Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2015-2016 Biennial Specifications and Management Measures; Inseason Adjustments, 50212-50224 [2015-20491]
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 160 / Wednesday, August 19, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
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List of Subject in 48 CFR Parts 1837 and
1852
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[FR Doc. 2015–20252 Filed 8–18–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
Manuel Quinones,
Federal Register Liaison.
RIN 2700–AE01 and 2700–AE09
NASA Federal Acquisition Regulation
Supplement; Correction
The National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA)
published a final rule in the Federal
Register on Thursday, March 12, 2015
(80 FR 12935), as part of the NASA
Federal Acquisition Regulation
Supplement (NFS) regulatory review.
That final rule became effective on April
13, 2015, however the date of effectivity
for the affected clauses was
inadvertently omitted. This document
corrects the final rule by adding the
missing clause dates and makes other
minor editorial changes.
DATES: Effective: August 19, 2015.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Manuel Quinones, NASA, Office of
Procurement, Contract and Grant Policy
Division, via email at
manuel.quinones@nasa.gov, or
telephone (202) 358–2143.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
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PART 1852—SOLICITATION
PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT
CLAUSES
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions;
Fisheries Off West Coast States;
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery;
2015–2016 Biennial Specifications and
Management Measures; Inseason
Adjustments
■
SUMMARY:
NASA published a final rule in the
Federal Register on March 12, 2015,
which became effective April 13, 2015.
This rule is part of the NASA FAR
Supplement regulatory review. As
published, the rule contains errors due
to inadvertent omission of affected
clause dates and other errors that need
to be corrected. Specifically, clause date
of ‘‘APR 2015’’ is to be added to NFS
1852.215–77, 1852.219–11, 1852.219–
18, 1852.219–75, 252.219–77, 1852.219–
79, 1852.223–71, 1852.223–73,
1852.227–11, 1852.227–14, 1852.227–
70, 1852.227–71, 1852.227–72,
1852.227–84, 1852.227–85, 1852.227–
86, and 1852.227–88. NASA is not
altering the text of these NFS clauses,
but merely adding the missing clause
dates. Additionally, NFS clause
prescription at 1809.206–71 was
correctly removed. However, the
corresponding clause at 1852.209–70
should also have been removed and
reserved at amendatory instruction no.
66 on page 12945 (80 FR 12945).
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[Docket No. 140904754–5188–02]
1. The authority citation for part 1852
continues to read as follows:
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration.
ACTION: Correcting amendments.
AGENCY:
15:08 Aug 18, 2015
50 CFR Part 660
Accordingly, 48 CFR part 1852 is
amended as follows:
48 CFR Parts 1837 and 1852
VerDate Sep<11>2014
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Government procurement.
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND
SPACE ADMINISTRATION
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Authority: 51 U.S.C. 20113(a) and 48 CFR
chapter 1.
1852.215–77, 1852.219–11, 1852.219–18,
1852.219–75, 252.219–77, 1852.219–79,
1852.223–71, 1852.223–73, 1852.227–70,
1852.227–71, 1852.227–72, 1852.227–84,
1852.227–85, 1852.227–86, and 1852.227–88
[Amended]
2. Amend sections 1852.215–77,
1852.219–11, 1852.219–18, 1852.219–
75, 252.219–77, 1852.219–79, 1852.223–
71, 1852.223–73, 1852.227–70,
1852.227–71, 1852.227–72, 1852.227–
84, 1852.227–85, 1852.227–86, and
1852.227–88 by removing ‘‘MONTH/
YEAR’’ and adding ‘‘APR 2015’’ in its
place.
■
1852.209–70
[Removed and Reserved]
3. Remove and reserve section
1852.209–70.
■
4. Amend section 1852.216–88:
a. By removing clause date of ‘‘JAN
1997’’ and adding ‘‘APR 2015’’ in its
place.
■ b. By revising the second sentence in
paragraph (a)(1). The revision reads as
follows:
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■
1852.216–88
Performance incentive.
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(a) * * *
(1) * * * The performance incentive
becomes effective when the item is put
into service. * * *
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1852.223–76
[Amended]
5. Amend section 1852.223–76 by
removing ‘‘https://fastweb.inel.gov/’’ and
adding ‘‘https://fastweb.inel.gov/’’ in its
place.
■
1852.227–11 and 1852.227–14
[Amended]
6. Amend in sections 1852.227–11
and 1852.227–14 by removing ‘‘DATE’’
and adding ‘‘APR 2015’’ in its place.
■
[FR Doc. 2015–20418 Filed 8–18–15; 8:45 am]
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National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule; inseason adjustments
to biennial groundfish management
measures.
AGENCY:
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 protect
overfished and depleted stocks while
allowing fisheries to access more
abundant groundfish stocks.
DATES: This final rule is effective August
14, 2015.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gretchen Hanshew, phone: 206–526–
6147, fax: 206–526–6736, or email:
gretchen.hanshew@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
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/. Copies of the
final environmental impact statement
(FEIS) for the Groundfish Specifications
and Management Measures for 2015–
2016 and Biennial Periods Thereafter
are available from Donald McIsaac,
Executive Director, Pacific Fishery
Management Council (Council), 7700
NE Ambassador Place, Portland, OR
97220, phone: 503–820–2280.
Background
The PCGFMP and its implementing
regulations at title 50 in the Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR), part 660,
subparts C through G, regulate fishing
for over 90 species of groundfish off the
coasts of Washington, Oregon, and
California. Groundfish specifications
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and management measures are
developed by the Pacific Fishery
Management Council (Council), and are
implemented by NMFS.
The final rule to implement the 2015–
2016 harvest specifications and
management measures for most species
of the Pacific coast groundfish fishery
was published on March 10, 2015 (80
FR 12567).
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 June 10–16, 2015,
meeting. Specifically, the Council
recommended an increase to
commercial fishery trip limits for
sablefish, blackgill rockfish, big skate,
Minor Shelf Rockfish, and California
scorpionfish. The Council also
recommended a decrease to commercial
fishery trip limits for black rockfish.
NMFS has determined that good cause
exists to waive notice and comment for
trip limit changes for sablefish, blackgill
rockfish, black rockfish and big skate
and this action implements those
changes. However, NMFS has
determined that the Councilrecommended increases to trip limits for
Minor Shelf Rockfish and California
scorpionfish cannot be implemented
without a two-meeting process and
notice and comment rulemaking.
Therefore, those changes are not
included in this action.
Fishery Management Measures for the
Limited Entry Fixed Gear (LEFG) and
Open Access (OA) Sablefish Daily Trip
Limit (DTL) Fisheries North of 36° N. lat.
To increase harvest opportunities for
the LEFG and OA fixed gear sablefish
DTL fisheries north of 36° N. lat., the
Council considered increases to trip
limits. The Council’s Groundfish
Management Team (GMT) made modelbased landings projections for the LEFG
and OA fixed gear sablefish DTL
fisheries north of 36° N. lat. for the
remainder of the year. These projections
were based on the most recent
information available. The model
predicted harvest of 83 percent (196 mt)
of the LEFG harvest guideline (HG) (236
mt) and 62 percent (242 mt) of the OA
HG (388 mt) under current trip limits.
This indicates that projected catch in
both the LEFG and OA fisheries was
lower than anticipated when the trip
limits were initially established (93
percent (220 mt) of the LEFG HG and 92
percent (358 mt) of the OA HG). With
the increase in trip limits, predicted
harvest assuming medium ex-vessel
price curves is 90 percent (212 mt) of
the LEFG HG (236 mt) and 83 percent
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(323 mt) of the OA HG (388 mt).
Projections for the fixed gear sablefish
fisheries south of 36° N. lat. were
similar to what they were anticipated to
be in the biennial harvest specifications
and management measures, and no
requests were made by industry for
changes; therefore, and no inseason
actions were considered.
Therefore, the Council recommended
and NMFS is implementing trip limit
changes for the LEFG and the OA
sablefish DTL fisheries north of 36° N.
lat. The trip limits for sablefish in the
LEFG fishery north of 36° N. lat.
increase from ‘‘1,025 lb (465 kg) per
week, not to exceed 3,075 lb (1,394 kg)
per two months’’ to ‘‘1,125 lb (510.3 kg)
per week, not to exceed 3,375 lb (1,530
kg) per two months’’ beginning during
period 4 through the end of the year.
The trip limits for sablefish in the OA
sablefish DTL fishery north of 36° 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 ‘‘350 lb
(159 kg) per day, or one landing per
week of up to 1,600 lb (726 kg), not to
exceed 3,200 lb (1,452 kg) per two
months’’ during period 4 through the
end of the year.
Fishery Management Measures for
Blackgill Rockfish in the Limited Entry
Fixed Gear (LEFG) and Open Access
(OA) Fisheries South of 40°10′ N. lat.
