Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Trawl Rationalization Program; Midwater Trawl Fishery Season Date Change, 8280-8284 [2015-03079]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 17, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8280-8284]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-03079]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 141222999-5114-01]
RIN 0648-BE72


Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish 
Fishery; Trawl Rationalization Program; Midwater Trawl Fishery Season 
Date Change

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This action would implement revisions to the Pacific Coast 
Groundfish Trawl Rationalization Program affecting the limited entry 
midwater trawl fisheries managed under the Pacific Coast Groundfish 
Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This action would revise the Shorebased 
Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program regulations to change the 
primary season opening date for the shorebased whiting fishery and the 
shorebased non-whiting midwater trawl fishery to May 15 north of 
40[deg]30' N. lat. to the U.S./Canada border. This moves the season a 
month earlier off Washington and Oregon, and a month and half later off 
northern California (north of 40[deg]30' N. lat.), increasing 
consistency in the season start date along the coast and between the 
shorebased and at-sea midwater trawl fleets.

DATES: Comments on this proposed rule must be received on or before 
March 19, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by 
NOAA-NMFS-2015-0016, by any of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to 
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2015-0016, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to William W. Stelle, Jr., 
Regional Administrator, West Coast Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way 
NE., Seattle, WA 98115-0070; Attn: Jamie Goen.
     Fax: 206-526-6426; Attn: Jamie Goen.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous). Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in 
Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jamie Goen, 206-526-4656; 
jamie.goen@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    In January 2011, NMFS implemented a trawl rationalization program, 
a type of catch share program, for the Pacific coast groundfish 
fishery's trawl fleet. The program was adopted through Amendment 20 to 
the FMP and consists of three sectors: An IFQ program for the 
shorebased trawl fleet (including vessels targeting whiting and non-
whiting with midwater trawl gear); and cooperative (coop) programs for 
the at-sea mothership (MS) and catcher/processor (C/P) trawl fleets 
(whiting only).
    Since implementation, the Pacific Fishery Management Council 
(Council) and NMFS have been working to implement additional regulatory 
changes to further improve the trawl rationalization program and 
respond to industry requests. Changing the midwater trawl fishery 
season date would further increase consistency in the season start date 
along the coast and between the shorebased and at-sea midwater trawl 
fleets. This rule would revise the Shorebased IFQ Program regulations 
to change the primary season opening date for the midwater trawl 
fishery (whiting and non-whiting) to May 15 north of 40[deg]30' N. lat. 
to the U.S./Canada border. This would move the season a month earlier 
off Washington and Oregon and a month and half later off northern 
California (north of 40[deg]30' N. lat.).
    The Council discussed the season date change at its March and April 
2012 meetings, with final Council recommendations to NMFS during the 
September 2012 Council meeting. In addition, NMFS received further

[[Page 8281]]

clarification on these issues from the Council at its November 2014 
meeting.

