Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2015-2016 Biennial Specifications and Management Measures; Inseason Adjustments, 81773-81784 [2015-32884]
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 251 / Thursday, December 31, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
Dated: December 23, 2015.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
6147, fax: 206–526–6736, or email:
gretchen.hanshew@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[FR Doc. 2015–32826 Filed 12–30–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 660
[Docket No. 140904754–5188–02]
RIN 0648–BF63
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions;
Fisheries Off West Coast States;
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery;
2015–2016 Biennial Specifications and
Management Measures; Inseason
Adjustments
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 allow
fisheries to access more abundant
groundfish stocks while protecting
overfished and depleted stocks. This
document also announces a prohibition
on the use of midwater trawl gear in the
Shorebased Individual Fishing Quota
(IFQ) Program shoreward of the
boundary line approximating the 150 fm
(274 m) depth contour via automatic
action, with actual notice (by phone and
email) to participants, at noon local
time, November 26, 2015 in order to
reduce the risk of exceeding the canary
rockfish annual catch limit (ACL).
DATES: This final rule is effective
January 1, 2016. The depth restrictions
for midwater trawl gear were made
through automatic action, and are
published in the Federal Register as
soon as practicable after they are issued.
The depth restriction for vessels using
midwater trawl gear, which was
announced by actual notice (by phone
and email) prior to implementation, is
applicable from noon local time,
November 26, 2015 through midnight
local time, December 31, 2015.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gretchen Hanshew, phone: 206–526–
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SUMMARY:
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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 Pacific Fishery Management
Council (Council)—in coordination with
Pacific Coast Treaty Indian Tribes and
the States of Washington, Oregon, and
California—recommended changes to
groundfish management measures at its
November 13–19, 2015, meeting.
Specifically, the Council recommended
a revised schedule of trip limits for big
skate in the Shorebased IFQ Program for
2016. This rule revises big skate trip
limits consistent with the Council’s
November recommendations.
Before 2015, big skate was managed as
a component stock within the Other
Fish complex. The big skate overfishing
limit (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. The Council
recommended, and NMFS approved, the
designation of big skate as an ecosystem
component species, beginning in 2015
(80 FR 12567, March 10, 2015). As
described in the inseason action that
implemented trip limits for big skate in
2015 (80 FR 31858, June 4, 2015), new
information available during 2015
indicated that harvest of big skate was
much higher than anticipated and was
approaching or exceeding the 2014
estimated OFL contribution. The
Council recommended, and NMFS
implemented, trip limits on June 1,
2015, to reduce impacts to big skate in
the Shorebased IFQ Program. Trip limits
for big skate were further adjusted on
August 14, 2015, after review of updated
fishery information and best available
information regarding discard mortality
of big skate (80 FR 50212, August 19,
2015). As part of the ongoing
development of the 2017–2018
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specifications, the Council is
reconsidering whether big skate should
be reclassified because the species may
not be appropriate as an ecosystem
component species.
At its November meeting, the Council
considered updated fishery information
and further refined big skate trip limits
for the second year of the biennial cycle.
The Council’s Groundfish Management
Team (GMT) continued analysis of
available fishery data to estimate and
project catch of big skate in the
Shorebased IFQ Program under different
trip limit scenarios. The Council
considered an apparent seasonal
fluctuation in both frequency and
magnitude of big skate landings, with
higher catch in the summer and lower
catch in the winter. The Council also
considered feedback from individuals in
the Shorebased IFQ Program regarding
catch patterns and targeting practices.
The Council recommended, and
NMFS is implementing, the following
big skate trip limits in the Shorebased
IFQ Program, beginning January 1, 2016:
5,000 lbs/2 months (2,268 kg/2 months)
for Period 1; 25,000 pounds/2 months
(11,340 kg/2 months) for Period 2;
30,000 pounds/2 months (13,608 kg/2
months) for Period 3; 35,000 pounds/2
months (15,876 kg/2 months) for Period
4; 10,000 pounds/2 months (4,536 kg/2
months) for Period 5; and 5,000 pounds/
2 months (2,268 kg/2 months) for Period
6. Best estimates indicate that total
mortality of big skate through the end of
2016 under this trip limit structure
would be 450 mt, 91 mt lower than the
estimated 2016 OFL of 541 mt and 44
mt lower than the estimated 2016 ABC
of 494 mt.