Blackgill rockfish south of 40°10′ N.
lat. was assessed in 2011. The 2011
assessment indicated the stock was in
the precautionary zone with spawning
biomass depletion estimated to be 30
percent of its unfished biomass at the
start of 2011. The Council chose to leave
blackgill rockfish as a stock within the
Minor Slope Rockfish south complex.
Beginning in 2013, the Council
recommended, and NMFS established,
annual HGs and management measures
to keep anticipated catch of blackgill
rockfish within its HG, including a
species-specific sorting requirement and
species-specific sub-limits. Annual HGs
and trip limit management in non-IFQ
fisheries continue to be utilized for
management of blackgill rockfish south
of 40°10′ N. lat.
The most recently available
information (2013) indicates that the
Minor Slope Rockfish trip limit and the
blackgill rockfish sub-limit set in 2013
kept catch of Minor Slope Rockfish
south of 40°10′ N. lat. at 148 mt, which
is less than 25 percent of the 2013 ACL
(618 mt). Additionally, catch of blackgill
was 18.5 mt, 42 percent of the 44 mt HG
(LEFG HG of 26.4 mt and OA HG of 17.6
mt, combined). The same trip limits
were in place in 2014, and 2014
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inseason estimates indicate that similar
catch patters are likely to be seen in the
completed 2014 total mortality report.
The best available 2015 inseason
information at the June Council meeting
indicated that catch of blackgill rockfish
was approximately half of the amount of
catch during that same time period in
2014. The Council recommended that
the blackgill rockfish sub-limit be
increased modestly to reduce regulatory
discards since catch was well below the
HG in 2013 and was likely similar in
scale in 2014 and because catch in 2015
is below the levels observed in 2014. In
addition, a modest increase in the sublimit will likely reduce regulatory
discards of blackgill rockfish when
caught incidentally with co-occurring
species in the Minor Slope Rockfish
complex.
Therefore, the Council recommended,
and NMFS is implementing, an increase
to blackgill rockfish sub-limits for the
LEFG and the OA fisheries south of
40°10′ N. lat. The blackgill rockfish sublimit, within the overall trip limit for
Minor Slope Rockfish complex south of
40°10′ N. lat., is increased in the LEFG
fishery from ‘‘40,000 lb (18,144 kg) per
two months, of which no more than
1,375 lb (624 kg) may be blackgill
rockfish’’ to ‘‘40,000 lb (18,144 kg) per
two months, of which no more than
1,600 lb (726 kg) may be blackgill
rockfish’’ beginning during period 4
through the end of the year.
The blackgill rockfish sub-limit,
within the overall trip limit for Minor
Slope Rockfish complex south of 40°10′
N. lat., is increased in the OA fishery
from ‘‘10,000 lb (4,536 kg) per two
months, of which no more than 475 lb
(216 kg) may be blackgill rockfish’’ to
‘‘10,000 lb (4,536 kg) per two months, of
which no more than 550 lb (250 kg) may
be blackgill rockfish’’ beginning during
period 4 through the end of the year.
Fishery Management Measures for Black
Rockfish in the Limited Entry Fixed
Gear (LEFG) and Open Access (OA)
Fisheries Between 42° N. lat. and 40°10′
N. lat.
Black rockfish are caught in nearshore
commercial and recreational fisheries.
Black rockfish is a healthy stock that cooccurs with nearshore overfished
rockfish species (e.g., canary rockfish
and yelloweye rockfish). Catch of black
rockfish is managed, in part, to keep
catch of co-occurring overfished species
within the management targets for the
nearshore fishery and the state of
California. The best available
information on commercial black
rockfish catch in northern California
through June 12, 2015, indicates that
harvest so far in 2015 (58 mt) is much
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higher than what it was in this area for
the entire year of 2014 (34 mt).
In 2014, the shoreward boundary of
the non-trawl rockfish conservation area
(RCA) in this area between 42° N. lat.
and 40°10′ N. lat. was the boundary line
approximating the 20 fm depth contour.
For 2015, the boundary line off northern
California was shifted seaward to the
boundary line approximating the 30 fm
depth contour, opening the area to
nearshore fishing between 20 fm line
and the 30 fm line for the first time
since 2009 (80 FR 12567, March 10,
2015). This change in the depth
restriction in the non-trawl commercial
fisheries is providing additional access
to nearshore stocks, and may be part of
the reason for the increased black
rockfish landings in 2015 compared to
2014. Additionally, the change in depth
restriction may be changing bycatch
rates of co-occurring overfished species
in the nearshore fishery, but little
information is available to inform
bycatch rates inseason.
Based on the best available
information, catch of black rockfish is
much higher in 2015 compared to 2014.
To reduce projected catch of cooccurring overfished species and reduce
the risk of exceeding HGs for those
overfished species, the Council
considered reductions to black rockfish
trip limits between 42° N. lat. and
40°10′ N. lat. The Council
recommended decreasing the black
rockfish trip limit to the same limit that
was in effect when the northern
California non-trawl RCA shoreward
boundary was at the 30 fm line, as it is
in 2015.
Therefore, the Council recommended
and NMFS is implementing decreased
black rockfish trip limits for the LEFG
and the OA fisheries between 42° N. lat.
and 40°10′ N. lat. The black rockfish trip
limit, within the overall trip limit for
Minor Nearshore Rockfish complex, is
decreased in the LEFG and OA fisheries
from ‘‘8,500 lb (3,856 kg) per two
months of which no more than 1,200 lb
(544 kg) may be species other than black
rockfish’’ to ‘‘6,000 lb (2,722 kg) per two
months of which no more than 1,200 lb
(544 kg) may be species other than black
rockfish’’ beginning during period 4
through the end of the year.
Fishery Management Measures for Big
Skate in the Shorebased IFQ Program
Before 2015, big skate was managed as
a component stock within the Other
Fish complex. The big skate OFL
estimate, along with the estimated OFLs
for the other species in the complex,
contributed to the OFL specified in
regulation for the Other Fish complex.
Species managed in complexes do not
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have OFLs specified in regulation.
Therefore, the best estimate of a
sustainable harvest for a single species
that is managed in a complex is referred
to as an ‘‘OFL contribution,’’ since the
OFL for the complex is the sum of the
contributing OFLs for all the component
species.
During development of the 2015–2016
harvest specifications and management
measures, best estimates of mortality
indicated that harvest of big skate was
18 percent of the big skate OFL
contribution and that it was not in need
of conservation and management. Big
skate was removed from the Other Fish
complex and designated as an
ecosystem component (EC) species (80
FR 12567, March 10, 2015). If the
Council had chosen to keep big skate in
the fishery, with species specific harvest
specifications, the 2015 big skate OFL
endorsed by the Scientific Statistical
Committee (SSC) would have been 541
mt. Since the Council chose to designate
this species as an EC species, the big
skate OFL estimate became unnecessary.
Since development and implementation
of the 2015–2016 harvest specifications
and management measures, new
information indicated that mortality of
big skate is approaching or exceeding
the 2014 big skate OFL contribution.
At its April 2015 meeting, the Council
recommended management measures to
reduce mortality of big skate and reduce
the risk of overfishing the stock. At that
time, the best estimate of sustainable
harvest for big skate was thought to be
the 2014 OFL contribution. The Council
recommended and NMFS implemented
a trip limit reduction for big skate in the
Shorebased IFQ Program and best
estimates at that time indicated that
total mortality of big skate through the
end of 2015 under that trip limit
structure would be 441 mt, 17 mt lower
than the 2014 OFL contribution of 458
mt (80 FR 31858, June 4, 2015).
The analysis by the Council’s GMT
assumed 100 percent mortality of
discarded big skate and assumed that,
once a trip limit was reached,
encounters of big skate would cease and
no additional landings or discards
would occur. The GMT acknowledged
several issues with these assumptions,
but noted that the April analysis was
limited in scope due to time constraints.
The Council acknowledged that the
mortality estimates and the OFL
contribution both have high degrees of
uncertainty, and recommended
precautionary management measures for
conservation of big skate. The Council
also acknowledged that additional
information and analyses would likely
become available, and that management
measures for big skate would be
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considered in light of emerging and
improving information.
At its June 2015 meeting, the Council
considered additional analysis by the
GMT, recommendations of its SSC, as
well as updated fishery information,
regarding big skate mortality and
management measures. The West Coast
Observer Program estimates that almost
80 percent of big skate caught in
groundfish fisheries are discarded.
Following a literature review, the SSC
recommended that a 50 percent discard
mortality rate for big skate caught with
commercial trawl gear was more
appropriate. This is consistent with the
assumed discard mortality for another
skate species for which trip limits are in
place (longnose skate). In addition,
projected estimates of big skate catch
through the end of the year decreased
because of reduced inseason estimates.
This reduction likely resulted from an
increased awareness and avoidance by
the fishing fleet, and harvest projection
changes resulting from the Council’s
improved understanding of big skate
discard mortality rate.
