Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Biennial Specifications and Management Measures; Correction, 53165-53169 [E7-18364]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 180 / Tuesday, September 18, 2007 / Rules and Regulations Government’s ability to monitor the contractor’s progress. Lynn Kopala, Acting Procurement Executive. [FR Doc. E7–18234 Filed 9–17–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6116–01–P SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Electronic Access National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration This final rule also is accessible via the Internet at the Office of the Federal Register’s website at https:// www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/. Background information and documents are available at the website of the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) at https://www.pcouncil.org. 50 CFR Part 660 [Docket No.070830493–7496–01; I.D. 082806B] RIN 0648–AV95 Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Biennial Specifications and Management Measures; Correction Background National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Final rule; correction. AGENCY: SUMMARY: NMFS announces corrections to Federal regulations for the West Coast groundfish fishery. This action corrects the latitude/longitude coordinates for the Salmon Troll and South Coast Recreational Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCAs) so that they are published in the proper sequence. This action correctly announces the 2007 tribal allocation amount of Pacific whiting. This action clarifies the application of the Ocean Salmon Conservation Zone in the Pacific whiting fishery. This action corrects some coordinates of the depth contour line approximations that are used to define the RCAs. This action is intended to eliminate any confusion for the public that may have occurred as a result of prior incorrect NMFS publications. Effective September 18, 2007. Comments on this rule will be accepted through October 18, 2007. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by 0648–AV95 by any of the following methods: • E-mail: Correction.nwr@noaa.gov. Include 0648–AV95 in the subject line of the message. • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Fax: 206–526–6736, Attn: Gretchen Arentzen • Mail: D. Robert Lohn, Administrator, Northwest Region, mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with RULES DATES: VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:27 Sep 17, 2007 Jkt 211001 NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115–0070, Attn: Gretchen Arentzen. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gretchen Arentzen (Northwest Region, NMFS), phone: 206–526–6147; fax: 206– 526–6736 and; e-mail: gretchen.arentzen@noaa.gov. The Pacific Coast Groundfish FMP and its implementing regulations at title 50 in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), part 660, subpart G, regulate fishing for over 90 species of groundfish off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. Groundfish specifications and management measures are developed by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), and are implemented by NMFS. On September 29, 2006, NMFS published a proposed rule (71 FR 57764) to implement Amendment 16–4 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish FMP and to establish the 2007–2008 harvest specifications and management measures for groundfish taken in the EEZ off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. NMFS accepted public comment on the proposed rule and responded to these comments in the preamble to the final rule, which published in the Federal Register on December 29, 2006 (71 FR 78638). The 2007–2008 groundfish harvest specifications and management measures added a new potential closed area, the Ocean Salmon Conservation Zone (OSCZ), in the whiting fishery that could be implemented inseason through automatic action. Regulations at § 660.373(c)(3) define the OSCZ as a closed area applying to the whiting fishery; however, it does not state in this part that the OSCZ is closed only through automatic action when NMFS projects the whiting fishery may take in excess of 11,000 Chinook salmon within a calendar year. The process for implementation of this closed area is properly described in § 660.370(d). A cross-reference to this automatic action section is added to the whiting regulations defining the OSCZ to clarify that the OSCZ is only closed after NMFS initiates an automatic management PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 53165 action to implement this closed area based on the projected take of Chinook salmon. A range of Pacific whiting (whiting) harvest specifications and management measures was adopted in the 2007–2008 harvest specifications and management measures for groundfish, and final 2007 specifications and management measures for whiting were adopted in March 2007. NMFS published a final rule establishing the 2007 whiting harvest specifications and management measures on April 18, 2007 (72 FR 19390), which included the level of the acceptable biological catch (ABC), optimum yield (OY), tribal allocation, and allocations for the nontribal commercial whiting sectors. The final 2007 tribal allocation was set according to an abundance-based sliding scale method, where the tribal allocation varies with the U.S. whiting optimum yield (OY) ranging from 14 percent (or less) of the U.S. OY when OY levels are above 250,000 mt, to 17.5 percent of the U.S. OY when the OY level is at or below 145,000 mt. NMFS had explained this method in the preamble to the proposed rule for the 2007–2008 groundfish harvest specifications and management measures. The tribal allocation was correctly expressed in the preamble to that final rule as 32,500 mt, however NMFS did not publish that amount in § 660.385(e), leaving the outdated 2006 tribal whiting allocation of 35,000 mt in current regulations. This rule corrects 660.385(e) by inserting the 2007 tribal allocation. The preambles to the proposed and final rules for the 2007–2008 groundfish harvest specifications and management measures described the Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Areas (YRCAs), closed areas intended to protect overfished species; however, the regulatory text published the latitude and longitude coordinates defining the Salmon Troll YRCA and the South Coast Recreational YRCA in the incorrect sequence, resulting in closed areas that are not the same size or shape as those analyzed by NMFS, recommended by the Council, and discussed in the preamble to the final rule. This correction re-publishes the YRCA latitude and longitude coordinates in the correct sequence to form the closed areas intended to protect yelloweye rockfish. The 2007–2008 groundfish harvest specifications and management measures added a new Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA) boundary line approximating the 180–fm (32–m) depth contour off California with modifications to allow fishing for petrale sole. After publication of the E:\FR\FM\18SER1.SGM 18SER1 53166 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 180 / Tuesday, September 18, 2007 / Rules and Regulations mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with RULES proposed rule, the state of California requested adjustments to the latitude and longitude coordinates defining the petrale-modified 180–fm (329–m) boundary line to eliminate cross-overs with other neighboring boundary lines and to be consistent with boundaries of groundfish essential fish habitat closed areas off California. However, these changes from the proposed rule were not made and the original incorrect coordinates were published in the final rule for the 2007–2008 groundfish harvest specifications and management measures. This correction publishes the latitude and longitude coordinates defining the petrale-modified 