register Web site at https://www.federalregister.gov. 
Background information and documents are available at the Pacific 
Fishery Management Council's Web site at https://www.pcouncil.org/.

Background

    The Council, in coordination with Pacific Coast Treaty Indian 
Tribes and the States of Washington, Oregon, and California, 
recommended changes to current groundfish management measures at its 
April 6-11, 2017 meeting. The Council recommended taking a portion of 
the Pacific ocean perch (POP) initially deducted from the ACL that 
would likely go unharvested in 2017 and making it available to the 
mothership (MS) and catcher/processor (C/P) sectors of the at-sea 
Pacific whiting fishery; 3.5 metric tons (mt) to each sector. The 
Council also recommended a modest increase in sablefish trip limits in 
the open access fishery for the area north of 36[deg] N. lat. based on 
the best available fishery data.

Transferring POP to the MS and C/P Sectors

    As part of biennial harvest specifications and management measures, 
annual catch limits (ACLs) are set for non-whiting groundfish species, 
deductions are made ``off-the-top'' from the ACL for various sources of 
mortality (including non-groundfish fisheries that catch groundfish 
incidentally, also called incidental open access fisheries) and the 
remainder, the fishery harvest guideline, is allocated among the 
groundfish fisheries. Regulations at Sec.  660.60(c)(3)(ii) allow NMFS 
to distribute these ``off-the-top'' deductions from the ACL to 
fisheries inseason under certain circumstances. Also, consistent with 
section 6.5.2 of the PCGFMP, NMFS has the authority to implement 
management measures to reduce bycatch of non-groundfish species and, 
under certain circumstances, the measures may be implemented inseason. 
However, under no circumstances may the intention of such management 
measures be simply to provide more fish to a different user group or to 
achieve other allocation objectives.
    Pacific whiting fisheries encounter Klamath River Chinook salmon 
incidentally, particularly when fishing off the central and southern 
Oregon coast. At its March, 2017 meeting, the Council received the most 
recent projections of salmon stock status (Preseason Report I) and 
considered that Klamath River Chinook will not meet escapement goals 
for 2017 by a historically large margin. At its April meeting the 
Council recommended complete closure of commercial salmon fisheries off 
southern Oregon and northern California (approximately 44[deg] N. lat. 
to 40[deg]10' N. lat.) and closure of recreational salmon fisheries in 
similar areas (approximately 42[deg]45' N. lat. to 40[deg]10' N. lat.) 
to protect Klamath River Chinook salmon.
    Chinook salmon bycatch in the Pacific whiting fishery varies by 
latitude, with 81 percent of Chinook being taken when fishing between 
Cape Falcon (45[deg]46' N. lat.) and Cape Blanco (42[deg]50' N. lat.). 
This is a similar area in which Klamath River Chinook stocks are 
commonly encountered, where all commercial and recreational salmon 
fishing in 2017 is closed. At-sea processing of Pacific whiting is 
currently prohibited south of 42[deg] N. lat. (the Oregon-California 
border) per regulations at Sec.  660.131(e). Both the MS and C/P 
sectors expressed willingness to modify operations to avoid Chinook 
salmon bycatch, but acknowledged that difficulties were likely given 
their rockfish allocations and historically high Pacific whiting 
allocations. While moving harvesting operations north to Washington and 
northern Oregon would likely reduce impacts of the Pacific whiting 
fishery on Klamath River Chinook, bycatch of POP in the Pacific whiting 
fisheries has been highest when fishing off Washington.
    At the April meeting, the MS sector requested an increase to their 
POP set-aside to accommodate northern movement of the fleet to reduce 
harvest of Klamath River Chinook and to prevent closure of the MS 
sector prior to harvesting their full allocation of Pacific whiting. At 
the start of 2017, the MS and C/P sectors of the Pacific whiting 
fishery were allocated 9.0 mt and 12.7 mt of POP, respectively, per 
regulations at Sec.  660.55(c)(1)(i)(B). The limited availability of 
overfished species that can be taken as incidental catch in the Pacific 
whiting fisheries, particularly darkblotched rockfish and POP, led NMFS 
to implement sector-specific allocations for these species to the 
Pacific whiting fisheries. If the sector-specific allocation for a non-
whiting species is reached, NMFS may close one or more of the at-sea 
sectors automatically, per regulations at Sec.  660.60(d).
    To accommodate movement of the at-sea fleets farther north, away 
from Klamath River Chinook and into waters with historically higher 
bycatch rates of POP, the Council considered moving POP quota that 
would otherwise go unharvested in the incidental open access fishery 
(primarily the pink shrimp fishery) to the MS and C/P sectors. The 
Council's intent is to maintain 2017 harvest opportunities for the MS 
and C/P sectors of the Pacific whiting fishery, while protecting 
Klamath River Chinook. At the start of 2017 a total of 49.4 mt of POP 
was deducted off-the-top from the ACL, including 10 mt to account for 
mortality in the incidental open access fishery.
    The Council also considered best available information regarding 
mortality levels of POP in the incidental open access fishery to 
evaluate whether all 49.4 mt would be taken in 2017, and if any of 
those fish that would go unharvested and could be transferred to the MS 
and C/P sectors inseason to accommodate higher POP bycatch if the fleet 
moves north to avoid Chinook. Mortality of POP in the incidental open 
access fisheries in 2011-2013 was below 0.6 mt per year, with 
uncharacteristically high mortality in 2014 of 10 mt. However, 
mortality of rockfish in the pink shrimp trawl fishery reduced 
dramatically again in 2015, with an estimated POP mortality of 0.3 mt. 
Following a 2014 research study, it is likely that use of light 
emitting diode (LED) lights in the pink shrimp fishery has become 
widespread. When LED lights were affixed to the shrimp trawl gear, the 
2014 study showed a drastic reduction in bycatch of rockfish, which is 
supported by 2015 total mortality estimates. Therefore, it is likely 
that mortality of POP in the incidental open access fishery will be 
less than 1 mt in 2017.
    Therefore, the Council recommended and NMFS is implementing a 
redistribution of 7 mt of POP, from the off-the-top deductions that 
were made at

