Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2019-2020 Biennial Specifications and Management Measures, 63970-64017 [2018-26602]
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
50 CFR Part 660
www.pcouncil.org. Other documents
associated with this rule are available at
the NMFS West Coast Region website at
https://www.westcoast.
fisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/groundfish/
index.html.
[Docket No. 180625576–8999–02]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
RIN 0648–BH93
Keeley Kent, phone: 206–526–4655, fax:
206–526–6736, or email: Keeley.Kent@
noaa.gov.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions;
Fisheries Off West Coast States;
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery;
2019–2020 Biennial Specifications and
Management Measures
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
This final rule establishes the
2019–2020 harvest specifications and
management measures for groundfish
taken in the U.S. exclusive economic
zone off the coasts of Washington,
Oregon, and California, consistent with
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act and
the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery
Management Plan. This final rule
revises the management measures that
are intended to keep the total catch of
each groundfish stock or stock complex
within the harvest specifications. These
measures are intended to help prevent
overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks,
achieve optimum yield, and ensure that
management measures are based on the
best scientific information available.
DATES: This final rule is effective
January 1, 2019.
ADDRESSES: This rule is accessible via
the Office of the Federal Register
website at https://
www.federalregister.gov/. Background
information and documents including
an integrated analysis for this action
(Analysis), which addresses the
statutory requirements of the Magnuson
Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens
Act), the National Environmental Policy
Act, Presidential Executive Order
12866, and the Regulatory Flexibility
Act are available at the NMFS West
Coast Region website at https://
www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/
fisheries/groundfish/ and at
the Pacific Fishery Management
Council’s website at https://
www.pcouncil.org. The final 2018 Stock
Assessment and Fishery Evaluation
(SAFE) report for Pacific Coast
groundfish, as well as the SAFE reports
for previous years, are available from
the Pacific Fishery Management
Council’s website at https://
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SUMMARY:
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Executive Summary
This final rule implements the 2019–
2020 harvest specifications and
management measures for groundfish
stocks taken in the U.S. exclusive
economic zone off the coasts of
Washington, Oregon, and California.
NMFS published the proposed rule to
implement the 2019–2020 harvest
specifications and management
measures on September 19, 2018 (83 FR
47416). The comment period on the
proposed rule ended on October 19,
2018. NMFS received eight comments
on the proposed rule. A summary of the
comment and NMFS’s responses is
provided in the Comments and
Responses section of this preamble.
Purpose of the Regulatory Action
The purpose of this final rule is to
conserve and manage Pacific Coast
groundfish fishery resources to prevent
overfishing, to rebuild overfished
stocks, achieve optimum yield (OY),
and ensure that management measures
are based on the best scientific
information available. This action
includes harvest specifications for
2019–2020 consistent with existing or
revised default harvest control rules for
all stocks, and sets management
measures designed to keep catch within
the established limits. The harvest
specifications are set consistent with the
OY harvest management framework
described in Chapter 4 of the Pacific
Coast Groundfish Fishery Management
Plan (PCGFMP).
Major Provisions
This final rule contains two types of
major provisions. The first are the
harvest specifications (overfishing limits
(OFLs), acceptable biological catches
(ABCs), and annual catch limits (ACLs)),
and the second are management
measures designed to keep fishing
mortality within the ACLs. The Council
developed the harvest specifications
(OFLs, ABCs, and ACLs) in this rule
through a rigorous scientific review and
decision making process, which is
described in the proposed rule (83 FR
47416, September 19, 2018).
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This final rule includes harvest
specifications for the two overfished
stocks managed under the PCGFMP,
yelloweye rockfish and cowcod. For the
2019–2020 biennium, NMFS is
implementing changes to the yelloweye
rockfish rebuilding plan due to its
improved stock rebuilding outlook and
changes to the needs of fishing
communities. This final rule modifies
the harvest control rule for this stock
and establishes harvest specifications
and management measures consistent
with those revisions. The other
overfished stock, cowcod, continues to
have a positive rebuilding outlook and
no changes to its rebuilding plan are
included in this rule. Since the 2017–
2018 biennium, three stocks have been
declared rebuilt: Darkblotched rockfish,
bocaccio rockfish, and Pacific ocean
perch (POP). The harvest control rules
for these stocks revert back to those
established prior to the stock being
declared overfished.
To keep mortality of the stocks
managed under the PCGFMP within the
ACLs, the Council also recommended
management measures. Generally
speaking, management measures are
intended to rebuild overfished stocks,
prevent catch from exceeding the ACLs,
and allow for the harvest of healthy
stocks. Management measures include
time and area restrictions, gear
restrictions, trip or bag limits, size
limits, and other management tools.
Management measures may vary by
fishing sector because different fishing
sectors require different types of
management to control catch. Most of
the management measures the Council
recommended for 2019–2020 were
slight variations to existing management
measures, and do not represent a change
from current management practices.
Additionally, the Council recommended
several new management measures,
including: Establishment of salmon
bycatch mitigation measures,
modifications to depth restrictions in
the Western Cowcod Conservation Area
(CCA), modification of discard mortality
rates for Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ)
for lingcod and sablefish, removal of the
Shorebased IFQ Program daily vessel
limits, removal of the automatic
authority on at-sea set-asides,
continuation of the IFQ adaptive
management pass-through, and
modification of the retention ratios for
incidentally caught lingcod in the
salmon troll fishery.
I. Harvest Specifications
This final rule sets the 2019–2020
harvest specifications and management
measures for all of the 128 groundfish
stocks that have ACLs or ACL
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contributions to stock complexes
managed under the PCGFMP, except for
Pacific whiting. Pacific whiting harvest
specifications are established annually
through a separate bilateral process with
Canada. The OFLs, ABCs, and ACLs for
each stock or stock complex for 2019 are
in Table 1 and for 2020 are in Table 2.
The harvest specifications set through
this rule are for non-overfished and
overfished stocks. The SAFE document
posted on the Council’s website at
https://www.pcouncil.org/groundfish/
safe-documents/ contains a detailed
description of each non-overfished and
overfished stock and its status and
management. The proposed rules for the
2011–12 (75 FR 67810, November 3,
2010) and 2013–14 (77 FR 67974,
November 14, 2012) harvest
specifications and management
measures contain extensive discussions
on the management approach used for
overfished stocks, which are not
63971
repeated here. A summary of how these
harvest specifications were developed,
including a description of off-the
deductions for tribal, research,
incidental, and experimental fisheries,
was provided in the proposed rule and
is not repeated here. Additional
information on the development of
these harvest specifications is also
provided in the Analysis and its
supporting appendices.
TABLE 1—2019 OFLS, ABCS, ACLS, AND HGS FOR ALL GROUNDFISH STOCKS AND STOCK COMPLEXES IN METRIC TONS
Species
Area
COWCOD .........................................
COWCOD .........................................
COWCOD .........................................
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH ................
Arrowtooth Flounder .........................
Big skate ..........................................
Black rockfish ...................................
Black rockfish/blue rockfish/deacon
rockfish.
Black rockfish ...................................
Bocaccio ...........................................
Cabezon ...........................................
Cabezon/kelp greenling ...................
S of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
(Conception) ....................................
(Monterey) ........................................
Coastwide ........................................
Coastwide ........................................
Coastwide ........................................
California (S of 42° N lat.) ...............
Oregon (Between 46°16′ N lat. and
42° N lat.).
Washington (N of 46°16′ N lat.) ......
S of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
California (S of 42° N lat.) ...............
Oregon (Between 46°16′ N lat. and
42° N lat.).
Washington (N of 46°16′ N lat.) ......
S of 34°27′ N lat ..............................
Coastwide ........................................
S of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
Coastwide ........................................
Coastwide ........................................
Coastwide ........................................
N of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
S of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
Coastwide ........................................
N of 34°27′ N lat ..............................
S of 34°27′ N lat ..............................
Coastwide ........................................
Coastwide ........................................
N of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
Coastwide ........................................
N of 36° N lat ...................................
S of 36° N lat ...................................
Coastwide ........................................
N of 34°27′ N lat ..............................
S of 34°27′ N lat ..............................
Coastwide ........................................
S of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
Coastwide ........................................
Coastwide ........................................
N of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
N of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
N of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
N of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
S of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
S of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
S of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
Coastwide ........................................
Coastwide ........................................
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Cabezon/kelp greenling ...................
California scorpionfish ......................
Canary rockfish ................................
Chilipepper rockfish ..........................
Darkblotched rockfish .......................
Dover sole ........................................
English sole ......................................
Lingcod .............................................
Lingcod .............................................
Longnose skate ................................
Longspine thornyhead ......................
Longspine thornyhead ......................
Pacific cod ........................................
Pacific whiting ..................................
Pacific ocean perch ..........................
Petrale sole ......................................
Sablefish ...........................................
Sablefish ...........................................
Shortbelly rockfish ............................
Shortspine thornyhead .....................
Shortspine thornyhead .....................
Spiny dogfish ....................................
Splitnose rockfish .............................
Starry flounder ..................................
Widow rockfish .................................
Yellowtail rockfish .............................
Nearshore rockfish ...........................
Shelf rockfish ....................................
Slope rockfish ...................................
Nearshore rockfish ...........................
Shelf rockfish ....................................
Slope rockfish ...................................
Other flatfish .....................................
Other fish ..........................................
OFL
ABC
ACL
Fishery HG
74
61
13
82
18,696
541
344
677
67
56
11
74
15,574
494
329
617
10
NA
NA
48
15,574
494
329
617
8.
NA.
NA.
42.
13,479.
452.
328.
616.
312
2,194
154
230
298
2,097
147
218
298
2,097
147
218
280.
2,051.
147.
218.
13
337
1,517
2,652
800
91,102
11,052
5,110
1,143
2,499
4,112
11
313
1,450
2,536
765
87,094
10,090
4,885
1,093
2,389
3,425
3,200
TBD
4,753
3,042
8,489
2,221
TBD
4,340
2,908
7,750
6,950
3,089
5,789
2,573
2,486
1,831
652
12,375
6,568
91
2,309
1,887
1,300
1,919
856
8,750
286
2,071
1,750
452
11,831
6,279
81
2,054
1,746
1,145
1,625
744
6,498
239
11
313
1,450
2,536
765
50,000
10,090
4,871
1,039
2,000
2,603
822
1,600
TBD
4,340
2,908
5,606
1,990
500
1,683
890
2,071
1,750
452
11,831
6,279
81
2,054
1,746
1,142
1,625
744
6,498
239
11.
311.
1,383.
2,451.
731.
48,404.
9,874.
4,593.
1,028.
1,852.
2,553.
821.
1,094.
TBD.
4,318.
2,587
See Table 1c.
1,986.
483.
1,618.
889.
1,738.
1,733.
433.
11,583.
5,234.
79.
1,977.
1,665.
1,138.
1,546.
724.
6,249.
230.
TABLE 2—2020 OFLS, ABCS, ACLS, AND HGS FOR ALL GROUNDFISH STOCKS AND STOCK COMPLEXES IN METRIC TONS
Species
Area
COWCOD .........................................
COWCOD .........................................
COWCOD .........................................
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH ................
S of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
(Conception) ....................................
(Monterey) ........................................
Coastwide ........................................
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ABC
76
62
13
84
E:\FR\FM\12DER2.SGM
ACL
68
57
11
77
12DER2
Fishery HG
10
NA
NA
49
8.
NA.
NA.
43.
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 2—2020 OFLS, ABCS, ACLS, AND HGS FOR ALL GROUNDFISH STOCKS AND STOCK COMPLEXES IN METRIC
TONS—Continued
Species
Area
Arrowtooth Flounder .........................
Big skate ..........................................
Black rockfish ...................................
Black rockfish/blue rockfish/deacon
rockfish.
Black rockfish ...................................
Bocaccio ...........................................
Cabezon ...........................................
Cabezon/kelp greenling ...................
Coastwide ........................................
Coastwide ........................................
California (S of 42° N lat.) ...............
Oregon (Between 46°16′ N lat. and
42° N lat.).
Washington (N of 46°16′ N lat.) ......
S of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
California (S of 42° N lat.) ...............
Oregon (Between 46° 16′ N lat. and
42° N lat.).
Washington (N of 46°16′ N lat.) ......
S of 34°27′ N lat ..............................
Coastwide ........................................
S of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
Coastwide ........................................
Coastwide ........................................
Coastwide ........................................
N of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
S of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
Coastwide ........................................
N of 34°27′ N lat ..............................
S of 34°27′ N lat ..............................
Coastwide ........................................
Coastwide ........................................
N of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
Coastwide ........................................
N of 36° N lat ...................................
S of 36° N lat ...................................
Coastwide ........................................
N of 34°27′ N lat ..............................
S of 34°27′ N lat ..............................
Coastwide ........................................
S of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
Coastwide ........................................
Coastwide ........................................
N of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
N of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
N of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
N of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
S of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
S of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
S of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
Coastwide ........................................
Coastwide ........................................
Cabezon/kelp greenling ...................
California scorpionfish ......................
Canary rockfish ................................
Chilipepper rockfish ..........................
Darkblotched rockfish .......................
Dover sole ........................................
English sole ......................................
Lingcod .............................................
Lingcod .............................................
Longnose skate ................................
Longspine thornyhead ......................
Longspine thornyhead ......................
Pacific cod ........................................
Pacific whiting ..................................
Pacific ocean perch ..........................
Petrale sole ......................................
Sablefish ...........................................
Sablefish ...........................................
Shortbelly rockfish ............................
Shortspine thornyhead .....................
Shortspine thornyhead .....................
Spiny dogfish ....................................
Splitnose rockfish .............................
Starry flounder ..................................
Widow rockfish .................................
Yellowtail rockfish .............................
Nearshore rockfish ...........................
Shelf rockfish ....................................
Slope rockfish ...................................
Nearshore rockfish ...........................
Shelf rockfish ....................................
Slope rockfish ...................................
Other flatfish .....................................
Other fish ..........................................
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The most significant changes to
harvest specifications from 2018 to 2019
are for stocks that were rebuilt
(bocaccio, darkblotched rockfish, and
Pacific ocean perch), and for stocks that
have a more optimistic stock outlook in
a recent stock assessment (lingcod north
of 40°10′ N. lat., California scorpionfish
south of 34°27′ N. lat., and yelloweye
rockfish [an overfished stock]).
Yelloweye Rockfish (Sebastes
ruberrimus)
This final rule includes changes to the
rebuilding plan for yelloweye rockfish.
The Northwest Fisheries Science Center
(NWFSC) conducted a new stock
assessment for yelloweye rockfish in
2017, and the SSC conducted a
rebuilding analysis using the updated
assessment. This rule modifies the
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OFL
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ACL
Fishery HG
15,306
541
341
670
12,750
494
326
611
12,750
494
326
611
10,655.
452.
325.
609.
311
2,104
153
216
297
2,011
146
204
297
2,011
146
204
279.
1,965.
146.
204.