Depth Restriction via Actual Notice in
the Shorebased IFQ Program
Subsequent to the November Council
meeting, higher than anticipated catch
of canary rockfish occurred in the
Shorebased IFQ Program. NMFS took
automatic action to impose a depth
restriction for vessels using midwater
trawl gear in the Shorebased IFQ
Program, applicable at noon local time,
November 26, 2015. This rule serves as
notification of the November 26, 2015
automatic action.
The Shorebased IFQ Program may be
restricted or closed, as determined
necessary by the Regional
Administrator, as a result of projected
overages within the Shorebased IFQ
Program, the Mothership Coop Program,
or the Catcher/Processor Coop Program.
As of November 24, 2015, the
Shorebased IFQ Program was projected
to exceed the total quota pounds
available to the sector (2015 allocation,
plus surplus carryover from 2014) if
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 251 / Thursday, December 31, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
current harvest levels continued and
without management action. At noon,
on November 26, 2015 the National
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
prohibited the use of midwater trawl
gear in the Shorebased IFQ Program for
the remainder of 2015, shoreward of the
boundary line approximating the 150
fathom depth contour (150 fm line).
This bycatch reduction measure was
taken as an automatic action, per
regulations at 50 CFR 660.140(a)(3), to
reduce potential impacts on canary
rockfish, an overfished species subject
to rebuilding requirements under the
Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation
and Management Act. NMFS provided
actual notice of the closure to
participants by phone and email. In
addition, NMFS posted on the West
Coast Region’s internet site to provide
notice to the affected fishers.
Implementation of the prohibition on
using midwater trawl gear (cease
fishing) shoreward of the 150 fm line
was effective 22 hours after the Public
Notice, to allow for additional time for
the public to become aware of the
change in depth restrictions.
The Shorebased IFQ Program has a
2015 allocation of 43.26 mt of canary
rockfish (with surplus carryover pounds
from 2014: 47.28 mt). Higher than
anticipated catch of canary rockfish
occurred in the Shorebased IFQ Program
by vessels using midwater trawl gear,
exceeding the 2015 Shorebased IFQ
Program allocation. Midwater trawl gear
has been responsible for an increasing
proportion of the annual canary rockfish
landings in the Shorebased IFQ Program
and data from the Northwest Fisheries
Science Center shelf-slope bottom trawl
survey indicates that canary rockfish are
distributed overwhelmingly shoreward
of the boundary line approximating the
150 fm depth contour.
Therefore, NMFS implemented a
depth restriction for vessels using
midwater trawl gear in the Shorebased
IFQ Program to reduce the risk of
exceeding the total amount of canary
rockfish available the Shorebased IFQ
Program, total trawl allocation, and the
canary rockfish ACL, through the end of
the year.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
Technical Edits
LEFG and OA Sablefish Trip Limits
Regulatory changes published in this
rule also clarify, but do not revise,
sablefish trip limits in the limited entry
fixed gear and open access fisheries
north of 36° N. lat. The 2016 sablefish
ACL is higher than in 2015 and the
Council recommended and NMFS
implemented a schedule of slightly
higher trip limits for the second year of
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the biennial period, as described in the
January 6, 2015 proposed rule (80 FR
687) and implemented in Tables 2 North
and 2 South, Subpart E and Tables 3
North and 3 South, Subparts F (80 FR
12567, March 10, 2015). Because of the
format of these tables, the higher 2016
trip limits were published in the
footnotes, anticipating that an inseason
for January 1, 2016 would incorporate
movement of those trip limits from the
footnote to the body of the table. This
formatting change does not revise the
2016 sablefish trip limits for non-IFQ
fisheries north of 36° N. lat. that were
described and implemented through
notice and comment rulemaking.
Accordingly, this rule modifies Tables 2
North and 2 South, Subpart E and
Tables 3 North and 3 South, Subparts F
by moving the schedule of 2016 trip
limits, unchanged, from footnotes into
the body of the tables.
Classification
This final rule makes routine inseason
adjustments to groundfish fishery
management measures, based on the
best available information. This
document also serves as notice of an
automatic action, based on the best
available information. Both are
consistent with the PCGFMP and its
implementing regulations.
This action is taken under the
authority of 50 CFR 660.60(c) and (d),
and 660.140(a)(3) 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 the regulatory
changes in this final rule may become
effective January 1, 2016.
New analysis regarding projected
catch of big skate was presented to the
Council at its November 2015 meeting.