[[Page 22430]]

the start of the 2017-2018 biennium, to the MS and C/P sectors, 3.5 mt 
to each sector, to accommodate potential bycatch of POP as each sector 
prosecutes their 2017 Pacific whiting allocations in areas where 
bycatch of Klamath River Chinook is less likely.
    This rule redistributes 7 mt of POP that is anticipated to go 
unharvested in the incidental open access fisheries through the end of 
2017 to the MS and C/P sectors, implementing the Council's 
recommendation to increase the POP set-asides to 12.5 mt for the MS 
sector and 16.2 mt for the C/P sector, and providing the fleet added 
flexibility to fish in areas where Klamath River Chinook are less 
likely to be encountered while reducing the risk of closure of the MS 
and C/P sectors prior to full attainment of the Pacific whiting 
allocation if higher bycatch rates of POP occur as expected in 2017. 
Mortality of POP in the incidental open access fishery was lower than 
anticipated in 2015, and the projected mortality for 2017 indicates it 
will be within the remaining 3 mt off-the-top deduction after 
transferring the 7 mt to the MS and C/P sectors. Transfer of POP to the 
MS and C/P sectors, when combined with projected impacts from all other 
sources, is not expected to result in greater impacts to POP or other 
overfished species than originally projected through the end of the 
year.

Open Access (OA) Sablefish Daily Trip Limit (DTL) Fisheries North of 
36[deg] N. Lat.

    To increase harvest opportunities for OA fixed gear sablefish DTL 
fisheries north of 36[deg] N. lat., the Council considered increases to 
trip limits. The Council's Groundfish Management Team (GMT) made model-
based landings projections for the OA fixed gear sablefish DTL fishery 
north of 36[deg] N. lat. for the remainder of the year. These 
projections were based on the most recent information available. The 
model predicted harvest of 80 percent (338 mt) of the OA harvest 
guideline (HG) (425 mt) under current trip limits. This indicated that 
projected catch in the OA fishery was lower than anticipated when the 
trip limits were initially established (98 percent (418 mt) of the OA 
HG). With the increase in trip limits, predicted harvest is 90 percent 
(382 mt) of the OA HG (425 mt). Projections for the limited entry fixed 
gear fishery north of 36[deg] N. lat. and for fixed gear sablefish 
fisheries south of 36[deg] N. lat. were similar to levels anticipated 
in the biennial harvest specifications and management measures, and no 
requests were made by industry for changes; therefore, and no inseason 
actions were considered. This increase in trip limits does not change 
projected impacts to co-occurring overfished species, as the projected 
impacts to those species assume that the entire sablefish ACL is 
harvested.
    Therefore, the Council recommended and NMFS is implementing trip 
limit changes for the OA sablefish DTL fishery north of 36[deg] N. lat. 
The trip limits for sablefish in the OA fishery north of 36[deg] N. 
lat. are increased from ``300 lb (136 kg) per day, or one landing per 
week of up to 900 lb (408 kg), not to exceed 1,800 lb (817 kg) per two 
months'' to ``300 lb (136 kg) per day, or one landing per week of up to 
1,000 lb (454 kg), not to exceed 2,000 lb (907 kg) per two months'' 
during period 3 through the end of the year.

Classification

    This final rule makes routine inseason adjustments to groundfish 
fishery management measures, based on the best available information, 
consistent with the PCGFMP and its implementing regulations.
    This action is taken under the authority of 50 CFR 660.60(c) and is 
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
    The aggregate data upon which these actions are based are available 
for public inspection at the Office of the Administrator, West Coast 
Region, NMFS, during business hours.
    NMFS finds good cause to waive prior public notice and comment on 
the revisions to groundfish management measures under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) 
because notice and comment would be impracticable and contrary to the 
public interest. Also, for the same reasons, NMFS finds good cause to 
waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), 
so that this final rule may become effective May 12, 2017. The 
adjustments to management measures in this document affect commercial 
fisheries in Washington, Oregon and California. No aspect of this 
action is controversial, and changes of this nature were anticipated in 
the biennial harvest specifications and management measures established 
for 2017-2018.
    Accordingly, for the reasons stated below, NMFS finds good cause to 
waive prior notice and comment and to waive the delay in effectiveness.

Transferring POP to the MS and C/P Sectors

    At the April 2017 Council meeting, the Council recommended that the 
redistribution of POP to the MS and C/P sectors and be implemented as 
quickly as possible to facilitate fishing for Pacific whiting in 
northern waters to avoid bycatch of Klamath River Chinook salmon. There 
was not sufficient time after that meeting to undergo proposed and 
final rulemaking before this action needs to be in effect. Affording 
the time necessary for prior notice and opportunity for public comment 
would postpone transfer of POP to the MS and C/P sectors until later in 
the season, or potentially eliminate the possibility of doing so during 
the 2017 calendar year entirely, and is therefore impractical. Failing 
to reapportion POP to the MS and C/P sectors in a timely manner could 
result in additional impacts to Klamath River Chinook salmon if catch 
of POP approaches the MS or C/P sectors POP allocations and the fleet 
moves south to prevent a closure prior to their Pacific whiting 
allocations being harvested. It could also disproportionally 
disadvantage vessels that fish early in the season because raising the 
allocation during the season only benefits vessels fishing after the 
reapportionment. The 2015 West Coast Groundfish Observer Program 
groundfish mortality report, released over winter, indicated that 
harvest of POP in the pink shrimp fishery was much lower in 2015 than 
in 2014 and supports anecdotal information that the impacts of this 
fishery on rockfish has decreased due to recent gear modifications. 
Therefore, new information and analyses available to the Council in 
April indicate that over 7 mt of POP will go unharvested in the 
incidental open access fishery and could be redistributed per 
regulations at Sec.  660.60(c)(3)(ii).
    It is in the public interest for the MS and C/P sector fishermen to 
have an opportunity to harvest their limits of Pacific whiting without 
interruption and without exceeding their POP bycatch limits because the 
Pacific whiting fishery contributes a large amount of revenue to the 
coastal communities of Washington and Oregon. This action facilitates 
fleet dynamics to avoid bycatch of Klamath River Chinook salmon, allows 
continued harvest of Pacific whiting, and allows harvest as intended by 
the Council, consistent with the best scientific information available.

OA Sablefish DTL Fisheries North of 36[deg] N. Lat.