180–fm (329–m) boundary line at § 660.394(f) that the state of California proposed and the Council recommended. The 2007–2008 groundfish harvest specifications and management measures revised coordinates defining the RCA boundary line approximating the petrale-modified 250–fm (457–m) depth contour to eliminate cross-overs with neighboring RCA boundary lines. Coordinates defining this RCA boundary line, published at § 660.394(r), contained errors off the Washington coast and were published with these errors in both the proposed and final rule. The errors in the coordinates defining the RCA boundary line were introduced when transferring the latitude and longitude coordinates into the format necessary for publication in the Federal Register and eliminated a portion of petrale sole fishing grounds and opened an area of known rockfish abundance. This correction publishes the latitude and longitude coordinates defining the petrale-modified 250–fm (457–m) boundary line at § 660.394(r) that the state of Washington proposed and the Council recommended. Classification The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior notice and opportunity for public comment on this action pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B); providing prior notice and opportunity for comment would be unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. This correction document revises § 660.373(c)(3) of the CFR so that the description of the OSCZ is consistent with the automatic action regulations, at § 660.370(d), for implementing the OSCZ. Allowing inconsistencies to remain in the Federal Register would be contrary to the public interest. It would leave language in the CFR that implies that a permanent closure is in place, even though the closure only exists if it is implemented through automatic VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:27 Sep 17, 2007 Jkt 211001 management action. This automatic action will be taken when NMFS projects that the whiting fishery may take in excess of 11,000 Chinook salmon within a calendar year. The OSCZ was analyzed in the 2007–2008 groundfish specifications and management measures environmental impact statement, and is clearly described in the preambles to the proposed and final rules (71 FR 57764, 71 FR 78638) as a closure that NMFS can implement for the whiting fishery if Chinook salmon take is anticipated to exceed acceptable levels. Prior notice and opportunity for comment was provided earlier because both the EIS and the proposed rule were made available for public comment, and no comments were received pertaining to the application of the OSCZ. Also, this correction clarifies language at § 660.373(c)(3) to make it consistent with existing regulations at § 660.370(d) and does not change the intent, meaning, or application of the OSCZ closure. Leaving inconsistencies in the regulatory language is contrary to the public interest because it is confusing to the public and would leave language in the CFR that implies that a permanent closure is in place, even though the closure only exists if it is implemented through automatic management action; therefore, NOAA finds good cause to waive prior notice and opportunity for public comment. This correction document revises § 660.385(e) of the CFR so that the 2007 tribal allocation of Pacific whiting is consistent with the allocation proposed by the tribal representative on the Council, recommended by the Council and that NMFS intended to implement. This correction implements an action that has already been made available for public review and comment in the preamble to the whiting ABC/OY final rule (71 FR 19390). By implementing the correct tribal allocation, NMFS is implementing the 2007 tribal whiting allocation determined by the methodology described in the preamble to the 2007–2008 harvest specifications and management measures proposed rule, and listed in the preamble to the whiting ABC/OY final rule, which was based on recommendations from the Makah tribe and the Council. The numerical allocation, however, was not changed in the regulatory text, so the 2006 tribal allocation is still listed in the CFR rather than the 2007 allocation. The interested public is aware of the current 2007 tribal whiting allocation. The Makah tribe is aware of the appropriate 2007 tribal whiting allocation and plans to stay within the 2007 allocation which they proposed; therefore, prior notice PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 and opportunity for public comment is unnecessary. This correction document revises § 660.390(c) and (d) of the CFR so that coordinates for the Salmon Troll and South Coast Recreational Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Areas (YRCAs) are listed in the correct sequence to form rectangular closed areas. Each of these closed areas is defined by four coordinate points. If coordinates are connected in the sequence listed prior to this correction, they form bowtie shaped polygons that close approximately half of the area of the rectangular closed areas. When these points are connected in the correct sequence, they form rectangular closed areas, as illustrated in the EIS, described in the preamble to the final rule, recommended by the Council, and approved by NMFS for this action. A public notice and comment period was available for the EIS and final rule, and no comments were received pertaining to the proposed rectangular shape of the YRCAs. The YRCAs are designed to prevent the incidental catch of yelloweye rockfish, an overfished groundfish species that co-occurs with other, more abundant groundfish stocks. Allowing the YRCA coordinates to remain in § 660.390 in the incorrect sequence actually allows, rather than prevents, fishing in areas of yelloweye rockfish abundance, which is contrary to the public interest. The yelloweye OY is very low so that if even a small amount of excess incidental catch of yelloweye rockfish were to occur, all of the commercial and recreational hookand-line groundfish fisheries north of Cape Mendocino, California, fisheries that take yelloweye incidentally, would have to be restricted or closed early to ensure that the 2007 yelloweye rockfish OY is not exceeded. Such restrictions and/or closures could be expected to ultimately result in significant revenue and job losses in coastal communities. By implementing these corrections as early as possible in the 2007 fishery, NMFS is implementing the YRCAs it had described in the preambles to the proposed and final rules for this action, based on recommendations from the Council. This correction is intended to ensure that yelloweye rockfish catch is kept within its allowable harvest levels, so that NMFS may meet its obligations under the Magnuson-Stevens Act to rebuild overfished stocks and to achieve the optimum yield from the fishery. Delay in publication of this rule could cause NMFS to fail to meet these obligations and would be contrary to the public interest. This correction document revises § 660.394(f) and (r) of the CFR so that E:\FR\FM\18SER1.SGM 18SER1 mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with RULES Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 180 / Tuesday, September 18, 2007 / Rules and Regulations coordinates for the petrale-modified 180–fm (329–m) boundary line and the petrale-modified 250–fm (457–m) boundary line are published correctly to protect overfished species while allowing targeting opportunities for more abundant species. The state of California recommended revising the petrale-modified 180–fm (329–m) boundary line after NMFS had published it in the proposed rule, to improve consistency with the boundaries of other neighboring area restrictions, including essential fish habitat closed areas. These changes, however, were not included in the final rule. These modifications change some latitude and longitude coordinates, and remove some coordinate points; however, the