At that meeting, the Council
recommended that these changes to big
skate trip limits be implemented
January 1, 2016, which is the start of the
second year of the biennial cycle and
the beginning of a cumulative limit
period in the commercial groundfish
fishery off the West Coast. These
restrictions to the amount of landings
must be implemented at the start of a
cumulative limit period to allow
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fishermen in the Shorebased IFQ
Program an opportunity to continue
harvesting big skate, but at a level that
will not exceed the new, lower trip limit
that will be imposed in January 2016.
The trip limits recommended by the
Council and implemented by NMFS in
this action are anticipated to keep catch
of big skate below its estimated OFL, if
implemented on January 1. If the
recommended limits are not in place
January 1, more restrictive measures
may be necessary later in the year to
keep catch of big skate below its
estimated OFL. There was not sufficient
time after the November meeting, when
the new information was available, to
undergo proposed and final rulemaking
before January 1.
The depth restrictions in the
Shorebased IFQ Program implemented
by the Regional Administrator via actual
notice are intended to reduce the risk of
exceeding the trawl allocation and the
2015 ACL of canary rockfish. The closed
area implemented by this rule needed to
be in effect during the remainder of the
2015 fishery to shift midwater trawl
effort in the Shorebased IFQ Program
into deeper waters where they are less
likely to catch canary rockfish. Prior
notice and opportunity for public
comment on this depth restriction was
impracticable because NMFS had
insufficient time to provide prior notice
and the opportunity for public comment
between the time the information about
catch of canary rockfish became
available and when restrictions were
determined to be necessary to reduce
the risk of further exceeding the 2015
Shorebased IFQ Program allocation, and
also reduce the risk of exceeding the
2015 canary rockfish trawl allocation
and the ACL. Failure to respond with a
depth restriction in a timely manner to
reduce the amount by which the 2015
Shorebased IFQ Program allocation for
canary rockfish was exceeded would be
contrary to the public interest, as it may
have required more restrictive measures,
perhaps even closure of the fishery, if
higher than anticipated harvest of
canary rockfish continued.
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
prevent overfishing in accordance with
the PCGFMP and applicable law.
Delaying these changes would also
keep management measures in place
that are not based on the best available
information. Such delay would impair
achievement of the PCGFMP goals and
objectives of managing for appropriate
harvest levels while providing for year-
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round fishing and marketing
opportunities.
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
Dated: December 24, 2015.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
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:
Fisheries, Fishing, and Indian
Fisheries.
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. Tables 1 North and 1 South to part
660, subpart D, are revised to read as
follows:
■
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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/:
MAR-APR
MAY-JUN
I
I
shore-
JUL-AUG
SEP-OCT
I
I
shore- 200 fm
m odified 21 200
fm line 11
r
1
North of 48'1 0' N. lat.
2
48'10' N. lat.- 45°46' N. lat.
45'46' N. lat.- 40•10' N. lat.
NOV-DEC
I
I
shore-
shore - 200 fm
100 fm line 11 - 150 fm line 11
3
01012016
100 fm line11 - modified21 200 fm line11
shore- 150 fm line11
line 11
modified21 200
fm line11
line 11
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.
-1
)>
m
r-
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).
m
State trip limits and seasons may be more restrictive than federal trip limits, particularly in waters off Oregon and California.
...J.
Minor Nearshore Rockfish & Black
4 rockfish
300 lb/ month
0
midwater trawl
6
7
large & small footrope gear
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. -- Mer the primary whiting season: CLOSED.
Before the primary whiting season: 20,000 lb/trip. -- During the primary season: 10,000 lb/trip. -- Mer the
primary whiting season: 10,000 lb/trip.
I
B Cabezon41
9
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North of 46°16' N. lat.
10
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35,000 lb/2
months
10,000 lb/2
months
:::r
5,000 lb/2
months
Unlimited
46°16' N. lat.- 40°10' N. lat.
50 lb/month
11 Shortbelly
Unlimited
12 Spiny dogfish
60,000 lb/ month
5,000 lb/2
months
13 Big skate
25,000 lb/2
months
30,000 lb/2
months
14 Longnose skate
15 Other Fish
...
....
z
5 Whiting 31
Unlimited
Unlimited
41
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1/ The Rockfish Conservation kea 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, and the boundarv lines that define the RCA may close areas
!that 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 any purpose other than transiting.
2/ The "modified" fathom lines are modified to exclude certain petrale sole areas from the RCA
3/ As specificed at §660.131(d), when fishing in the Eureka kea, no more than 10,000 lb of whiting may be taken and retained, possessed, or landed by a vessel that, at
any time 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.