    At the April 2017 Council meeting, the Council recommended an 
increase to OA sablefish trip limits be implemented as quickly as 
possible to allow harvest of sablefish to approach but not exceed the 
2017 ACL. There was not sufficient time after that meeting to undergo 
proposed and final rulemaking

[[Page 22431]]

before this action needs to be in effect. Affording the time necessary 
for prior notice and opportunity for public comment would prevent NMFS 
from managing the OA sablefish DTL fishery using the best available 
science to approach, without exceeding, the ACLs for federally managed 
species in accordance with the PCGFMP and applicable law. These 
increases to trip limits must be implemented as quickly as possible 
during the two-month cumulative limit period to allow OA fixed gear 
fishermen an opportunity to harvest higher limits for sablefish without 
exceeding the ACL north of 36[deg] N. lat.
    It is in the public interest for fishermen to have an opportunity 
to harvest the sablefish ACL north of 36[deg] N. lat. because the 
sablefish fishery contributes revenue to the coastal communities of 
Washington, Oregon, and California. This action, if implemented 
quickly, is anticipated to allow catch of sablefish through the end of 
the year to approach but not exceed the ACL, and allows harvest as 
intended by the Council, consistent with the best scientific 
information available.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660

    Fisheries, Fishing, Indian fisheries.

    Dated: May 11, 2017.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 660 is amended 
as follows:

PART 660--FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES

0
1. The authority citation for part 660 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq., 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq., and 16 
U.S.C. 7001 et seq.

0
2. Tables 1a and 1b to part 660, subpart C, are revised to read as 
follows:

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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR16MY17.004


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    \a\ Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs) and 
harvest guidelines (HGs) are specified as total catch values.
    \b\ Fishery harvest guidelines means the harvest guideline or 
quota after subtracting Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribes 
allocations and projected catch, projected research catch, 
deductions for fishing mortality in non-groundfish fisheries, and 
deductions for EFPs from the ACL or ACT.
    \c\ Bocaccio. A stock assessment was conducted in 2015 for the 
bocaccio stock between the U.S.-Mexico border and Cape Blanco. The 
stock is managed with stock-specific harvest specifications south of 
40[deg]10' N. lat. and within the Minor Shelf Rockfish complex north 
of 40[deg]10' N. lat. A historical catch distribution of 
approximately 7.4 percent was used to apportion the assessed stock 
to the area north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. The bocaccio stock was 
estimated to be at 36.8 percent of its unfished biomass in 2015. The 
OFL of 2,139 mt is projected in the 2015 stock assessment using an 
FMSY proxy of F50%. The ABC of 2,044 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction 
from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) because it is a category 1 
stock. The 790 mt ACL is based on the current rebuilding plan with a 
target year to rebuild of 2022 and an SPR harvest rate of 77.7 
percent. 15.4 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the 
incidental open access fishery (0.8 mt), EFP catch (10 mt) and 
research catch (4.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 774.6 mt. The 
California recreational fishery has an HG of 326.1 mt.
    \d\ Cowcod. A stock assessment for the Conception Area was 
conducted in 2013 and the stock was estimated to be at 33.9 percent 
of its unfished biomass in 2013. The Conception Area OFL of 58 mt is 
projected in the 2013 rebuilding analysis using an FMSY proxy of 
F50%. The OFL contribution of 12 mt for the unassessed portion of 
the stock in the Monterey area is based on depletion-based stock 
reduction analysis. The OFLs for the Monterey and Conception areas 
were summed to derive the south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. OFL of 70 mt. 
The ABC for the area south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. is 63 mt. The 
assessed portion of the stock in the Conception Area is considered 
category 2, with a Conception area contribution to the ABC of 53 mt, 
which is an 8.7 percent reduction from the Conception area OFL 
([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.45). The unassessed portion of the stock in the 
Monterey area is considered a category 3 stock, with a contribution 
to the ABC of 10 mt, which is a 16.6 percent reduction from the 
Monterey area OFL ([sigma]=1.44/P*=0.45). A single ACL of 10 mt is 
being set for both areas combined. The ACL of 10 mt is based on the 
rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild of 2020 and an SPR 
harvest rate of 82.7 percent, which is equivalent to an exploitation 
rate (catch over age 11 + biomass) of 0.007. 2 mt is deducted from 
the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (less than 
0.1 mt), EFP fishing (less than 0.1 mt) and research activity (2 
mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 8 mt. Any additional mortality in 
research activities will be deducted from the ACL. A single ACT of 4 
mt is being set for both areas combined.
    \e\ Darkblotched rockfish. A 2015 stock assessment estimated the 
stock to be at 39 percent of its unfished biomass in 2015. The OFL 
of 671 mt is projected in the 2015 stock assessment using an FMSY 
proxy of F50%. The ABC of 641 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the 
OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) because it is a category 1 stock. The ACL 
is set equal to the ABC, as the stock is projected to be above its 
target biomass of B40% in 2017. 77.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to 
accommodate the Tribal fishery (0.2 mt), the incidental open access 
fishery (24.5 mt), EFP catch (0.1 mt), research catch (2.5 mt) and 
an additional deduction for unforeseen catch events (50 mt), 