At its June 2015 meeting, the Council
also considered information regarding
the best available estimate for a
sustainable harvest level of big skate in
2015. In April 2015, the Council aimed
to keep mortality of big skate below the
2014 OFL contribution, the best
estimate available at that time. In June,
the Council was reminded that the SSC
endorsed a 2015 big skate OFL in
November 2013. Since the Council
recommended big skate be designated as
an EC species, no harvest specifications
were adopted for the 2015–2016
biennial cycle. However, in light of the
need to better estimate big skate
mortality, as it is approaching the best
OFL contribution estimates, the SSCendorsed estimated 2015 OFL is the best
available estimate of sustainable
harvest. Therefore, the Council
considered projected big skate mortality
in 2015 compared to the estimated 2015
OFL, rather than the 2014 OFL
contribution. The 541 mt estimated
2015 OFL for big skate is 83 mt higher
than the 2014 OFL contribution that was
used in the April 2015 GMT analyses.
Therefore, the Council considered
higher trip limits for big skate than
those adopted in April 2015. June 2015
GMT estimates indicate that with higher
trip limits for big skate of 35,000 pounds
per two months, through the remainder
of the year, big skate total mortality will
still be below the currently available
best estimate of the 2015 OFL (541 mt).
As discussed above, the best estimate
of the discard mortality rate decreased
from 100 percent to 50 percent and the
estimated 2015 OFL that is higher than
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the 2014 OFL contribution. Therefore,
increases to the big skate trip limits in
the IFQ fishery are warranted. The
Council considered increasing the trip
limit for big skate in the Shorebased IFQ
Program, beginning in Period 4 (JulyAugust). A range of trip limits was
considered: 25,000 lb (11,340 kg) per
two months, 30,000 lb (13,608 kg) per
two months, and 35,000 lb (15,876 kg)
per two months for Periods 4–6 (JulyDecember). All alternative trip limits are
anticipated to bring total mortality
below the estimated 2015 OFL of 541
mt, and the estimated 2015 Acceptable
Biological Catch (ABC) (assuming the
same P* as 2014 of 0.40) of 451 mt.
The Council recommended, and
NMFS is implementing, an increase in
the big skate trip limit in the Shorebased
IFQ Program from ‘‘20,000 lbs (9,072 kg)
per two months’’ to ‘‘35,000 lb (15,876
kg) per two months’’ in periods 4–6
(from July through December). Best
estimates indicate that total mortality of
big skate through the end of 2015 under
this trip limit structure would be
between 414 mt and 420 mt, 121–127 mt
lower than the estimated 2015 OFL
contribution of 541 mt and 21–27 mt
lower than the estimated 2015 ABC
contribution of 441 mt. The estimated
total mortality is considered as a range
to account for uncertainty in how
fishing behavior will change after the
big skate trip limit is reached. The
Council recommended a trip limit that
would allow approximately a 5 percent
increase in total mortality, but would
still be below the estimated 2015 ABC.
The increase in trip limit is intended to
allow vessels opportunistically targeting
big skate to continue to do so, while
keeping total mortality below the
estimated 2015 ABC. The Councilrecommended trip limits are codified in
Tables 1 (North) and 1 (South) to
Subpart C.
Classification
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This final rule makes routine inseason
adjustments to groundfish fishery
management measures, based on the
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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 30day delay in effectiveness pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553(d)(3), so that this final rule
may become effective August 14, 2015.
At the June Council meeting, the
Council recommended that these
changes be implemented as quickly as
possible during the two-month
cumulative limit period. There was not
sufficient time after that meeting to draft
this document and undergo proposed
and final rulemaking before these
actions need to be in effect. For the
actions to be implemented in this final
rule, affording the time necessary for
prior notice and opportunity for public
comment would prevent NMFS from
managing fisheries using the best
available science to approach, without
exceeding, the ACLs for federally
managed species in accordance with the
PCGFMP and applicable law. The
adjustments to management measures in
this document affect commercial
fisheries in Washington, Oregon and
California. These increases to trip limits
must be implemented as quickly as
possible during the two-month
cumulative limit period to allow LEFG
and OA fixed gear fishermen an
opportunity to harvest higher limits for:
Sablefish without exceeding the ACL
north of 36° N. lat.; big skate without
exceeding the estimated 2015 OFL; and
blackgill rockfish without exceeding the
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HG south of 40°10′ N. lat. The decrease
to the black rockfish trip limit must be
implemented by the start of the next
two-month cumulative limit period,
September 1, to keep catch of cooccurring overfished species within
their HGs and rebuilding ACLs. It would
be contrary to the public interest to
delay implementation of these changes
until after public notice and comment,
because making this regulatory change
by August 14, 2015, allows harvest as
intended by the Council, consistent
with the best scientific information
available. These changes allow
additional harvest in fisheries that are
important to coastal communities while
continuing to prevent ACLs of
overfished and target species from being
exceeded.
No aspect of this action is
controversial, and changes of this nature
were anticipated in the biennial harvest
specifications and management
measures established for 2015–2016.
Accordingly, for the reasons stated
above, NMFS finds good cause to waive
prior notice and comment and to waive
the delay in effectiveness.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660
Fisheries, Fishing, and Indian
fisheries.
Dated: August 14, 2015.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting 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
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.
2. Table 1 (North) and 1 (South) to
part 660, subpart D, are revised to read
as follows:
■
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
E:\FR\FM\19AUR1.SGM
19AUR1
50216
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 160 / Wednesday, August 19, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
Table 1 (North) to Part 660, Subpart D -- Limited Entry Trawl Rockfish Conservation Areas and Landing Allowances for non-IFQ Species
and Pacific Whiting North of 40°1 0' N. Lat.
This table describes Rockfish Conservation Areas for vessels using groundfish trawl gear. This table describes incidental landing allowances for
vessels registered to a Federal limited entry trawl permit and using groundfish trawl or groundfish non-trawl gears to harvest individual fishing quota
(IFQ) species.
Other Limits and Requirements Apply-- Read§ 660.10- § 660.399 before using this table
JAN-FEB
Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA)1/:
I
I
SEP-OCT
I
I
I
shoremodified21 200
line 11
2
48'10' N. lat.- 45'46' N. lat.
45'46' N. lat.- 40'10' N. lat.
fm line11
100 fm line 11 - 150 fm line 11
3
08012015
NOV-DEC
shore - 200 fm
shore- 150 fm line11
line 11
fm line 11
JUL-AUG
I
shore- 200 fm
m odified 21 200
North of 48'1 0' N. lat.
1
MAY-JUN
MAR-APR
shore-
I
100 fm line11 - modified21 200 fm line11
Selective flatfish trawl gear is required shoreward of the RCA; all bottom trawl gear (large footrope, selective flatfish trawl, and small footrope trawl gear) is
permitted seaward of the RCA Large footrope and small footrope trawl gears (except for selective flatfish trawl gear) are prohibited shoreward of the RCA
Midwater trawl gear is permitted only for vessels participating in the primary whiting season. Vessels fishing groundfish trawl quota pounds with
groundfish non-trawl gears, under gear switching provisions at § 660.140, are subject to the limited entry groundfish trawl fishery landing
allowances in this table, regardless of the type of fishing gear used. Vessels fishing groundfish trawl quota pounds with groundfish non-trawl
gears, under gear switching provisions at§ 660.140, are subject to the limited entry fixed gear non-trawl RCA, as described in Tables 2 (North) and
2 (South) to Part 660, Subpart E.
See§ 660.60, § 660.130, and§ 660.140 for Additional Gear, Trip Limit, and Conservation Area Requirements and Restrictions. See§§ 660.70-660.74
and§§ 660.76-660.79 for Conservation Area Descriptions and Coordinates (including RCAs, YRCA, CCAs, Farallon Islands, Cordell Banks, and
EFHCAs).
State trip limits and seasons may be more restrictive than federal trip limits, particularly in waters off Oregon and California.
Minor Nearshore Rockfish & Black
rockfish
4
-
-·-·-· ·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-· ·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-----------------------------------------·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·
midwater trawl
Before the primary whiling season: CLOSED.-- During the primary season: mid-water trawl permitted in
the RCA See §660.131 for season and trip limit details. -- Mer the primary whiting season: CLOSED.
large & small footrope gear
10
Before the primary whiting season: 20,000 lb/trip. -- During the primary season: 10,000 lbltrip. -- Mer the
primary whiling season: 10,000 lbltrip.
···---r·----r
B Cabezon41
9
r
m
z
0
""'
::::r
-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··- -··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-·····
7
m
....Jo.
300 lb/ month
5 Whiting 31
6
-1
)>
North of 46'16' N. lat.
r
T
r
46'16' N. lat.- 40'10' N. lat.