Evolution of Seasons

    While this action would affect the season start date for shorebased 
midwater trawl fisheries that target whiting or other groundfish 
(``non-whiting''), historically the season start dates were for 
midwater fisheries targeting whiting. However, since 2011 and the start 
of the trawl rationalization program, the Pacific whiting start date 
applies to the use of all midwater trawl gear regardless of the target 
species. In 1991, foreign fishing in U.S. waters ended and whiting 
became a fully domestic fishery with both at-sea and shorebased 
vessels. The season started on January 1 but fishing did not start 
until late spring when the fish were more available. In 1992, the 
season start date was set at April 15. In 1996, the at-sea sectors 
(mothership and catcher/processor) and the shorebased sector north of 
42[deg] N. lat. (northern fishery off Washington and Oregon) all 
started on May 15, the shorebased sector between 42[deg] and 40[deg]30' 
N. lat. (central fishery off northern California) started on March 1, 
and the shorebased sector south of 40[deg]30' N. lat. (southern fishery 
off central and southern California) continued to start on April 15. 
Since 1997, the whiting seasons have started as follows: May 15 for the 
at-sea sectors, June 15 for the northern shorebased sector, April 1 for 
the central shorebased sector, and April 15 for the southern shorebased 
sector.
    The 1997 delay in the season start date for the northern shorebased 
fishery to June 15 allowed shorebased vessels to deliver whiting to at-
sea motherships for a full month or until the at-sea allocation was met 
and then to switch their delivery strategy to shorebased facilities 
until the shorebased allocation was met for the year. The delay for the 
northern shorebased fishery from May 15 to June 15 also allowed 
shorebased vessels to complete their May-June DTS (Dover sole, 
thornyhead, sablefish complex) cumulative limits before the start of 
the whiting fishery (it was not permissible to land more than 60 
percent of the DTS limit in a particular month). The shift from a May 
15 to a June 15 opening (and from March 1 to April 1 for the central 
area) was expected to allow the whiting to grow to a larger size prior 
to harvest. These date changes also affected bycatch of other species 
caught with midwater trawl gear. Bycatch rates of rockfish were 
expected to increase with the later northern start date because more of 
the whiting stock biomass would be in northern areas, where rockfish 
such as yellowtail and widow are more available to midwater gear. 
Bycatch of salmon was expected to be difficult to predict, but presumed 
to be lower in the summer months for the shorebased fishery and higher 
later in the year for the at-sea fishery.
    The 1997 season date change also included an allocation decision to 
limit the California fisheries to taking a total of 5 percent of the 
shorebased allocation prior to the start of the northern fishery to 
prevent further expansion in that area. In addition to modifying the 
season dates and establishing a California early season allocation, the 
1997 action also established a framework in the regulations for 
modifying the season opening dates on an annual basis (50 CFR 
660.131(b)(2)). This action to change the northern and central 
shorebased season start dates for midwater fisheries (whiting and non-
whiting) to May 15 would not change the framework regulation at Sec.  
660.131(b)(2) nor would it change the California early season 
allocation, other than to limit it to the southern shorebased fishery.

Re-Emerging Non-Whiting Midwater Trawl Fishery

    Prior to 2001, a shorebased midwater trawl fishery existed, 
primarily targeting widow, yellowtail, and chilipepper rockfishes. In 
2001 and 2002, catches in the non-whiting midwater fishery were 
drastically reduced by management measures to protect widow and other 
overfished rockfish. Widow rockfish was declared overfished in 2001, 
reducing the amount that could be harvested to bycatch. In addition, 
large coastwide closed areas, called rockfish conservation areas, were 
implemented in 2002 to reduce the catch of several overfished rockfish 
species. These changes eliminated the shorebased non-whiting midwater 
trawl fishery. Since implementation of the trawl rationalization 
program in 2011 and the declaration of widow rockfish as rebuilt, there 
are increasing opportunities for non-whiting midwater trawl fisheries. 
With implementation of the trawl rationalization program, the 
regulatory distinctions between the shorebased whiting and the non-
whiting fishery were blurred. The season start date for the whiting 
fishery was interpreted to apply to all midwater fishing (whiting and 
non-whiting). The season date change in this action would also affect 
the non-whiting midwater trawl fishery.