12
331
1,431
2,521
853
92,048
11,101
4,768
977
2,474
3,901
10
307
1,368
2,410
815
87,998
10,135
4,558
934
2,365
3,250
3,200
y/
4,632
2,976
8,648
2,221
y/
4,229
2,845
7,896
6,950
3,063
5,789
2,551
2,472
1,810
652
11,714
6,261
92
2,302
1,873
1,322
1,919
855
8,202
286
2,059
1,731
452
11,199
5,986
82
2,048
1,732
1,165
1,626
743
6,041
239
10
307
1,368
2,410
815
50,000
10,135
4,541
869
2,000
2,470
780
1,600
y/
4,229
2,845
5,723
2,032
500
1,669
883
2,059
1,731
452
11,199
5,986
82
2,048
1,732
1,163
1,625
743
6,041
239
spawning potential ratio (SPR) harvest
rate from 76 percent to 65 percent, and
modifies the median time to rebuild
(TTARGET) from 2074 to 2029. This
improvement in stock status outlook is
due to several factors, including: Lower
than expected catches of yelloweye
rockfish in recent years; a more
optimistic value on stock recruit
steepness, which corresponds to a more
productive stock; and strong year
classes entering the spawning
population in recent years.
This change in the rebuilding plan
allows an ACL for yelloweye rockfish of
48 mt in 2019 and 49 mt in 2020.
Within the ACL, for 2019, the Council
recommended an HG of 42.1 mt, of
which 3.4 mt is the trawl HG and 38.6
mt is the nontrawl HG. For 2020, the
Council recommended an HG of 42.1
PO 00000
ABC
10.
305.
1,301.
2,325.
781.
48,404.
9,919.
4,263.
858.
1,852.
2,420.
779.
1,094.
y/.
4,207.
2,524.
See Table 2c.
2,028.
483.
1,604.
882.
1,726.
1,714.
433.
10,951.
4,941.
79.
1,971.
1,651.
1,159.
1,546.
723.
5,792.
230.
mt, of which 3.4 is the trawl HG and
39.5 is the nontrawl HG. Additionally,
the Council recommended and NMFS is
establishing Annual Catch Targets
(ACTs) within the nontrawl allocation
HG as part of this final rule. The
nontrawl sector includes the limited
entry fixed gear and open access fixed
gear fisheries as well as the recreational
fisheries for Washington, Oregon, and
California. The nearshore fisheries occur
off of Oregon and California and are
subject to both Federal and state HGs as
well as other state-specific management
measures. The non-nearshore fisheries
include the limited entry and Federal
open access fixed gear fleets. Tables 3
and 4 outline the harvest specifications
for 2019 and 2020 for yelloweye
rockfish.
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63973
TABLE 3—2019 HARVEST SPECIFICATIONS FOR YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH
All sectors ............................................................................
Nontrawl ........................................................................
Non-Nearshore ......................................................
Nearshore ..............................................................
Washington Recreational ......................................
Oregon Recreational .............................................
California Recreational ..........................................
Trawl .............................................................................
OFL
(mt)
ABC
(mt)
ACL
(mt)
HG
(mt)
82
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
74
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
48
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
ACT
(mt)
42
38.6
2.0
6.0
10.0
8.9
11.6
3.4
........................
........................
1.6
4.7
7.8
7.0
9.1
........................
TABLE 4—2020 HARVEST SPECIFICATIONS FOR YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH
All sectors ............................................................................
Nontrawl ........................................................................
Non-Nearshore ......................................................
Nearshore ..............................................................
Washington Recreational ......................................
Oregon Recreational .............................................
California Recreational ..........................................
Trawl .............................................................................
The Analysis demonstrates how the
changes to the rebuilding plan selects a
target time for rebuilding (TTARGET) that
is ‘‘as short as possible,’’ while giving
consideration to ‘‘the status and biology
of the overfished species and the needs
of the fishing communities,’’ consistent
with Section 303(e)(4) of the MagnusonStevens Act (see Appendix B of the
Analysis). The Council indicated a new
default harvest control rule may more
appropriately account for the needs of
West Coast communities by providing
greater opportunity in both commercial
and recreational groundfish sectors and
improving income stability for
dependent communities. The proposed
rule (83 FR 47416, September 19, 2018)
includes a summary of this analysis.
II. Management Measures
This section describes biennial fishery
HGs and set-asides used to further
OFL
(mt)
ABC
(mt)
ACL
(mt)
84
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
77
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
49
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
allocate the ACLs to the various
components on the fishery, routine
management measures to control
fishing, and new management measures
adopted for 2019–2020. Routine
management measures for the
commercial fishery modify fishing
behavior during the fishing year to
ensure that catch is constrained below
the ACL, and include trip and
cumulative landing limits, time/area
closures, size limits, and gear
restrictions. Routine management
measures for the recreational fisheries
include bag limits, size limits, gear
restrictions, fish dressing requirements,
and time/area closures. New
management measures adopted for the
2019–2020 biennial cycle would work
in combination with current
management measures to control fishing
effort/activity.
HG
(mt)
ACT
(mt)
43
39.5
2.1
6.2
10.2
9.1
11.9
3.4
........................
........................
1.7
4.9
8.1
7.2
9.4
........................
Biennial Fishery Allocations
The Council recommends two-year
trawl and nontrawl allocations during
the biennial specifications process for
all stocks without long-term allocations
or stocks where the long-term allocation
is suspended because the stock is
declared overfished. For all stocks,
except sablefish north of 36° N lat., the
Council recommends allocations for the
trawl and nontrawl sectors based on the
fishery HG. Additionally, some stocks
are further portioned out to the various
sectors within the trawl and nontrawl
groupings. Table 5 shows the allocations
of the fishery HG for 2019 for stocks that
the Council biennially allocates. Table 6
shows the allocations of the fishery HG
for 2020 for stocks that the Council
biennially allocates. Additionally, table
7 shows the HGs for select stocks within
stock complexes.
TABLE 5—2019 BIENNIAL ALLOCATIONS FOR SELECT STOCKS
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES2
[In mt]
Trawl ............................
SB IFQ ..................
At-sea ....................
C/P .................
M ....................
Nontrawl .......................
Nearshore .............
Non-nearshore ......
WA Rec .................
OR Rec .................
CA Rec .................
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Big skate
Bocaccio
south of
40°10′ N
429.5
........................
........................
........................
........................
22.6
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
800.7
........................
........................
........................
........................
1,250.2
4.8
382.0
........................
........................
863.4
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Canary
rockfish
999.6
953.6
46.0
16.0
30.0
383.3
43.8
94.3
47.1
70.7
127.3
Fmt 4701
Cowcod south
of 40°10′ N
Longnose
skate
Minor shelf
rockfish
N of 40°10′ N
Minor shelf
rockfish
S of 40°10′ N
3.8
........................
........................
........................
........................
2.2
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
1,666.5
........................
........................
........................
........................
185.2
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
1,190.2
........................
........................
........................
........................
786.9
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
188.6
........................
........................
........................
........................
1,357.3
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 6—2020 BIENNIAL ALLOCATIONS FOR SELECT STOCKS
[In mt]
Trawl ............................
SB IFQ ..................
At-sea ....................
C/P .................
M ....................
Nontrawl .......................
Nearshore .............
Non-nearshore ......
WA Rec .................
OR Rec .................
CA Rec .................
Big skate
Bocaccio
south of
40°10′ N
429.5
........................
........................
........................
........................
22.6
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
767.1
........................
........................
........................
........................
1,197.8
4.6
366.0
........................
........................
827.2
Canary
rockfish
940.3
894.3
46.0
16.0
30.0
360.6
41.2
88.7
44.3
66.5
119.7
Cowcod south
of 40°10′ N
Longnose
skate
Minor shelf
rockfish
N of 40°10′ N
Minor shelf
rockfish
S of 40°10′ N
3.8
........................
........................
........................
........................
2.2
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
1,666.5
........................
........................
........................
........................
185.2
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
1,186.6
........................
........................
........................
........................
784.5
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
188.6
........................
........................
........................
........................
1,357.3
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
2019
2020
TABLE 7—FISHERY HGS FOR STOCKS WITHIN A STOCK COMPLEX
[In mt]
Stock (Complex)
Blackgill rockfish S of 40°10′ N lat. (Minor Slope Rockfish complex) .....................................................................
Oregon black rockfish (Oregon black/blue/deacon rockfish complex) ....................................................................
Oregon cabezon (Oregon cabezon/kelp greenling complex) ..................................................................................
Tribal Fisheries
Rockfish Conservation Areas
Tribes implement management
measures for Tribal fisheries both
independently as sovereign
governments and cooperatively with the
management measures in the Federal
regulations. The Tribes may adjust their
Tribal fishery management measures
inseason to stay within the Tribal
harvest targets and estimated impacts to
overfished stocks. The only change to
Tribal harvest targets and management
measures for the 2019–2020 biennium is
an increase in the petrale sole harvest
target from 220 mt to 290 mt.
Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCAs)
are large area closures intended to
reduce the catch of a stock or stock
complex by restricting fishing activity at
specific depths. The boundaries for
RCAs are defined by straight lines
connecting a series of latitude and
longitude coordinates that approximate
depth contours. These sets of
coordinates, or lines, are not gear or
fishery specific, but can be used in
combination to define an area. NMFS
then implements fishing restrictions for
a specific gear and/or fishery within
each defined area.
159.0
515.8
46.8
159.0
512.2
46.8
This rule adjusts the coordinates for
the 75 fathom (fm) (137 m), 100 fm (183
m), 125 fm (229 m), and 150 fm (274 m)
depth contours off of California to more
accurately refine the depth contours.
These modifications adjust boundaries
for RCAs around Santa Cruz Island,
Spanish Canyon, Delgada Canyon,
Cordell Bank, Point Ano Nuevo, San
Miguel Island, Anacapa Island, Usal
Canyon, and Noyo Canyon. Currently,
the 75, 100, 125, 150 fm depth contours
are in use as RCAs for either the trawl
sector, limited entry fixed gear sector, or
the open access sector. Table 8 shows
the RCAs for 2019 and beyond, until
otherwise modified.
TABLE 8—RCA BOUNDARIES BY GEAR TYPE
Sector
Area
Trawl ..................................................................
North of 45°46′ N lat ........................................
45°46′ N lat.—40°10′ N lat ...............................
South of 40°10′ N lat .......................................
South of 34°27′ N lat. around islands ..............
North of 46°16′ N lat ........................................
46°16′ N lat.—40°10′ N lat ...............................
40°10′ N lat.—34°27′ N lat ...............................
South of 34°27′ N lat .......................................
Limited entry fixed gear and open access ........
a The
RCA in effect
100 fm—150 fm.
100 fm—modified a 200 fm.
100 fm—150 fm.
shoreline—150 fm.
shoreline—100 fm.
30 fm—100 fm.
40 fm—125 fm.
75 fm—150 fm (also applies around islands).
‘‘modified’’ fathom lines are modified to exclude certain petrale sole areas from the RCA.
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES2
Limited Entry Trawl
Shorebased IFQ Program Allocations
Table 9 shows the yearly allocations
to the Shorebased IFQ Program for 2019
and 2020.
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
63975
TABLE 9—SHOREBASED IFQ PROGRAM ALLOCATIONS FOR 2019 AND 2020
IFQ species
Area
Arrowtooth flounder ......................................................
Bocaccio .......................................................................
Canary rockfish .............................................................
Chilipepper ....................................................................
COWCOD .....................................................................
Darkblotched rockfish ...................................................
Dover sole ....................................................................
English sole ..................................................................
Lingcod .........................................................................
Lingcod .........................................................................
Longspine thornyhead ..................................................
Minor Shelf Rockfish complex ......................................
Minor Shelf Rockfish complex ......................................
Minor Slope Rockfish complex .....................................
Minor Slope Rockfish complex .....................................
Other Flatfish complex .................................................
Pacific cod ....................................................................
Pacific ocean perch ......................................................
Pacific whiting ...............................................................
Petrale sole ...................................................................
Sablefish .......................................................................
Sablefish .......................................................................
Shortspine thornyhead .................................................
Shortspine thornyhead .................................................
Splitnose rockfish .........................................................
Starry flounder ..............................................................
Widow rockfish .............................................................
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH ............................................
Yellowtail rockfish .........................................................
Coastwide .....................................................................
South of 40°10′ N lat ....................................................
Coastwide .....................................................................
South of 40°10′ N lat ....................................................
South of 40°10′ N lat ....................................................
Coastwide .....................................................................
Coastwide .....................................................................
Coastwide .....................................................................
North of 40°10′ N lat ....................................................
South of 40°10′ N lat ....................................................
North of 34°27′ N lat ....................................................
North of 40°10′ N lat ....................................................
South of 40°10′ N lat ....................................................
North of 40°10′ N lat ....................................................
South of 40°10′ N lat ....................................................
Coastwide .....................................................................
Coastwide .....................................................................
North of 40°10′ N lat ....................................................
Coastwide .....................................................................
Coastwide .....................................................................
North of 36° N lat .........................................................
South of 36° N lat .........................................................
North of 34°27′ N lat ....................................................
South of 34°27′ N lat ....................................................
South of 40°10′ N lat ....................................................
Coastwide .....................................................................
Coastwide .....................................................................
Coastwide .....................................................................
North of 40°10′ N lat ....................................................
Incidental Trip Limits for Limited Entry
Trawl Vessels
Table 10 shows the trip limits for
limited entry trawl vessels north of
40°10′ N lat. Changes to trip limits are
considered a routine measure under
§ 660.60(c) and may be implemented or
2019
Shorebased
trawl allocation
(mt)
2020
Shorebased
trawl allocation
(mt)
12,735.1
800.7
946.9
1,838.3
2.2
658.4
45,979.2
9,375.1
2,051.9
462.5
2,420.0
1,155.2
188.6
1,248.8
456.0
5,603.7
1,034.1
3,697.3
TBD
2,453.0
2,581.3
834.0
1,511.8
50.0
1,646.7
211.6
9,928.8
3.4
4,305.8
10,052.3
767.1
887.8
1,743.8
2.2
703.4
45,979.2
9,417.9
1,903.4
386.0
2,293.6
1,151.6
188.6
1,237.5
455.4
5,192.4
1,034.1
3,602.2
TBD
2,393.2
2,636.8
851.7
1,498.5
50.0
1,628.7
211.6
9,387.1
3.4
4,048.0
adjusted, if determined necessary,
through inseason action.
TABLE 10—LIMITED ENTRY TRAWL LANDING ALLOWANCES (TRIP LIMITS) FOR NON-IFQ SPECIES AND PACIFIC WHITING
FOR 2019 AND BEYOND, UNTIL REVISED
Jan–Feb
Mar–Apr
May–Jun
1. Minor Nearshore Rockfish, Washington Black rockfish & Oregon
Black/blue/deacon rockfish.
Jul–Aug
Sep–Oct
Nov–Dec
300 lb/month.
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES2
2. Whiting a
3. midwater trawl ..................................
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.
4. large & small footrope gear .............
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.
5. Oregon Cabezon/Kelp Greenling
complex.
50 lb/month.
6. Cabezon in California ......................
50 lb/month.
7. Shortbelly rockfish ............................
Unlimited.
8. Spiny dogfish ...................................
60,000 lb/month.
9. Big skate ..........................................
5,000 lb/2
months.
25,000 lb/2
months.
30,000 lb/2
months.
10. Longspine thornyhead south of
34°27′ N lat.
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months.
10,000 lb/2
months.
24,000 lb/2 months.
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12DER2
5,000 lb/2
months.