corrected line is similar to the line that was published in the preambles to the proposed and final rule. For clarity, the petrale-modified 180–fm (329–m) boundary line is republished in its entirety in this correction. Providing prior notice and opportunity for public comment would be contrary to the public interest, as it would allow regulations to remain in the CFR that are confusing due to inconsistencies and overlaps between the groundfish RCA and other area restrictions, including essential fish habitat closed areas. The petralemodified 250–fm (457–m) boundary line was published in the proposed and final rule with 13 incorrect latitude and longitude coordinates in the portion of the line that lies off the northern Washington coast, south of Cape Alava. These incorrect coordinates moved the depth contour approximation shoreward into shallower waters, with one coordinate bringing the 250–fm (457–m) line to a depth shallower than 70–fm (128–m) which produces an irrational result. Providing prior notice and opportunity for public comment would be contrary to the public interest because allowing the incorrect coordinates to remain in the CFR would allow fishing in an area of shallow water seaward of the RCA, at depths associated with high occurrence of overfished species. Restricting fishing in areas where overfished species are found is one of the primary tools available for keeping fishing mortality of overfished species within the optimum yields. Allowing the incorrect RCA boundary lines to remain in § 660.394 would be contrary to the public interest as it allows, rather than prevents, fishing in areas of overfished rockfish abundance, thereby undermining the intent of the rule. Furthermore, it would create confusion due to inconsistencies between the coordinates published in VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:27 Sep 17, 2007 Jkt 211001 the Federal Register and coordinates available on the NMFS Northwest Region website for use in navigation software. If excessive incidental catch of overfished rockfish species were to occur, commercial and recreational groundfish fisheries that take overfished groundfish species incidentally would have to be restricted and possibly be closed early to ensure that the 2007 OYs for overfished rockfish species would not be exceeded. Such restrictions and/ or closures could be expected to ultimately result in significant revenue and job losses in coastal communities. Providing prior notice and opportunity for public comment is contrary to the public interest because delay in implementation of this correction could result in excess harvest of overfished species that are found in the area that should be closed, which could result in exceeding the rebuilding targets, premature closure of the fishery, or both. This would prevent NMFS from meeting its obligations to rebuild overfished species or manage the fishery to achieve optimum yield. For the reasons discussed above, good cause also exists to waive the 30 day delay in effectiveness requirement under 5 U.S.C. 553 (d)(3). List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660 Fisheries, Fishing, Indian fisheries. Dated: September 12, 2007. Samuel D. Rauch III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. For reasons explained in the preamble, 50 CFR part 660 is corrected by making the following correcting amendments: I PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES 1. The authority citation for part 660 continues to read as follows: I Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. 2. In § 660.373, paragraph (c)(3) is revised to read as follows: I § 660.373 Pacific whiting (whiting) fishery management. * * * * * (c) * * * (3) Ocean Salmon Conservation Zone. All waters shoreward of a boundary line approximating the 100 fm (183 m) depth contour. Latitude and longitude coordinates defining the boundary line approximating the 100 fm (183 m) depth contour are provided at § 660.393(a). This closure will be implemented through automatic action, defined at 660.370(d), when NMFS projects the Pacific whiting fishery may take in PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 53167 excess of 11,000 Chinook within a calendar year. * * * * * I 3. In § 660.385, paragraph (e) is revised to read as follows: § 660.385 Washington coastal tribal fisheries management measures. * * * * * (e) Pacific whiting. The tribal allocation is 32,500 mt. * * * * * I 4. In § 660.390, paragraphs (c)(3) and (4), and (d)(3) and (4) are revised to read as follows: § 660.390 Groundfish conservation areas. * * * * * (c) * * * (3) 48°02.00′ N. lat., 125°16.50′ W. long.; (4) 48°00.00′ N. lat., 125°16.50′ W. long.; and connecting back to 48°00.00′ N. lat., 125°14.00′ W. long. * * * * * (d) * * * (3) 46°55.00′ N. lat., 124°49.00′ W. long.; (4) 46°58.00′ N. lat., 124°49.00′ W. long.; and connecting back to 46°58.00′ N. lat., 124°48.00′ W. long. * * * * * I 5. In § 660.394, paragraphs (f), and (r)(6) through (18) are revised to read as follows: § 660.394 Latitude/longitude coordinates defining the 180 fm (329 m) through 250 fm (457 m) depth contours. * * * * * (f) The 180 fm (329 m) depth contour between 42° N. lat. and the U.S. border with Mexico, modified to allow fishing in petrale sole areas, is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated: (1) 42°00.00′ N. lat., 124°36.37′ W. long.; (2) 41°47.79′ N. lat., 124°29.48′ W. long.; (3) 41°21.16′ N. lat., 124°28.97′ W. long.; (4) 41°11.30′ N. lat., 124°22.86′ W. long.; (5) 41°06.51′ N. lat., 124°23.07′ W. long.; (6) 40°55.20′ N. lat., 124°27.46′ W. long.; (7) 40°53.95′ N. lat., 124°26.04′ W. long.; (8) 40°49.96′ N. lat., 124°26.04′ W. long.; (9) 40°44.49′ N. lat., 124°30.81′ W. long.; (10) 40°40.58′ N. lat., 124°32.05′ W. long.; (11) 40°38.82′ N. lat., 124°29.45′ W. long.; E:\FR\FM\18SER1.SGM 18SER1 mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with RULES 53168 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 180 / Tuesday, September 18, 2007 / Rules and Regulations (12) 40°35.65′ N. lat., 124°30.34′ W. long.; (13) 40°37.39′ N. lat., 124°37.00′ W. long.; (14) 40°36.03′ N. lat., 124°39.97′ W. long.; (15) 40°31.42′ N. lat., 124°40.85′ W. long.; (16) 40°30.00′ N. lat., 124°37.12′ W. long.; (17) 40°27.36′ N. lat., 124°37.14′ W. long.; (18) 40°24.81′ N. lat., 124°35.82′ W. long.; (19) 40°22.45′ N. lat., 124°30.94′ W. long.; (20) 40°14.00′ N. lat., 124°32.90′ W. long.; (21) 40°10.00′ N. lat., 124°23.56′ W. long.; (22) 40°06.67′ N. lat., 124°19.08′ W. long.; (23) 40°08.10′ N. lat., 124°16.71′ W. long.; (24) 40°05.90′ N. lat., 124°17.77′ W. long.; (25) 40°02.80′ N. lat., 124°16.28′ W. long.; (26) 40°01.98′ N. lat., 124°12.99′ W. long.; (27) 40°01.52′ N. lat., 124°09.83′ W. long.; (28) 39°58.55′ N. lat., 124°12.32′ W. long.; (29) 39°55.74′ N. lat., 124°07.37′ W. long.; (30) 39°42.78′ N. lat., 124°02.11′ W. long.; (31) 39°34.76′ N. lat., 123°58.51′ W. long.; (32) 39°34.22′ N. lat., 123°56.82′ W. long.; (33) 39°32.98′ N. lat., 123°56.43′ W. long.; (34) 39°32.14′ N. lat., 123°58.83′ W. long.; (35) 39°07.79′ N. lat., 123°58.72′ W. long.; (36) 39°00.99′ N. lat., 123°57.56′ W. long.; (37) 39°00.05′ N. lat., 123°56.83′ W. long.; (38) 38°57.50′ N. lat., 123°57.04′ W. long.; (39) 38°51.19′ N. lat., 123°55.70′ W. long.; (40) 38°47.29′ N. lat., 123°51.12′ W. long.; (41) 38°45.48′ N. lat., 123°51.36′ W. long.; (42) 38°43.24′ N. lat., 123°49.91′ W. long.; (43) 38°41.61′ N. lat., 123°47.50′ W. long.; (44) 38°35.75′ N. lat., 123°43.76′ W. long.; (45) 38°34.92′ N. lat., 123°42.45′ W. long.; (46) 38°19.84′ N. lat., 123°31.96′ W. long.; VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:27 Sep 17, 2007 Jkt 211001 (47) 38°14.38′ N. lat., 123°25.51′ W. long.; (48) 38°09.39′ N. lat., 123°24.39′ W. long.; (49) 38°10.02′ N. lat., 123°26.73′ W. long.; (50) 38°04.11′ N. lat., 123°31.62′ W. long.; (51) 38°02.11′ N. lat., 123°31.11′ W. long.; (52) 38°00.23′ N. lat., 123°29.51′ W. long.; (53) 38°00.00′ N. lat., 123°28.72′ W. long.; (54) 37°58.07′ N. lat., 123°26.97′ W. long.; (55) 37°50.80′ N. lat., 123°24.47′ W. long.; (56) 37°44.21′ N. lat., 123°11.38′ W. long.; (57) 37°35.67′ N. lat., 123°01.86′ W. long.; (58) 37°23.42′ N. lat., 122°56.78′ W. long.; (59) 37°23.23′ N. lat., 122°53.78′ W. long.; (60) 37°13.97′ N. lat., 122°49.91′ W. long.; (61) 37°11.00′ N. lat., 122°45.61′ W. long.; (62) 37°07.00′ N. lat., 122°42.89′ W. long.; (63) 37°01.10′ N. lat., 122°37.50′ W. long.; (64) 36°57.81′ N. lat., 122°28.29′ W. long.; (65) 36°59.83′ N. lat., 122°25.17′ W. long.; (66) 36°57.21′ N. lat., 122°25.17′ W. long.; (67) 36°57.81′ N. lat., 122°21.73′ W. long.; (68) 36°56.10′ N. lat., 122°21.51′ W. long.; (69) 36°55.17′ N. lat., 122°16.94′ W. long.; (70) 36°52.06′ N. lat., 122°12.12′ W. long.; (71) 36°47.63′ N. lat., 122°07.40′ W. long.; (72) 36°47.37′ N. lat., 122°03.10′ W. long.; (73) 36°24.14′ N. lat., 121°59.45′ W. long.; (74) 36°21.82′ N. lat., 122°00.80′ W. long.; (75) 36°19.47′ N. lat., 122°05.28′ W. long.; (76) 36°14.67′ N. lat., 122°00.88′ W. long.; (77) 36°09.34′ N. lat., 121°42.61′ W. long.; (78) 36°00.00′ N. lat., 121°35.77′ W. long.; (79) 35°56.78′ N. lat., 121°32.69′ W. long.; (80) 35°52.71′ N. lat., 121°32.32′ W. long.; (81) 35°51.23′ N. lat., 121°30.54′ W. long.; PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 (82) 35°46.07′ N. lat., 121°29.75′ W. long.; (83) 35°34.08′ N. lat., 121°19.83′ W. long.; (84) 35°31.41′ N. lat., 121°14.80′ W. long.; (85) 35°15.42′ N. lat., 121°03.47′ W. long.; (86) 35°07.21′ N. lat., 120°59.05′ W. long.; (87) 35°07.45′ N. lat., 120°57.09′ W. long.; (88) 34°44.29′ N. lat., 120°54.28′ W. long.; (89) 34°44.24′ N. lat., 120°57.62′ W. long.; (90) 34°40.04′ N. lat., 120°53.95′ W. long.; (91) 34°21.16′ N. lat., 120°33.11′ W. long.; (92) 34°19.15′ N. lat., 120°19.78′ W. long.; (93) 34°23.24′ N. lat., 120°14.17′ W. long.; (94) 34°21.47′ N. lat., 119°54.68′ W. long.; (95) 34°09.79′ N. lat., 119°44.51′ W. long.; (96) 34°07.34′ N. lat., 120°06.71′ W. long.; (97) 34°09.43′ N. lat., 120°18.34′ W. long.; (98) 34°12.50′ N. lat., 120°18.34′ W. long.; (99) 34°12.50′ N. lat., 120°26.11′ W. long.; (100) 34°14.02′ N. lat., 120°29.61′ W. long.; (101) 34°09.55′ N. lat., 120°37.83′ W. long.; (102) 34°05.35′ N. lat., 120°36.23′ W. long.; (103) 34°02.21′ N. lat., 120°36.23′ W. long.; (104) 34°02.21′ N. lat., 120°33.94′ W. long.; (105) 33°56.82′ N. lat., 120°28.30′ W. long.; (106) 33°50.40′ N. lat., 120°09.94′ W. long.; (107) 33°38.21′ N. lat., 119°59.90′ W. long.; (108) 33°35.35′ N. lat., 119°51.95′ W. long.; (109) 33°35.99′ N. lat., 119°49.13′ W. long.; (110) 33°42.74′ N. lat., 119°47.81′ W. long.; (111) 33°51.63′ N. lat., 119°52.94′ W. long.; (112) 33°51.62′ N. lat., 119°47.94′ W. long.; (113) 33°54.67′ N. lat., 119°47.94′ W. long.; (114) 33°57.84′ N. lat., 119°30.94′ W. long.; (115) 33°54.11′ N. lat., 119°30.94′ W. long.; (116) 33°54.11′ N. lat., 119°25.94′ W. long.; E:\FR\FM\18SER1.SGM 18SER1 mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with RULES Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 180 / Tuesday, September 18, 2007 / Rules and Regulations (117) 33°58.14′ N. lat., 119°25.94′ W. long.; (118) 33°59.31′ N. lat., 119°20.02′ W. long.; (119) 34°02.91′ N. lat., 119°15.38′ W. long.; (120) 33°59.04′ N. lat., 119°03.02′ W. long.; (121) 33°57.88′ N. lat., 118°41.69′ W. long.; (122) 33°50.89′ N. lat., 118°37.78′ W. long.; (123) 33°39.16′ N. lat., 118°18.24′ W. long.; (124) 33°35.44′ N. lat., 118°17.31′ W. long.; (125) 33°31.37′ N. lat., 118°10.39′ W. long.; (126) 33°32.71′ N. lat., 117°52.05′ W. long.; (127) 32°58.94′ N. lat., 117°20.06′ W. long.; and (128) 32°35.48′ N. lat., 117°28.83′ W. long. * * * * * (r) * * * (6) 48°01.50′ N. lat., 125°40.00′ W. long.; (7) 47°57.00′ N. lat., 125°37.00′ W. long.; (8) 47°55.50′ N. lat., 125°28.50′ W. long.; (9) 47°58.00′ N. lat., 125°25.00′ W. long.; (10) 48°00.50′ N. lat., 125°24.50′ W. long.; (11) 48°03.50′ N. lat., 125°21.00′ W. long.; (12) 48°02.00′ N. lat., 125°19.50′ W. long.; (13) 48°00.00′ N. lat., 125°21.00′ W. long.; (14) 47°58.00′ N. lat., 125°20.00′ W. long.; (15) 47°58.00′ N. lat., 125°18.00′ W. long.; (16) 47°52.00′ N. lat., 125°16.50′ W. long.; (17) 47°46.00′ N. lat., 125°06.00′ W. long.; and (18) 47°44.50′ N. lat., 125°07.50′ W. long. * * * * * [FR Doc. E7–18364 Filed 9–17–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:27 Sep 17, 2007 Jkt 211001 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 070213032–7032–01] RIN 0648–XC66 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of a closure. AGENCY: SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully use the C season allowance of the 2007 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock specified for Statistical Area 630 of the GOA. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 15, 2007, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 18, 2007. Comments must be received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., September 28, 2007. ADDRESSES: Send comments to Sue Salveson, Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, Attn: Ellen Sebastian. Comments may be submitted by: • Mail to: P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802; • Hand delivery to the Federal Building, 709 West 9th Street, Room 420A, Juneau, Alaska; • FAX to 907–586–7557; • E-mail to inseason.fakr@noaa.gov and include in the subject line and body of the e-mail the document identifier: g63plkro3 (E-mail comments, with or without attachments, are limited to 5 megabytes); or • Webform at the Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions at that site for submitting comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Hogan, 907–586–7228. NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the GOA exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 53169 Management Act. Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. NMFS closed the directed fishery for pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA under § 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on August 28, 2007 (72 FR 48946, August 27, 2007). NMFS has determined that approximately 4,888 mt of pollock remain in the directed fishing allowance. Therefore, in accordance with § 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C) and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize the C season allowance of pollock in Statistical Area 630, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and is reopening directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA. In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance will be reached after 72 hours. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA, effective 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 18, 2007. Classification This action responds to the best available information recently obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. This requirement is impracticable and contrary to the public interest as it would prevent NMFS from responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and would delay the opening of pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of September 11, 2007. The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the effective date of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and opportunity for public comment. Without this inseason adjustment, NMFS could not allow the pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA to be harvested in an expedient manner and in accordance with the regulatory schedule. Under § 679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to submit written comments on this action to the above address until September 28, 2007. E:\FR\FM\18SER1.SGM 18SER1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 180 (Tuesday, September 18, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53165-53169]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-18364]