resulting in a fishery HG of 563.8 mt.
    \f\ Pacific ocean perch. A stock assessment was conducted in 
2011 and the stock was estimated to be at 19.1 percent of its 
unfished biomass in 2011. The OFL of 964 mt for the area north of 
40[deg]10' N. lat. is based on an updated catch-only projection of 
the 2011 rebuilding analysis using an F50% FMSY proxy. The ABC of 
922 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/
P*=0.45) because it is a category 1 stock. The ACL is based on the 
current rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild of 2051 and a 
constant catch amount of 281 mt in 2017 and 2018, followed in 2019 
and beyond by ACLs based on an SPR harvest rate of 86.4 percent. 
49.4 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery 
(9.2 mt), the incidental open access fishery (10 mt), research catch 
(5.2 mt) and an additional deduction for unforeseen catch events (25 
mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 231.6 mt. Of the 10 mt initially 
deducted from the ACL to account for mortality in the incidental 
open access fishery, a total of 7 mt is distributed to the 
mothership and catcher/processor sectors inseason, 3.5 mt to each 
sector consistent with Sec.  660.60(c)(3)(ii), resulting in a 3 mt 
deduction from the ACL for mortality in the incidental open access 
fishery.
    \g\ Yelloweye rockfish. A stock assessment update was conducted 
in 2011. The stock was estimated to be at 21.4 percent of its 
unfished biomass in 2011. The 57 mt coastwide OFL is based on a 
catch-only update of the 2011 stock assessment, assuming actual 
catches since 2011 and using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The ABC of 47 mt 
is a 16.7 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.40) 
because it is a category 2 stock. The 20 mt ACL is based on the 
current rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild of 2074 and an 
SPR harvest rate of 76.0 percent. 5.4 mt is deducted from the ACL to 
accommodate the Tribal fishery (2.3 mt), the incidental open access 
fishery (0.4 mt), EFP catch (less than 0.1 mt) and research catch 
(2.7 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 14.6 mt. Recreational HGs 
are: 3.3 mt (Washington); 3 mt (Oregon); and 3.9 mt (California).
    \h\ Arrowtooth flounder. The arrowtooth flounder stock was last 
assessed in 2007 and was estimated to be at 79 percent of its 
unfished biomass in 2007. The OFL of 16,571 mt is derived from a 
catch-only update of the 2007 stock assessment assuming actual 
catches since 2007 and using an F30% FMSY proxy. The ABC of 13,804 
mt is a 16.7 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.40) 
because it is a category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC 
because the stock is above its target biomass of B25%. 2,098.1 mt is 
deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (2,041 mt), 
the incidental open access fishery (40.8 mt), and research catch 
(16.4 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 11,705.9 mt.
    \i\ Big skate. The OFL of 541 mt is based on an estimate of 
trawl survey biomass and natural mortality. The ABC of 494 mt is an 
8.7 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.45) as it is a 
category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC. 57.4 mt is 
deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (15 mt), the 
incidental open access fishery (38.4 mt), and research catch (4 mt), 
resulting in a fishery HG of 436.6 mt.
    \j\ Black rockfish (California). A 2015 stock assessment 
estimated the stock to be at 33 percent of its unfished biomass in 
2015. The OFL of 349 mt is projected in the 2015 stock assessment 
using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The ABC of 334 mt is a 4.4 percent 
reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) because it is a 
category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock 
is projected to be above its target biomass of B40% in 2017. 1 mt is 
deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP catch (1 mt), resulting in 
a fishery HG of 333 mt.
    \k\ Black rockfish (Oregon). A 2015 stock assessment estimated 
the stock to be at 60 percent of its unfished biomass in 2015. The 
OFL of 577 mt is projected in the 2015 stock assessment using an 
FMSY proxy of F50%. The ABC of 527 mt is an 8.7 percent reduction 
from the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.45) because it is a category 2 
stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above 
its target biomass of B40%. 0.6 mt is deducted from the ACL to 
accommodate the incidental open access fishery (0.6 mt), resulting 
in a fishery HG of 526.4 mt.
    \l\ Black rockfish (Washington). A 2015 stock assessment 
estimated the stock to be at 43 percent of its unfished biomass in 
2015. The OFL of 319 mt is projected in the 2015 stock assessment 
using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The ABC of 305 mt is a 4.4 percent 
reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) because it is a 
category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock 
is above its target biomass of B40%. 18 mt is deducted from the ACL 
to accommodate the Tribal fishery, resulting in a fishery HG of 287 
mt.
    \m\ Blackgill rockfish. Blackgill rockfish contributes to the 
harvest specifications for the Minor Slope Rockfish South complex. 
See footnote pp.
    \n\ Cabezon (California). A cabezon stock assessment was 
conducted in 2009. The cabezon spawning biomass in waters off 
California was estimated to be at 48.3 percent of its unfished 
biomass in 2009. The OFL of 157 mt is calculated using an FMSY proxy 
of F45%. The ABC of 150 mt is based on a 4.4 percent reduction from 
the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) because it is a category 1 stock. The 
ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target 
biomass of B40%. 0.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the 
incidental open access fishery, resulting in a fishery HG of 149.7 
mt.
    \o\ Cabezon (Oregon). A cabezon stock assessment was conducted 
in 2009. The cabezon spawning biomass in waters off Oregon was 
estimated to be at 52 percent of its unfished biomass in 2009. The 
OFL of 49 mt is calculated using an FMSY proxy of