63976
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 10—LIMITED ENTRY TRAWL LANDING ALLOWANCES (TRIP LIMITS) FOR NON-IFQ SPECIES AND PACIFIC WHITING
FOR 2019 AND BEYOND, UNTIL REVISED—Continued
Jan–Feb
Mar–Apr
May–Jun
Jul–Aug
11. California scorpionfish ....................
Unlimited.
12. Longnose skate .............................
Unlimited.
13. Other
Fish b
....................................
Sep–Oct
Nov–Dec
Unlimited.
a As
specified at § 660.131(d), when fishing in the Eureka Area, 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.
b ‘‘Other Fish’’ are defined at § 660.11 and include kelp greenling off California and leopard shark.
At-Sea Whiting Sector Set Asides
The Council and NMFS use either
allocations or set asides to manage the
non-whiting groundfish catch in the at-
sea sectors (the catcher/processor sector
and the mothership sector). Set-asides
are managed on an annual basis unless
there is a risk of catch exceeding a
harvest specification (ACL, ACT, or HG)
inseason, unforeseen impact on another
fishery, or conservation concerns, in
which case inseason action may be
taken. Table 11 presents the set-asides
for the at-sea sector for 2019 and 2020.
TABLE 11—SET ASIDES FOR AT-SEA SECTORS FOR 2019 AND 2020
Stock or stock complex
Area
2019
Set aside
(mt)
COWCOD ........................................................................
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH ..............................................
Arrowtooth flounder .........................................................
Bocaccio ..........................................................................
Canary rockfish a .............................................................
Chilipepper ......................................................................
Darkblotched rockfish b ...................................................
Dover sole .......................................................................
English sole .....................................................................
Lingcod ............................................................................
Lingcod ............................................................................
Longnose skate ...............................................................
Longspine thornyhead .....................................................
Longspine thornyhead .....................................................
Minor Nearshore Rockfish ..............................................
Minor Nearshore Rockfish ..............................................
Minor Shelf Rockfish .......................................................
Minor Shelf Rockfish .......................................................
Minor Slope Rockfish ......................................................
Minor Slope Rockfish ......................................................
Other Fish .......................................................................
Other Flatfish ...................................................................
Pacific cod .......................................................................
Pacific Halibut c ...............................................................
Pacific ocean perch d ......................................................
Pacific Whiting .................................................................
Petrale sole .....................................................................
Sablefish ..........................................................................
Sablefish ..........................................................................
Shortspine thornyhead ....................................................
Shortspine thornyhead ....................................................
Starry flounder .................................................................
Widow Rockfish a ............................................................
Yellowtail rockfish ............................................................
S of 40°10 N lat ..............................................................
Coastwide .......................................................................
Coastwide .......................................................................
S of 40°10 N lat ..............................................................
Coastwide .......................................................................
S of 40°10 N lat ..............................................................
Coastwide .......................................................................
Coastwide .......................................................................
Coastwide .......................................................................
N of 40°10 N lat ..............................................................
S of 40°10 N lat ..............................................................
Coastwide .......................................................................
N of 34°27 N lat ..............................................................
S of 34°27 N lat ..............................................................
N of 40°10 N lat ..............................................................
S of 40°10 N lat ..............................................................
N of 40°10 N lat ..............................................................
S of 40°10 N lat ..............................................................
N of 40°10 N lat ..............................................................
S of 40°10 N lat ..............................................................
Coastwide .......................................................................
Coastwide .......................................................................
Coastwide .......................................................................
Coastwide .......................................................................
N of 40°10 N lat ..............................................................
Coastwide .......................................................................
Coastwide .......................................................................
N of 36° N lat ..................................................................
S of 36° N lat ..................................................................
N of 34°27 N lat ..............................................................
S of 34°27 N lat ..............................................................
Coastwide .......................................................................
Coastwide .......................................................................
N of 40°10 N lat ..............................................................
NA ...............
0 ..................
70 ................
NA ...............
Allocation .....
NA ...............
37.2 .............
5 ..................
5 ..................
15 ................
NA ...............
5 ..................
5 ..................
NA ...............
NA ...............
NA ...............
35 ................
NA ...............
100 ..............
NA ...............
NA ...............
20 ................
5 ..................
10 ................
404.5 ...........
Allocation .....
5 ..................
50 ................
NA ...............
30 ................
NA ...............
5 ..................
Allocation .....
300 ..............
2020
Set aside
(mt)
NA.
0.
70.
NA.
Allocation.
NA.
39.6.
5.
5.
15.
NA.
5.
5.
NA.
NA.
NA.
35.
NA.
100.
NA.
NA.
20.
5.
10.
394.
Allocation.
5.
50.
NA.
30.
NA.
5.
Allocation.
300.
a See
Table 1.b. to subpart C for the at-sea whiting allocations for these species.
rockfish will be managed as set-asides for the MS and C/P sectors based on pro-rata distribution described at
§ 660.55(c)(1)(i)(A).
c As stated in § 660.55(m), the Pacific halibut set-aside is 10 mt, to accommodate bycatch in the at-sea Pacific whiting fisheries and in the
shorebased trawl sector south of 40°10 N lat. (estimated to be approximately 5 mt each).
d Pacific ocean perch will be managed as set-asides for the MS and C/P sectors based on pro-rata distribution described at
§ 660.55(c)(1)(i)(B).
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES2
b Darkblotched
Limited Entry Fixed Gear and Open
Access Nontrawl Fishery
Management measures for the limited
entry fixed gear (LEFG) and open access
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participants in both fisheries use hookand-line gear. Management measures,
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including area restrictions and trip
limits in these nontrawl fisheries, are
generally designed to allow harvest of
target stocks while keeping catch of
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
overfished stocks low. For the 2019–
2020 biennium, changes to management
measures include: Changes to trip limits
for sablefish, minor slope rockfish and
darkblotched rockfish, canary rockfish,
lingcod, shortspine rockfish, and
longspine rockfish. Trip limits for the
limited entry fixed gear fishery for 2019
and beyond are shown in Table 12. Trip
limits for the open access fishery for
2019 and beyond are shown in Table 13.
TABLE 12—LIMITED ENTRY FIXED GEAR LANDING ALLOWANCES (TRIP LIMITS) FOR 2019 AND BEYOND
Jan–Feb
1. Minor Slope
Rockfish a &
Darkblotched
rockfish.
North of 40°10′
N lat.
2. ..........................
South of 40°10′
N lat.b.
3. Pacific ocean
perch.
4. Splitnose rockfish.
5. Sablefish ..........
North of 40°10′
N lat.
South of 40°10′
N lat.
North of 36°00′
N lat.
South of 36°00′
N lat.
Coastwide .......
6. ..........................
7. Longspine
thornyhead.
May–Jun
Jul–Aug
Sep–Oct
Nov–Dec
4,000 lb/2 month.
40,000 lb/2 months, of which no more than 1,375 lb
may be blackgill rockfish
40,000 lb/2 months, of which no more than 1,600 lb
may be blackgill rockfish.
1,800 lb/2 months.
40,000 lb/2 months.
1,300 lb/week, not to exceed 3,900 lb/2 months.
2,000 lb/week.
10,000 lb/2 months.
8. Shortspine
thornyhead.
North of 34°27′
N lat.
9. ..........................
South of 34°27′
N lat.
Coastwide .......
3,000 lb/2 months.
Coastwide .......
North of 40°10′
N lat.
10,000 lb/trip.
200 lb/month.
40°10′ N lat.—
34°27′ N lat.e.
Minor shelf rockfish, shortbelly, widow rockfish, & chilipepper: 2,500 lb/2 months, of which no more than
500 lb may be any species other than chilipepper.
10. Dover sole,
arrowtooth
flounder, petrale
sole, English
sole, starry
flounder, Other
Flatfish c.
11. Whiting ...........
12. Minor Shelf
Rockfish,d
Shortbelly rockfish, Widow
rockfish (including Chilipepper
between
40°10′—34°27′
N lat.).
13. ........................
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES2
Mar–Apr
14. ........................
South of 34°27′
N lat.e.
15. Chilipepper
rockfish.
16. Yellowtail rockfish.
17. Canary rockfish.
South of 34°27′
N lat.
North of 40°10′
N lat.
North of 34°27′
N lat.
18. ........................
South of 34°27′
N lat.
19. Bocaccio ........
40°10′ N lat.—
34°27′ N lat.
20. ........................
South of 34°27′
N lat.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
20:37 Dec 11, 2018
2,500 lb/2 months
2,500 lb/2 months.
5,000 lb/month.
4,000 lb/2
months.
CLOSED .........
4,000 lb/2 months.
2,000 lb/2 months, this opportunity only available seaward of the non-trawl RCA.
1,000 lb/month.
300 lb/2 months.
300 lb/2
months.
CLOSED .........
300 lb/2 months.
1,000 lb/2 months.
1,500 lb/2
months.
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1,500 lb/2 months.
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 12—LIMITED ENTRY FIXED GEAR LANDING ALLOWANCES (TRIP LIMITS) FOR 2019 AND BEYOND—Continued
Jan–Feb
Mar–Apr
21. Minor Nearshore Rockfish,
Washington
Black rockfish &
Oregon Black/
blue/deacon
rockfish.
North of 42°00′
N lat.
5,000 lb/2
months, no
more than
1,200 lb of
which may
be species
other than
black rockfish or blue/
deacon rockfish f.
22. ........................
42°00′ N lat.—
40°10′ N lat.
8,500 lb/2
months, no
more than
1,200 lb of
which may
be species
other than
black rockfish.
23. Shallow nearshore rockfish g.
24. Deeper nearshore rockfish h.
South of 40°10′
N lat.
South of 40°10′
N lat.
1,200 lb/2
months.
1,000 lb/2
months.
25. Lingcod i .........
North of 42°00′
N lat.
42°00′ N lat.—
40°10′ N lat.
26. ........................
May–Jun
Sep–Oct
CLOSED .........
1,200 lb/2 months.
CLOSED .........
1,000 lb/2 months.
2,000 lb/2 months.
1,400 lb/2 months.
South of 40°10′
N lat.
200 lb/2
months.
CLOSED .........
800 lb/2
months.
1,200 lb/2 months
28. California
Scorpionfish.
South of 40°10′
N lat.
1,500 lb/2
months.
CLOSED .........
29. Pacific cod .....
Coastwide .......
30. Spiny dogfish
Coastwide .......
31. Longnose
skate.
32. Other Fish j &
Cabezon in California.
33. Oregon Cabezon/Kelp
Greenling.
34. Big skate ........
35. Yelloweye
rockfish.
36. Cowcod ..........
Coastwide .......
Unlimited.
Coastwide .......
Unlimited.
Oregon ............
Unlimited.
Coastwide .......
Coastwide .......
Unlimited.
CLOSED.
South of 40°10′
N lat.
South of 40°10′
N lat.
CLOSED.
600 lb/month
(NOV) & 300
lb/month
(DEC).
1,500 lb/2 months.
1,000 lb/2 months.
200,000 lb/2 months
150,000 lb/2
months.
100,000 lb/2 months.
CLOSED.
a Splitnose
rockfish north of 40°10′ N lat. is included in the trip limits for Minor Slope Rockfish.
is included in the trip limits for Minor Slope Rockfish south of 40°10′ N lat. Blackgill rockfish have a species specific trip sub-limit within
the Minor Slope Rockfish cumulative limit south of 40°10′ N lat.
c ‘‘Other flatfish’’ are defined at § 660.11 and include butter sole, curlfin sole, flathead sole, Pacific sanddab, rex sole, rock sole, and sand sole.
d Bocaccio, chilipepper and cowcod north of 40°10′ N lat. are included in the trip limits for Minor Shelf Rockfish.
e Yellowtail rockfish are included in the trip limits for Minor Shelf Rockfish south of 40°10′ N lat. Bronzespotted rockfish have a species specific
trip limit.
f 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 limit of 100 lb or 30 percent by weight of all fish on board, whichever is greater, per vessel, per fishing trip.
g ‘‘Shallow Nearshore’’ are defined at § 660.11 under ‘‘Groundfish’’ (7)(i)(B)(1) and include black and yellow rockfish, S. chrysomelas; China
rockfish, S. nebulosus; gopher rockfish, S. carnatus; grass rockfish, S. rastrelliger; kelp rockfish, S. atrovirens.
b POP
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES2
Nov–Dec
7,000 lb/2 months, no more than 1,200 lb of which may be species other than black
rockfish or blue/deacon rockfish.
27. ........................
37. Bronzespotted
rockfish.
Jul–Aug
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
h ‘‘Deeper Nearshore’’ are defined at § 660.11 under ‘‘Groundfish’’ (7)(i)(B)(2) and include black rockfish, S. melanops; blue rockfish, S.
mystinus; brown rockfish, S. auriculatus; calico rockfish, S. dalli; copper rockfish, S. caurinus; deacon rockfish, S. diaconus; olive rockfish, S.
serranoides; quillback rockfish, S. maliger; treefish, S. serriceps.
i The commercial minimum size limit for lingcod is 22 inches (56 cm) total length north of 42° N lat. and 24 inches (61 cm) total length south of
42° N lat.
j ‘‘Other Fish’’ are defined at § 660.11 and include kelp greenling off California and leopard shark.
TABLE 13—OPEN ACCESS LANDING ALLOWANCES (TRIP LIMITS) FOR 2019 AND BEYOND, UNTIL REVISED
Jan–Feb
1. Minor Slope
Rockfish a &
Darkblotched
rockfish.
North of 40°10′
N lat.
2. ..........................
South of 40°10′
N lat.
3. Splitnose rockfish.
4. Pacific ocean
perch.
6. Sablefish ..........
South of 40°10′
N lat.
North of 40°10′
N lat.
North of 36°00′
N lat.
South of 36°00′
N lat.
North of 40°10′
N lat.
7. ..........................
8. Shortpine
thornyheads and
longspine
thornyheads.
9. ..........................
10. ........................
11. Dover sole,
arrowtooth
flounder, petrale
sole, English
sole, starry
flounder, Other
Flatfish b.
12. Whiting ...........
13. Minor Shelf
Rockfish, c
Shortbelly rockfish, & Widow
rockfish (and
Chilipepper
south of 40°10′
N lat.).
14. ........................
15. ........................
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES2
16. Bocaccio ........
May–Jun
10,000 lb/2 months, of which no more than 475 lb
may be blackgill rockfish
North of 40°10′
N lat.
North of 40°10′
N lat.
19. ........................
South of 40°10′
N lat.
20:37 Dec 11, 2018
Sep–Oct
Nov–Dec
10,000 lb/2 months, of which no more than 550 lb
may be blackgill rockfish.
200 lb/month.
100 lb/month.
300 lb/day or one landing per week up to 1,200 lb, not to exceed 2,400 lb/2 months.
300 lb/day, or one landing per week of up to 1,600 lb, not to exceed 3,200 lb/2 months.
50 lb/month of each.
CLOSED.
50 lb/day, no more than 1,000 lb/2 months (both species combined).
3,000 lb/month, no more than 300 lb of which may be species other than Pacific sanddabs.
Coastwide .......
North of 40°10′
N lat.
40°10′ N lat.–
34°27′ N lat.
South of 34°27′
N lat.
South of 40°10′
N lat.
Jul–Aug
500 pounds/month.
40°10′ N lat.—
34°27′ N lat.
South of 34°27′
N lat.
Coastwide .......