Expected Impacts

    Changing the season opening date for the midwater trawl fishery 
(whiting and non-whiting) to May 15 north of 40[deg]30' N. lat. to the 
U.S./Canada border would move the season a month earlier off Washington 
and Oregon, and a month and half later off northern California (north 
of 40[deg]30' N. lat.). This action would not change the areas open to 
groundfish fishing or the total amount of groundfish available for 
harvest, but it would shift when those fish can be caught. A single 
coastwide opening north of 40[deg]30' N. lat. would simplify the 
regulations. This change would align the northern and central 
shorebased fisheries with the at-sea fisheries, increase flexibility 
for the northern shorebased fishery, and equalize opportunity among 
most of the midwater sectors (except the southern shorebased fishery 
which would remain at April 15). With implementation of the trawl 
rationalization program in 2011, it is no longer necessary to stagger 
seasons in the whiting fishery to increase access to groundfish. While 
moving the season start date for the central shorebased fishery would 
result in a shortened season for the central area, no impact to this 
fishery is expected because there has not been harvest in northern 
California since implementation of the trawl rationalization program.
    In addition to the expected impacts on groundfish, NMFS must also 
consider the impacts on salmon. Salmon, predominately Chinook, are 
caught as bycatch in groundfish midwater trawl fisheries. Some of the 
Chinook caught with midwater trawl gear are listed as endangered or 
threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). NMFS considered the 
effects of ongoing implementation of the groundfish FMP on listed 
salmonid species in a biological opinion issued on December 15, 1999. 
That opinion noted that steelhead, sockeye, and cutthroat trout are 
rarely, if ever, encountered in the groundfish fishery. Coho and chum 
are caught in relatively low numbers in the whiting fishery with 
average catch per year coastwide on the order of tens to a few hundred 
fish and in the bottom trawl fishery on the order of tens of fish per 
year. The 1999 opinion focused on bycatch of Chinook salmon, which 
comprises the largest portion of salmonid bycatch in the whiting 
fishery.
    The 1999 opinion determined that the fishery was not likely to 
jeopardize any of the ESA-listed Chinook and provided an incidental 
take statement estimating that total Chinook bycatch (listed and 
unlisted fish) for the whiting fishery (MS, C/P, shorebased, and tribal 
combined), would likely be 11,000 Chinook per year or 0.05 fish per 
metric ton (mt) of whiting catch. The 1999 opinion indicated 
consultation must be reinitiated if Chinook bycatch rates

[[Page 8282]]

exceed these amounts. For the bottom trawl fishery, the 1999 biological 
opinion estimated that 6,000 to 9,000 Chinook salmon would be taken 
annually. The biological opinion concluded that if the bottom trawl 
fishery changes substantially in magnitude or character or if bycatch 
exceeds 9,000 Chinook, consultation must be reinitiated.
    In 2013, NMFS reinitiated section 7 consultation on the FMP to 
address the effects on salmonids caused by the re-emerging use of 
midwater trawl gear to target non-whiting groundfish species such as 
yellowtail and widow rockfish. The request was made due to the 
evolution of the trawl fishery under the trawl rationalization 
framework and improving conditions for species such as widow rockfish 
that were expected to change the characteristics of the fishery. In 
addition, West Coast Groundfish Observer Program data reports showed 
new estimates of Chinook and coho salmon bycatch in the nearshore fixed 
gear fisheries (open access and limited entry fisheries), limited entry 
sablefish fishery, and open access California Halibut fishery. In 
October 2014, the whiting fishery exceeded the 11,000 Chinook and 0.05 
Chinook salmon/mt whiting reinitiation triggers stated in the 1999 
biological opinion. Given this, NMFS determined that the reinitiation 
should address the effects on listed salmonids of all fishing under the 
FMP.
    In the interim, NMFS will be monitoring the take of salmon inseason 
and expects industry to take measures to reduce salmon bycatch, if 
needed. All midwater trawl fisheries have 100 percent monitoring and 
are required to track the catch of prohibited and protected species, 
such as salmon.
    NMFS and the Council estimated the bycatch of Chinook in 2015 based 
on the amount of target species (whiting, widow, and yellowtail 
rockfish) available to harvest. While the allowable harvest amounts for 
these target species will not be determined until the spring, they are 
expected to increase in 2015 and 2016. However, catch of salmon in 
groundfish trawl fisheries is highly variable from year to year, 
including in years when the season was as early as April 15 and as late 
as June 15. For salmon listed under the ESA, NMFS expects the bycatch 
of Chinook to remain within the amounts considered in the 1999 
biological opinion for all groundfish trawl fisheries combined (20,000 
Chinook) even if harvest limits for target groundfish species 
increases. For more information, see the draft environmental assessment 
at the Web site provided or the ESA information listed in the 
Classification section of this preamble.