=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No.070830493-7496-01; I.D. 082806B]
RIN 0648-AV95


Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; 
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Biennial Specifications and 
Management Measures; Correction

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

ACTION: Final rule; correction.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS announces corrections to Federal regulations for the West 
Coast groundfish fishery. This action corrects the latitude/longitude 
coordinates for the Salmon Troll and South Coast Recreational Yelloweye 
Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCAs) so that they are published in the 
proper sequence. This action correctly announces the 2007 tribal 
allocation amount of Pacific whiting. This action clarifies the 
application of the Ocean Salmon Conservation Zone in the Pacific 
whiting fishery. This action corrects some coordinates of the depth 
contour line approximations that are used to define the RCAs. This 
action is intended to eliminate any confusion for the public that may 
have occurred as a result of prior incorrect NMFS publications.

DATES: Effective September 18, 2007. Comments on this rule will be 
accepted through October 18, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by 0648-AV95 by any of 
the following methods:
     E-mail: Correction.nwr@noaa.gov. Include 0648-AV95 in the 
subject line of the message.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 206-526-6736, Attn: Gretchen Arentzen
     Mail: D. Robert Lohn, Administrator, Northwest Region, 
NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115-0070, Attn: Gretchen 
Arentzen.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gretchen Arentzen (Northwest Region, 
NMFS), phone: 206-526-6147; fax: 206-526-6736 and; e-mail: 
gretchen.arentzen@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

    This final rule also is accessible via the Internet at the Office 
of the Federal Register's website at https://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/
index.html. Background information and documents are available at the 
website of the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) at https://
www.pcouncil.org.

Background

    The Pacific Coast Groundfish FMP and its implementing regulations 
at title 50 in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), part 660, subpart 
G, regulate fishing for over 90 species of groundfish off the coasts of 
Washington, Oregon, and California. Groundfish specifications and 
management measures are developed by the Pacific Fishery Management 
Council (Council), and are implemented by NMFS. On September 29, 2006, 
NMFS published a proposed rule (71 FR 57764) to implement Amendment 16-
4 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish FMP and to establish the 2007-2008 
harvest specifications and management measures for groundfish taken in 
the EEZ off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. NMFS 
accepted public comment on the proposed rule and responded to these 
comments in the preamble to the final rule, which published in the 
Federal Register on December 29, 2006 (71 FR 78638).
    The 2007-2008 groundfish harvest specifications and management 
measures added a new potential closed area, the Ocean Salmon 
Conservation Zone (OSCZ), in the whiting fishery that could be 
implemented inseason through automatic action. Regulations at Sec.  
660.373(c)(3) define the OSCZ as a closed area applying to the whiting 
fishery; however, it does not state in this part that the OSCZ is 
closed only through automatic action when NMFS projects the whiting 
fishery may take in excess of 11,000 Chinook salmon within a calendar 
year. The process for implementation of this closed area is properly 
described in Sec.  660.370(d). A cross-reference to this automatic 
action section is added to the whiting regulations defining the OSCZ to 
clarify that the OSCZ is only closed after NMFS initiates an automatic 
management action to implement this closed area based on the projected 
take of Chinook salmon.
    A range of Pacific whiting (whiting) harvest specifications and 
management measures was adopted in the 2007-2008 harvest specifications 
and management measures for groundfish, and final 2007 specifications 
and management measures for whiting were adopted in March 2007. NMFS 
published a final rule establishing the 2007 whiting harvest 
specifications and management measures on April 18, 2007 (72 FR 19390), 
which included the level of the acceptable biological catch (ABC), 
optimum yield (OY), tribal allocation, and allocations for the 
nontribal commercial whiting sectors. The final 2007 tribal allocation 
was set according to an abundance-based sliding scale method, where the 
tribal allocation varies with the U.S. whiting optimum yield (OY) 
ranging from 14 percent (or less) of the U.S. OY when OY levels are 
above 250,000 mt, to 17.5 percent of the U.S. OY when the OY level is 
at or below 145,000 mt. NMFS had explained this method in the preamble 
to the proposed rule for the 2007-2008 groundfish harvest 
specifications and management measures. The tribal allocation was 
correctly expressed in the preamble to that final rule as 32,500 mt, 
however NMFS did not publish that amount in Sec.  660.385(e), leaving 
the outdated 2006 tribal whiting allocation of 35,000 mt in current 
regulations. This rule corrects 660.385(e) by inserting the 2007 tribal 
allocation.
    The preambles to the proposed and final rules for the 2007-2008 
groundfish harvest specifications and management measures described the 
Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Areas (YRCAs), closed areas intended to 
protect overfished species; however, the regulatory text published the 
latitude and longitude coordinates defining the Salmon Troll YRCA and 
the South Coast Recreational YRCA in the incorrect sequence, resulting 
in closed areas that are not the same size or shape as those analyzed 
by NMFS, recommended by the Council, and discussed in the preamble to 
the final rule. This correction re-publishes the YRCA latitude and 
longitude coordinates in the correct sequence to form the closed areas 
intended to protect yelloweye rockfish.
    The 2007-2008 groundfish harvest specifications and management 
measures added a new Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA) boundary line 
approximating the 180-fm (32-m) depth contour off California with 
modifications to allow fishing for petrale sole. After publication of 
the

[[Page 53166]]

proposed rule, the state of California requested adjustments to the 
latitude and longitude coordinates defining the petrale-modified 180-fm 
(329-m) boundary line to eliminate cross-overs with other neighboring 
boundary lines and to be consistent with boundaries of groundfish 
essential fish habitat closed areas off California. However, these 
changes from the proposed rule were not made and the original incorrect 
coordinates were published in the final rule for the 2007-2008 
groundfish harvest specifications and management measures. This 
correction publishes the latitude and longitude coordinates defining 
the petrale-modified 180-fm (329-m) boundary line at Sec.  660.394(f) 
that the state of California proposed and the Council recommended.
    The 2007-2008 groundfish harvest specifications and management 
measures revised coordinates defining the RCA boundary line 
approximating the petrale-modified 250-fm (457-m) depth contour to 
eliminate cross-overs with neighboring RCA boundary lines. Coordinates 
defining this RCA boundary line, published at Sec.  660.394(r), 
contained errors off the Washington coast and were published with these 
errors in both the proposed and final rule. The errors in the 
coordinates defining the RCA boundary line were introduced when 
transferring the latitude and longitude coordinates into the format 
necessary for publication in the Federal Register and eliminated a 
portion of petrale sole fishing grounds and opened an area of known 
rockfish abundance. This correction publishes the latitude and 
longitude coordinates defining the petrale-modified 250-fm (457-m) 
boundary line at Sec.  660.394(r) that the state of Washington proposed 
and the Council recommended.