[[Page 22434]]

F45%. The ABC of 47 mt is based on a 4.4 percent reduction from the 
OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) because it is a category 1 species. The 
ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target 
biomass of B40%. There are no deductions from the ACL so the fishery 
HG is also equal to the ACL of 47 mt.
    \p\ California scorpionfish. A California scorpionfish 
assessment was conducted in 2005 and was estimated to be at 79.8 
percent of its unfished biomass in 2005. The OFL of 289 mt is based 
on projections from a catch-only update of the 2005 assessment 
assuming actual catches since 2005 and using an FMSY harvest rate 
proxy of F50%. The ABC of 264 mt is an 8.7 percent reduction from 
the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.45) because it is a category 2 stock. The 
ACL is set at a constant catch amount of 150 mt. 2.2 mt is deducted 
from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (2 
mt) and research catch (0.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 147.8 
mt. An ACT of 111 mt is established.
    \q\ Canary rockfish. A stock assessment was conducted in 2015 
and the stock was estimated to be at 55.5 percent of its unfished 
biomass coastwide in 2015. The coastwide OFL of 1,793 mt is 
projected in the 2015 assessment using an FMSY harvest rate proxy of 
F50%. The ABC of 1,714 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL 
([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) because it is a category 1 stock. The ACL is 
set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass 
of B40%. 247 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal 
fishery (50 mt), the incidental open access fishery (1.2 mt), EFP 
catch (1 mt), research catch (7.2 mt), and an additional deduction 
for unforeseen catch events (188 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 
1,466.6 mt. Recreational HGs are: 50 mt (Washington); 75 mt 
(Oregon); and 135 mt (California).
    \r\ Chilipepper. A coastwide update assessment of the 
chilipepper stock was conducted in 2015 and estimated to be at 64 
percent of its unfished biomass in 2015. Chilipepper are managed 
with stock-specific harvest specifications south of 40[deg]10' N. 
lat. and within the Minor Shelf Rockfish complex north of 40[deg]10' 
N. lat. Projected OFLs are stratified north and south of 40[deg]10' 
N. lat. based on the average historical assessed area catch, which 
is 93 percent for the area south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. and 7 percent 
for the area north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. The OFL of 2,727 mt for the 
area south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. is projected in the 2015 assessment 
using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The ABC of 2,607 mt is a 4.4 percent 
reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) because it is a 
category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock 
is above its target biomass of B40%. 45.9 mt is deducted from the 
ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (5 mt), EFP 
fishing (30 mt), and research catch (10.9 mt), resulting in a 
fishery HG of 2,561.1 mt.
    \s\ Dover sole. A 2011 Dover sole assessment estimated the stock 
to be at 83.7 percent of its unfished biomass in 2011. The OFL of 
89,702 mt is based on an updated catch-only projection from the 2011 
stock assessment assuming actual catches since 2011 and using an 
FMSY proxy of F30%. The ABC of 85,755 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction 
from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) because it is a category 1 
stock. The ACL could be set equal to the ABC because the stock is 
above its target biomass of B25%. However, the ACL of 50,000 mt is 
set at a level below the ABC and higher than the maximum historical 
landed catch. 1,593.7 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the 
Tribal fishery (1,497 mt), the incidental open access fishery (54.8 
mt), and research catch (41.9 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 
48,406.3 mt.
    \t\ English sole. A 2013 stock assessment was conducted, which 
estimated the stock to be at 88 percent of its unfished biomass in 
2013. The OFL of 10,914 mt is projected in the 2013 assessment using 
an FMSY proxy of F30%. The ABC of 9,964 mt is an 8.7 percent 
reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.45) because it is a 
category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock 
is above its target biomass of B25%. 212.8 mt is deducted from the 
ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (200 mt), the incidental open 
access fishery (7.0 mt) and research catch (5.8 mt), resulting in a 
fishery HG of 9,751.2 mt.
    \u\ Lingcod north. The 2009 lingcod assessment modeled two 
populations north and south of the California-Oregon border (42[deg] 
N. lat.). Both populations were healthy with stock depletion 
estimated at 62 and 74 percent for the north and south, respectively 
in 2009. The OFL is based on an updated catch-only projection from 
the 2009 assessment assuming actual catches since 2009 and using an 
FMSY proxy of F45%. The OFL is apportioned north of 40[deg]10' N. 
lat. by adding 48% of the OFL from California, resulting in an OFL 
of 3,549 mt for the area north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. The ABC of 
3,333 mt is based on a 4.4 percent reduction ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) 
from the OFL contribution for the area north of 42[deg] N. lat. 
because it is a category 1 stock, and an 8.7 percent reduction 
([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.45) from the OFL contribution for the area 
between 42[deg] N. lat. and 40[deg]10' N. lat. because it is a 
category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock 
is above its target biomass of B40%. 278.2 mt is deducted from the 
ACL for the Tribal fishery (250 mt), the incidental open access 
fishery (16 mt), EFP catch (0.5 mt) and research catch (11.7 mt), 
resulting in a fishery HG of 3,054.8 mt.
    \v\ Lingcod south. The 2009 lingcod assessment modeled two 
populations north and south of the California-Oregon border (42[deg] 
N. lat.). Both populations were healthy with stock depletion 
estimated at 62 and 74 percent for the north and south, respectively 
in 2009. The OFL is based on an updated catch-only projection of the 
2009 stock assessment assuming actual catches since 2009 using an 
FMSY proxy of F45%. The OFL is apportioned by subtracting 48% of the 
California OFL, resulting in an OFL of 1,502 mt for the area south 
of 40[deg]10' N. lat. The ABC of 1,251 mt is based on a 16.7 percent 
reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.40) because it is a 
category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock 
is above its target biomass of B40%. 9 mt is deducted from the ACL 
to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (6.9 mt), EFP 
fishing (1 mt), and research catch (1.1 mt), resulting in a fishery 
HG of 1,242 mt.
    \w\ Longnose skate. A stock assessment was conducted in 2007 and 
the stock was estimated to be at 66 percent of its unfished biomass. 
The OFL of 2,556 mt is derived from the 2007 stock assessment using 
an FMSY proxy of F50%. The ABC of 2,444 mt is a 4.4 percent 
reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) because it is a 
category 1 stock. The ACL of 2,000 mt is a fixed harvest level that 
provides greater access to the stock and is less than the ABC. 147 
mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (130 
mt), incidental open access fishery (3.8 mt), and research catch 
(13.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,853 mt.
    \x\ Longspine thornyhead. A 2013 longspine thornyhead coastwide 
stock assessment estimated the stock to be at 75 percent of its 
unfished biomass in 2013. A coastwide OFL of 4,571 mt is projected 
in the 2013 stock assessment using an F50% FMSY proxy. The coastwide 
ABC of 3,808 mt is a 16.7 percent reduction from the OFL 
([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.40) because it is a category 2 stock. For the 
portion of the stock that is north of 34[deg]27' N. lat., the ACL is 
2,894 mt, and is 76 percent of the coastwide ABC based on the 
average swept-area biomass estimates (2003-2012) from the NMFS NWFSC 
trawl survey. 46.8 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the 
Tribal fishery (30 mt), the incidental open access fishery (3.3 mt), 
and research catch (13.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 2,847.2 
mt. For that portion of the stock south of 34[deg]27' N. lat. the 
ACL is 914 mt and is 24 percent of the coastwide ABC based on the 
average swept-area biomass estimates (2003-2012) from the NMFS NWFSC 
trawl survey. 3.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the 
incidental open access fishery (1.8 mt), and research catch (1.4 
mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 910.8 mt.
    \y\ Pacific cod. The 3,200 mt OFL is based on the maximum level 
of historic landings. The ABC of 2,221 mt is a 30.6 percent 
reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=1.44/P*=0.40) because it is a 
category 3 stock. The 1,600 mt ACL is the OFL reduced by 50 percent 
as a precautionary adjustment. 509 mt is deducted from the ACL to 
accommodate the Tribal fishery (500 mt), research catch (7 mt), and 
the incidental open access fishery (2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG 
of 1,091 mt.
    \z\ Pacific whiting. The coastwide (U.S. and Canada) stock 
assessment was published in 2017 and estimated the spawning stock to 
be at 89 percent of its unfished biomass. The 2017 coastwide OFL of 
969,840 mt is based on the 2017 assessment with an F40% FMSY proxy. 
The 2017 coastwide, unadjusted Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of 
531,501 mt is based on the 2017 stock assessment and the 
recommendation by the Joint Management Committee (JMC), based on a 
precautionary approach. The U.S. TAC is 73.88 percent of the 
coastwide TAC, or 392,673 mt unadjusted TAC for 2017. 15 percent of 
each party's unadjusted 2016 TAC (48,760 mt for the U.S.) is added 
to each party's 2017 unadjusted TAC, resulting in a U.S. adjusted 
2017 TAC of 431,433 mt. The 2017 fishery HG for Pacific whiting is 
362,682 mt. This amount was determined by deducting from the total 
U.S. TAC of 431,433 mt, the 77,251 mt tribal allocation, along with 
1,500 mt for scientific research catch and fishing mortality in non-
groundfish fisheries.