T
Unlimited
r
T
r r·-----r·-----
50 lb/month
11 Shortbelly
Unlimited
12 Spiny dogfish
60,000 lb/ month
13 Big skate
115,000
lb/
month
Unlimited
14 Longnose skate
35,000 lb/ 2 months
Unlimited
Unlimited
15 Other Fish 41
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
1/ The Rockfish Conservation kea is an area closed to fishino bv particular oear tvoes, bounded bv lines specificallv defined bv latitude and lonoitude
!coordinates set out at§§ 660.71-660.74. This RCA is not defined by depth contours, and the boundary lines that define the RCA may close areas
ithat are deeper or shallower than the depth contour. Vessels that are subject to the RCA restrictions may not fish in the RCA or operate in the
IRCA for anv purpose other than transitino.
2/ The "modified" fathom lines are modified to exclude certain petrale sole areas from the RCA
3/ M. specificed at §660.131(d), when fishing in the Eureka kea, no more than 10,000 lb of whiling may be taken and retained, possessed, or landed by a vessel that, at
any lime during the fishing trip, fished in the fishery management area shoreward of 100 fm contour.
41 "Other Fish" are defined at§ 660.11 and include kelp greenling, leopard shark, and cabezon in Washington
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To convert pounds to kilograms, divide by 2.20462, the number of pounds in one kilogram.
50217
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 160 / Wednesday, August 19, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
Table 1 (South) to Part 660, Subpart D -- Limited Entry Trawl Rockfish Conservation Areas and Landing Allowances for non-IFQ Species
Iand Pacific Whiting South of 40"10' N. Lat.
This table describes Rockfish Conservation Areas for vessels using groundfish trawl gear. This table describes incidental landing allowances for
vessels registered to a Federal limited entry trawl permit and using groundfish trawl or groundfish non-trawl gears to harvest individual fishing quota
(IFQ) species.
Other Limits and Requirements Apply·- Read§ 660.10- § 660.399 before using this table
JAN-FEB
I
MAR-APR
I
08012015
MAY-JUN
I
JUL-AUG
I
I
SEP-OCT
NOV-DEC
Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA)1/:
1
100fm line 11 -150fm line
South of 40"10' N. lat.
1121
Small footrope trawl gear is required shoreward of the RCA; all trawl gear (large footrope, selective flatfish trawl, midwater trawl, and small footrope trawl gear)
is permilled seaward of the RCA. Large footrope trawl gear and midwater trawl gear are prohibited shoreward of the RCA. Vessels fishing groundfish trawl
quota pounds with groundfish non-trawl gears, under gear switching provisions at § 660.140, are subject to the limited entrygroundfish trawl
fishery landing allowances in this table, regardless of the type of fishing gear used. Vessels fishing groundfish trawl quota pounds with
groundfish non-trawl gears, under gear switching provisions at§ 660.140, are subject to the limited entry fixed gear non-trawl RCA, as described
in Tables 2 (North) and 2 (South) to Part 660, Subpart E.
See§ 660.60, § 660.130, and§ 660.140 for Additional Gear, Trip Limit, and Conservation Area Requirements and Restrictions. See§§ 660.70-660.74
and§§ 660.76-660.79 for Conservation Area Descriptions and Coordinates (including RCAs, YRCA, CCAs, Farallon Islands, Cordell Banks, and
EFHCAs).
State trip limits and seasons may be more restrictive than federal trip limits, particularly in waters off Oregon and California.
m
2 Longspine thornyhead
3
4
r
24,000 lb/2 months
South of 34"27' N. lat.
m
Minor Nearshore Rockfish & Black
rockfish
300 lb/ month
....Jro.
5 Whiting
·-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··- -··-··-··- ··-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-··-· ··-··-··-
midwater trawl
6
-··-··-······-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··----··-··-··-··-·
··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-·
Before the primary whiting season: CLOSED.-- During the primary season: mid-water trawl permitted in
the RCA. See §660.131 for season and trip limit details. -- After the primary whiting season: CLOSED.
large & small footrope gear
-
CJ)
0
t:
.......
7
-1
)>
Before the primary whiting season: 20,000 lb/trip. -- During the primary season: 10,000 lb/trip. -- After the
primary whiting season: 10,000 lb/trip.
8 Cabezon
-
::::r
50 lb/ month
9 Shortbelly
Unlimited
10 Spiny dogfish
60,000 lb/ month
11 Big skate
Unlimited
1
15.000
lb/
month
I
12 Long nose skate
Unlimited
13 California scorpionfish
35,000 lb/ 2 months
Unlimited
14 Other Fish
Unlimited
31
I
-
I
I
I
I
I
1/ The Rockfish Conservation Area is an area closed to fi~hiQg byp,.rti~ulilr9~ilrtypes, bounded by lines specifici3lly ~~fiQ~~ by li3titu~~ ilQ~ longitude
coordinates set out at§§ 660.71-660.74. This RCA is not defined by depth contours, and the boundary lines that define the RCA may close areas
that are deeper or shall_9wer than the depth contour. Vessels that are subject to the RCA restrictions may not fish in the RCA, or operate in the
RCA for any purpose o!_her than transiting.
21 South of 34"27' N. lat., the RCA is 100 fm line- 150 fm line along the mainland coast; shoreline- 150 fm line around islands.
3/ "Other Fish" are defined at§ 660.11 and include kelp greenling, leopard shark, and cabezon in Washington
To convert pounds to kilograms, divide by 2.20462, the number of pounds in one kilogram.
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1
50218
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 160 / Wednesday, August 19, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
3. Table 2 (North) and 2 (South) to
part 660, subpart E, are revised to read
as follows:
■
Table 2 (North) to Part 660, Subpart E -- Non-Trawl RockfiSh Conservation Areas and Trip Limits for Limited Entry Fixed Gear North of 40°10'
N. lat.
I
I
JAN. FEB
I
MAR-APR
I
MAY-JUN
JUL-AUG
SEP-OCT
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
Other limits and requirements apply-- Read §§660.10 through 660.399 before using this table
Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA) 11 :
1
North of46.16' N.lat.
2
46.16' N.lat.- 4iOO' N.lat.
4iOO' N.lat.- 40.10' N.lat.
-
30 fm line 11 - 100 fm line11
3
NOV-DEC
30 fm line 11 - 100 fm line11
shoreline- 100 1m line 11
See §§660.60 and 660.230 for additional gear, trip limit and conservation area requirements and restrictions. See §§660.70-660.74 and §§660.76-660.79
for conservation area descriptions and coordinates (including RCAs, YRCAs, CCAs, Farallon Islands, Cordell Banks, and EFHCAs).
State trip limits and seasons may be more restrictiw than Federal trip limits or seasons, particularly in waters off Oregon and California.
Minor Slope Rockfish" &
Darkblotched rockfish
4
5
Pacific ocean perch
6
Sablefish 71
7
4,000 lb/2 months
Longspine thornyhead
Shortspine thornyhead
8
r--w
1-----'ft
1,800 lb/2 months
1,025 lb/ week, not to exceed 3,075 lb/ 2 months
1,125 lb/ week, not to exceed 3,375 lb/2 months
10,000 lb/2 months
5,000 lb/ month
South of 42' N. lat., when fishing for "other flatfish," vessels using hook-and-line gear with no more than 12
hooks per line, using hooks no larger than "Number 2" hooks, which measure 0.44 in (11 mm) point to shank,
and up to two 1 lb (0.45 kg) weights per line, are not subject to the RCAs.
m
2,500 lb/2 months
9
~
13
14
15
16
Dover sole, arrowtooth flounder,
petrale sole, English sole, starry
flounder, Other Flatfish 31
Whiting
10,000 lb/trip
Rockfish 21,
Minor Shelf
Shortbelly,
Widow & Yellowtail rockfish
17
Canary rockfish
z
CLOSED
18
Yelloweye rockfish
CLOSED
19
Minor Nearshore Rockfish & Black
rockfish
North of 4iOO' N. lat.
21
42"00' N.lat.- 40.10' N.lat.
22
23
...
I
600 lb/
month
1,200 lb/ 2 months
Pacific cod
::::r
6,000 lb/2 months, of which no
more than 1,200 lb of which may be
species other than black rockfish
8,500 lb/2 months, of which no more than 1,200 lb of which may be
species other than black rockfish
200 lb/2 months
0
5,000 lb/2 months, no more than 1,200 lb of which may be species other than black rockfish or blue rockfish 41
Lingcod"
r~
200 lb/ month
20
-1
)>
[D
2,000 lb/2 months
200 lb/
month
1,000 lb/2 months
200,000 lb/2 months
150,000 lb/2
months
24
Spiny dogfish
25
Longnose skate
Unlimited
26
Other Fish"& Cabezon in Oregon
and California
Unlimited
fishi~g pa~icular gelr
I
100,000 lb/2 months
~ounded ~y
~efined b~
I
11 The Rockfish Conservation [Area is an area closed to
by
types,
lines sJecifically
latitude
and longitude coordinates set out at§§ 660.71-660.74. This RCA is not defined by depth contours (with the exception of the 20-fm
I
I
depth contour boundary south of 4i N. lat.), and the boundary lines that define the RCA may close areas that are deeper or shallower
than the depth contour. Vessels that are subjectto RCA restrictions may not fish in the RCA or operate in the RCA for any purpose
other than transiting.