17. Yellowtail rockfish.
18. Canary rockfish.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
Mar–Apr
300 lb/month.
200 lb/month.
400 lb/2
months.
1,500 lb/2
months.
500 lb/2
months.
CLOSED .........
400 lb/2 months.
1,500 lb/2 months.
CLOSED .........
500 lb/2 months.
500 lb/month.
300 lb/2 months.
300 lb/2
months.
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 13—OPEN ACCESS LANDING ALLOWANCES (TRIP LIMITS) FOR 2019 AND BEYOND, UNTIL REVISED—Continued
Jan–Feb
May–Jun
Jul–Aug
Sep–Oct
Nov–Dec
20. Minor Nearshore Rockfish,
Washington
Black rockfish,
Oregon Black/
Blue/Deacon
rockfish, California black
rockfish.
North of 42°00′
N lat.
5,000 lb/2 months, no more than 1,200 lb of which may be species other than black rockfish or blue/deacon rockfish. d
21. ........................
42°00′ N lat.—
40°10′ N lat.
8,500 lb/2
months, no
more than
1,200 lb of
which may
be species
other than
black rockfish or blue/
deacon rockfish.
22. Shallow nearshore e.
23. Deeper nearshore f.
South of 40°10′
N lat.
South of 40°10′
N lat.
1,200 lb/2
months.
1,000 lb/2
months.
24. Lingcod g ........
North of 42°00′
N lat.
42°00′ N lat.—
40°10′ N lat.
25. ........................
7,000 lb/2 months, no more than 1,200 lb of which may be species other than black
rockfish or blue/deacon rockfish.
CLOSED .........
1,200 lb/2 months.
CLOSED .........
1,000 lb/2 months.
900 lb/month.
600 lb/month.
26. ........................
South of 40°10′
N lat.
300 lb/month ...
CLOSED .........
300 lb/month.
27. California
scorpionfish.
South of 40°10′
N lat.
1,500 lb/2
months.
CLOSED .........
1,500 lb/2 months.
28. Pacific cod .....
Coastwide .......
29. Spiny dogfish
North of 40°10′
N lat.
30. Longnose
skate.
31. Big skate ........
32. Other Fish h &
Cabezon in California.
33. Oregon Cabezon/Kelp
Greenling.
34. Yelloweye
rockfish.
35. Cowcod ..........
Coastwide .......
Unlimited.
Coastwide .......
Coastwide .......
Unlimited.
Unlimited.
North of 40°10′
N lat.
Unlimited.
Coastwide .......
CLOSED.
South of 40°10′
N lat.
South of 40°10′
N lat.
CLOSED.
36. Bronzespotted
rockfish.
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES2
Mar–Apr
1,000 lb/2 months.
200,000 lb/2 months
150,000 lb/2
months.
100,000 lb/2 months.
CLOSED.
a Splitnose rockfish is included in the trip limits for Minor Slope Rockfish north of 40°10′ N lat. POP is included in the trip limits for Minor slope
rockfish south of 40°10′ N lat. Blackgill rockfish have a species specific trip sub-limit within the minor slope rockfish cumulative limits.
b ‘‘Other flatfish’’ are defined at § 660.11 and include butter sole, curlfin sole, flathead sole, Pacific sanddab, rex sole, rock sole, and sand sole.
c Bocaccio, chilipepper and cowcod rockfishes are included in the trip limits for Minor Shelf Rockfish north of 40°10′ N lat. Yellowtail rockfish is
included in the trip limits for Minor Shelf Rockfish south of 40°10′ N lat. Bronzespotted rockfish have a species specific trip limit.
d 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 limit of 100 lbs or 30 percent by weight of all fish on board, whichever is greater, per vessel, per fishing trip.
e ‘‘Shallow Nearshore’’ are defined at § 660.11 under ‘‘Groundfish’’ (7)(i)(B)(1) and include black and yellow rockfish, S. chrysomelas; China
rockfish, S. nebulosus; gopher rockfish, S. carnatus; grass rockfish, S. rastrelliger; kelp rockfish, S. atrovirens.
f ‘‘Deeper Nearshore’’ are defined at § 660.11 under ‘‘Groundfish’’ (7)(i)(B)(2) and include black rockfish, S. melanops; blue rockfish, S.
mystinus; brown rockfish, S. auriculatus; calico rockfish, S. dalli; copper rockfish, S. caurinus; deacon rockfish, S. diaconus; olive rockfish, S.
serranoides; quillback rockfish, S. maliger; treefish, S. serriceps.
g The minimum size limit for lingcod is 22 inches (56 cm) total length North of 42° N lat. and 24 inches (61 cm) total length South of 42° N lat.
h ‘‘Other fish’’ are defined at § 660.11 and include kelp greenling off California and leopard shark.
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
Primary Sablefish Tier Limits
Some limited entry fixed gear permits
are endorsed to receive annual sablefish
quota, or ‘‘tier limits.’’ Vessels registered
with one, two, or up to three of these
permits may participate in the primary
63981
sablefish fishery. The tier limits are
shown in Table 14.
TABLE 14—SABLEFISH TIER LIMITS FOR 2019 AND 2020
2019
Tier 1 ..................................................
Tier 2 ..................................................
Tier 3 ..................................................
2020
47,637 lb (21,608 kg) ....................................................................................
21,653 lb (9,822 kg) ......................................................................................
12,373 lb (5,612 kg) ......................................................................................
Recreational Fisheries
This section describes the recreational
fisheries management measures for
2019–2020. The Council primarily
recommends depth restrictions and
groundfish conservation areas (GCAs) to
constrain catch within the recreational
harvest guidelines for each stock. Most
of the changes to recreational
management measures are modifications
to existing measures.
Washington, Oregon, and California
each proposed, and the Council
recommended, different combinations
of seasons, bag limits, area closures, and
size limits for stocks targeted in
recreational fisheries. These measures
are designed to limit catch of overfished
stocks found in the waters adjacent to
each state while allowing target fishing
opportunities in their particular
recreational fisheries. The following
sections describe the recreational
management measures this final rule
implements for each state.
Washington
The state of Washington manages its
marine fisheries in four areas: Marine
Area 1 extends from the Oregon/
Washington border to Leadbetter Point;
Marine Area 2 extends from Leadbetter
Point to the mouth of the Queets Rivers;
Marine Area 3 extends from the Queets
River to Cape Alava; and Marine Area
4 extends from Cape Alava to the Sekiu
River. Changes from the 2018 fishing
season that will be effective for 2019
and beyond include the elimination of
the canary rockfish sublimit from all
marine areas, and the change to a
uniform cabezon sublimit of one fish a
day across all marine areas, with no size
limit in Marine Area 4. For 2019 and
beyond, until otherwise modified, the
bag limits for Washington are as follows:
48,642 lb (22,064 kg).
22,110 lb (10,029 kg).
12,634 lb (5,731 kg).
9 groundfish/day, with a sublimit of 7
a day for rockfish, 2 a day for lingcod,
and 1 a day for cabezon.
This final rule also aligns the lingcod
season in Marine Area 4 with the
recreational groundfish season and the
lingcod season in Marine Areas 1–3.
This adjustment allows for an additional
month of fishing in Marine Area 4
compared to 2018. Additionally, this
rule allows retention of yellowtail and
widow rockfish seaward of 20 fm (37 m)
in July and August in Marine Areas 3
and 4.
Oregon
Oregon recreational fisheries in 2019–
2020 will operate under the same season
structures and bag limits as 2017–2018.
As shown in Table 15, this rule expands
all-depth fishing from October through
March in 2018 to September through
May in 2019 and 2020.
TABLE 15—OREGON RECREATIONAL SEASON STRUCTURE AND BAG LIMITS FOR 2019 AND 2020
Jan
Feb
Mar
Bottomfish Season .................
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Open all depths
Aug
Sep
<40 fm
Marine Bag
Limit a .............
Lingcod Bag
Limit ...............
Flatfish Bag
Limit b .............
Oct
Nov
Dec
Open all depths.
Ten (10).
Three (3).
Twenty Five (25).
a/Marine bag limit is 10 fish per day and includes all species other than lingcod, salmon, steelhead, Pacific halibut, flatfish, surfperch, sturgeon, striped bass, pelagic tuna and mackerel species, and bait fish such as herring, anchovy, sardine, and smelt; of which no more than one may be cabezon.
b/Flounders, soles, sanddabs, turbots and halibuts except Pacific halibut.
California
The Council manages recreational
fisheries off of California in five separate
management areas. The 2019 and 2020
California season structure includes
additional time and depth
opportunities. Table 16 shows the
season structure and depth limits by
management area for 2019 and 2020.
TABLE 16—CALIFORNIA RECREATIONAL FISHERY SEASON STRUCTURE AND DEPTH LIMITS BY MANAGEMENT AREA FOR
2019 AND 2020
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES2
Management
area
Jan
Feb
Northern ............
Mendocino .........
San Francisco ...
Central ...............
Southern ............
VerDate Sep<11>2014
Mar
Apr
May
Closed
Closed
Jun
Jul
Sep
May 1—Oct 31 < 30 fm
May 1—Oct 31 < 20 fm
Closed
Closed
Mar 1—Dec 31 < 75 fm.
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Oct
Nov
Dec
All Depth.
All Depth.
April 1—Dec 31 < 40 fm.
April 1—Dec 31 < 50 fm.
Closed
20:37 Dec 11, 2018
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
Size, bag, and sublimits will remain
the same as 2018 for all stocks except
for lingcod. To keep within allowable
limits, the lingcod bag limit is split into
separate limits for north (42° N lat.
(California/Oregon border) to 40°10′ N
lat. (Northern Management Area)) and
south (40°10′ N lat. to the U.S. border
with Mexico (Mendocino Management
Area, San Francisco Management Area,
Central Management Area, and
Southern Management Area)). In the
north area, the bag limit is 2 lingcod per
day; in the south area the bag limit is
1 lingcod per day. Additionally, this
rule allows year-round retention of
California scorpionfish in the Southern
management area.
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES2
Salmon Bycatch Mitigation Measures
In December 2017, NMFS completed
an Endangered Species Act (ESA)
consultation on the continued
implementation of the PCGFMP and
published a Biological Opinion (see
ADDRESSES). The components of this
Biological Opinion are described in the
proposed rule (83 FR 47416, September
19, 2018). This final rule includes four
actions related to the mitigation of
salmon bycatch in the groundfish
fisheries. The first action removes the
Ocean Salmon Conservation Zone
provision from the regulations because
it is an ineffective measure for
mitigating salmon bycatch in midwater
trawl fisheries.
The second action creates a new
bycatch reduction area (BRA) (a depthbased management provision) at the
200-fm (366-m) depth contour. The
Council and NMFS monitor the salmon
bycatch rates of the fleet inseason. If any
midwater trawl sector’s bycatch rates
exceed those considered in the
Biological Opinion, the Council and
NMFS can take inseason action to
implement the BRA for any of the
midwater trawl sector. The groundfish
midwater trawl sectors subject to this
area closure are the Pacific whiting IFQ
fishery, the catcher/processor (C/P)
sector, and the mothership sector as
well as the non-whiting midwater trawl
sector, which primarily targets widow
rockfish and yellowtail rockfish. If the
Council and NMFS implements the 200fm (366-m) BRA during a fishing season,
vessels would be prohibited from using
midwater trawl gear to target either
whiting or non-whiting groundfish in
waters shoreward of the 200-fm (366-m)
depth contour, but would still be
allowed to fish in waters seaward of
200-fm (366-m). This action only
applies to non-tribal midwater trawl
vessels. NMFS expects that the Tribes
may implement area management
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19:54 Dec 11, 2018
Jkt 247001
measures to mitigate salmon bycatch, if
necessary.
The third action closes the Columbia
River Salmon Conservation Zone
(CRSCZ) and the Klamath River Salmon
Conservation Zone (KRSCZ) to all
midwater trawling and to bottom
trawling, unless vessels are using a
selective flatfish trawl (SFFT). Vessels
are currently prohibited from fishing
with midwater trawl gear in both areas.
This final action maintains the
prohibition on bottom trawling in these
areas without SFFT, which is currently
included under a blanket requirement
that groundfish trawl vessels use SFFT
gear shoreward of the trawl RCA north
of 40°10′ N lat. Both the CRSCZ and
KRSCZ are located inside this area.
NMFS proposed removing this blanket
requirement in a rule published on
September 7, 2018 (83 FR 45396), and
anticipates publishing a final rule
removing the requirement in time for
the start of the groundfish fishing year.
This final rule reestablishes the SFFT
requirement inside the CRSCZ and
KRSCZ.
The fourth action creates a provision
in the regulations to give NMFS
automatic authority to close either or
both of the whiting and non-whiting
sector fisheries if: (1) Either sector
catches its guideline limit and the
reserve amount; or (2) either sector
reaches its guideline limit when the
other sector has already taken the
reserve amount. The guideline limit for
the whiting sector (including tribal and
non-tribal vessels in the mothership,
catcher/processor (C/P), and Shoreside
whiting fleets) is 11,000 Chinook
salmon. The guideline limit for the nonwhiting sector (including tribal and
non-tribal vessels in the Shoreside
trawl, fixed gear, and recreational fleets)
is 5,500 Chinook salmon. The reserve
amount of Chinook is 3,500 fish. This
provision includes only select
recreational fisheries that are not
accounted for in pre-season salmon
modeling. The recreational fisheries not
accounted for in pre-season salmon
modeling are those occurring outside of
the open salmon seasons and the
Oregon longleader fishery. Any Chinook
salmon bycatch in these fisheries must
be attributed to the non-whiting
threshold, and these fisheries are subject
to potential closures. Chinook salmon
bycatch from each fishery accrues to the
larger sector (i.e., whiting or nonwhiting) level.
As described in the proposed rule,
access to the Reserve for additional
Chinook salmon bycatch above the
sector’s guideline limit is not
guaranteed. However, if one sector
surpasses its guideline limit, it may be
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allowed to continue fishing, with
additional salmon bycatch accounted
for within the Reserve. Under such a
scenario, if the sector’s bycatch reached
the Reserve limit, all fisheries within
that sector would be subject to an
automatic closure. If one sector is
allowed to take the Reserve in a given
calendar year, then the other sector,
upon reaching its guideline limit, would
be subject to an automatic closure rather
than potentially being able to access the
Reserve. Under the regulations for
automatic actions at § 660.60(d), a
closure notice would be published in
the Federal Register and be effective
immediately for all fisheries within
either or both of the whiting or nonwhiting sectors. NMFS waives notice
and comment under the Administrative
Procedure Act if good cause exists. The
closure would be effective until the end
of the fishing year on December 31.
However, the Council and NMFS intend
to use other available tools, including
area management tools, to help manage
salmon bycatch before either sector’s
catch reaches or exceeds the guideline
limits to avoid either sector being closed
for the remainder of the fishing year.
Modifications to Depth Restrictions
Within the Western CCA
This final rule modifies the allowed
fishing depths from 20-fm (37-m) to 40fm (73-m) for the commercial fixed gear
fishery and the recreational fishery
inside the Western Cowcod
Conservation Area (CCA). This rule also
adds new waypoints approximating the
30-fm (55-m) and 40-fm (73-m) depth
contours around Santa Barbara Island,
San Nicolas Island, Tanner Bank, and
Cortes Bank because waypoints
approximating these contours do not
exist at these depths currently. Fisheries
are allowed to operate in areas
shallower than the depth limit. This
final rule increases the area open to
fishing within the Western CCA from
40.4 mi2 (104.6 km 2) to 150.4 mi 2
(389.5 km 2).