Classification

    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, finds good cause 
to waive the requirement to provide prior notice and opportunity for 
public comment on this action pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B); providing 
prior notice and opportunity for comment would be unnecessary and 
contrary to the public interest.
    This correction document revises Sec.  660.373(c)(3) of the CFR so 
that the description of the OSCZ is consistent with the automatic 
action regulations, at Sec.  660.370(d), for implementing the OSCZ. 
Allowing inconsistencies to remain in the Federal Register would be 
contrary to the public interest. It would leave language in the CFR 
that implies that a permanent closure is in place, even though the 
closure only exists if it is implemented through automatic management 
action. This automatic action will be taken when NMFS projects that the 
whiting fishery may take in excess of 11,000 Chinook salmon within a 
calendar year. The OSCZ was analyzed in the 2007-2008 groundfish 
specifications and management measures environmental impact statement, 
and is clearly described in the preambles to the proposed and final 
rules (71 FR 57764, 71 FR 78638) as a closure that NMFS can implement 
for the whiting fishery if Chinook salmon take is anticipated to exceed 
acceptable levels. Prior notice and opportunity for comment was 
provided earlier because both the EIS and the proposed rule were made 
available for public comment, and no comments were received pertaining 
to the application of the OSCZ. Also, this correction clarifies 
language at Sec.  660.373(c)(3) to make it consistent with existing 
regulations at Sec.  660.370(d) and does not change the intent, 
meaning, or application of the OSCZ closure. Leaving inconsistencies in 
the regulatory language is contrary to the public interest because it 
is confusing to the public and would leave language in the CFR that 
implies that a permanent closure is in place, even though the closure 
only exists if it is implemented through automatic management action; 
therefore, NOAA finds good cause to waive prior notice and opportunity 
for public comment.
    This correction document revises Sec.  660.385(e) of the CFR so 
that the 2007 tribal allocation of Pacific whiting is consistent with 
the allocation proposed by the tribal representative on the Council, 
recommended by the Council and that NMFS intended to implement. This 
correction implements an action that has already been made available 
for public review and comment in the preamble to the whiting ABC/OY 
final rule (71 FR 19390). By implementing the correct tribal 
allocation, NMFS is implementing the 2007 tribal whiting allocation 
determined by the methodology described in the preamble to the 2007-
2008 harvest specifications and management measures proposed rule, and 
listed in the preamble to the whiting ABC/OY final rule, which was 
based on recommendations from the Makah tribe and the Council. The 
numerical allocation, however, was not changed in the regulatory text, 
so the 2006 tribal allocation is still listed in the CFR rather than 
the 2007 allocation. The interested public is aware of the current 2007 
tribal whiting allocation. The Makah tribe is aware of the appropriate 
2007 tribal whiting allocation and plans to stay within the 2007 
allocation which they proposed; therefore, prior notice and opportunity 
for public comment is unnecessary.
    This correction document revises Sec.  660.390(c) and (d) of the 
CFR so that coordinates for the Salmon Troll and South Coast 
Recreational Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Areas (YRCAs) are listed 
in the correct sequence to form rectangular closed areas. Each of these 
closed areas is defined by four coordinate points. If coordinates are 
connected in the sequence listed prior to this correction, they form 
bowtie shaped polygons that close approximately half of the area of the 
rectangular closed areas. When these points are connected in the 
correct sequence, they form rectangular closed areas, as illustrated in 
the EIS, described in the preamble to the final rule, recommended by 
the Council, and approved by NMFS for this action. A public notice and 
comment period was available for the EIS and final rule, and no 
comments were received pertaining to the proposed rectangular shape of 
the YRCAs. The YRCAs are designed to prevent the incidental catch of 
yelloweye rockfish, an overfished groundfish species that co-occurs 
with other, more abundant groundfish stocks. Allowing the YRCA 
coordinates to remain in Sec.  660.390 in the incorrect sequence 
actually allows, rather than prevents, fishing in areas of yelloweye 
rockfish abundance, which is contrary to the public interest. The 
yelloweye OY is very low so that if even a small amount of excess 
incidental catch of yelloweye rockfish were to occur, all of the 
commercial and recreational hook-and-line groundfish fisheries north of 
Cape Mendocino, California, fisheries that take yelloweye incidentally, 
would have to be restricted or closed early to ensure that the 2007 
yelloweye rockfish OY is not exceeded. Such restrictions and/or 
closures could be expected to ultimately result in significant revenue 
and job losses in coastal communities. By implementing these 
corrections as early as possible in the 2007 fishery, NMFS is 
implementing the YRCAs it had described in the preambles to the 
proposed and final rules for this action, based on recommendations from 
the Council. This correction is intended to ensure that yelloweye 
rockfish catch is kept within its allowable harvest levels, so that 
NMFS may meet its obligations under the Magnuson-Stevens Act to rebuild 
overfished stocks and to achieve the optimum yield from the fishery. 
Delay in publication of this rule could cause NMFS to fail to meet 
these obligations and would be contrary to the public interest.
    This correction document revises Sec.  660.394(f) and (r) of the 
CFR so that

[[Page 53167]]

coordinates for the petrale-modified 180-fm (329-m) boundary line and 
the petrale-modified 250-fm (457-m) boundary line are published 
correctly to protect overfished species while allowing targeting 
opportunities for more abundant species. The state of California 
recommended revising the petrale-modified 180-fm (329-m) boundary line 
after NMFS had published it in the proposed rule, to improve 
consistency with the boundaries of other neighboring area restrictions, 
including essential fish habitat closed areas. These changes, however, 
were not included in the final rule. These modifications change some 
latitude and longitude coordinates, and remove some coordinate points; 
however, the corrected line is similar to the line that was published 
in the preambles to the proposed and final rule. For clarity, the 
petrale-modified 180-fm (329-m) boundary line is re-published in its 
entirety in this correction. Providing prior notice and opportunity for 
public comment would be contrary to the public interest, as it would 
allow regulations to remain in the CFR that are confusing due to 
inconsistencies and overlaps between the groundfish RCA and other area 
restrictions, including essential fish habitat closed areas. The 
petrale-modified 250-fm (457-m) boundary line was published in the 
proposed and final rule with 13 incorrect latitude and longitude 
coordinates in the portion of the line that lies off the northern 
Washington coast, south of Cape Alava. These incorrect coordinates 
moved the depth contour approximation shoreward into shallower waters, 
with one coordinate bringing the 250-fm (457-m) line to a depth 
shallower than 70-fm (128-m) which produces an irrational result. 
Providing prior notice and opportunity for public comment would be 
contrary to the public interest because allowing the incorrect 
coordinates to remain in the CFR would allow fishing in an area of 
shallow water seaward of the RCA, at depths associated with high 
occurrence of overfished species. Restricting fishing in areas where 
overfished species are found is one of the primary tools available for 
keeping fishing mortality of overfished species within the optimum 
yields. Allowing the incorrect RCA boundary lines to remain in Sec.  
660.394 would be contrary to the public interest as it allows, rather 
than prevents, fishing in areas of overfished rockfish abundance, 
thereby undermining the intent of the rule. Furthermore, it would 
create confusion due to inconsistencies between the coordinates 
published in the Federal Register and coordinates available on the NMFS 
Northwest Region website for use in navigation software. If excessive 
incidental catch of overfished rockfish species were to occur, 
commercial and recreational groundfish fisheries that take overfished 
groundfish species incidentally would have to be restricted and 
possibly be closed early to ensure that the 2007 OYs for overfished 
rockfish species would not be exceeded. Such restrictions and/or 
closures could be expected to ultimately result in significant revenue 
and job losses in coastal communities. Providing prior notice and 
opportunity for public comment is contrary to the public interest 
because delay in implementation of this correction could result in 
excess harvest of overfished species that are found in the area that 
should be closed, which could result in exceeding the rebuilding 
targets, premature closure of the fishery, or both. This would prevent 
NMFS from meeting its obligations to rebuild overfished species or 
manage the fishery to achieve optimum yield.
    For the reasons discussed above, good cause also exists to waive 
the 30 day delay in effectiveness requirement under 5 U.S.C. 553 
(d)(3).

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660

    Fisheries, Fishing, Indian fisheries.