21 Bocaccio, chilipepper and cowcod are included in the trip limits for Mnor Shelf Rockfish and splitnose rockfish is included in the
1.
I
.J
_I
_I
I
I
I
I
I
I
[_trip limits for Mnor Slope Rockfish.
3/ "Other flatfish" are defined at§ 660.11 and include butter sole, cu~fin sole, flathead sole, Pacific sanddab, rex sole, rock sole, and sand sole.
4/ For blal~k rockfish north of Cape Alava (48'09.50' N. lat.), and between Destruction Is. (47'40' N. lat.) and Leadbetter Pnt. (46'38.17' N. lat.),
there is an additional limit of 100 lb or 30 percent by weight of all fish on board, whichever is greater, per vessel, per fishing trip.
51 The minimum size limit for lingcod is 22 inches (56 em) total length North of 4i N. lat. and 24 inches (61 em) total length South of 42" N. lat.
71 Beginning on January 1, 2016, the following trip limits are in effect for sablefish north of 36. N. lat. from January through December 1,2751b/week, not to exceed 3,375 lb/2
months
To convert pounds to kilograms, divide by 2.20462, the number of pounds in one kilogram.
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6/ "Other Fish" are defined at§ 660.11 and include kelp greenling, leopard shark, and cabezon in Washington.
50219
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 160 / Wednesday, August 19, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
Table 2 (South) to Part 660, Subpart E --Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation Areas and Trip Limits for Limited Entry Fixed Gear South of 40"10'
N.lat.
Other limits and requirements apply-- Read §§660.10 through 660.399 before using this table
JAN-FEB
I MAR-APR I MAY-JUN
I
Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA) 11 :
I
I
I
40'10' N. lat.- 34'27' N. lat.
1
2
I
JUL-AUG
I
I
I
~
I
I
I
I
30 fm line 11 - 150 fm line11
South of34.27' N.lat.
60 fm line11 - 150 fm line11 (also applies around islands)
See §§660.60 and 660.230 for additional gear, trip limit and conservation area requirements and restrictions. See §§660.70-660.74 and §§660.76-660.79
for conservation area descriptions and coordinates (including RCAs, YRCAs, CCAs, Farallon Islands, Cordell Banks, and EFHCAs).
State trip limits and seasons may be more restrictiw than Federal trip limits or seasons, particular1y in waters off Oregon and California.
3
4
40,000 lb/2 months, of which no more than 1,375 lb
may be blackgill rockfish
Minor Slope rockfish 21 &
Darkblotched rockfish
Splitnose rockfish
6
40.10' N.lat.- 36.00' N.lat.
7
8
9
10
11
flounder, Other Flatfish 31
r-----t7
I
1,125 lb/ week, not to exceed 3,375 lb/2 months
2,000 lb/ week
10,000 lb/2 months
I
2,000 lb/2 months
r2,500 lb/2 months
3,000 lb/2 months
South of34.27' N.lat.
Dover sole, arrowtooth flounder,
petrale sole, English sole, starry
-1
)>
[D
1,0251b/week, not to exceed 3,0751b/2 months
South of36'oo· N.lat.
Longspine thornyhead
Shortspine thornyhead
40.10' N.lat.- 34'27' N.lat.
r------u~
r---w-
may be blackgill rockfish
40,000 lb/2 months
~ !!~!.>J.!.fl!!!~~-----·-·····--·--·--·-·--·---···-·---·-·····-
~
13
I 40,000 lb/2 months, of which no more than 1,600 lb
5,000 lb/ month
South of 4i N.lat., when fishing for "other flatfish," vessels using hook-and-line gear with no more than 12 hooks
per line, using hooks no larger than "Number 2" hooks, which measure 0.44 in (11 mm) point to shank, and up to
two 1 lb (0.45 kg) weights per line, are not subject to the RCAs.
18
Whiting
10,000 lb/trip
19
Minor Shelf Rockfish 21, Shortbelly, Widow rockfish (including Bocaccio and Chilipepper between 40'10'- 34'27' N. lat.)
20
40'10' N. lat.- 34'27' N. lat.
21
South of34.27' N.lat.
Mnor shelf rockfish, shortbelly, widow rockfish, bocaccio & chilipepper: 2,500 lb/2 months, of which no more
than 500 lb may be any species other than chilipepper.
4,000 lb/2
CLOSED
4,000 lb/2 months
months
40.10' N.lat.- 34'27' N.lat.
Chilipepper included under minor shelf rockfish, shortbelly, widow rockfish and bocaccio limits-- See above
22
I
Chilipepper
23
24
I
N
en
0
s::::
:::r
2,000 lb/2 months, this opportunity only available seaward of the non-trawl RCA
South of34.27' N.lat.
25
Canary rockfish
26
Yelloweye rockfish
CLOSED
27
Cowcod
CLOSED
28
29
30
31
Bronzespotted rockfish
Bocaccio
CLOSED
VerDate Sep<11>2014
CLOSED
40.10' N.lat.- 34'27' N.lat.
Bocaccio included under Mnor sheW rockfish, shortbelly, widow rockfish & chilipepper limits --See above
South of34.27' N.lat. 750 lb/ 2 months
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750 lb/2 months
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m
50220
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 160 / Wednesday, August 19, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
32
I
I
Table 2 (South). Continued
I
I
I
I
JAN-FEB
MAR-APR
MAY-JUN
JUL-AUG
I
I
I
I
SEP-OCT
NOV-DEC
-1
Minor Nearshore Rockfish & Black rockfish
33
34
600 lb/ 2 months
Shallow nearshore
CLOSED
900 lb/2 months 1800 lb/2 months
900 lb/ 2 months
1,000 lb/2
months
Deeper nearshore
40°10' N.lat.- 34°27' N. lat. 700 lb/ 2 months
35
800 lb/2 months
1,000 lb/2
months
r
700 lb/2 months
CLOSED
South of 34°27' N. lat. 500 lb/ 2 months
36
600 lb/2 months
California scorpionfish
38
Lingcod41
39
CLOSED
Spiny dogfish
41
CLOSED
Pacific cod
40
1,200 lb/2
months
200 lb/ 2 months
37
Longnose skate
42
Other
Fish 51
400 lb/ 1200 lb/
month month
800 lb/ 2 months
150,000 lb/2
months
I
I
I
en
::::r
Unlimited
I
0
s::::
100,000 lb/2 months
Unlimited
& Cabezon
m
N
1,200 lb/2 months
1,000 lb/2 months
200,000 lb/ 2 months
)>
[D
I
I
I
I
1/ The Rockfish Conservation Area is an area closed to fishing by particular gear types, bounded by lines specifically defined by latitude
and longitude coordinates set out at§§ 660.71-660.74. This RCA is not defined by depth contours (with the exception of the 20-fm
depth contour boundary south of 42° N. lat.), and the boundary lines that define the RCA may close areas that are deeper or shallower
than the depth contour. Vessels that are subject to RCA restrictions may not fish in the RCA or operate in the RCA for any purpose
other than transiting.
21 POP is included in the trip limits for Mnor Slope Rockfish. Blackgill rockfish have a species specific trip sub-limit within the Minor
Slope Rockfish cumulative limit. Yellowtail rockfish are included in the trip limits for Mnor SheW Rockfish. Bronzespotted rockfish
have a species specific trip limit.
3/ "Other Flatfish" are defined at§ 660.11 and include butter sole, curlfin sole, flathead sole, Pacific sanddab, rex sole, rock sole, and sand sole.
I
4/ The commercial mimimum size limit for lingcod is 24 inches (61 em) total length South of 42° N. lat.
5/ "Other Fish" are defined at§ 660.11 and include kelp greenling, leopard shark, and cabezon in Washington.
61 Beginning on January 1, 2016, the following trip limits are in effect for sablefish north of 36" N. lat. from January through December 1,2751b/week, not to exceed
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3,375 lb/2 months.
To convert pounds to kilograms, divide by 2.20462, the number of pounds in one kilogram.
50221
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 160 / Wednesday, August 19, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
4. Table 3 (North) and 3 (South) to
part 660, subpart F, are revised to read
■
Table 3 (North) to Part
as follows:
660, Subpart F --Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation Areas and Trip Limits for Open Access Gears North of 40"10' N. lat.
Other lim its and requirements apply-- Read §§660.1 0 through 660.399 before using this table
JAN-FEB
Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA) 11 :
I
MAR-APR
I
I
I
I
I
I
JUL-AUG
I
SEP-OCT
I
NOV-DEC
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
shoreline -100fm line"
North of 46"16' N. lat.
1
##-
fiMY-JUN
2
46.16' N. lat. - 4iOO' N. lat.