Classification

    Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the MSA, the NMFS Assistant 
Administrator has determined that this proposed rule is consistent with 
the Pacific Coast Groundfish FMP, other provisions of the MSA, and 
other applicable law, subject to further consideration after public 
comment.
    The Council prepared an environmental assessment (EA) for this 
action. The draft EA is available on the Council's Web site at https://www.pcouncil.org/ or on NMFS' Web site at https://www.nwr.noaa.gov/Groundfish-Halibut/Groundfish-Fishery-Management/Trawl-Program/index.cfm.
    Pursuant to the procedures established to implement section 6 of 
Executive Order 12866, the Office of Management and Budget has 
determined that this proposed rule is not significant.
    An initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA) was prepared, as 
required by section 603 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA). The 
IRFA describes the economic impact this proposed rule, if adopted, 
would have on small entities. A description of the action, why it is 
being considered, and the legal basis for this action are contained at 
the beginning of this section in the preamble and in the SUMMARY 
section of the preamble. A Regulatory Impact Review (RIR) was also 
prepared on the action and is included as part of the IRFA. A copy of 
the IRFA is available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES) and a summary of the 
IRFA, per the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 604(a) follows:
    As described above, this action would revise the Shorebased IFQ 
Program regulations to change the primary season opening date for the 
whiting and non-whiting midwater trawl fisheries to May 15 north of 
40[deg]30' N. lat. to the U.S./Canada border. This would move the 
season a month earlier off Washington and Oregon, and a month and half 
later off northern California (north of 40[deg]30' N. lat.), increasing 
consistency in the season start date along the coast and between the 
shorebased and at-sea midwater trawl fleets.
    This action would affect shorebased midwater trawlers in the trawl 
rationalization program and the processors that receive their product. 
During the 2011 to 2014 period, 30 midwater trawl vessels delivered to 
10 shoreside processing plants in this fishery. Some vessels share 
common ownership, other vessels are owned by processing companies, and 
some companies own multiple processing plants. After accounting for 
these relationships, there are 26 entities that have participated in 
the fishery, 22 of which are small entities, based on NMFS' review of 
available information.
    The alternatives considered changing the season start date for the 
northern fishery, off Washington and Oregon from 42[deg] N. lat. to the 
U.S./Canada border, from June 15 to May 15 and for the central fishery, 
off northern California from 40'30 N. lat. to 42[deg] N. lat., from 
April 1 to May 15. The April 15 start data for the southern fishery, 
south of 40[deg]30' N. lat., would remain unchanged.
    Under the Action Alternative (May 15 season start from 40[deg]30' 
N. lat. to the U.S./Canada border), the same amount of whiting and non-
whiting groundfish species will be available for harvest using midwater 
trawl gear as under the No Action Alternative (April 1 between 
40[deg]30' N. lat. to 42[deg] N. lat., June 15 from 42[deg] N. lat. to 
the U.S./Canada border). The proposed season opening date change will 
give fishers in the northern fishery greater flexibility in maximizing 
net operating profits and social benefits from fixed amounts of fish 
(for which quota share is required to cover impacts), thus a positive 
change in impact to the harvest sector is projected under the Action 
Alternative compared to the No Action Alternative. No change in impact 
is expected in the central fishery in the near term under the Action 
Alternative because the fishery in that area has been inactive with the 
Shorebased IFQ Program in place.
    The main impact to the harvest sector from the Action Alternative, 
(as compared to the No Action Alternative) in the northern fishery will 
be to increase the flexibility that individual vessel operators have in 
using their IFQ with midwater gear by adding one month to the duration 
of their season. This additional time in the northern fishery should 
allow vessels and processors more opportunity to adjust their 
operations to changing market conditions and to changes in other 
fisheries. Increasing the time available to fish in the northern 
fishery may lead to increased harvests. During 2014, the total IFQ 
fishery (fixed gear, midwater, and bottom trawl) left 1.6 million lbs 
of chilipepper rockfish (70% of the total IFQ quota), 46 million lbs of 
Pacific whiting (17%), 750,000 lbs of widow rockfish (37%), and 3.9 
million lbs of yellowtail rockfish (60%) unharvested. Increasing the 
time available to fish in the northern fishery may allow fishermen and 
processors to adjust their operations to increase participation in