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 251 / Thursday, December 31, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
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follows:
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3. Tables 2 North and 2 South to part
660, subpart E, are revised to read as
■
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~
0:::
ou
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MAY-JUN
JUL-AUG
SEP-OCT
I
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Other limits and requirements apply-- Read §§660.10 through 660.399 before using this table
JAN-FEB
I
Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA)11 :
I
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MAR-APR
I
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shoreline - 100 1m line 11
North of 46 "16' N. lat.
1
1012016
NOV-DEC
2
46.16' N.lat.- 42"00' N.lat.
30 fm line11 - 100 fm line11
3
42"00' N.lat.- 40.10' N.lat.
30 fm line11 - 100 fm line11
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 Galifomia.
Min or Slope Rockfish" &
Darkblotched rockfish
4
5
Pacific ocean perch
6
4,000 lb/2 months
Sable fish
1,800 lb/2 months
1,275 lb/week, not to exceed 3,375 lb/ 2 months
7
Longspine thomyhead
8
Shortspine thornyhead
-1
10,000 lb/2 months
I
2,000 lb/2 months
)>
2,500 lb/2 months
m
9
~
11
~
5,000 lb/ month
Dover sole, arrowtooth flounder,
petrale sole, English sole, starry
flounder, Other Flatfish 31
13
14
15
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.
Whiting
10,000 lb/trip
16
Minor Shelf Rockfish", Shortbelly,
Widow & Yellowtail rockfish
200 lb/ month
17
Canary rockfish
CLOSED
18
Yelloweye rockfish
CLOSED
19
Min or Nearshore Rockfish & Black
rockfish
r
m
~
z
0
""'
:::r
20
21
5,000 lb/2 months, no more than 1,200 lb of which may be species other than black rockfish or blue rockfish 41
North of 42"00' N. lat.
42"00' N.lat.- 40.10' N.lat.
22
Pacific cod
24
200 lb/2 months
Lingcod 51
23
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
Spiny dogfish
6001b/
month
1,200 lb/ 2 months
I
200 lb/
month
1,000 lb/2 months
200,000 lb/ 2 months
I
150,000 lb/ 2
months
100,000 lb/2 months
25
Longnose skate
Unlimited
26
Other Fish"& Cabezon in Oregon
and California
Unlimited
fishi~g pa~icular gelr
I
~ounded Jy
~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 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
21 Bocaccio, chilipepper and cowcod are included in the trip limits for Mnor Shelf Rockfish and splitnose rockfish is included in the
[~rip limits for Mnor Slope Rockfish.
1.
[
J
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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.
4/Forblahkrockfish north ofCapeAiava (48'09.50' N.lat.), and between Destruction Is. (47'40' N.lat.) and LeadbetterPnt. (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 42" N. lat. and 24 inches (61 em) total length South of 42" N. lat.
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6/ "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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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 :
40'10' N.lat.- 34.27' N.lat.
1
I
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I
I
I
SEP-OCT
JUL-AUG
I
NOV-DEC
1012016
I
30 fm line11 - 150 fm line11
South of 34'27' N. lat.
2
I
I
I
60 fm line 11 - 150 fm line 11 (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
Splitnose rockfish
5
40,000 lb/2 months, of which no more than 1,375 lb
may be blackgill rockfish
Min or Slope rockfish 21 &
Darkblotched rockfish
I 40,000 lb/2 months, of which no more than 1,600 lb
Sablefish
6
7
South of 36'oo· N. lat.
Longspine thomyhead
Shortspine thornyhead
40.10' N.lat.- 34.27' N.lat.
9
10
11
12
-1
1,275 lb/week, not to exceed 3,3751b/2 months
40.10' N.lat.- 36'oo· N.lat.
8
)>
[D
2,000 lb/ week
10,000 lb/2 months
I
2,000 lb/2 months
~
14
~
Dover sole, arrowtooth flounder,
petrale sole, English sole, starry
flounder, Other Flatfish 31
r2,500 lb/2 months
3,000 lb/2 months
South of 34.27' N. lat.
~
17
may be blackgill rockfish
40,000 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.
~
-
(/)
18
Whiting
19
10,000 lb/trip
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 of 34.27' N. lat.
Minor sheW 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.
0
s::::
Chilipepper included under minor shelf rockfish, shortbelly, widow rockfish and bocaccio limits - - See above
22
I
Chilipepper
23
24
I
:::r
2,000 lb/2 months, this opportunity only available seaward of the non-trawl RCA
South of 34.27' N. lat.