301m line" -100fm line"
3
4iOO' N. lat. - 40"10' N. lat.
301m line 11 -100fm line11
See §§660.60, 660.330 and 660.333 for additional gear, trip linit and conservation area requirements and restrictions. See §§660.70-660.74 and §§660.76660.79 for conservation area descriptions and coordinates (including RCAs, YRCAs, CCAs, Farallon Islands, Cordell Banks, and EFHCAs).
State trip limits and seasons may be more restrictiw than Federal trip limits or seasons, particularly in waters off Oregon and California.
5
Minor Slope Rockfish" &
Darkblotched rockfish
Pacific ocean perch
6
Sablefish71
7
Shortpine thornyheads and
longspine thornyheads
4
Per trip, no more than 25% of weight of the sablefish landed
100 lbl month
300 lb/ day, or 1 landing per week of up to 900 lb, not to 1350 lb/ day, or 1 landing per week of up to 1,600 lb, not to
exceed 1,600 lb/2 months
exceed 3,200 lbl 2 months
r3,000 lb/ month, no more than 300 lb of which may be species other than Pacific sanddabs.
to
---t1
~
13
Dover sole, arrowtooth flounder,
petrale sole, English sole, starry
flounder, Other Flatfish"
m
South of 42' N. lat., when fishing for "other flatfish,'' vessels using hook-and-line gear with no more than 12 hooks per
line, using hooks no larger than "Number 2" hooks, which measure 0.44 in (11 mm) point to shank, and up to two 1 lb
(0.45 kg) weights per line are not subject to the RCAs.
w
Whiting
300 lbl month
16
Minor Shelf Rockfish", Shortbelly,
Widow & Yellowtail rockfish
Canary rockfish
17
Yelloweye rockfish
18
Minor Nearshore Rockfish &
Black rockfish
15
200 lbl month
4iOO' N. lat.- 40"10' N. lat.
21
5,000 lb/2 months, no more than 1,200 lb of which may be species other than black rockfish
Spiny dogfish
I
Pacific cod
23
1·6,000 lb/2 months, of which no more
.
.
.
8,500 lbl 2 months, ofwh1ch no more than 1,200 lb ofwh1ch may be spec1es than 1,200 lb of which may be species
other than black rockfish
other than black rockfish
Lingcod51
22
:::r
North of 4iOO' N. lat.
20
z
0
...
CLOSED
CLOSED
19
100 lbl month
1100 lb/
month
600 lbl month
1,000 lb/2 months
200,000 lb/2 months
I
150,000 lb/2
months
I
Longnose skate
Unlimited
25
Other Fish" & Cabezon in Oregon
and California
100,000 lb/2 months
Unlimited
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Table 3 (North). Continued
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Salmon trollers may retain and land up to 1 lb of yellowtail rockfish for ewry 2 lbs of salmon landed, with a cumulatiw limit of 200
lb/month, both within and outside of the RCA. This limit is within the 200 lb per month combined limit for minor shelf rockfish, widow
rockfish and yellowtail rockfish, and not in addition to that limit. Salmon trollers may retain and land up to 1 lingcod per 15 Chinook
per trip, plus 1 lingcod per trip, up to a trip limit of 10 lingcod, on a trip where any fishing occurs within the RCA This limit only
applies during times when lingcod retention is allowed, and is not "CLOSED." This limit is within the per month limit for lingcod
described in the table abow, and not in addition to that limit. All groundfish species are subject to the open access limits, seasons,
size limits and RCA restrictions listed in the table above, unless otherwise stated here.
North
m
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PINK SHRIMP NON-GROUNDFISH TRAWL (not subject to RCAs)
0
""'
29
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Effective April1 -October 31: Groundfish: 500 lb/day, multiplied by the number of days of the trip, not to exceed 1,500 lb/trip.
The following sublimits also apply and are counted toward the overall 500 lb/day and 1,500 lb/trip groundfish limits: lingcod 300
lb/month (minimum 24 inch size limit); sablefish 2,000 lb/month; canary, thomyheads and yelloweye rockfish are PROHIBilED. All
other groundfish species taken are managed under the owrall 500 lb/day and 1,500 lb/trip groundfish limits. Landings of these
species count toward the per day and per trip groundfish limits and do not haw species-specific limits. The amount of groundfish
landed may not exceed the amount of pink shrimp landed.
North
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11 The Rockfish Conservation Area is an area closed to fishing by particular gear types, bounded by lines specifically defined by latitude
and longitude coordinates set out at §§ 660. 71-<360.74. This RCA is not defined by depth contours (with the exception of the 20-fm
depth contour boundary south of 42" N. lat.), and the boundary lines that define the RCA may close areas that are deeper or shallower
than the depth contour. Vessels that are subject to RCA restrictions may not fish in the RCA, or operate in the RCA for any purpose
Splitnose rockfish is included in the trip limits for minor slope rockfish.
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41 For black rockfish north of Cape Alava (48°09.50' N. lat.), and between Destruction Is. (47"40' N. lat.) and Leadbetter Pnt. (46°38.17' N. lat.),
!there is an additional lim it of 100 lbs or 30 percent by weight of all fish on board, whichever is greater, per vessel, per fishing trip.
5/The minimum size limit for lingcod is 22 inches (56 em) total length North of 42' N. lat. and 24 inches (61 em) total length South of 42" N. lat.
61 "Other fish" are defined at§ 660.11 and include kelp greenling, leopard shark, and cabezon in Washington.
71 Beginning on January 1, 2016, the following trip limits are in effect for sablefish north of 36 N. lat. 300 lbl day, or 1 landing per week of up to 1,000 lb, not to exceed 2,000 lb/2
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months.
To convert pounds to kilograms, divide by 2.20462, the nurmer of pounds in one kilogram
50223
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Table 3 (South) to Part 660, Subpart F -- Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation Areas and Trip Limits for Open Access Gears South of 40°10' N. lat.
Other lim its and requirements apply-- Read §§660.1 0 through 660.399 before using this table
##JAN-FEB
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Rockfish Conservation kea (RCA) 11 :
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40'10' N. lat.- 34'27' N. lat.
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301m line 11 -150fm line11
60 fm line11 - 150 fm line11 (also applies around is lands)
See §§660.60 and 660.230 for additional gear, trip limit and conservation area requirements and restrictions. See §§660.70-660.74 and §§660.76-660.79 for
conservation area descriptions and coordinates (including RCAs, YRCAs, CCAs, Farallon Islands, Cordell Banks, and EFHCAs).
State trip limits and seasons may be more restrictiw than Federal trip limits or seasons, particular1y in waters off Oregon and California.
4
5
Splitnose rockfish
Sablefish61
6
200 lbl month
40.10' N.lat. -36·oo· N.lat.
7
10,000 lb/2 months, of which no more than 475 lb may be 110,000 lb/2 months, of which no more than 550 lb may be
blackgill rockfish
blackgill rockfish
300 lb/ day, or 1 landing per week of up to 1,600 lb, not to exceed 3,200 lb/2 months
Shortpine thornyheads and
longspine thornyheads
8
9
10
11
~
3,000 lb/ month, no more than 300 lb of which may be species other than Pacific sanddabs.
Dover sole, arrowtooth flounder,
petrale sole, English sole, starry
~
flounder, Other Flatfish"
1'4
50 lb/ day, no more than 1,000 lb/ 2 months
South of 34'27' N. lat.
16
17
18
South of 42' N. lat., when fishing for "other flatfish,'' vessels using hook-and-line gear with no more than 12 hooks per
line, using hooks no larger than "Number 2" hooks, which measure 0.44 in (11 mm) point to shank, and up to two 1 lb
(0.45 kg) weights per line are not subject to the RCAs.
Whitin!l
Minor Shelf Rockfish", Shortbelly,
Widow rockfish and Chilipepper
300 lbl month
19
40'1 0' N. lat. - 34'27' N. lat. 300 lb/2 months
20
South of 34'27' N. lat. 1500 lb/2 months
21
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Canary rockfish
Yelloweye rockfish
Cowcod
Bronzespotted rockfish
Bocaccio
40.10' N.lat. -34.27' N.lat. 200 lb/2 months
South of 34'27' N. lat. 250 lb/2 months
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300 lb/ day, or 1 landing per week of up to 900 lb, not to 1350 lb/ day, or 1 landing per week of up to 1,600 lb, not to
exceed 1,800 lb/2 months
exceed 3,200 lb/2 months
South of 36'00' N. lat.
-1
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1500 lb/ 2 months
CLOSED
CLOSED
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CLOSED
100 lb/2 months
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Minor Slope Rockfish" &
Darkblotched rockfish
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[FR Doc. 2015–20491 Filed 8–14–15; 4:15 pm]
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BILLING CODE 3510–22–C
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 160 (Wednesday, August 19, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50212-50224]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20491]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 660
[Docket No. 140904754-5188-02]
RIN 0648-BF27
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States;
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2015-2016 Biennial Specifications and
Management Measures; Inseason Adjustments
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule; inseason adjustments to biennial groundfish
management measures.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 protect overfished and depleted stocks while
allowing fisheries to access more abundant groundfish stocks.