[[Page 8283]]

other fisheries such as the crab, shrimp, or mothership fishery for 
whiting. One of the reasons for the staggered opening (May 15 for at-
sea and June 15 for shorebased) was to reduce the conflict between the 
catcher vessels fishing for motherships and those in the shorebased 
fishery. Both fisheries were managed through season closures, which 
resulted in a race for fish (as ``derby'' fisheries). The trawl 
rationalization program, however, reserves for each quota holder a 
specific amount of fish, eliminating the race for fish and reducing the 
potential for conflicting opportunities. With the trawl rationalization 
program in place, a common opening date for these fisheries would not 
force quota holders to choose between them (i.e. participation in one 
fishery would not preclude participation in the other). The mothership 
is now managed by a single coop that plans participation preseason. 
Increasing the season length may allow the co-op to consider allowing 
alternative vessels to participate in the coop.
    With an increase in the fishing season, the number of shorebased 
processors and vessels participating in the fishery are not expected to 
change. The midwater fishery is predominantly a Pacific whiting fishery 
where major investments in equipment would be needed by a processor to 
enter the fishery. Vessels participation is also not expected to 
change. Given that large portions of the IFQ allocations are 
unharvested, improvements in the basic markets for midwater trawl 
species will determine participation. Changing the season length will 
provide increased opportunities to take advantage of these 
improvements.
    In summary, an extended shorebased season will increase the choices 
available for the northern fishery (off Oregon and Washington), 
providing an opportunity to improve business decisions and potential 
profits from the fishery. For the central fishery, there would be a 
contraction in flexibility to harvest from April 1 to May 15. Reducing 
the season in the central fishery may have a chilling effect on the 
potential growth in the fishery. However, data for 2011 through 2014 
shows no midwater trawl gear harvest is occurring in this area under 
the IFQ program.
    NMFS believes this rule, if finalized in this form, would not have 
a significant difference in impacts when comparing small versus large 
businesses in terms of disproportionality and profitability, given 
available information. Through this rulemaking process, we are 
specifically requesting comments on this conclusion.
    There are no Federal reporting and recordkeeping requirements 
associated with this action. There are no relevant Federal rules that 
may duplicate, overlap, or conflict with this action.
    NMFS issued Biological Opinions under the Endangered Species Act 
(ESA) on August 10, 1990, November 26, 1991, August 28, 1992, September 
27, 1993, May 14, 1996, and December 15, 1999 pertaining to the effects 
of the Groundfish FMP fisheries on Chinook salmon (Puget Sound, Snake 
River spring/summer, Snake River fall, upper Columbia River spring, 
lower Columbia River, upper Willamette River, Sacramento River winter, 
Central Valley spring, California coastal), coho salmon (Central 
California coastal, southern Oregon/northern California coastal), chum 
salmon (Hood Canal summer, Columbia River), sockeye salmon (Snake 
River, Ozette Lake), and steelhead (upper, middle and lower Columbia 
River, Snake River Basin, upper Willamette River, central California 
coast, California Central Valley, south/central California, northern 
California, southern California). These biological opinions have 
concluded that implementation of the FMP is not expected to jeopardize 
the continued existence of any endangered or threatened species under 
the jurisdiction of NMFS, or result in the destruction or adverse 
modification of critical habitat.
    NMFS issued a Supplemental Biological Opinion on March 11, 2006, 
concluding that neither the higher observed bycatch of Chinook in the 
2005 whiting fishery nor new data regarding salmon bycatch in the 
groundfish bottom trawl fishery required a reconsideration of its prior 
``no jeopardy'' conclusion. NMFS also reaffirmed its prior 
determination that implementation of the FMP is not likely to 
jeopardize the continued existence of any of the affected ESUs. Lower 
Columbia River coho (70 FR 37160, June 28, 2005) and Oregon Coastal 
coho (73 FR 7816, February 11, 2008) were relisted as threatened under 
the ESA. The 1999 biological opinion concluded that the bycatch of 
salmonids in the Pacific whiting fishery were almost entirely Chinook 
salmon, with little or no bycatch of coho, chum, sockeye, and 
steelhead.
    NMFS has reinitiated section 7 consultation on the Pacific Coast 
Groundfish FMP with respect to its effects on listed salmonids. In the 
event the consultation identifies either reasonable and prudent 
alternatives to address jeopardy concerns, or reasonable and prudent 
measures to minimize incidental take, NMFS would coordinate with the 
Council to put additional alternatives or measures into place, as 
required. After reviewing the available information, NMFS has concluded 
that, consistent with sections 7(a)(2) and 7(d) of the ESA, this action 
will not jeopardize any listed species, would not adversely modify any 
designated critical habitat, and will not result in any irreversible or 
irretrievable commitment of resources that would have the effect of 
foreclosing the formulation or implementation of any reasonable and 
prudent alternative measures.
    On December 7, 2012, NMFS completed a biological opinion concluding 
that the groundfish fishery is not likely to jeopardize non-salmonid 
marine species, including listed eulachon, the southern distinct 
population segment (DPS) of green sturgeon, humpback whales, the 
eastern DPS of Steller sea lions, and leatherback sea turtles. The 
opinion also concluded that the fishery is not likely to adversely 
modify critical habitat for green sturgeon and leatherback sea turtles. 
An analysis included in the same document as the opinion concludes that 
the fishery is not likely to adversely affect green sea turtles, olive 
ridley sea turtles, loggerhead sea turtles, sei whales, North Pacific 
right whales, blue whales, fin whales, sperm whales, Southern Resident 
killer whales, Guadalupe fur seals, or the critical habitat for Steller 
sea lions. Since that biological opinion, the eastern DPS of Steller 
sea lions was delisted on November 4, 2013 (78 FR 66140); however, this 
delisting did not change the designation of the codified critical 
habitat for the eastern DPS of Steller sea lions. On January 21, 2013, 
NMFS informally consulted on the fishery's effects on eulachon to 
consider whether the 2012 opinion should be reconsidered for eulachon 
in light of new information from the 2011 fishery and the proposed 
chafing gear modifications. NMFS determined that information about 
bycatch of eulachon in 2011 and chafing gear regulations did not change 
the effects that were analyzed in the December 7, 2012 biological 
opinion, or provide any other basis to reinitiate consultation.
    On November 21, 2012, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) 
issued a biological opinion concluding that the groundfish fishery will 
not jeopardize the continued existence of the short-tailed albatross. 
The FWS also concurred that the fishery is not likely to adversely 
affect the marbled murrelet, California least tern, southern sea otter, 
bull trout, nor bull trout critical habitat.