Modification of Lingcod and Sablefish
Discard Mortality Rates
This rule implements lower discard
mortality rates (DMRs) for lingcod and
sablefish used to debit IFQ accounts in
the Shorebased IFQ Program to match
the rates the Council’s Scientific and
Statistical Committee (SSC) endorsed
for use in stock assessments and that
WCGOP uses for year-end groundfish
catch accounting. By providing IFQ
participants with discard survival
credits for lingcod and sablefish, this
rule will better meet some of the
objectives of the IFQ program, such as
increased attainments of and increased
E:\FR\FM\12DER2.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
Removal of Automatic Authority for
Darkblotched Rockfish and Pacific
Ocean Perch (POP) Set-Asides for AtSea Sector
This rule removes NMFS’s automatic
authority to close either at-sea sector
TABLE 17—DISCARD MORTALITY
(C/P and MS sectors) if they exceed
RATES FOR LINGCOD AND SABLEFISH their set-aside value for these stocks so
that they are managed like all other atDMR
sea set-asides in the PCGFMP. The
Stock
Gear
(%)
Analysis demonstrates that the expected
Lingcod ........ Bottom trawl
50 risk of the at-sea sectors exceeding their
Fixed gear a
7 set-aside values for darkblotched
Sablefish ..... Bottom trawl
50 rockfish and Pacific ocean perch is low
Fixed gear a
20 due to low overall attainment in the
trawl sector in recent years.
a Applies to both pot and hook and line
value of IFQ stocks like Dover sole and
thornyheads. The DMRs in Table 17
reflect the best scientific information
available and will replace the current
DMRs of 100 percent.
gear.
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES2
This rule is expected to result in a
minimal increase (about 1 percent) in
total coastwide IFQ mortality of
sablefish (see Section C.5 of Appendix
C of the Analysis). The resulting
‘‘savings’’ of trawl sablefish could
possibly increase landings of cooccurring, underattained stocks such as
Dover sole, shortspine thornyheads, and
longspine thornyheads (see Section C.5
of Appendix C of the Analysis).
Removal of IFQ Daily Vessel Limits
Under the Shorebased IFQ Program,
vessel limits in vessel accounts restrict
the amount of quota pounds (QPs)—the
annual currency of quota shares—that
any vessel can catch or hold. NMFS
calculates annual QP vessel limits,
which are a set percentage of the total
IFQ sector allocation based on formulas
set through Amendment 20 to the
PCGFMP. The annual vessel QP limit
restricts the amount of used and unused
QP in a vessel account during a fishing
year.
NMFS also sets daily vessel limits for
overfished stocks, which cap the
amount of overfished stock QPs any
vessel account can have available in
their account on a given day. The
Council and NMFS established daily
vessel limits to prevent a person from
acquiring additional QP from others
before those QP are needed in order to
promote trading of QP of overfished
species. As explained in the proposed
rule (83 FR 47416, September 19, 2018),
the daily vessel limit has been
ineffective for keeping catch available
for trading, so this rule eliminates the
daily limits for all stocks (bocaccio
(south), darkblotched rockfish, and
Pacific ocean perch, cowcod (south),
yelloweye rockfish, and Pacific halibut).
Because the daily limits for the
remaining overfished stocks and for
Pacific halibut have not been
constraining, NMFS expects that
eliminating this provision will not have
a measurable effect on the fishery.
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Continuation of Adaptive Management
Pass Through
This rule clarifies that NMFS will
continue to pass through the QP
reserved for the adaptive management
program until the Council recommends
an alternative use of adaptive
management program QP. This is an
administrative measure that will not
affect fishing opportunity and related
catch.
Modification of the Incidental Lingcod
Retention Ratio in the Salmon Troll
Fishery
This rule modifies the incidental
retention ratio for landing lingcod based
on the number of Chinook landed in the
ocean salmon troll fishery in the area
north of 40° 10′ N latitude from a 1 to
15 fish ratio to a 1 to 5 fish ratio. Vessels
are also allowed to retain an additional
lingcod per trip, up to a trip limit of 10
lingcod. The purpose of the ratio is to
allow salmon trollers to retain
incidentally caught lingcod, but to
discourage lingcod targeting within the
nontrawl RCA. Vessels participating in
the ocean salmon troll fishery must be
equipped with a vessel monitoring
system (VMS) to retain incidentally
caught groundfish. The Council can
adjust the ratio of lingcod retention per
Chinook landed through inseason
adjustments, if necessary. NMFS does
not expect this rule will create an
incentive for salmon trollers to target
lingcod because these vessels are still
restricted to an overall limit of 10
lingcod per trip.
Administrative Actions
NMFS also implements four minor
changes to the regulatory text through
this final rule to clarify regulatory
intent. NMFS will add big skate to the
LEFG and OA fixed gear fisheries trip
limit tables, Table 2 North and Table 2
South to part 660, subpart E, and Table
3 North and Table 3 South to part 660,
subpart F. Big skate is not currently
listed in the trip limit table for either the
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LEFG or OA fisheries, and as such is
unlimited.
This rule also removes an obsolete
reference to halibut weight provisions
off of California at § 660.333(c)(3).
California Department of Fish and
Wildlife removed this provision from
state regulations in 2004.
This rule clarifies the application of
Amendment 21–3 set-aside management
of darkblotched rockfish and Pacific
ocean perch for the at-sea sector for both
years of the biennium in Tables 1b, 2b,
1d, and 2d to part 660, subpart C.
Finally, this action removes the
WCGOP priority sampling requirement
for canary rockfish and bocaccio,
formerly overfished stocks that were
declared rebuilt, as requested by the
Council at its March 2017 meeting. As
a result of this change, observers are no
longer required to count and weigh
these fish on a docked vessel prior to
offloading.
III. Response to Comments
NMFS received eight unique
comment letters during the public
comment period on the proposed rule.
Three state agencies submitted
comments, including the Washington
Department of Fish and Wildlife
(WDFW), the California Department of
Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and the
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
(ODFW). The letters from the state
agencies included requests for
clarifications on information included
in the preamble to the proposed rule
and noted several small errors or
inconsistencies in the proposed
regulations. NMFS has addressed those
in separate sections, ‘‘Corrections to the
Preamble of the Proposed Rule’’ and
‘‘Changes from the Proposed Rule.’’ The
other five comment letters, one of which
was a duplicate, were from private
citizens and contained substantive
comments. NMFS addresses these
comments below.
Comment 1: Three private citizens
commented in support of the proposed
rule, noting the importance of marine
life and the belief that this proposed
rule will be beneficial for conserving
fish stocks. One commenter stated that
the rule protects our oceans for the
future and that, without regulations,
fishing could have negative effects on
the environment.
Response: NMFS agrees, and is
implementing the proposed measures
with this final rule. The final rule
appropriately balances NMFS’s duties
under the Magnuson-Stevens Act to
conserve marine resources while
simultaneously creating opportunities to
achieve optimum yield.
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Comment 2: NMFS should consider
tighter control over trawl salmon
bycatch because a 20,000 fish Chinook
salmon limit rewards the trawl industry
at the expense of the dedicated ocean
salmon fisheries and does not give
adequate protection to ESA-listed
salmon species. There should be strict
penalties, such as a monetary penalty or
revocation of quota, for the groundfish
trawl sector and individual vessels that
take too much salmon in ‘‘lightning
strike’’ tows.
Response: NMFS agrees that
controlling and limiting salmon impacts
from the groundfish fishery is important
under both the Magnuson-Stevens Act
and the ESA. The analysis in the
Biological Opinion predicted that the
operation of the groundfish fishery
would result in bycatch of no more than
20,000 Chinook. The analysis also
concluded this level of take was not
likely to jeopardize the continued
existence of any of the ESA-listed
salmon species covered under the
Biological Opinion.
All Chinook salmon catch, including
‘‘lightning strike’’ tows, counts towards
the 20,000 Chinook bycatch limit. This
rule gives NMFS the automatic
authority to close the whiting or nonwhiting sectors for the remainder of the
fishing year if either exceed their
salmon bycatch guideline limit and/or
the reserve. Closing either sector for the
duration of the fishing year is a severe
penalty that, as described in the
preamble to the proposed rule, would
result in significant economic harm to
fishing vessels and fishing communities
(83 FR 47416, September 19, 2018).
Additionally, the reserve is not
guaranteed to be available for either
sector. Under the terms and conditions
of the Biological Opinion, if either
sector’s bycatch exceeds their guideline
limit, and any portion of the reserve is
caught in more than three out of every
five years, NMFS is required to
reinitiate an ESA consultation to
reevaluate the impacts of the groundfish
fishery on ESA-listed salmon species.
The automatic closure requirement and
the potential for reinitiation mean that,
in effect, the groundfish fisheries are
held to lower limits than the 20,000
Chinook salmon total fishery limit.
This rule also includes a new area
management tool, the 200-fm (366 m)
BRA, for NMFS and the Council to use
to address high bycatch in the midwater
trawl fleet. The midwater trawl fleet has
historically taken the greatest number of
Chinook as bycatch; therefore, this new
tool will be beneficial in addressing the
bycatch issue where it is most
prominent.
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Finally, term and condition 2.b. of the
December 2017 Biological Opinion also
recommend that the Council develop
additional management measures it
deems are necessary for timely inseason
management to keep the sectors from
exceeding their salmon bycatch
guidelines. The Council is scheduled to
discuss and potentially develop
additional inseason bycatch measures in
a separate action outside of this
rulemaking. The first discussion of these
measures will take place at the
November 2018 Council meeting.
Additional inseason management tools
could provide more flexibility for NMFS
and the Council to further reduce
salmon bycatch in the groundfish
fisheries.
Comment 3: A private citizen
commented that the 20,000 Chinook
salmon total fishery limit for the
operation of the groundfish fishery is
more Chinook than is landed in the
ocean commercial and recreational
salmon fisheries each year. The salmon
industry can never rebound if another
fishing sector is allowed to take salmon
with little penalty.
Response: The commenter suggests
the 20,000 Chinook salmon total fishery
limit is more Chinook than is landed in
the ocean commercial and recreational
salmon fisheries each year. This
statement is incorrect. While ocean
salmon fisheries have been constrained
in recent years, coastwide directed
salmon fisheries land substantially more
Chinook salmon than are as bycatch in
the groundfish fisheries each year. The
Council’s Review of 2017 Ocean Salmon
Fisheries (https://www.pcouncil.org/wpcontent/uploads/2018/02/Review_of_
2017_Ocean_Salmon_Fisheries_
18Final.pdf) showed coastwide
commercial troll and ocean recreational
landings of Chinook salmon were
212,606 fish in 2016 and 184,331 fish in
2017. Salmon harvest in ocean salmon
fisheries in recent years is
approximately 10 times higher than the
maximum allowed to be taken in the
groundfish fishery. Moreover, actual
Chinook salmon bycatch in the
groundfish fishery has been
substantially below 20,000 salmon. As
described in the response to Comment
2 above, NMFS is committed to
reducing salmon bycatch in the
groundfish fishery in order to limit
negative impacts on ESA-listed salmon
species. Limiting salmon bycatch in
groundfish fisheries is also beneficial to
the salmon directed fisheries. NMFS
manages both directed and incidental
salmon catch levels to control catch of
ESA-listed species, and controlling
ESA-listed salmon catch in both the
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directed salmon and groundfish
fisheries contributes to recovery efforts.
Comment 4: CDFW supports the
proposed cowcod harvest specifications,
including an ACT of 6 mt, to provide
more flexibility to allow continued and
expanded research activities to inform
future assessments and stability for
fisheries. CDFW also supports the
change in depth restrictions for
commercial and recreational fisheries
within the Cowcod Conservation Area
(CCA). CDFW also strongly supports the
yelloweye rockfish rebuilding plan
changes and higher ACLs to prevent the
economic losses experienced by
restricted or closed fishing
opportunities.
Response: NMFS agrees, and is
implementing the measures from the
proposed rule in this final action.
Comment 5: CDFW states that Federal
regulations at § 660.330(a) need to be
updated because they list canary
rockfish as a species for which retention
is prohibited in open access fishery
coastwide. CDFW notes that vessels
have been permitted to retain this
species since 2017.
Response: The regulations at
§ 660.330(a) state that only cowcod and
yelloweye rockfish are prohibited
species coastwide in the open access
fishery. Canary rockfish is not listed as
a prohibited species in this section, and
these regulations are consistent with
canary rockfish trip limits.
Comment 6: CDFW recommends that
bronzespotted rockfish be listed in
§ 660.230(a) because vessels are not
permitted to retain this species south of
40°10′ N lat.
Response: Section 660.230(a) applies
to coastwide limited entry fishery
management measures. Listing
bronzespotted rockfish as a prohibited
species in this paragraph would not be
appropriate because vessels are
permitted to retain bronzespotted
rockfish in open times and areas north
of 40°10′ N lat. Bronzespotted rockfish
retention prohibitions (closures) are
listed in trip limit Table 2 (South),
subpart E.
IV. Clarifications and Corrections to the
Preamble of the Proposed Rule
NMFS received comment letters from
CDFW, WDFW, and ODFW noting
inaccuracies in information presented in
the preamble to the proposed rule.
NMFS offers the following corrections
in this final rule. These clarifications
and corrections to the information
described in the preamble to the
proposed rule do not change the
substance or intent of the final rule.
In the proposed rule preamble under
Section I (A): Specification and
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Management Measure Development
Process, NMFS erroneously stated that
the NWFSC conducted a full stock
assessment for blue/deacon rockfish off
of Washington in 2017. However, the
NWFSC only conducted full stock
assessments in 2017 for blue/deacon
rockfish stocks off of Oregon and
California. Additionally, NMFS stated
that the NWFSC conducted eight stock
assessment updates, but only listed
updates for four stocks. The NWFSC did
conduct assessments in 2017 for the
four stocks listed in the proposed rule,
and the statement should have said that
the 2017 assessment updates were only
for the four stocks. The following
paragraph is the correct information for
stock assessments conducted in 2017 for
the purposes of determining OFLs,
ABCs, and ACLs for the 2019–2020
fishing years.
The Northwest Fisheries Science
Center (NWFSC) conducted full stock
assessments in 2017 for the following
stocks: Blue/deacon rockfish (CA, OR),
California scorpionfish, lingcod [north
and south], Pacific ocean perch,
yellowtail rockfish north of 40°10′ N
lat., yelloweye rockfish. Additionally,
the NWFSC conducted assessment
updates, which incorporate new data
into existing models, for four stocks
(arrowtooth flounder, blackgill rockfish
south of 40°10′ N lat., bocaccio S of 43°
N lat., darkblotched rockfish). The
NWFSC did not update assessments for
the remaining stocks, so harvest
specifications for these stocks are based
on assessments from previous years.
The stock assessment reports are
available on the Council website
(https://www.pcouncil.org/).