DATES: This final rule is effective August 14, 2015.
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/.
Copies of the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for the
Groundfish Specifications and Management Measures for 2015-2016 and
Biennial Periods Thereafter are available from Donald McIsaac,
Executive Director, Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), 7700
NE Ambassador Place, Portland, OR 97220, phone: 503-820-2280.
Background
The PCGFMP and its implementing regulations at title 50 in the Code
of Federal Regulations (CFR), part 660, subparts C through G, regulate
fishing for over 90 species of groundfish off the coasts of Washington,
Oregon, and California. Groundfish specifications
[[Page 50213]]
and management measures are developed by the Pacific Fishery Management
Council (Council), and are implemented by NMFS.
The final rule to implement the 2015-2016 harvest specifications
and management measures for most species of the Pacific coast
groundfish fishery was published on March 10, 2015 (80 FR 12567).
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
June 10-16, 2015, meeting. Specifically, the Council recommended an
increase to commercial fishery trip limits for sablefish, blackgill
rockfish, big skate, Minor Shelf Rockfish, and California scorpionfish.
The Council also recommended a decrease to commercial fishery trip
limits for black rockfish. NMFS has determined that good cause exists
to waive notice and comment for trip limit changes for sablefish,
blackgill rockfish, black rockfish and big skate and this action
implements those changes. However, NMFS has determined that the
Council-recommended increases to trip limits for Minor Shelf Rockfish
and California scorpionfish cannot be implemented without a two-meeting
process and notice and comment rulemaking. Therefore, those changes are
not included in this action.
Fishery Management Measures for the Limited Entry Fixed Gear (LEFG) and
Open Access (OA) Sablefish Daily Trip Limit (DTL) Fisheries North of
36[deg] N. lat.
To increase harvest opportunities for the LEFG and 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
LEFG and OA fixed gear sablefish DTL fisheries 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 83 percent
(196 mt) of the LEFG harvest guideline (HG) (236 mt) and 62 percent
(242 mt) of the OA HG (388 mt) under current trip limits. This
indicates that projected catch in both the LEFG and OA fisheries was
lower than anticipated when the trip limits were initially established
(93 percent (220 mt) of the LEFG HG and 92 percent (358 mt) of the OA
HG). With the increase in trip limits, predicted harvest assuming
medium ex-vessel price curves is 90 percent (212 mt) of the LEFG HG
(236 mt) and 83 percent (323 mt) of the OA HG (388 mt). Projections for
the fixed gear sablefish fisheries south of 36[deg] N. lat. were
similar to what they were anticipated to be in the biennial harvest
specifications and management measures, and no requests were made by
industry for changes; therefore, and no inseason actions were
considered.
Therefore, the Council recommended and NMFS is implementing trip
limit changes for the LEFG and the OA sablefish DTL fisheries north of
36[deg] N. lat. The trip limits for sablefish in the LEFG fishery north
of 36[deg] N. lat. increase from ``1,025 lb (465 kg) per week, not to
exceed 3,075 lb (1,394 kg) per two months'' to ``1,125 lb (510.3 kg)
per week, not to exceed 3,375 lb (1,530 kg) per two months'' beginning
during period 4 through the end of the year.
The trip limits for sablefish in the OA sablefish DTL 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 ``350 lb (159 kg) per day, or one landing per
week of up to 1,600 lb (726 kg), not to exceed 3,200 lb (1,452 kg) per
two months'' during period 4 through the end of the year.
Fishery Management Measures for Blackgill Rockfish in the Limited Entry
Fixed Gear (LEFG) and Open Access (OA) Fisheries South of 40[deg]10' N.
lat.
Blackgill rockfish south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. was assessed in
2011. The 2011 assessment indicated the stock was in the precautionary
zone with spawning biomass depletion estimated to be 30 percent of its
unfished biomass at the start of 2011. The Council chose to leave
blackgill rockfish as a stock within the Minor Slope Rockfish south
complex. Beginning in 2013, the Council recommended, and NMFS
established, annual HGs and management measures to keep anticipated
catch of blackgill rockfish within its HG, including a species-specific
sorting requirement and species-specific sub-limits. Annual HGs and
trip limit management in non-IFQ fisheries continue to be utilized for
management of blackgill rockfish south of 40[deg]10' N. lat.
The most recently available information (2013) indicates that the
Minor Slope Rockfish trip limit and the blackgill rockfish sub-limit
set in 2013 kept catch of Minor Slope Rockfish south of 40[deg]10' N.
lat. at 148 mt, which is less than 25 percent of the 2013 ACL (618 mt).
Additionally, catch of blackgill was 18.5 mt, 42 percent of the 44 mt
HG (LEFG HG of 26.4 mt and OA HG of 17.6 mt, combined). The same trip
limits were in place in 2014, and 2014 inseason estimates indicate that
similar catch patters are likely to be seen in the completed 2014 total
mortality report. The best available 2015 inseason information at the
June Council meeting indicated that catch of blackgill rockfish was
approximately half of the amount of catch during that same time period
in 2014. The Council recommended that the blackgill rockfish sub-limit
be increased modestly to reduce regulatory discards since catch was
well below the HG in 2013 and was likely similar in scale in 2014 and
because catch in 2015 is below the levels observed in 2014. In
addition, a modest increase in the sub-limit will likely reduce
regulatory discards of blackgill rockfish when caught incidentally with
co-occurring species in the Minor Slope Rockfish complex.
Therefore, the Council recommended, and NMFS is implementing, an
increase to blackgill rockfish sub-limits for the LEFG and the OA
fisheries south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. The blackgill rockfish sub-limit,
within the overall trip limit for Minor Slope Rockfish complex south of
40[deg]10' N. lat., is increased in the LEFG fishery from ``40,000 lb
(18,144 kg) per two months, of which no more than 1,375 lb (624 kg) may
be blackgill rockfish'' to ``40,000 lb (18,144 kg) per two months, of
which no more than 1,600 lb (726 kg) may be blackgill rockfish''
beginning during period 4 through the end of the year.
The blackgill rockfish sub-limit, within the overall trip limit for
Minor Slope Rockfish complex south of 40[deg]10' N. lat., is increased
in the OA fishery from ``10,000 lb (4,536 kg) per two months, of which
no more than 475 lb (216 kg) may be blackgill rockfish'' to ``10,000 lb
(4,536 kg) per two months, of which no more than 550 lb (250 kg) may be
blackgill rockfish'' beginning during period 4 through the end of the
year.
Fishery Management Measures for Black Rockfish in the Limited Entry
Fixed Gear (LEFG) and Open Access (OA) Fisheries Between 42[deg] N.
lat. and 40[deg]10' N. lat.
Black rockfish are caught in nearshore commercial and recreational
fisheries. Black rockfish is a healthy stock that co-occurs with
nearshore overfished rockfish species (e.g., canary rockfish and
yelloweye rockfish). Catch of black rockfish is managed, in part, to
keep catch of co-occurring overfished species within the management
targets for the nearshore fishery and the state of California. The best
available information on commercial black rockfish catch in northern
California through June 12, 2015, indicates that harvest so far in 2015
(58 mt) is much
[[Page 50214]]
higher than what it was in this area for the entire year of 2014 (34
mt).
In 2014, the shoreward boundary of the non-trawl rockfish
conservation area (RCA) in this area between 42[deg] N. lat. and
40[deg]10' N. lat. was the boundary line approximating the 20 fm depth
contour. For 2015, the boundary line off northern California was
shifted seaward to the boundary line approximating the 30 fm depth
contour, opening the area to nearshore fishing between 20 fm line and
the 30 fm line for the first time since 2009 (80 FR 12567, March 10,
2015). This change in the depth restriction in the non-trawl commercial
fisheries is providing additional access to nearshore stocks, and may
be part of the reason for the increased black rockfish landings in 2015
compared to 2014. Additionally, the change in depth restriction may be
changing bycatch rates of co-occurring overfished species in the
nearshore fishery, but little information is available to inform
bycatch rates inseason.
Based on the best available information, catch of black rockfish is
much higher in 2015 compared to 2014. To reduce projected catch of co-
occurring overfished species and reduce the risk of exceeding HGs for
those overfished species, the Council considered reductions to black
rockfish trip limits between 42[deg] N. lat. and 40[deg]10' N. lat. The
Council recommended decreasing the black rockfish trip limit to the
same limit that was in effect when the northern California non-trawl
RCA shoreward boundary was at the 30 fm line, as it is in 2015.