25
Canary rockfish
26
Yelloweye rockfish
CLOSED
27
Cowcod
CLOSED
28
Bronzespotted rockfish
Bocaccio
CLOSED
30
31
VerDate Sep<11>2014
CLOSED
40.10' N.lat.- 34.27' N.lat.
Bocaccio included under Mnor shelf rockfish, shortbelly, widow rockfish & chilipepper limits - - See above
South of 34.27' N. lat. 750 lb/ 2 months
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 251 / Thursday, December 31, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
4. Tables 3 North and 3 South to part
660, subpart F, are revised to read as
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81780
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 251 / Thursday, December 31, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
Table 3 (North) to Part
660, Subpart F -- Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation Areas and Trip Limits for Open Access Gears North of 40"10' N. lat.
Jother 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
01012016
MAY-JUN
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
81781
2
46.16' N. lat.- 42"00' N. lat.
301m line 11 -100fm line11
3
42"00' 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, particular1y in waters off Oregon and California.
5
Minor Slope Rockfish" &
Darkblotched rockfish
Pacific ocean perch
6
Sablefish
7
Shortpine thornyheads and
longspine thornyheads
4
8
9
---w____11_
12
100 lbl month
)>
m
CLOSED
r
m
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"
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.
Whiting
300 lbl month
16
Minor Shelf Rockfish", Shortbelly,
Widow & Yellowtail rockfish
Canary rockfish
17
Yelloweye rockfish
18
200 lbl month
CLOSED
""'
42"00' N. lat.- 40.10' N. lat.
:::r
5,000 lb/2 months, no more than 1,200 lb of which may be species other than black rockfish
North of 42"00' N. lat.
20
.
.
. IB,OOO ,lb/2 lb of which may beno more
months, of which
than
species
8,500 lb/2 months, ofwh1ch no more than 1,200 lb ofwh1ch may be spec1es
1 200
other than black rockfish
other than black rockfish
21
Pacific cod
23
I
100 lbl month
Lingcod"
22
Spiny dogfish
0
CLOSED
19
w
z
Minor Nearshore Rockfish &
Black rockfish
15
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" & Cabazon in Oregon
and California
100,000 lb/2 months
Unlimited
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-1
300 lb/ day, or 1 landing per week of up to 1,000 lb, not to exceed 2,000 lb/2 months
13
14
Per trip, no more than 25% of weight of the sablefish landed
81782
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 251 / Thursday, December 31, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
I
Table 3 (North). Continued
I
26
JAN-FEB
I
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MAR-APR
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MAY-JUN
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SEP-OCT
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-1
SALMON TROLL (subject to RCAs Wlen retaining all species of groundfish, except for yello!Mail rockfish and lingcod, as described belo~
)>
m
27
28
rm
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 abow, unless otherwise stated here.
North
w
...
z
PINK SHRIMP NON-GROUNDFISH TRAWL (not subject to RCAs)
0
:::r
Effective April 1 -October 31: Groundfish: 500 lb/day, multiplied by the number of days of the trip, not to exceed 1,500 lb/trip.
29
The following sublimits also apply and are counted toward the owrall 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
n
0
:::::1
rot
c.
I
I
I
I
I
I
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-<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
other than transiting.
21 Bocacfio, chilipepper and cowcod rockfishes are included in the trip lim its for Minor Jhe~ Rociish.
Splitnose rockfish is included in the trip limits for minor slope rockfish.
31 "Other flatfish" are defined at § 660.11 and include butter sole, cur~in sole, flathead sole, Pac~ic sanddab, rex sole, rock sole, and sand sole.
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) t
. lat. and 24 inches (61 em) total length South of 42" N. lat.
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6/ "Other fish" are defined at§ 660.11 and include kelp greenling, leopard shark, and cabezon in WashingtT
To convert pounds to kilograms, divide by 2.20462, the nurrber of pounds in one kilogram
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 251 / Thursday, December 31, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
Table 3I~South) to Part 660, Subpart F --Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation Areas and T~ip
Other limits and requirements apply-- Read §§660.1 0 through 660.399 before using this table
JAN-FEB
I MAR-APR I MAY-JUN
Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA) 11 :
1
2
I
I
I
South of 34'27' N. lat.
I
40' 10' N. lat. - 34'27' N. lat.