[[Page 22435]]

    \aa\ Petrale sole. A 2015 stock assessment update was conducted, 
which estimated the stock to be at 31 percent of its unfished 
biomass in 2015. The OFL of 3,280 mt is projected in the 2015 
assessment using an FMSY proxy of F30%. The ABC of 3,136 mt is a 4.4 
percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) because it is 
a category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the 
stock is above its target biomass of B25%. 240.9 mt is deducted from 
the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (220 mt), the incidental 
open access fishery (3.2 mt) and research catch (17.7 mt), resulting 
in a fishery HG of 2,895.1 mt.
    \bb\ Sablefish north. A coastwide sablefish stock assessment 
update was conducted in 2015. The coastwide sablefish biomass was 
estimated to be at 33 percent of its unfished biomass in 2015. The 
coastwide OFL of 8,050 mt is projected in the 2015 stock assessment 
using an FMSY proxy of F45%. The ABC of 7,350 mt is an 8.7 percent 
reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.40). The 40-10 adjustment 
is applied to the ABC to derive a coastwide ACL value because the 
stock is in the precautionary zone. This coastwide ACL value is not 
specified in regulations. The coastwide ACL value is apportioned 
north and south of 36[deg] N. lat., using the 2003-2014 average 
estimated swept area biomass from the NMFS NWFSC trawl survey, with 
73.8 percent apportioned north of 36[deg] N. lat. and 26.2 percent 
apportioned south of 36[deg] N. lat. The northern ACL is 5,252 mt 
and is reduced by 525 mt for the Tribal allocation (10 percent of 
the ACL north of 36[deg] N. lat.). The 525 mt Tribal allocation is 
reduced by 1.5 percent to account for discard mortality. Detailed 
sablefish allocations are shown in Table 1c.
    \cc\ Sablefish south. The ACL for the area south of 36[deg] N. 
lat. is 1,864 mt (26.2 percent of the calculated coastwide ACL 
value). 5 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental 
open access fishery (2 mt) and research catch (3 mt), resulting in a 
fishery HG of 1,859 mt.
    \dd\ Shortbelly rockfish. A non-quantitative shortbelly rockfish 
assessment was conducted in 2007. The spawning stock biomass of 
shortbelly rockfish was estimated to be 67 percent of its unfished 
biomass in 2005. The OFL of 6,950 mt is based on the estimated MSY 
in the 2007 stock assessment. The ABC of 5,789 mt is a 16.7 percent 
reduction of the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.40) because it is a category 
2 stock. The 500 mt ACL is set to accommodate incidental catch when 
fishing for co-occurring healthy stocks and in recognition of the 
stock's importance as a forage species in the California Current 
ecosystem. 10.9 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the 
incidental open access fishery (8.9 mt) and research catch (2 mt), 
resulting in a fishery HG of 489.1 mt.
    \ee\ Shortspine thornyhead. A 2013 coastwide shortspine 
thornyhead stock assessment estimated the stock to be at 74.2 
percent of its unfished biomass in 2013. A coastwide OFL of 3,144 mt 
is projected in the 2013 stock assessment using an F50% FMSY proxy. 
The coastwide ABC of 2,619 mt is a 16.7 percent reduction from the 
OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.40) because it is a category 2 stock. For the 
portion of the stock that is north of 34[deg]27' N. lat., the ACL is 
1,713 mt. The northern ACL is 65.4 percent of the coastwide ABC 
based on the average swept-area biomass estimates (2003-2012) from 
the NMFS NWFSC trawl survey. 59 mt is deducted from the ACL to 
accommodate the Tribal fishery (50 mt), the incidental open access 
fishery (1.8 mt), and research catch (7.2 mt), resulting in a 
fishery HG of 1,654 mt for the area north of 34[deg]27' N. lat. For 
that portion of the stock south of 34[deg]27' N. lat. the ACL is 906 
mt. The southern ACL is 34.6 percent of the coastwide ABC based on 
the average swept-area biomass estimates (2003-2012) from the NMFS 
NWFSC trawl survey. 42.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate 
the incidental open access fishery (41.3 mt) and research catch (1 
mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 863.7 mt for the area south of 
34[deg]27' N. lat.
    \ff\ Spiny dogfish. A coastwide spiny dogfish stock assessment 
was conducted in 2011. The coastwide spiny dogfish biomass was 
estimated to be at 63 percent of its unfished biomass in 2011. The 
coastwide OFL of 2,514 mt is derived from the 2011 assessment using 
an FMSY proxy of F50%. The coastwide ABC of 2,094 mt is a 16.7 
percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.40) because it is 
a category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the 
stock is above its target biomass of B40%. 338 mt is deducted from 
the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (275 mt), the incidental 
open access fishery (49.5 mt), EFP catch (1 mt), and research catch 
(12.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,756 mt.
    \gg\ Splitnose rockfish. A coastwide splitnose rockfish 
assessment was conducted in 2009 that estimated the stock to be at 