Therefore, the Council recommended and NMFS is implementing
decreased black rockfish trip limits for the LEFG and the OA fisheries
between 42[deg] N. lat. and 40[deg]10' N. lat. The black rockfish trip
limit, within the overall trip limit for Minor Nearshore Rockfish
complex, is decreased in the LEFG and OA fisheries from ``8,500 lb
(3,856 kg) per two months of which no more than 1,200 lb (544 kg) may
be species other than black rockfish'' to ``6,000 lb (2,722 kg) per two
months of which no more than 1,200 lb (544 kg) may be species other
than black rockfish'' beginning during period 4 through the end of the
year.
Fishery Management Measures for Big Skate in the Shorebased IFQ Program
Before 2015, big skate was managed as a component stock within the
Other Fish complex. The big skate OFL estimate, along with the
estimated OFLs for the other species in the complex, contributed to the
OFL specified in regulation for the Other Fish complex. Species managed
in complexes do not have OFLs specified in regulation. Therefore, the
best estimate of a sustainable harvest for a single species that is
managed in a complex is referred to as an ``OFL contribution,'' since
the OFL for the complex is the sum of the contributing OFLs for all the
component species.
During development of the 2015-2016 harvest specifications and
management measures, best estimates of mortality indicated that harvest
of big skate was 18 percent of the big skate OFL contribution and that
it was not in need of conservation and management. Big skate was
removed from the Other Fish complex and designated as an ecosystem
component (EC) species (80 FR 12567, March 10, 2015). If the Council
had chosen to keep big skate in the fishery, with species specific
harvest specifications, the 2015 big skate OFL endorsed by the
Scientific Statistical Committee (SSC) would have been 541 mt. Since
the Council chose to designate this species as an EC species, the big
skate OFL estimate became unnecessary. Since development and
implementation of the 2015-2016 harvest specifications and management
measures, new information indicated that mortality of big skate is
approaching or exceeding the 2014 big skate OFL contribution.
At its April 2015 meeting, the Council recommended management
measures to reduce mortality of big skate and reduce the risk of
overfishing the stock. At that time, the best estimate of sustainable
harvest for big skate was thought to be the 2014 OFL contribution. The
Council recommended and NMFS implemented a trip limit reduction for big
skate in the Shorebased IFQ Program and best estimates at that time
indicated that total mortality of big skate through the end of 2015
under that trip limit structure would be 441 mt, 17 mt lower than the
2014 OFL contribution of 458 mt (80 FR 31858, June 4, 2015).
The analysis by the Council's GMT assumed 100 percent mortality of
discarded big skate and assumed that, once a trip limit was reached,
encounters of big skate would cease and no additional landings or
discards would occur. The GMT acknowledged several issues with these
assumptions, but noted that the April analysis was limited in scope due
to time constraints. The Council acknowledged that the mortality
estimates and the OFL contribution both have high degrees of
uncertainty, and recommended precautionary management measures for
conservation of big skate. The Council also acknowledged that
additional information and analyses would likely become available, and
that management measures for big skate would be considered in light of
emerging and improving information.
At its June 2015 meeting, the Council considered additional
analysis by the GMT, recommendations of its SSC, as well as updated
fishery information, regarding big skate mortality and management
measures. The West Coast Observer Program estimates that almost 80
percent of big skate caught in groundfish fisheries are discarded.
Following a literature review, the SSC recommended that a 50 percent
discard mortality rate for big skate caught with commercial trawl gear
was more appropriate. This is consistent with the assumed discard
mortality for another skate species for which trip limits are in place
(longnose skate). In addition, projected estimates of big skate catch
through the end of the year decreased because of reduced inseason
estimates. This reduction likely resulted from an increased awareness
and avoidance by the fishing fleet, and harvest projection changes
resulting from the Council's improved understanding of big skate
discard mortality rate.
At its June 2015 meeting, the Council also considered information
regarding the best available estimate for a sustainable harvest level
of big skate in 2015. In April 2015, the Council aimed to keep
mortality of big skate below the 2014 OFL contribution, the best
estimate available at that time. In June, the Council was reminded that
the SSC endorsed a 2015 big skate OFL in November 2013. Since the
Council recommended big skate be designated as an EC species, no
harvest specifications were adopted for the 2015-2016 biennial cycle.
However, in light of the need to better estimate big skate mortality,
as it is approaching the best OFL contribution estimates, the SSC-
endorsed estimated 2015 OFL is the best available estimate of
sustainable harvest. Therefore, the Council considered projected big
skate mortality in 2015 compared to the estimated 2015 OFL, rather than
the 2014 OFL contribution. The 541 mt estimated 2015 OFL for big skate
is 83 mt higher than the 2014 OFL contribution that was used in the
April 2015 GMT analyses. Therefore, the Council considered higher trip
limits for big skate than those adopted in April 2015. June 2015 GMT
estimates indicate that with higher trip limits for big skate of 35,000
pounds per two months, through the remainder of the year, big skate
total mortality will still be below the currently available best
estimate of the 2015 OFL (541 mt).
As discussed above, the best estimate of the discard mortality rate
decreased from 100 percent to 50 percent and the estimated 2015 OFL
that is higher than
[[Page 50215]]
the 2014 OFL contribution. Therefore, increases to the big skate trip
limits in the IFQ fishery are warranted. The Council considered
increasing the trip limit for big skate in the Shorebased IFQ Program,
beginning in Period 4 (July-August). A range of trip limits was
considered: 25,000 lb (11,340 kg) per two months, 30,000 lb (13,608 kg)
per two months, and 35,000 lb (15,876 kg) per two months for Periods 4-
6 (July-December). All alternative trip limits are anticipated to bring
total mortality below the estimated 2015 OFL of 541 mt, and the
estimated 2015 Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) (assuming the same P*
as 2014 of 0.40) of 451 mt.
The Council recommended, and NMFS is implementing, an increase in
the big skate trip limit in the Shorebased IFQ Program from ``20,000
lbs (9,072 kg) per two months'' to ``35,000 lb (15,876 kg) per two
months'' in periods 4-6 (from July through December). Best estimates
indicate that total mortality of big skate through the end of 2015
under this trip limit structure would be between 414 mt and 420 mt,
121-127 mt lower than the estimated 2015 OFL contribution of 541 mt and
21-27 mt lower than the estimated 2015 ABC contribution of 441 mt. The
estimated total mortality is considered as a range to account for
uncertainty in how fishing behavior will change after the big skate
trip limit is reached. The Council recommended a trip limit that would
allow approximately a 5 percent increase in total mortality, but would
still be below the estimated 2015 ABC. The increase in trip limit is
intended to allow vessels opportunistically targeting big skate to
continue to do so, while keeping total mortality below the estimated
2015 ABC. The Council-recommended trip limits are codified in Tables 1
(North) and 1 (South) to Subpart C.
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 August 14, 2015.
At the June Council meeting, the Council recommended that these
changes be implemented as quickly as possible during the two-month
cumulative limit period. There was not sufficient time after that
meeting to draft this document and undergo proposed and final
rulemaking before these actions need to be in effect. For the actions
to be implemented in this final rule, affording the time necessary for
prior notice and opportunity for public comment would prevent NMFS from
managing fisheries using the best available science to approach,
without exceeding, the ACLs for federally managed species in accordance
with the PCGFMP and applicable law. The adjustments to management
measures in this document affect commercial fisheries in Washington,
Oregon and California. These increases to trip limits must be
implemented as quickly as possible during the two-month cumulative
limit period to allow LEFG and OA fixed gear fishermen an opportunity
to harvest higher limits for: Sablefish without exceeding the ACL north
of 36[deg] N. lat.; big skate without exceeding the estimated 2015 OFL;
and blackgill rockfish without exceeding the HG south of 40[deg]10' N.
lat. The decrease to the black rockfish trip limit must be implemented
by the start of the next two-month cumulative limit period, September
1, to keep catch of co-occurring overfished species within their HGs
and rebuilding ACLs. It would be contrary to the public interest to
delay implementation of these changes until after public notice and
comment, because making this regulatory change by August 14, 2015,
allows harvest as intended by the Council, consistent with the best
scientific information available. These changes allow additional
harvest in fisheries that are important to coastal communities while
continuing to prevent ACLs of overfished and target species from being
exceeded.
No aspect of this action is controversial, and changes of this
nature were anticipated in the biennial harvest specifications and
management measures established for 2015-2016.
Accordingly, for the reasons stated above, NMFS finds good cause to
waive prior notice and comment and to waive the delay in effectiveness.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660
Fisheries, Fishing, and Indian fisheries.
Dated: August 14, 2015.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting 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.
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2. Table 1 (North) and 1 (South) to part 660, subpart D, are revised to
read as follows:
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3. Table 2 (North) and 2 (South) to part 660, subpart E, are revised to
read as follows:
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[[Page 50221]]
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4. Table 3 (North) and 3 (South) to part 660, subpart F, are revised to
read as follows:
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[[Page 50222]]
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[[Page 50223]]
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[[Page 50224]]
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[FR Doc. 2015-20491 Filed 8-14-15; 4:15 pm]
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