Limiti for Opi" Accest Gears south of40°10'
1
N. lat.
o1012016
I
JUL-AUG
I
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I
NOV-DEC
I
I
81783
I
I
I
I
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30 fm line"- 150 fm line"
60 fm line 11 -150 fm line 11 (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, particularly in waters off Oregon and California.
10,000 lbl 2 months, of which no more than 4751b may bel10,000 lb/2 months, of which no more than 550 lb may be
blackgill rockfish
blackgill rockfish
-1
200 lbl month
)>
40.10' N. lat. - 36.00' N. lat.
300 lb/ day, or 1 landing per week of up to 1,000 lb, not to exceed 2,000 lb/2 months
South of 36·DO' N. lat.
300 lb/ day, or 1 landing per week of up to 1,600 lb, not to exceed 3,200 lb/2 months
r-
m
3
4
Splitnose rockfish
Sablefish
5
6
7
Shortpine thornyheads and
longspine thornyheads
8
9
South of 34"27' N. lat.
~
--4--___!L_
~
15
16
17
18
3,000 lb/ month, no more than 300 lb of which may be species other than
Dover sole, arrowtooth flounder,
petrale sole, English sole, starry
flounder, Other Flatfish"
I
South of 34"27' N. lat. 1500 lb/2 months
I
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VerDate Sep<11>2014
CLOSED
I
200 lb/2 months
s::::
I
300 lb/ 2 months
I
CLOSED
CLOSED
CLOSED
CLOSED
40.10' N. lat. - 34.27' N. lat. 200 lbl 2 months
South of 34"27' N. lat. 250 lbl 2 months
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0
1500 lb/2 months
Canary rockfish
Yelloweye rockfish
Cowcod
Bronzespotted rockfish
Bocaccio
16:05 Dec 30, 2015
en
::::r
Minor Shelf Rockfish", Shortbelly,
Widow rockfish and Chilipepper
40.10' N. lat. - 34.27' N. lat. 300 lbl 2 months
25
sanddabs.
300 lbl month
Whiting
19
26
Pac~ic
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.
20
21
22
23
24
w
CLOSED
50 lb/ day, no more than 1,000 lb/2 months
40.10' N. lat. - 34.27' N. lat.
10
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I
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250 lbl 2 months
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Minor Slope Rockfish" &
Darkblotched rockfish
81784
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 251 / Thursday, December 31, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
[FR Doc. 2015–32884 Filed 12–30–15; 8:45 am]
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BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 251 (Thursday, December 31, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 81773-81784]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-32884]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 660
[Docket No. 140904754-5188-02]
RIN 0648-BF63
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 allow fisheries to access more abundant
groundfish stocks while protecting overfished and depleted stocks. This
document also announces a prohibition on the use of midwater trawl gear
in the Shorebased Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program shoreward of
the boundary line approximating the 150 fm (274 m) depth contour via
automatic action, with actual notice (by phone and email) to
participants, at noon local time, November 26, 2015 in order to reduce
the risk of exceeding the canary rockfish annual catch limit (ACL).
DATES: This final rule is effective January 1, 2016. The depth
restrictions for midwater trawl gear were made through automatic
action, and are published in the Federal Register as soon as
practicable after they are issued. The depth restriction for vessels
using midwater trawl gear, which was announced by actual notice (by
phone and email) prior to implementation, is applicable from noon local
time, November 26, 2015 through midnight local time, December 31, 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 Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council)--in coordination
with Pacific Coast Treaty Indian Tribes and the States of Washington,
Oregon, and California--recommended changes to groundfish management
measures at its November 13-19, 2015, meeting. Specifically, the
Council recommended a revised schedule of trip limits for big skate in
the Shorebased IFQ Program for 2016. This rule revises big skate trip
limits consistent with the Council's November recommendations.
Before 2015, big skate was managed as a component stock within the
Other Fish complex. The big skate overfishing limit (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. The Council recommended, and NMFS approved, the designation
of big skate as an ecosystem component species, beginning in 2015 (80
FR 12567, March 10, 2015). As described in the inseason action that
implemented trip limits for big skate in 2015 (80 FR 31858, June 4,
2015), new information available during 2015 indicated that harvest of
big skate was much higher than anticipated and was approaching or
exceeding the 2014 estimated OFL contribution. The Council recommended,
and NMFS implemented, trip limits on June 1, 2015, to reduce impacts to
big skate in the Shorebased IFQ Program. Trip limits for big skate were
further adjusted on August 14, 2015, after review of updated fishery
information and best available information regarding discard mortality
of big skate (80 FR 50212, August 19, 2015). As part of the ongoing
development of the 2017-2018 specifications, the Council is
reconsidering whether big skate should be reclassified because the
species may not be appropriate as an ecosystem component species.