    Dated: September 12, 2007.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.

0
For reasons explained in the preamble, 50 CFR part 660 is corrected by 
making the following correcting amendments:

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.

0
2. In Sec.  660.373, paragraph (c)(3) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  660.373  Pacific whiting (whiting) fishery management.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (3) Ocean Salmon Conservation Zone. All waters shoreward of a 
boundary line approximating the 100 fm (183 m) depth contour. Latitude 
and longitude coordinates defining the boundary line approximating the 
100 fm (183 m) depth contour are provided at Sec.  660.393(a). This 
closure will be implemented through automatic action, defined at 
660.370(d), when NMFS projects the Pacific whiting fishery may take in 
excess of 11,000 Chinook within a calendar year.
* * * * *

0
3. In Sec.  660.385, paragraph (e) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  660.385  Washington coastal tribal fisheries management measures.

* * * * *
    (e) Pacific whiting. The tribal allocation is 32,500 mt.
* * * * *

0
4. In Sec.  660.390, paragraphs (c)(3) and (4), and (d)(3) and (4) are 
revised to read as follows:


Sec.  660.390  Groundfish conservation areas.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (3) 48[deg]02.00' N. lat., 125[deg]16.50' W. long.;
    (4) 48[deg]00.00' N. lat., 125[deg]16.50' W. long.; and connecting 
back to 48[deg]00.00' N. lat., 125[deg]14.00' W. long.
* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (3) 46[deg]55.00' N. lat., 124[deg]49.00' W. long.;
    (4) 46[deg]58.00' N. lat., 124[deg]49.00' W. long.; and connecting 
back to 46[deg]58.00' N. lat., 124[deg]48.00' W. long.
* * * * *

0
5. In Sec.  660.394, paragraphs (f), and (r)(6) through (18) are 
revised to read as follows:


Sec.  660.394  Latitude/longitude coordinates defining the 180 fm (329 
m) through 250 fm (457 m) depth contours.

* * * * *
    (f) The 180 fm (329 m) depth contour between 42[deg] N. lat. and 
the U.S. border with Mexico, modified to allow fishing in petrale sole 
areas, is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following 
points in the order stated:
    (1) 42[deg]00.00' N. lat., 124[deg]36.37' W. long.;
    (2) 41[deg]47.79' N. lat., 124[deg]29.48' W. long.;
    (3) 41[deg]21.16' N. lat., 124[deg]28.97' W. long.;
    (4) 41[deg]11.30' N. lat., 124[deg]22.86' W. long.;
    (5) 41[deg]06.51' N. lat., 124[deg]23.07' W. long.;
    (6) 40[deg]55.20' N. lat., 124[deg]27.46' W. long.;
    (7) 40[deg]53.95' N. lat., 124[deg]26.04' W. long.;
    (8) 40[deg]49.96' N. lat., 124[deg]26.04' W. long.;
    (9) 40[deg]44.49' N. lat., 124[deg]30.81' W. long.;
    (10) 40[deg]40.58' N. lat., 124[deg]32.05' W. long.;
    (11) 40[deg]38.82' N. lat., 124[deg]29.45' W. long.;

[[Page 53168]]