Public comments from CDFW and
WDFW pointed out that the description
in Table 1 of the preamble to the
proposed rule of the proposed change
for the harvest control rule for lingcod
north of 40°10\′ N latitude erroneously
stated that in addition to changing the
P* value for the California portion of the
stock (from 0.40 to 0.45), that the
assumptions of ACL attainment were
also modified. However, both the
harvest control rule in place prior to this
final rule and the harvest control rule
implemented through this final rule
assumed a total catch in 2017 and 2018
of 1,000 mt, and then used an average
2015–2017 exploitation rate to
distribute catches among the fisheries.
In Section II: Harvest Specifications,
B. Proposed ABCs for 2019 and 2020,
WDFW pointed out that NMFS failed to
include lingcod south of 40°10’ N
latitude in the list of category two and
three stocks for which the Council
selected a P* other than 0.4. As was
noted in Table 1 of the preamble in the
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proposed rule, the Council selected a P*
of 0.45 for lingcod south of 40°10′ N
latitude.
In Section III: Management Measures,
B. Stock Complex Restructuring, WDFW
noted in their comment letter that
NMFS’s description of the proposed
stock complex change to create a new
stock complex with Washington
cabezon and Washington kelp greenling
did not accurately capture the most
recent make-up of that stock complex.
The references to ratfish, skates,
codling, and grenadier as being part of
the Other Fish complex were inaccurate;
those stocks were removed from the
complex through Amendment 24 to the
FMP (80 FR 12567; March 10, 2015).
Prior to this final rule, the following
stocks were managed under the Other
Fish complex: Kelp greenling
(Hexagrammos decagrammus), leopard
shark (Trakis semifasciata), and cabezon
(Scorpaenichthys marmoratus) in
waters off Washington. This final rule
removes the portion of the kelp
greenling stock off Washington and
cabezon off Washington from this
complex and places them in a new
complex together. A separate action
under this final rule removes the
portion of kelp greenling off Oregon and
groups that with Oregon cabezon to
create a new complex. As a result of the
changes in this final rule, beginning in
the 2019 fishing year, the stocks
managed under the Other Fish complex
are: Kelp greenling (Hexagrammos
decagrammus) off California and
leopard shark (Trakis semifasciata).
In Section B: Stock Complex
Composition Restructuring, in response
to CDFW and ODFW comments, NMFS
clarifies that the new Oregon black/
blue/deacon rockfish complex only
includes Oregon blue/deacon rockfish
north of 42° N latitude, which is the
border between Oregon and California,
rather than north of 40°10′ N latitude.
The species managed in the minor
nearshore rockfish complex off
Washington and California are not
revised with this rule. This clarification
is also made in regulations, and is
further described in Changes from the
Proposed Rule.
CDFW also noted that in Section C,
Table 9 of the preamble to the proposed
rule incorrectly transposed the labels for
2019 and 2020. The cowcod allocation
is 36 percent of the fishery HG for the
trawl fishery, or 2.2 mt, and is 64
percent of the fishery HG for the nontrawl fishery is, or 3.8 mt. The
allocations in Tables 1b and 1b to
subpart C listed the cowcod allocations
correctly, and did not result in a change
from the proposed rule.
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CDFW requested clarifications
regarding commercial non-trawl lingcod
trip limit changes described in the
preamble of the proposed rule. The text
and Table 16 in the preamble
mistakenly referenced lingcod trip limit
reductions for limited entry fixed gear
south of 40°10′ N lat. but changes are
only for open access fisheries in this
area. The limited entry fixed gear trip
limits for lingcod south of 40°10′ N lat.
shown in Table 16 were incorrectly
reduced, but are correct (and unchanged
from current limits) in Table 2 (South)
to subpart E regulations.
WDFW requested a clarification on
information in the preamble to the
proposed rule referenced statements in
Section C: Biennial Fishery Allocations:
Minor Nearshore Rockfish. The
paragraph mentions that under state
management, vessels must record their
landings on their state landing receipts
according to the sorting requirements;
which include sorting component stocks
within the Minor Nearshore Rockfish
complex by stock. However,
Washington does not have a commercial
nearshore fishery. Therefore, the
statement should note that only states
for which there are commercial
nearshore fisheries require that catch of
component stocks within the Minor
Nearshore Rockfish complex be sorted
by stock.
In Section H: Recreational Fisheries,
in the Washington section, the proposed
rule erroneously states that Marine Area
4 extends to the Sekiu River. However,
for federally-managed groundfish
stocks, Marine Area 4 only includes
coastal waters west of the BonillaTatoosh line at Cape Flattery. NMFS
notes the correction. This means that all
of the changes to the lingcod season
structure that align harvests in Marine
Area 4 with Marine Areas 1–3 apply to
only the coastal waters west of the
Bonilla-Tatoosh line at Cape Flattery, in
addition to the correctly described
waters in Marine Areas 1–3.
Additionally, in Section H:
Recreational Fisheries, in the
Washington section, the proposed rule
explains that retention of yellowtail and
widow rockfish would be allowed in
Marine Areas 3 and 4 seaward of 20 fms
in July and August. In a comment letter,
WDFW requests a clarification to
explain that yellowtail and widow
rockfish retention will be allowed in
these areas, seaward of 20 fms, on days
open to recreational salmon fishing
during the months of July and August.
Under Section H: Recreational
Fisheries, in the California section,
CDFW noted the discrepancy between
preamble text stating that the proposed
rule would allow year-round retention
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of California scorpionfish in all
management areas. As is correctly set
out in the proposed rule at 50 CFR
660.360(c)(3)(v)(A), California
scorpionfish will only be open yearround in the Southern Management
Area (South of 34°27′ N lat.).
Under Section I: Salmon Bycatch
Mitigation Measures of the proposed
rule preamble, NMFS incorrectly stated
that the Council estimated coho catch in
the whiting and non-whiting groundfish
fisheries for purposes of the Biological
Opinion. While the Council provided an
estimate of Chinook bycatch for the
proposed action, it did not similarly
discuss coho bycatch. In the Biological
Opinion, NMFS estimated the bycatch
of coho in the whiting and non-whiting
sectors based on historical mortalities
and assumptions about coho bycatch in
newer fisheries, such as the Oregon
long-leader fishery. This is because a
biological opinion must analyze the
proposed action’s expected take of listed
species. Additionally, for the purposes
of clarity requested by CDFW, NMFS
notes that under this final rule, tribal
bycatch of Chinook and coho in the
whiting fishery accrues to the whiting
sector bycatch guideline limits for each
species and similarly, tribal bycatch of
Chinook and coho in the non-whiting
fishery accrues to the non-whiting
sector’s bycatch guideline limits for
each species.
The comment letter from WDFW also
points out an incorrect statement under
Section L: Removal of IFQ Daily Vessel
Limits. In this section, NMFS stated that
NMFS also sets daily vessel limits for
overfished stocks. That statement
should have read, NMFS also sets daily
vessel limits for overfished stocks and
for Pacific halibut. Pacific halibut is not
an overfished stock, but is managed as
bycatch in the Shorebased IFQ fisheries.
NMFS correctly states later in the
section that the proposed rule would
remove the daily vessel limit for Pacific
halibut.
In Section M: Removal of Automatic
Authority for Darkblotched Rockfish
and Pacific Ocean Perch Set-Asides for
At-Sea Sector, WDFW pointed out
inconsistencies in the description of
how the current set-aside structure was
created. The final rule for the 2017–
2018 harvest specifications and
management measures (82 FR 9634,
February 7, 2017) created the buffer
originally, and then under Amendment
21–3 to the PCGFMP (83 FR 757,
January 8, 2018), the portion of the
harvest of each of these stocks for the atsea sector was changed from an
allocation to a set-aside. This final rule
removes NMFS’s automatic authority to
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shut down the sector if the set-aside is
exceeded.
Under the description of the lingcod
retention ratio in the salmon troll
fishery in Section O of the proposed
rule, NMFS further clarifies in response
to WDFW’s comment letter that under
the revised lingcod retention ratio,
salmon troll vessels are still subject to
the monthly open access lingcod trip
limits. This information is noted in the
current regulations in Table 3 (North) to
part 660, subpart F, however was not
explicitly stated in the preamble to the
proposed rule. Under this final rule, any
salmon troll vessels seeking to retain
incidentally-caught lingcod are subject
to the revised ratio (1 lingcod per 5
Chinook per trip, plus 1 lingcod per
trip), the vessel trip limit (10 lingcod),
and then the current monthly lingcod
trip limit noted in the table.
V. Changes From the Proposed Rule
As a result of comments received on
the proposed rule, NMFS is making the
following changes to the proposed rule.
During the process of reviewing the
information in the proposed rule, the
Council determined that there was a
calculation error for the ABC, ACL, HG
and subsequent trawl and non-trawl
allocations for yellowtail rockfish N of
40°10′ N lat. This error in calculation
was the result of the application of an
incorrect sigma (s) value to the OFL for
this stock, based on the stock category.
Under the Council’s procedure for
developing harvest specifications, the
SSC recommends a s value. The s value
is based on the scientific uncertainty in
the biomass estimates generated from
stock assessments. The SSC determined
that the Yellowtail rockfish N of 40°10′
N lat. is a category 1 stock and should
have the standard sigma value of 0.36
applied. However, in calculating the
ABC and ACL for yellowtail rockfish N
of 40°10′ N lat, the Council
inadvertently used a sigma value of
0.72, which is the sigma value for
category 2 stocks. The proposed rule
incorrectly stated that the ABC and ACL
for yellowtail rockfish N of 40°10′ N lat.
for 2019 was 5,997 mt and the HG was
4,952 mt. For 2020, the proposed rule
stated the ABC and ACL was 5,716 mt
and the HG was 4,671 mt. After making
the correction, the resulting ABC and
ACL for yellowtail rockfish N of 40°10′
N lat. for 2019 is 6,279 mt, with an HG
of 5,234 mt, and for 2020 an ABC and
ACL of 5,986 mt, with an HG of 4,941
mt. This results in a 2019 trawl
allocation of 4,605.8 mt and 628.1 mt for
non-trawl, and an allocation of 4,305.8
mt to the Shorebased IFQ Program. For
2020, the yellowtail rockfish N of 40°10′
N lat. trawl allocation is 4,348.0 mt and
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the non-trawl allocation is 592.9 mt.
The 2020 Shorebased IFQ allocation is
4,048.0 mt. All other allocations of
yellowtail rockfish N of 40°10′ N lat. are
unchanged from those announced in the
proposed rule.
In 50 CFR 660.360(c)(1)(i)(D)(2),
NMFS erred in not deleting a closure
clause from the recreational fishing
season for lingcod in Marine Area 2.
This closure clause conflicted with
another portion of that paragraph that
correctly noted that the lingcod season
will be open the second Saturday in
March through the third Saturday in
October under this final rule. This
minor change to the regulations
implemented through this final rule is
an obvious extension of the Council
intent for this action.
In response to a comment from
ODFW, at 50 CFR 660.11, in the
definition of ‘‘groundfish’’, this final
rule makes clarifications to reflect the
new stock complex compositions off
Oregon for black/blue/deacon
rockfishes. This final rule clarifies that
the minor nearshore rockfish complex
stock composition off Washington and
California are unchanged.
For the Minor Slope Rockfish
complex south of 40°10′ N latitude, the
2019 Shorebased trawl allocation was
listed incorrectly in 50 CFR
660.140(d)(1)(ii)(D) as 1,049.1 mt. The
2019 Shorebased Trawl allocation is
456.0 mt. This value was listed correctly
as the trawl allocation in Table 1b to
part 660, subpart C. Because there is no
allocation of this species complex to the
at-sea sector, the entire trawl allocation
is passed through as the Shorebased
trawl allocation. This final rule corrects
that inconsistency.
In response to CDFW’s comments
regarding the California recreational
fishery, this final rule revises season
date changes for the recreational fishery.
The updated season dates for the
recreational RCA (50 CFR
660.360(c)(3)(i)(A)) and California
scorpionfish (§ 660.360(c)(3)(v)(A)) were
correct in the proposed rule. However,
updated season dates for the other
recreational groundfish species groups
were mistakenly omitted. This final rule
corrects that inconsistency by revising
the season dates for the rockfish,
cabezon and greenling (RCG) complex
(§ 660.360(C)(3)(ii)(A)), lingcod
(§ 660.360(C)(3)(iii)(A)), and California
scorpionfish (§ 660.360(C)(3)(v)(A)).
Finally, at its November 2018
meeting, the Council recommended
changes to the trip limits for the open
access fisheries north of 36° N latitude
for sablefish, and for the fisheries north
and south of 40°10′ N latitude for canary
rockfish. Additionally, the Council
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recommended changes to the trip limit
for the limited entry fixed gear fisheries
north of 36° N latitude for sablefish. All
changes are to increase trip limits as a
result of updated catch data that show
lower than projected attainment for
these stocks in the most recent fishing
season. As a result, trip limits can be
raised to allow for full attainment of the
HG for both of these stocks in 2019.
These changes were made under the
inseason action process and are
incorporated into this rule for
implementation for the 2019 fisheries.
Because these trip limits are within the
range of what was previously analyzed,
they are a minor, routine adjustment to
the management measures for the 2019
groundfish fisheries.
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VI. Classification
Pursuant to sections 304(b)(1)(A) and
305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the
NMFS Assistant Administrator has
determined that this rule is consistent
with the FMP, other provisions of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other
applicable law.
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 on January 1,
2019. This action establishes the final
specifications (i.e., annual catch limits)
for the Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries
for the 2019 fishing year, which begins
on January 1, 2019. If this final rule is
not effective on January 1, 2019, then
the fishing year begins using the catch
limits and management measures from
2018.
Because this final rule increases the
catch limits for several species for 2019,
leaving 2018 harvest specifications in
place could unnecessarily delay fishing
opportunities until later in the year,
potentially reducing the total catch for
these species in 2019. Thus, a delay in
effectiveness could ultimately cause
economic harm to the fishing industry
and associated fishing communities or
result in harvest levels inconsistent with
the best available scientific information.
For example, due to the improved status
of yelloweye rockfish, the Council
recommended significant changes in
catch limits and management measures
for a number of sector of the fishery,
including higher trip limits for the
limited entry fleets, reductions in depth
limit restrictions for the recreational
fisheries, and more quota pounds for the
Shorebased IFQ fishery. This measure
provides for a year-round opportunity to
access underutilized target stocks. In
effect, because this final rule
implements higher catch limits for
many species than are in effect for 2018,
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this final rule relieves a restriction on
the fishing industry.
This final rule is not unexpected or
controversial for the public. The
groundfish harvest specifications are
published biennially and are intended
to be effective on January 1 of odd
numbered years. Additionally, the
subject of this final rule has been
developed over a series of six public
meetings of the Pacific Fishery
Management Council from June 2017 to
June 2018. These meetings are publicly
noticed and the public is provided
opportunity to comment on actions
through this venue as well as through
rulemaking.
Because of the potential harm to
fishing communities that could be
caused by delaying the effectiveness of
this final rule and because of the
previous notification to the regulated
public of these changes through the
Council process, NMFS finds there is
good cause to waive the 30-day delay in
effectiveness.
NMFS prepared an integrated analysis
for this action, which addresses the
statutory requirements of the MagnusonStevens Act, the National
Environmental Policy Act, Presidential
Executive Order 12866, and the
Regulatory Flexibility Act. The NMFS
WCR Regional Administrator concluded
in a ‘‘Finding of No Significant Impact’’
that there will be no significant impact
on the human environment as a result
of this rule. A copy of the integrated
analysis is available from NMFS (see
ADDRESSES). The Office of Management
and Budget has determined that this
action is not significant for purposes of
Executive Order 12866.