66 percent of its unfished biomass in 2009. Splitnose rockfish in 
the north is managed in the Minor Slope Rockfish complex and with 
stock-specific harvest specifications south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. 
The coastwide OFL is projected in the 2009 assessment using an FMSY 
proxy of F50%. The coastwide OFL is apportioned north and south of 
40[deg]10' N. lat. based on the average 1916-2008 assessed area 
catch, resulting in 64.2 percent of the coastwide OFL apportioned 
south of 40[deg]10' N. lat., and 35.8 percent apportioned for the 
contribution of splitnose rockfish to the northern Minor Slope 
Rockfish complex. The southern OFL of 1,841 mt results from the 
apportionment described above. The southern ABC of 1,760 mt is a 4.4 
percent reduction from the southern OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) 
because it is a category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC 
because the stock is estimated to be above its target biomass of 
B40%. 10.7 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental 
open access fishery (0.2 mt), research catch (9 mt) and EFP catch 
(1.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,749.3 mt.
    \hh\ Starry flounder. The stock was assessed in 2005 and was 
estimated to be above 40 percent of its unfished biomass in 2005 (44 
percent in Washington and Oregon, and 62 percent in California). The 
coastwide OFL of 1,847 mt is set equal to the 2016 OFL, which was 
derived from the 2005 assessment using an FMSY proxy of F30%. The 
ABC of 1,282 mt is a 30.6 percent reduction from the OFL 
([sigma]=1.44/P*=0.40) because it is a category 3 stock. The ACL is 
set equal to the ABC because the stock was estimated to be above its 
target biomass of B25% in 2017. 10.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to 
accommodate the Tribal fishery (2 mt), and the incidental open 
access fishery (8.3 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,271.7 mt.
    \ii\ Widow rockfish. The widow rockfish stock was assessed in 
2015 and was estimated to be at 75 percent of its unfished biomass 
in 2015. The OFL of 14,130 mt is projected in the 2015 stock 
assessment using the F50% FMSY proxy. The ABC of 13,508 mt is a 4.4 
percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) because it is 
a category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the 
stock is above its target biomass of B40%. 217.7 mt is deducted from 
the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (200 mt), the incidental 
open access fishery (0.5 mt), EFP catch (9 mt) and research catch 
(8.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 13,290.3 mt.
    \jj\ Yellowtail rockfish. A 2013 yellowtail rockfish stock 
assessment was conducted for the portion of the population north of 
40[deg]10' N. lat. The estimated stock depletion was 67 percent of 
its unfished biomass in 2013. The OFL of 6,786 mt is projected in 
the 2013 stock assessment using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The ABC of 
6,196 mt is an 8.7 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/
P*=0.45) because it is a category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal to 
the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B40%. 1,030 
mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (1,000 
mt), the incidental open access fishery (3.4 mt), EFP catch (10 mt) 
and research catch (16.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 5,166.1 
mt.
    \kk\ Minor Nearshore Rockfish north. The OFL for Minor Nearshore 
Rockfish north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. of 118 mt is the sum of the OFL 
contributions for the component species managed in the complex. The 
ABCs for the minor rockfish complexes are based on a sigma value of 
0.72 for category 2 stocks (blue/deacon rockfish in California, 
brown rockfish, China rockfish, and copper rockfish) and a sigma 
value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others) with a P* of 0.45. 
The resulting ABC of 105 mt is the summed contribution of the ABCs 
for the component species. The ACL of 105 mt is the sum of 
contributing ABCs of healthy assessed stocks and unassessed stocks, 
plus the ACL contributions for blue/deacon rockfish in California 
where the 40-10 adjustment was applied to the ABC contribution for 
this stock because it is in the precautionary zone. 1.8 mt is 
deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (1.5 mt) and 
the incidental open access fishery (0.3 mt), resulting in a fishery 
HG of 103.2 mt. Between 40[deg]10' N. lat. and 42[deg] N. lat. the 
Minor Nearshore Rockfish complex north has a harvest guideline of 
40.2 mt. Blue/deacon rockfish south of 42[deg] N. lat. has a stock-
specific HG, described in footnote nn.
    \ll\ Minor Shelf Rockfish north. The OFL for Minor Shelf 
Rockfish north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. of 2,303 mt is the sum of the 
OFL contributions for the component species within the complex. The 
ABCs for the minor rockfish complexes are based on a sigma value of 
0.36 for a category 1 stock (chilipepper), a sigma value of 0.72 for 
category 2 stocks (greenspotted rockfish