At its November meeting, the Council considered updated fishery
information and further refined big skate trip limits for the second
year of the biennial cycle. The Council's Groundfish Management Team
(GMT) continued analysis of available fishery data to estimate and
project catch of big skate in the Shorebased IFQ Program under
different trip limit scenarios. The Council considered an apparent
seasonal fluctuation in both frequency and magnitude of big skate
landings, with higher catch in the summer and lower catch in the
winter. The Council also considered feedback from individuals in the
Shorebased IFQ Program regarding catch patterns and targeting
practices.
The Council recommended, and NMFS is implementing, the following
big skate trip limits in the Shorebased IFQ Program, beginning January
1, 2016: 5,000 lbs/2 months (2,268 kg/2 months) for Period 1; 25,000
pounds/2 months (11,340 kg/2 months) for Period 2; 30,000 pounds/2
months (13,608 kg/2 months) for Period 3; 35,000 pounds/2 months
(15,876 kg/2 months) for Period 4; 10,000 pounds/2 months (4,536 kg/2
months) for Period 5; and 5,000 pounds/2 months (2,268 kg/2 months) for
Period 6. Best estimates indicate that total mortality of big skate
through the end of 2016 under this trip limit structure would be 450
mt, 91 mt lower than the estimated 2016 OFL of 541 mt and 44 mt lower
than the estimated 2016 ABC of 494 mt.
Depth Restriction via Actual Notice in the Shorebased IFQ Program
Subsequent to the November Council meeting, higher than anticipated
catch of canary rockfish occurred in the Shorebased IFQ Program. NMFS
took automatic action to impose a depth restriction for vessels using
midwater trawl gear in the Shorebased IFQ Program, applicable at noon
local time, November 26, 2015. This rule serves as notification of the
November 26, 2015 automatic action.
The Shorebased IFQ Program may be restricted or closed, as
determined necessary by the Regional Administrator, as a result of
projected overages within the Shorebased IFQ Program, the Mothership
Coop Program, or the Catcher/Processor Coop Program. As of November 24,
2015, the Shorebased IFQ Program was projected to exceed the total
quota pounds available to the sector (2015 allocation, plus surplus
carryover from 2014) if
[[Page 81774]]
current harvest levels continued and without management action. At
noon, on November 26, 2015 the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
prohibited the use of midwater trawl gear in the Shorebased IFQ Program
for the remainder of 2015, shoreward of the boundary line approximating
the 150 fathom depth contour (150 fm line). This bycatch reduction
measure was taken as an automatic action, per regulations at 50 CFR
660.140(a)(3), to reduce potential impacts on canary rockfish, an
overfished species subject to rebuilding requirements under the
Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. NMFS provided
actual notice of the closure to participants by phone and email. In
addition, NMFS posted on the West Coast Region's internet site to
provide notice to the affected fishers. Implementation of the
prohibition on using midwater trawl gear (cease fishing) shoreward of
the 150 fm line was effective 22 hours after the Public Notice, to
allow for additional time for the public to become aware of the change
in depth restrictions.
The Shorebased IFQ Program has a 2015 allocation of 43.26 mt of
canary rockfish (with surplus carryover pounds from 2014: 47.28 mt).
Higher than anticipated catch of canary rockfish occurred in the
Shorebased IFQ Program by vessels using midwater trawl gear, exceeding
the 2015 Shorebased IFQ Program allocation. Midwater trawl gear has
been responsible for an increasing proportion of the annual canary
rockfish landings in the Shorebased IFQ Program and data from the
Northwest Fisheries Science Center shelf-slope bottom trawl survey
indicates that canary rockfish are distributed overwhelmingly shoreward
of the boundary line approximating the 150 fm depth contour.
Therefore, NMFS implemented a depth restriction for vessels using
midwater trawl gear in the Shorebased IFQ Program to reduce the risk of
exceeding the total amount of canary rockfish available the Shorebased
IFQ Program, total trawl allocation, and the canary rockfish ACL,
through the end of the year.