[[Page 8284]]

    West Coast pot fisheries for sablefish are considered Category II 
fisheries under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), indicating 
occasional interactions. All other West Coast groundfish fisheries, 
including the trawl fishery, are considered Category III fisheries 
under the MMPA, indicating a remote likelihood of or no known serious 
injuries or mortalities to marine mammals. MMPA section 101(a)(5)(E) 
requires that NMFS authorize the taking of ESA-listed marine mammals 
incidental to U.S. commercial fisheries if it makes the requisite 
findings, including a finding that the incidental mortality and serious 
injury from commercial fisheries will have a negligible impact on the 
affected species or stock. As noted above, NMFS concluded in its 
biological opinion for the 2012 groundfish fisheries that these 
fisheries were not likely to jeopardize Steller sea lions or humpback 
whales. The eastern distinct population segment of Steller sea lions 
was delisted under the ESA on November 4, 2013 (78 FR 66140). On 
September 4, 2013, based on its negligible impact determination dated 
August 28, 2013, NMFS issued a permit for a period of three years to 
authorize the incidental taking of humpback whales by the sablefish pot 
fishery (78 FR 54553). This proposed rule was developed after 
meaningful collaboration, through the Council process, with the tribal 
representative on the Council. The proposed regulations have no direct 
effect on the tribes; these proposed regulations were deemed by the 
Council as ``necessary or appropriate'' to implement the FMP as 
amended.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660

    Fisheries, Fishing, and Indian fisheries.

    Dated: February 10, 2015.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, 50 CFR part 660 is proposed 
to be 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. In Sec.  660.131, revise paragraph (b)(2)(iii)(C) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  660.131  Pacific whiting fishery management measures.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (iii) * * *
    (C) Shorebased IFQ Program. The start of the Shorebased IFQ Program 
primary whiting season is:
    (1) North of 40[deg]30' N. lat.--May 15;
    (2) South of 40[deg]30' N. lat.--April 15.
* * * * *

[FR Doc. 2015-03079 Filed 2-13-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P