    (12) 40[deg]35.65' N. lat., 124[deg]30.34' W. long.;
    (13) 40[deg]37.39' N. lat., 124[deg]37.00' W. long.;
    (14) 40[deg]36.03' N. lat., 124[deg]39.97' W. long.;
    (15) 40[deg]31.42' N. lat., 124[deg]40.85' W. long.;
    (16) 40[deg]30.00' N. lat., 124[deg]37.12' W. long.;
    (17) 40[deg]27.36' N. lat., 124[deg]37.14' W. long.;
    (18) 40[deg]24.81' N. lat., 124[deg]35.82' W. long.;
    (19) 40[deg]22.45' N. lat., 124[deg]30.94' W. long.;
    (20) 40[deg]14.00' N. lat., 124[deg]32.90' W. long.;
    (21) 40[deg]10.00' N. lat., 124[deg]23.56' W. long.;
    (22) 40[deg]06.67' N. lat., 124[deg]19.08' W. long.;
    (23) 40[deg]08.10' N. lat., 124[deg]16.71' W. long.;
    (24) 40[deg]05.90' N. lat., 124[deg]17.77' W. long.;
    (25) 40[deg]02.80' N. lat., 124[deg]16.28' W. long.;
    (26) 40[deg]01.98' N. lat., 124[deg]12.99' W. long.;
    (27) 40[deg]01.52' N. lat., 124[deg]09.83' W. long.;
    (28) 39[deg]58.55' N. lat., 124[deg]12.32' W. long.;
    (29) 39[deg]55.74' N. lat., 124[deg]07.37' W. long.;
    (30) 39[deg]42.78' N. lat., 124[deg]02.11' W. long.;
    (31) 39[deg]34.76' N. lat., 123[deg]58.51' W. long.;
    (32) 39[deg]34.22' N. lat., 123[deg]56.82' W. long.;
    (33) 39[deg]32.98' N. lat., 123[deg]56.43' W. long.;
    (34) 39[deg]32.14' N. lat., 123[deg]58.83' W. long.;
    (35) 39[deg]07.79' N. lat., 123[deg]58.72' W. long.;
    (36) 39[deg]00.99' N. lat., 123[deg]57.56' W. long.;
    (37) 39[deg]00.05' N. lat., 123[deg]56.83' W. long.;
    (38) 38[deg]57.50' N. lat., 123[deg]57.04' W. long.;
    (39) 38[deg]51.19' N. lat., 123[deg]55.70' W. long.;
    (40) 38[deg]47.29' N. lat., 123[deg]51.12' W. long.;
    (41) 38[deg]45.48' N. lat., 123[deg]51.36' W. long.;
    (42) 38[deg]43.24' N. lat., 123[deg]49.91' W. long.;
    (43) 38[deg]41.61' N. lat., 123[deg]47.50' W. long.;
    (44) 38[deg]35.75' N. lat., 123[deg]43.76' W. long.;
    (45) 38[deg]34.92' N. lat., 123[deg]42.45' W. long.;
    (46) 38[deg]19.84' N. lat., 123[deg]31.96' W. long.;
    (47) 38[deg]14.38' N. lat., 123[deg]25.51' W. long.;
    (48) 38[deg]09.39' N. lat., 123[deg]24.39' W. long.;
    (49) 38[deg]10.02' N. lat., 123[deg]26.73' W. long.;
    (50) 38[deg]04.11' N. lat., 123[deg]31.62' W. long.;
    (51) 38[deg]02.11' N. lat., 123[deg]31.11' W. long.;
    (52) 38[deg]00.23' N. lat., 123[deg]29.51' W. long.;
    (53) 38[deg]00.00' N. lat., 123[deg]28.72' W. long.;
    (54) 37[deg]58.07' N. lat., 123[deg]26.97' W. long.;
    (55) 37[deg]50.80' N. lat., 123[deg]24.47' W. long.;
    (56) 37[deg]44.21' N. lat., 123[deg]11.38' W. long.;
    (57) 37[deg]35.67' N. lat., 123[deg]01.86' W. long.;
    (58) 37[deg]23.42' N. lat., 122[deg]56.78' W. long.;
    (59) 37[deg]23.23' N. lat., 122[deg]53.78' W. long.;
    (60) 37[deg]13.97' N. lat., 122[deg]49.91' W. long.;
    (61) 37[deg]11.00' N. lat., 122[deg]45.61' W. long.;
    (62) 37[deg]07.00' N. lat., 122[deg]42.89' W. long.;
    (63) 37[deg]01.10' N. lat., 122[deg]37.50' W. long.;
    (64) 36[deg]57.81' N. lat., 122[deg]28.29' W. long.;
    (65) 36[deg]59.83' N. lat., 122[deg]25.17' W. long.;
    (66) 36[deg]57.21' N. lat., 122[deg]25.17' W. long.;
    (67) 36[deg]57.81' N. lat., 122[deg]21.73' W. long.;
    (68) 36[deg]56.10' N. lat., 122[deg]21.51' W. long.;
    (69) 36[deg]55.17' N. lat., 122[deg]16.94' W. long.;
    (70) 36[deg]52.06' N. lat., 122[deg]12.12' W. long.;
    (71) 36[deg]47.63' N. lat., 122[deg]07.40' W. long.;
    (72) 36[deg]47.37' N. lat., 122[deg]03.10' W. long.;
    (73) 36[deg]24.14' N. lat., 121[deg]59.45' W. long.;
    (74) 36[deg]21.82' N. lat., 122[deg]00.80' W. long.;
    (75) 36[deg]19.47' N. lat., 122[deg]05.28' W. long.;
    (76) 36[deg]14.67' N. lat., 122[deg]00.88' W. long.;
    (77) 36[deg]09.34' N. lat., 121[deg]42.61' W. long.;
    (78) 36[deg]00.00' N. lat., 121[deg]35.77' W. long.;
    (79) 35[deg]56.78' N. lat., 121[deg]32.69' W. long.;
    (80) 35[deg]52.71' N. lat., 121[deg]32.32' W. long.;
    (81) 35[deg]51.23' N. lat., 121[deg]30.54' W. long.;
    (82) 35[deg]46.07' N. lat., 121[deg]29.75' W. long.;
    (83) 35[deg]34.08' N. lat., 121[deg]19.83' W. long.;
    (84) 35[deg]31.41' N. lat., 121[deg]14.80' W. long.;
    (85) 35[deg]15.42' N. lat., 121[deg]03.47' W. long.;
    (86) 35[deg]07.21' N. lat., 120[deg]59.05' W. long.;
    (87) 35[deg]07.45' N. lat., 120[deg]57.09' W. long.;
    (88) 34[deg]44.29' N. lat., 120[deg]54.28' W. long.;
    (89) 34[deg]44.24' N. lat., 120[deg]57.62' W. long.;
    (90) 34[deg]40.04' N. lat., 120[deg]53.95' W. long.;
    (91) 34[deg]21.16' N. lat., 120[deg]33.11' W. long.;
    (92) 34[deg]19.15' N. lat., 120[deg]19.78' W. long.;
    (93) 34[deg]23.24' N. lat., 120[deg]14.17' W. long.;
    (94) 34[deg]21.47' N. lat., 119[deg]54.68' W. long.;
    (95) 34[deg]09.79' N. lat., 119[deg]44.51' W. long.;
    (96) 34[deg]07.34' N. lat., 120[deg]06.71' W. long.;
    (97) 34[deg]09.43' N. lat., 120[deg]18.34' W. long.;
    (98) 34[deg]12.50' N. lat., 120[deg]18.34' W. long.;
    (99) 34[deg]12.50' N. lat., 120[deg]26.11' W. long.;
    (100) 34[deg]14.02' N. lat., 120[deg]29.61' W. long.;
    (101) 34[deg]09.55' N. lat., 120[deg]37.83' W. long.;
    (102) 34[deg]05.35' N. lat., 120[deg]36.23' W. long.;
    (103) 34[deg]02.21' N. lat., 120[deg]36.23' W. long.;
    (104) 34[deg]02.21' N. lat., 120[deg]33.94' W. long.;
    (105) 33[deg]56.82' N. lat., 120[deg]28.30' W. long.;
    (106) 33[deg]50.40' N. lat., 120[deg]09.94' W. long.;
    (107) 33[deg]38.21' N. lat., 119[deg]59.90' W. long.;
    (108) 33[deg]35.35' N. lat., 119[deg]51.95' W. long.;
    (109) 33[deg]35.99' N. lat., 119[deg]49.13' W. long.;
    (110) 33[deg]42.74' N. lat., 119[deg]47.81' W. long.;
    (111) 33[deg]51.63' N. lat., 119[deg]52.94' W. long.;
    (112) 33[deg]51.62' N. lat., 119[deg]47.94' W. long.;
    (113) 33[deg]54.67' N. lat., 119[deg]47.94' W. long.;
    (114) 33[deg]57.84' N. lat., 119[deg]30.94' W. long.;
    (115) 33[deg]54.11' N. lat., 119[deg]30.94' W. long.;
    (116) 33[deg]54.11' N. lat., 119[deg]25.94' W. long.;

[[Page 53169]]

    (117) 33[deg]58.14' N. lat., 119[deg]25.94' W. long.;
    (118) 33[deg]59.31' N. lat., 119[deg]20.02' W. long.;
    (119) 34[deg]02.91' N. lat., 119[deg]15.38' W. long.;
    (120) 33[deg]59.04' N. lat., 119[deg]03.02' W. long.;
    (121) 33[deg]57.88' N. lat., 118[deg]41.69' W. long.;
    (122) 33[deg]50.89' N. lat., 118[deg]37.78' W. long.;
    (123) 33[deg]39.16' N. lat., 118[deg]18.24' W. long.;
    (124) 33[deg]35.44' N. lat., 118[deg]17.31' W. long.;
    (125) 33[deg]31.37' N. lat., 118[deg]10.39' W. long.;
    (126) 33[deg]32.71' N. lat., 117[deg]52.05' W. long.;
    (127) 32[deg]58.94' N. lat., 117[deg]20.06' W. long.; and
    (128) 32[deg]35.48' N. lat., 117[deg]28.83' W. long.
* * * * *
    (r) * * *
    (6) 48[deg]01.50' N. lat., 125[deg]40.00' W. long.;
    (7) 47[deg]57.00' N. lat., 125[deg]37.00' W. long.;
    (8) 47[deg]55.50' N. lat., 125[deg]28.50' W. long.;
    (9) 47[deg]58.00' N. lat., 125[deg]25.00' W. long.;
    (10) 48[deg]00.50' N. lat., 125[deg]24.50' W. long.;
    (11) 48[deg]03.50' N. lat., 125[deg]21.00' W. long.;
    (12) 48[deg]02.00' N. lat., 125[deg]19.50' W. long.;
    (13) 48[deg]00.00' N. lat., 125[deg]21.00' W. long.;
    (14) 47[deg]58.00' N. lat., 125[deg]20.00' W. long.;
    (15) 47[deg]58.00' N. lat., 125[deg]18.00' W. long.;
    (16) 47[deg]52.00' N. lat., 125[deg]16.50' W. long.;
    (17) 47[deg]46.00' N. lat., 125[deg]06.00' W. long.; and
    (18) 47[deg]44.50' N. lat., 125[deg]07.50' W. long.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. E7-18364 Filed 9-17-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
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