[[Page 22436]]

between 40[deg]10' and 42[deg] N. lat. and greenstriped rockfish), 
and a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others) with a 
P* of 0.45. The resulting ABC of 2,049 mt is the summed contribution 
of the ABCs for the component species. The ACL of 2,049 mt is the 
sum of contributing ABCs of healthy assessed stocks and unassessed 
stocks, plus the ACL contribution of greenspotted rockfish in 
California where the 40-10 adjustment was applied to the ABC 
contribution for this stock because it is in the precautionary zone. 
83.8 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery 
(30 mt), the incidental open access fishery (26 mt), EFP catch (3 
mt), and research catch (24.8 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 
1,965.2 mt.
    \mm\ Minor Slope Rockfish north. The OFL for Minor Slope 
Rockfish north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. of 1,897 mt is the sum of the 
OFL contributions for the component species within the complex. The 
ABCs for the Minor Slope Rockfish complexes are based on a sigma 
value of 0.39 for aurora rockfish, a sigma value of 0.36 for the 
other category 1 stock (splitnose rockfish), a sigma value of 0.72 
for category 2 stocks (rougheye rockfish, blackspotted rockfish, and 
sharpchin rockfish), and a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks 
(all others) with a P* of 0.45. A unique sigma of 0.39 was 
calculated for aurora rockfish because the variance in estimated 
spawning biomass was greater than the 0.36 used as a proxy for other 
category 1 stocks. The resulting ABC of 1,755 mt is the summed 
contribution of the ABCs for the component species. The ACL is set 
equal to the ABC because all the assessed component stocks (i.e., 
rougheye rockfish, blackspotted rockfish, sharpchin rockfish, and 
splitnose rockfish) are above the target biomass of B40%. 65.1 mt is 
deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (36 mt), the 
incidental open access fishery (18.6 mt), EFP catch (1 mt), and 
research catch (9.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,689.9 mt.
    \nn\ Minor Nearshore Rockfish south. The OFL for the Minor 
Nearshore Rockfish complex south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. of 1,329 mt 
is the sum of the OFL contributions for the component species within 
the complex. The ABC for the southern Minor Nearshore Rockfish 
complex is based on a sigma value of 0.72 for category 2 stocks 
(i.e., blue/deacon rockfish north of 34[deg]27' N. lat., brown 
rockfish, China rockfish, and copper rockfish) and a sigma value of 
1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others) with a P* of 0.45. The 
resulting ABC of 1,166 mt is the summed contribution of the ABCs for 
the component species. The ACL of 1,163 mt is the sum of the 
contributing ABCs of healthy assessed stocks and unassessed stocks, 
plus the ACL contribution for blue/deacon rockfish north of 
34[deg]27' N. lat. and China rockfish where the 40-10 adjustment was 
applied to the ABC contributions for these two stocks because they 
are in the precautionary zone. 4.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to 
accommodate the incidental open access fishery (1.4 mt) and research 
catch (2.7 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,158.9 mt. Blue/deacon 
rockfish south of 42[deg] N. lat. has a stock-specific HG set equal 
to the 40-10-adjusted ACL for the portion of the stock north of 
34[deg]27' N lat. (243.7 mt) plus the ABC contribution for the 
unassessed portion of the stock south of 34[deg]27' N. lat. (60.8 
mt). The California (i.e. south of 42[deg] N. lat.) blue/deacon 
rockfish HG is 304.5 mt.
    \oo\ Minor Shelf Rockfish south. The OFL for the Minor Shelf 
Rockfish complex south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. of 1,917 mt is the sum 
of the OFL contributions for the component species within the 
complex. The ABC for the southern Minor Shelf Rockfish complex is 
based on a sigma value of 0.72 for category 2 stocks (greenspotted 
and greenstriped rockfish) and a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 
stocks (all others) with a P* of 0.45. The resulting ABC of 1,624 mt 
is the summed contribution of the ABCs for the component species. 
The ACL of 1,623 mt is the sum of contributing ABCs of healthy 
assessed stocks and unassessed stocks, plus the ACL contribution of 
greenspotted rockfish in California where the 40-10 adjustment was 
applied to the ABC contribution for this stock because it is in the 
precautionary zone. 47.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate 
the incidental open access fishery (8.6 mt), EFP catch (30 mt), and 
research catch (8.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,575.8 mt.
    \pp\ Minor Slope Rockfish south. The OFL of 827 mt is the sum of 
the OFL contributions for the component species within the complex. 
The ABC for the southern Minor Slope Rockfish complex is based on a 
sigma value of 0.39 for aurora rockfish, a sigma value of 0.72 for 
category 2 stocks (blackgill rockfish, rougheye rockfish, 
blackspotted rockfish, and sharpchin rockfish) and a sigma value of 
1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others) with a P* of 0.45. A unique 
sigma of 0.39 was calculated for aurora rockfish because the 
variance in estimated biomass was greater than the 0.36 used as a 
proxy for other category 1 stocks. The resulting ABC of 718 mt is 
the summed contribution of the ABCs for the component species. The 
ACL of 707 mt is the sum of the contributing ABCs of healthy 
assessed stocks and unassessed stocks, plus the ACL contribution of 
blackgill rockfish where the 40-10 adjustment was applied to the ABC 
contribution for this stock because it is in the precautionary zone. 
20.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open 
access fishery (17.2 mt), EFP catch (1 mt), and research catch (2 
mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 686.8 mt. Blackgill rockfish has a 
stock-specific HG for the entire groundfish fishery south of 
40[deg]10' N lat. set equal to the species' contribution to the 40-
10-adjusted ACL. Harvest of blackgill rockfish in all groundfish 
fisheries counts against this HG of 120.2 mt. Nontrawl fisheries are 
subject to a blackgill rockfish HG of 44.5 mt.
    \qq\ Other Flatfish. The Other Flatfish complex is comprised of 
flatfish species managed in the PCGFMP that are not managed with 
stock-specific OFLs/ABCs/ACLs. Most of the species in the Other 
Flatfish complex are unassessed and include: Butter sole, curlfin 
sole, flathead sole, Pacific sanddab, rock sole, sand sole, and rex 
sole. The Other Flatfish OFL of 11,165 mt is based on the sum of the 
OFL contributions of the component stocks. The ABC of 8,510 mt is 
based on a sigma value of 0.72 for a category 2 stock (rex sole) and 
a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others) with a P* 
of 0.40. The ACL is set equal to the ABC. The ACL is set equal to 
the ABC because all of the assessed stocks (i.e., Pacific sanddabs 
and rex sole) were above their target biomass of B25%. 204 mt is 
deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (60 mt), the 
incidental open access fishery (125 mt), and research catch (19 mt), 
resulting in a fishery HG of 8,306 mt.
    \rr\ Other Fish. The Other Fish complex is comprised of kelp 
greenling coastwide, cabezon off Washington, and leopard shark 
coastwide. The 2015 assessment for the kelp greenling stock off of 
Oregon projected an estimated depletion of 80 percent in 2015. All 
other stocks are unassessed. The OFL of 537 mt is the sum of the OFL 
contributions for kelp greenling coastwide, cabezon off Washington, 
and leopard shark coastwide. The ABC for the Other Fish complex is 
based on a sigma value of 0.44 for kelp greenling off Oregon and a 
sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others) with a P* of 
0.45. A unique sigma of 0.44 was calculated for kelp greenling off 
Oregon because the variance in estimated spawning biomass was 
greater than the 0.36 sigma used as a proxy for other category 1 
stocks. The resulting ABC of 474 mt is the summed contribution of 
the ABCs for the component species. The ACL is set equal to the ABC 
because all of the assessed stocks (kelp greenling off Oregon) were 
above their target biomass of B40%. There are no deductions from the 
ACL so the fishery HG is equal to the ACL of 474 mt.
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3. Tables 3 (North) and 3 (South) to part 660, subpart F, are revised 
to read as follows:

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[FR Doc. 2017-09877 Filed 5-12-17; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-C