NMFS prepared a final regulatory
flexibility analysis (FRFA) under section
603 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act
(RFA), which incorporates the initial
regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA). A
summary of any significant issues raised
by the public comments in response to
the IRFA, and NMFS’s responses to
those comments, and a summary of the
analyses completed to support the
action are addressed below. NMFS also
prepared a Regulatory Impact Review
(RIR) for this action. A copy of the RIR
and FRFA are available from NMFS (see
ADDRESSES), and per the requirements of
5 U.S.C. 604(a), the text of the FRFA
follows:
Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
As applicable, section 604 of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
requires an agency to prepare a final
regulatory flexibility analysis (FRFA)
after being required by that section or
any other law to publish a general
notice of proposed rulemaking and
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63987
when an agency promulgates a final rule
under section 553 of Title 5 of the U.S.
Code. The following paragraphs
constitute the FRFA for this action.
This FRFA incorporates the Initial
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA), a
summary of any significant issues raised
by the public comments, NMFS’s
responses to those comments, and a
summary of the analyses completed to
support the action. Analytical
requirements for the FRFA are described
in the RFA, section 604(a)(1) through
(6). FRFAs contain:
1. A statement of the need for, and
objectives of, the rule;
2. A statement of the significant issues
raised by the public comments in
response to the IRFA, a statement of the
assessment of the agency of such issues,
and a statement of any changes made in
the proposed rule as a result of such
comments;
3. The response of the agency to any
comments filed by the Chief Counsel for
Advocacy of the Small Business
Administration (SBA) in response to the
proposed rule, and a detailed statement
of any change made to the proposed rule
in the final rule as a result of the
comments;
4. A description and an estimate of
the number of small entities to which
the rule will apply, or an explanation of
why no such estimate is available;
5. A description of the projected
reporting, recordkeeping, and other
compliance requirements of the rule,
including an estimate of the classes of
small entities which will be subject to
the requirement and the type of
professional skills necessary for
preparation of the report or record; and
6. A description of the steps the
agency has taken to minimize the
significant economic impact on small
entities consistent with the stated
objectives of applicable statutes,
including a statement of the factual,
policy, and legal reasons for selecting
the alternative adopted in the final rule
and why each one of the other
significant alternatives to the rule
considered by the agency which affect
the impact on small entities was
rejected.
The ‘‘universe’’ of entities to be
considered in a FRFA generally
includes only those small entities that
can reasonably be expected to be
directly regulated by the action. If the
effects of the rule fall primarily on a
distinct segment of the industry, or
portion thereof (e.g., user group, gear
type, geographic area), that segment will
be considered the universe for purposes
of this analysis.
In preparing a FRFA, an agency may
provide either a quantifiable or
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numerical description of the effects of a
rule (and alternatives to the rule), or
more general descriptive statements, if
quantification is not practicable or
reliable.
Need for and Objective of This Final
Rule
The purpose of this final rule is to
prevent overfishing, to rebuild
overfished stocks, to ensure
conservation, to facilitate long-term
protection of essential fish habitat
(EFH), and to realize the full potential
of the nation’s fishery resources
(Magnuson-Stevens Act section 2(a)(6)).
This final rule is needed to respond to
new scientific information and
information about the needs of fishing
communities, to provide additional
tools to ensure that annual catch limits
(ACLs) and other Federal harvest
guidelines (HGs) are not exceeded, and
to afford additional fishing
opportunities where warranted.
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Summary of Significant Issues Raised
During Public Comment
NMFS published the proposed rule
for the 2019–2020 harvest specifications
and management measures on
September 19, 2018 (83 FR 47416). An
IRFA was prepared and summarized in
the Classification section of the
preamble to the proposed rule. The
comment period on the proposed rule
ended on October 19, 2018. NMFS
received eight comment letters on the
proposed rule. The Chief Counsel for
Advocacy of the SBA did not file any
comments on the IRFA or the proposed
rule. One comment was received
pertaining to the IRFA, from CDFW,
providing results of an analysis that
changes the estimated number of vessels
that may be impacted by a change in
open access lingcod trip limits for
vessels fishing in the salmon troll
fishery between 42° N lat. and 40°10′ N
lat. This information was updated for
the FRFA below.
A Description and an Estimate of the
Number of Small Entities to Which the
Rule Will Apply
The RFA (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)
requires government agencies to assess
the effects that regulatory alternatives
would have on small entities, defined as
any business/organization
independently owned and operated, not
dominant in its field of operation
(including its affiliates). A small
harvesting business has combined
annual receipts of $11 million 1 or less
for all affiliated operations worldwide.
1 On December 29, 2015, the National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued a final rule
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A small fish-processing business is
one that employs 750 or fewer persons
for all affiliated operations worldwide.
NMFS is applying this standard to
catcher/processors for the purposes of
this rulemaking, because these vessels
earn the majority of their revenue from
selling processed fish.
For marinas and charter/party boats,
a small business is one that has annual
receipts not in excess of $7.5 million. A
wholesale business servicing the fishing
industry is a small business if it
employs 100 or fewer persons on a fulltime, part-time, temporary, or other
basis, at all its affiliated operations
worldwide.
For the purposes of this rulemaking,
a nonprofit organization is determined
to be ‘‘not dominant in its field of
operation’’ if it is considered small
under one of the following SBA size
standards: Environmental, conservation,
or professional organizations are
considered small if they have combined
annual receipts of $15 million or less,
and other organizations are considered
small if they have combined annual
receipts of $7.5 million or less. The RFA
defines small governmental
jurisdictions as governments of cities,
counties, towns, townships, villages,
school districts, or special districts with
populations of less than 50,000.
This final rule regulates businesses
that participate in the groundfish
fishery. This rule directly affects
commercial vessels in the groundfish
fisheries, trawl quota share (QS) holders
and Pacific whiting catch history
endorsed permit holders (which include
shorebased whiting processors), tribal
vessels, and charterboat vessels.
Additionally, a provision of this final
rule regulates commercial vessels in the
salmon troll fleet.
To determine the number of small
entities potentially affected by this rule,
NMFS reviewed analyses of fish ticket
data and limited entry permit data,
information on charterboat, tribal, and
open access fleets, available costearnings data developed by NWFSC,
and responses associated with the
permitting process for the Trawl
Rationalization Program where
establishing a small business size standard of $11
million in annual gross receipts for all businesses
primarily engaged in the commercial fishing
industry (NAICS 11411) for Regulatory Flexibility
Act (RFA) compliance purposes only (80 FR 81194,
December 29, 2015). The $11 million standard
became effective on July 1, 2016, and after that date
it is to be used in all NMFS rules subject to the
RFA. Id. at 81194. This NMFS rule is to be used
in place of the U.S. Small Business
Administration’s (SBA) current standards of $20.5
million, $5.5 million, and $7.5 million for the
finfish (NAICS 114111), shellfish (NAICS 114112),
and other marine fishing (NAICS 114119) sectors of
the U.S. commercial fishing industry, respectively.
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applicants were asked if they
considered themselves a small business
based on SBA definitions. This rule
primarily regulates businesses that
harvest groundfish.
Charter Operations
There were an estimated 287 active
Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessels
(charter) engaged in groundfish fishing
in California in 2017. In 2017, an
estimated 49 charter boats targeted
groundfish in Oregon. There is no
Oregon license or tracking of ‘‘six pack’’
or party fishing vessel businesses that
will also be impacted, however in one
week in August 2017, there were 285
boat trips targeting recreational
groundfish in Oregon, which would
include the 49 charter vessels, and is an
upper bound of such entities likely to be
impacted in Oregon. Similarly in
Washington, the number of party/
charter vessels likely to be impacted by
the rule was 182 in 2017. All 705 of
these vessels are likely to be impacted
by changes in recreational catch
guidelines for groundfish in their
respective states.
Commercial Vessels
Groundfish
Entities that are not registered as
trusts, estates, governments, or nonprofits are assumed to earn the majority
of their revenue from commercial
fishing. The definition above is used for
124 QS permit owners, who collectively
received 76.5 percent of the QP issued
in 2018. Limited entry groundfish
vessels are required to self-report size
across all affiliated entities; of the
business who earn the majority of their
revenue from commercial fishing, one
self-reported as large. This entity owns
four groundfish permits and one QS
permit. 264 entities owning 376 permits
self-reported as small. The average small
entity owns 1.4 permits, with 30 small
entities owning between 3–6 permits
each. Open access groundfish vessel
owners are assumed to earn the majority
of their revenue from fishing and would
thus fall into the SBA definition of
small entities. 186 non-limited entry
vessels harvested at least $10,000 worth
of groundfish in 2017; these are likely
to be impacted by this final rule. This
number is likely an upper bound as
some entities may own more than one
vessel; however, these generally small
operations are assumed to be
independent entities; with the top three
vessels having coastwide (including
non-groundfish) revenues averaging
$585,000. Median revenues were
$37,000 per vessel.
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In addition to benefits from increasing
ACLs in the harvest specifications,
several of the new management
measures contained in the rule are
likely to benefit vessels. Clarifications
such as the stock complex restructuring
and updates to Rockfish Conservation
Area coordinates may streamline
management burden for vessels. IFQ
vessels are expected to benefit from the
removal of daily vessel quota pounds,
which did not appear to constrain
operations but did account for some
level of administrative burden for quota
pound account managers. With the
elimination of these limits, managers
will have greater flexibility in moving
and holding quota pounds for the
remaining overfished species and
halibut IBQ. These vessels and vessel
account operators may also benefit
somewhat from changes to the discard
mortality rates in the IFQ program.
Some of the non-trawl fixed gear vessels
are expected to benefit by the
modifications to the commercial depths
inside the Western Cowcod
Conservation area in California.
Salmon Trollers
This final rule primarily impacts
entities in the groundfish fishery.
However, one new management
measure included the rule will likely
benefit vessels primarily involved in the
salmon troll fishery, through a
modification in the incidental lingcod
retention ratio in that fishery. This
modification reflects the increased rate
of lingcod encounters during declining
Chinook salmon harvest seasons. This
modification allows salmon trollers to
retain and sell a larger number of
lingcod caught incidentally when
targeting salmon. The level of activity
varies substantially, with trips ranging
from 500 to over 5,500 in a year. The
subsector of the fleet expected to benefit
from the final rule is much smaller, as
historically a small proportion has
elected to land lingcod within the
previously allowed limits. In order to
land lingcod, the vessel would have to
install VMS, which likely deters salmon
trollers, among other factors. Thus, this
provision of the final rule may impact
between 14 to 133 vessels in California
of the approximately 207 operating
there if they choose to retain lingcod.
These estimates are updated from the
IRFA based on public comment from
CDFW and the results of their analysis.
In Oregon, between 7 and 85 trollers
have landed lingcod, and in Washington
between 10 and 17. This final rule is
expected to have a small benefit to these
235 vessels, which landed lingcod on a
median of 1–2 trips, with vessels in the
90th percentile landing lingcod on 5
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trips annually. This small positive
benefit is not expected to be a
substantial impact, nor are the entities
likely to be impacted a substantial
number of the overall salmon troll
fishery.
QS Owners
As the harvest specifications process
determines the amount of QP available
in the catch share (limited entry trawl
permit Individual Fishing Quota) sector,
this final rule will impact QS. Twentytwo non-whiting QS permit owners are
estimated, based on holdings of first
receiver permit affiliation in the nonpublic West Coast Region permits
database, to be primarily engaged in
seafood ‘‘product preparation and
packaging.’’ According to the size
standard defined above, three of the
entities that own three of these permits
are considered small. These small
processing entities were issued 1.7
percent of the non-whiting QP issued in
2018. Some of these small processing
entities also own groundfish permits,
required on both catcher vessels and
catcher processors, which would be
regulated by this final rule; three small
entities primarily engaged in seafood
processing own two groundfish permits.
Thirty groundfish vessel permits are
owned by seven entities who are
considered large both estimated
independently using the definition
above, as well as through ownership
affiliation to self-reported size on
groundfish permit and first receiver site
license permits (self-reported using the
definition above). Six of these seven
large processing entities were issued
10.2 percent of the non-whiting QP
issued in 2018 across sixteen QS
permits.
Governmental Jurisdictions
According to the public IFQ Account
database as of June 19, 2018, the City of
Monterey owns QS of ten stocks. The
U.S. Census estimates the population to
be 28,454 as of July 1, 2017, so it would
be considered a small governmental
jurisdiction by the RFA standard above.
The City of Monterey received 0.5
percent of the QP issued for 2018
according to the public IFQ Account
database.
Not-for-Profits
According to the public IFQ Account
database, six not-for-profit organizations
own QS in the catch share program and
would thus be impacted by the trawl
sector allocation under this final rule.
Five of these would be considered small
by the definition above (2016 annual
receipts as reported on IRS form 990 of
$120–500 thousand dollars), and one
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63989
large (self-reported fiscal year 2017
receipts of $1.1 billion). Collectively,
the five small not-for-profit
organizations received 7.2 percent of the
non-whiting 2 QP issued in 2018, and
the large not-for-profit organization
received 0.5 percent. The large not-forprofit organization also owned four
limited entry trawl permits which
would be impacted by the management
measures of the rule.
Small Trusts
Eleven personal or family trusts/
estates owned QS permits and would
thus potentially be impacted by the
trawl sector allocation under this final
rule. All of these are assumed to be
smaller than the size standard above.
Collectively, these eight small entities
received 4.2 percent of the non-whiting
QP issued for 2018.
Recordkeeping, Reporting, and Other
Compliance Requirements
This rule does not modify existing
recordkeeping or reporting
requirements.
Description of Significant Alternatives
to This Final Rule That Minimize
Economic Impacts on Small Entities
In the event of a fishery closure under
the Biological Opinion provisions
included in this rule, the loss of revenue
in groundfish fisheries would likely
have a substantial negative impact on a
significant number of small entities, an
equal impact to all large entities in the
fishery. However, such a closure is not
anticipated by either analysts or
industry, given historic catch levels and
cooperative management structures with
extensive inseason monitoring. Because
these provisions are non-discretionary
under the ESA, there are no significant
alternatives to the rule that would
minimize adverse economic impacts on
small entities.
The Council did consider alternatives
to the rule which would have had a
lower level of benefits to small entities,
the Council did not consider
alternatives that would have had greater
benefits to small entities as these would
not have met several primary objectives
of the rule (prevent overfishing, rebuild
overfished stocks, ensure conservation).
Under No Action, the default harvest
specifications and associated routine
management measures would be
implemented using best scientific
information available to establish
default harvest control rules for all
groundfish stocks. The Council
2 Whiting is issued annually through a separate
rulemaking process resulting from international
treaty negotiations, see 83 FR 22401 (May 15, 2018)
for more information and 2018 allocations.
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considered alternative specifications for
California scorpionfish, lingcod north of
40°10′ N lat, and yelloweye rockfish. In
each case, the Council selected the
harvest control rule that resulted in the
maximum benefits to both large and
small directly regulated entities.
Routine management measures are
adjusted according to harvest
specifications, which also impact the
new management measures available for
implementation.