Technical Edits
LEFG and OA Sablefish Trip Limits
Regulatory changes published in this rule also clarify, but do not
revise, sablefish trip limits in the limited entry fixed gear and open
access fisheries north of 36[deg] N. lat. The 2016 sablefish ACL is
higher than in 2015 and the Council recommended and NMFS implemented a
schedule of slightly higher trip limits for the second year of the
biennial period, as described in the January 6, 2015 proposed rule (80
FR 687) and implemented in Tables 2 North and 2 South, Subpart E and
Tables 3 North and 3 South, Subparts F (80 FR 12567, March 10, 2015).
Because of the format of these tables, the higher 2016 trip limits were
published in the footnotes, anticipating that an inseason for January
1, 2016 would incorporate movement of those trip limits from the
footnote to the body of the table. This formatting change does not
revise the 2016 sablefish trip limits for non-IFQ fisheries north of
36[deg] N. lat. that were described and implemented through notice and
comment rulemaking. Accordingly, this rule modifies Tables 2 North and
2 South, Subpart E and Tables 3 North and 3 South, Subparts F by moving
the schedule of 2016 trip limits, unchanged, from footnotes into the
body of the tables.
Classification
This final rule makes routine inseason adjustments to groundfish
fishery management measures, based on the best available information.
This document also serves as notice of an automatic action, based on
the best available information. Both are consistent with the PCGFMP and
its implementing regulations.
This action is taken under the authority of 50 CFR 660.60(c) and
(d), and 660.140(a)(3) 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 the regulatory changes in this final rule may become effective
January 1, 2016.
New analysis regarding projected catch of big skate was presented
to the Council at its November 2015 meeting. At that meeting, the
Council recommended that these changes to big skate trip limits be
implemented January 1, 2016, which is the start of the second year of
the biennial cycle and the beginning of a cumulative limit period in
the commercial groundfish fishery off the West Coast. These
restrictions to the amount of landings must be implemented at the start
of a cumulative limit period to allow fishermen in the Shorebased IFQ
Program an opportunity to continue harvesting big skate, but at a level
that will not exceed the new, lower trip limit that will be imposed in
January 2016. The trip limits recommended by the Council and
implemented by NMFS in this action are anticipated to keep catch of big
skate below its estimated OFL, if implemented on January 1. If the
recommended limits are not in place January 1, more restrictive
measures may be necessary later in the year to keep catch of big skate
below its estimated OFL. There was not sufficient time after the
November meeting, when the new information was available, to undergo
proposed and final rulemaking before January 1.
The depth restrictions in the Shorebased IFQ Program implemented by
the Regional Administrator via actual notice are intended to reduce the
risk of exceeding the trawl allocation and the 2015 ACL of canary
rockfish. The closed area implemented by this rule needed to be in
effect during the remainder of the 2015 fishery to shift midwater trawl
effort in the Shorebased IFQ Program into deeper waters where they are
less likely to catch canary rockfish. Prior notice and opportunity for
public comment on this depth restriction was impracticable because NMFS
had insufficient time to provide prior notice and the opportunity for
public comment between the time the information about catch of canary
rockfish became available and when restrictions were determined to be
necessary to reduce the risk of further exceeding the 2015 Shorebased
IFQ Program allocation, and also reduce the risk of exceeding the 2015
canary rockfish trawl allocation and the ACL. Failure to respond with a
depth restriction in a timely manner to reduce the amount by which the
2015 Shorebased IFQ Program allocation for canary rockfish was exceeded
would be contrary to the public interest, as it may have required more
restrictive measures, perhaps even closure of the fishery, if higher
than anticipated harvest of canary rockfish continued.
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 prevent overfishing in accordance with the PCGFMP and
applicable law.
Delaying these changes would also keep management measures in place
that are not based on the best available information. Such delay would
impair achievement of the PCGFMP goals and objectives of managing for
appropriate harvest levels while providing for year-
[[Page 81775]]
round fishing and marketing opportunities.
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: December 24, 2015.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 660 is amended
as follows:
PART 660--FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES
0
1. The authority citation for part 660 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq., 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq., and
16 U.S.C. 7001 et seq.
0
2. Tables 1 North and 1 South to part 660, subpart D, are revised to
read as follows:
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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31DE15.000
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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31DE15.001
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3. Tables 2 North and 2 South to part 660, subpart E, are revised to
read as follows:
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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31DE15.002
[[Page 81779]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31DE15.003
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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31DE15.004
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4. Tables 3 North and 3 South to part 660, subpart F, are revised to
read as follows:
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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31DE15.005
[[Page 81782]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31DE15.006
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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31DE15.007
[[Page 81784]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31DE15.008
[FR Doc. 2015-32884 Filed 12-30-15; 8:45 am]
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