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Small Entity Compliance Guide
Section 212 of the Small Business
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of
1996 states that, for each rule or group
of related rules for which an agency is
required to prepare a final regulatory
flexibility analysis, the agency shall
publish one or more guides to assist
small entities in complying with the
rule, and shall designate such
publications as ‘‘small entity
compliance guides.’’ The agency shall
explain the actions a small entity is
required to take to comply with a rule
or group of rules. As part of this
rulemaking process, a small entity
compliance guide (the guide) was
prepared. Copies of this final rule are
available from the West Coast Regional
Office (see ADDRESSES), and the guide
will be included in a public notice sent
to all members of the groundfish email
group. To sign-up for the groundfish
email group, click on the ‘‘subscribe’’
link on the following website: https://
www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/
publications/fishery_management/
groundfish/public_notices/recent_
public_notices.html. The guide and this
final rule will also be available on the
West Coast Region’s website (see
ADDRESSES) and upon request.
Executive Order 13175
Pursuant to Executive Order 13175,
this rule was developed after
meaningful consultation and
collaboration with tribal officials from
the area covered by the PCGFMP. Under
the Magnuson-Stevens Act at 16 U.S.C.
1852(b)(5), one of the voting members of
the Pacific Council must be a
representative of an Indian tribe with
federally recognized fishing rights from
the area of the Council’s jurisdiction. In
addition, regulations implementing the
PCGFMP establish a procedure by
which the tribes with treaty fishing
rights in the area covered by the
PCGFMP request new allocations or
regulations specific to the tribes, in
writing, before the first of the two
meetings at which the Council considers
groundfish management measures. The
regulations at 50 CFR 660.324(d) further
state, ‘‘the Secretary will develop tribal
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allocations and regulations under this
paragraph in consultation with the
affected tribe(s) and, insofar as possible,
with tribal consensus.’’ The tribal
management measures in this rule have
been developed following these
procedures. The tribal representative on
the Council made a motion to adopt the
non-whiting tribal management
measures, which was passed by the
Council. Those management measures,
which were developed and proposed by
the tribes, are included in this final rule.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660
Fisheries, Fishing, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: December 3, 2018.
Samuel D. Rauch, III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, 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. In § 660.11, in the definition of
‘‘Conservation area(s),’’ revise paragraph
(1), and in the definition of
‘‘Groundfish,’’ revise paragraphs (6),
(7)(i), and (9) to read as follows:
■
§ 660.11
General definitions.
*
*
*
*
*
Conservation area(s) * * *
(1) Groundfish Conservation Area or
GCA means a geographic area defined
by coordinates expressed in degrees
latitude and longitude, wherein fishing
by a particular gear type or types may
be prohibited. Regulations at
§ 660.60(c)(3) describe the various
purposes for which these GCAs may be
implemented. Regulations at § 660.70
define coordinates for these polygonal
GCAs: Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation
Areas, Cowcod Conservation Areas,
waters encircling the Farallon Islands,
and waters encircling the Cordell Bank.
GCAs also include Bycatch Reduction
Areas (BRAs), and Rockfish
Conservation Areas or RCAs, which are
areas closed to fishing by particular gear
types, bounded by lines approximating
particular depth contours. RCA
boundaries may and do change
seasonally according to conservation
needs. Regulations at §§ 660.70 through
660.74 define boundary lines with
latitude/longitude coordinates;
regulations at Tables 1 (North) and 1
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(South) of subpart D of this part, Tables
2 (North) and 2 (South) of subpart E of
this part, and Tables 3 (North) and 3
(South) of subpart F of this part set
seasonal boundaries. Fishing
prohibitions associated with GCAs are
in addition to those associated with EFH
Conservation Areas.
*
*
*
*
*
Groundfish * * *
*
*
*
*
*
(6) Roundfish: Cabezon,
Scorpaenichthys marmoratus; kelp
greenling, Hexagrammos decagrammus;
lingcod, Ophiodon elongatus; Pacific
cod, Gadus macrocephalus; Pacific
whiting, Merluccius productus;
sablefish, Anoplopoma fimbria. Species
listed in paragraphs (6)(i) and (ii) of this
definition with an area-specific listing
are managed within a complex in that
area-specific listing.
(i) Between 46°16′ N lat. and the U.S.
Canada border (Washington): Cabezon,
S. marmoratus and kelp greenling, H.
decagrammus.
(ii) Between 46°16′ N lat. and 42° N
lat. (Oregon): Cabezon, S. marmoratus
and kelp greenling, H. decagrammus.
(7) * * *
(i) Nearshore rockfish includes black
rockfish, Sebastes melanops (off
Washington and California) and the
following nearshore rockfish species
managed in ‘‘minor rockfish’’
complexes:
(A) North of 46°16′ N lat.
(Washington) and between 42°00′ N lat.
and 40°10′ N lat. (northern California):
Black and yellow rockfish, S.
chrysomelas; blue rockfish, S. mystinus;
brown rockfish, S. auriculatus; calico
rockfish, S. dalli; China rockfish, S.
nebulosus; copper rockfish, S. caurinus;
deacon rockfish, S. diaconus, gopher
rockfish, S. carnatus; grass rockfish, S.
rastrelliger; kelp rockfish, S. atrovirens;
olive rockfish, S. serranoides; quillback
rockfish, S. maliger; treefish, S.
serriceps.
(B) Between 46°16′ N lat. and 42° N
lat. (Oregon): Black and yellow rockfish,
S. chrysomelas; brown rockfish, S.
auriculatus; calico rockfish, S. dalli;
China rockfish, S. nebulosus; copper
rockfish, S. caurinus; gopher rockfish, S.
carnatus; grass rockfish, S. rastrelliger;
kelp rockfish, S. atrovirens; olive
rockfish, S. serranoides; quillback
rockfish, S. maliger; treefish, S.
serriceps.
(C) Between 46°16′ N lat. and 42° N
lat. (Oregon): Black rockfish, S.
melanops, blue rockfish, S. mystinus,
and deacon rockfish, S. diaconus.
*
*
*
*
*
(9) ‘‘Other Fish’’: kelp greenling
(Hexagrammos decagrammus) off
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California and leopard shark (Trakis
semifasciata).
*
*
*
*
*
■ 3. Amend § 660.40 as follows:
■ a. Remove paragraph (a), (c), and (d);
■ b. Redesignate paragraphs (b) and (e)
as paragraph (a) and (b); and
■ c. Revise newly redesignated
paragraph (b).
The revision reads as follows:
§ 660.40
plans.
Overfished species rebuilding
*
*
*
*
*
(b) Yelloweye rockfish. Yelloweye
rockfish was declared overfished in
2002. The target year for rebuilding the
yelloweye rockfish stock to BMSY is
2029. The harvest control rule to be
used to rebuild the yelloweye rockfish
stock is an annual SPR harvest rate of
65.0 percent.
■ 4. In § 660.50, revise paragraphs
(f)(2)(ii) and (f)(6) and add paragraph (h)
to read as follows:
§ 660.50 Pacific Coast treaty Indian
fisheries.
*
*
*
*
*
(f) * * *
(2) * * *
(ii) The Tribal allocation is 561 mt in
2019 and 572 mt in 2020 per year. This
allocation is, for each year, 10 percent
of the Monterey through Vancouver area
(North of 36° N lat.) ACL. The Tribal
allocation is reduced by 1.5 percent for
estimated discard mortality.
*
*
*
*
*
(6) Petrale sole. For petrale sole, treaty
fishing vessels are restricted to a
fleetwide harvest target of 290 mt each
year.
*
*
*
*
*
(h) Salmon bycatch. This fishery may
be closed through automatic action at
§ 660.60(d)(1)(v) and (vi).
■ 5. In § 660.55, revise paragraphs
(c)(1)(i)(A) and (B) to read as follows:
§ 660.55
Allocations.
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*
*
*
*
*
(c) * * *
(1) * * *
(i) * * *
(A) Darkblotched rockfish. Distribute
9 percent or 25 mt, whichever is greater,
of the total trawl allocation of
darkblotched rockfish to the Pacific
whiting fishery (MS sector, C/P sector,
and Shorebased IFQ sectors). The
distribution of darkblotched rockfish to
each sector will be done pro rata relative
to the sector’s allocation of the
commercial harvest guideline for Pacific
whiting. Darkblotched rockfish
distributed to the MS sector and C/P
sector are managed as set-asides at Table
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1d and Table 2d to this subpart. The
allocation of darkblotched rockfish to
the Pacific whiting IFQ fishery
contributes to the Shorebased IFQ
allocation. After deducting allocations
for the Pacific whiting fishery, the
remaining trawl allocation is allocated
to the Shorebased IFQ Program.
(B) Pacific Ocean Perch (POP).
Distribute 17 percent or 30 mt,
whichever is greater, of the total trawl
allocation of POP to the Pacific whiting
fishery (MS sector, C/P sector, and
Shorebased IFQ sector). The distribution
of POP to each sector will be done pro
rata relative to the sector’s allocation of
the commercial harvest guideline for
Pacific whiting. POP distributed to the
MS sector and C/P sector are managed
as set-asides at Table 1d and Table 2d
to this subpart. The allocation of POP to
the Pacific whiting IFQ fishery
contributes to the Shorebased IFQ
allocation. After deducting allocations
for the Pacific whiting fishery, the
remaining trawl allocation is allocated
to the Shorebased IFQ Program.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 6. Amend § 660.60 as follows:
■ a. Revise paragraph (d)(1)(v);
■ b. Remove paragraph (d)(1)(vii);
■ c. Redesignate paragraph (d)(1)(vi) as
paragraph (d)(1)(vii); and
■ d. Add new paragraph (d)(1)(vi).
The revision and addition read as
follows:
§ 660.60 Specifications and management
measures.
*
*
*
*
*
(d) * * *
(1) * * *
(v) Close one or both of the whiting
or non-whiting sectors of the groundfish
fishery upon that sector having
exceeded its annual Chinook salmon
bycatch guideline and the reserve.
The whiting sector includes the
Pacific whiting IFQ fishery, MS, and
C/P sectors. The non-whiting sector
includes the midwater trawl, bottom
trawl, and fixed gear fisheries under the
Shorebased IFQ Program, limited entry
fixed gear fisheries, open access
fisheries, and recreational fisheries
subject to this provision as set out in
§ 660.360(d).
(A) The whiting sector Chinook
salmon bycatch guideline is 11,000 fish.
(B) The non-whiting sector Chinook
salmon bycatch guideline is 5,500 fish.
(C) The reserve is 3,500 fish.
(vi) Close the whiting or non-whiting
sector of the groundfish fishery upon
that sector having exceeded its annual
Chinook salmon bycatch guideline if the
other sector has already been closed
after exceeding its Chinook salmon
bycatch guideline and the reserve. The
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63991
whiting sector includes the Pacific
whiting IFQ fishery, MS, and C/P
sectors. The non-whiting sector includes
the midwater trawl, bottom trawl, and
fixed gear fisheries under the
Shorebased IFQ Program, limited entry
fixed gear fisheries, open access
fisheries, and recreational fisheries
subject to this provision as set out in
§ 660.360(d).
*
*
*
*
*
■ 7. Amend § 660.71 as follows:
■ a. Redesignate paragraphs (k) through
(n) as paragraphs (o) through (r); and
■ b. Add new paragraphs (k) through (n)
and paragraphs (s) through (v).
The additions read as follows:
§ 660.71 Latitude/longitude coordinates
defining the 10–fm (18–m) through 40–fm
(73–m) depth contours.
*
*
*
*
*
(k) The 30 fm (55 m) depth contour
around Santa Barbara Island off the state
of California is defined by straight lines
connecting all of the following points in
the order stated:
(1) 33°30.38′ N lat., 119°03.15′ W
long.;
(2) 33°29.64′ N lat., 119°00.58′ W
long.;
(3) 33°27.24′ N lat., 119°01.73′ W
long.;
(4) 33°27.76′ N lat., 119°03.48′ W
long.;
(5) 33°29.50′ N lat., 119°04.20′ W
long.; and
(6) 33°30.38′ N lat., 119°03.15′ W
long.
(l) The 30 fm (55 m) depth contour
around San Nicholas Island off the state
of California is defined by straight lines
connecting all of the following points in
the order stated:
(1) 33°18.39′ N lat., 119°38.87′ W
long.;
(2) 33°18.63′ N lat., 119°27.52′ W
long.;
(3) 33°15.24′ N lat., 119°20.10′ W
long.;
(4) 33°13.27′ N lat., 119°20.10′ W
long.;
(5) 33°12.16′ N lat., 119°26.82′ W
long.;
(6) 33°13.20′ N lat., 119°31.87′ W.
long.;
(7) 33°15.70′ N lat., 119°38.87′ W
long.;
(8) 33°17.52′ N lat., 119°40.15′ W
long.; and
(9) 33°18.39′ N lat., 119°38.87′ W
long.
(m) The 30 fm (55 m) depth contour
around Tanner Bank off the state of
California is defined by straight lines
connecting all of the following points in
the order stated:
(1) 32°43.02′ N lat., 119°08.52′ W
long.;
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(2) 32°41.81′ N lat., 119°06.20′ W
long.;
(3) 32°40.67′ N lat., 119°06.82′ W
long.;
(4) 32°41.62′ N lat., 119°09.46′ W
long.; and
(5) 32°43.02′ N lat., 119°08.52′ W
long.
(n) The 30 fm (55 m) depth contour
around Cortes Bank off the state of
California is defined by straight lines
connecting all of the following points in
the order stated:
(1) 32°29.73′ N lat., 119°12.95′ W
long.;
(2) 32°28.17′ N lat., 119°07.04′ W
long.;
(3) 32°26.27′ N lat., 119°04.14′ W
long.;
(4) 32°25.22′ N lat., 119°04.77′ W
long.;
(5) 32°28.60′ N lat., 119°14.15′ W
long.; and
(6) 32°29.73′ N lat., 119°12.95′ W
long.
*
*
*
*
*
(s) The 40 fm (73 m) depth contour
around Santa Barbara Island off the state
of California is defined by straight lines
connecting all of the following points in
the order stated:
(1) 33°30.87′ N lat., 119°02.43′ W
long.;
(2) 33°29.87′ N lat., 119°00.34′ W
long.;
(3) 33°27.08′ N lat., 119°01.65′ W
long.;
(4) 33°27.64′ N lat., 119°03.45′ W
long.;
(5) 33°29.12′ N lat., 119°04.55′ W
long.;
(6) 33°29.66′ N lat., 119°05.49′ W
long.; and
(7) 33°30.87′ N lat., 119°02.43′ W
long.
(t) The 40 fm (73 m) depth contour
around Tanner Bank off the state of
California is defined by straight lines
connecting all of the following points in
the order stated:
(1) 32°43.40′ N lat., 119°08.56′ W
long.;
(2) 32°41.36′ N lat., 119°05.02′ W
long.;
(3) 32°40.07′ N lat., 119°05.59′ W
long.;
(4) 32°41.51′ N lat., 119°09.76′ W
long.; and
(5) 32°43.40′ N lat., 119°08.56′ W
long.
(u) The 40 fm (73 m) depth contour
around San Nicholas Island off the state
of California is defined by straight lines
connecting all of the following points in
the order stated:
(1) 33°19.30′ N lat., 119°41.05′ W
long.;
(2) 33°19.42′ N lat., 119°27.88′ W
long.;
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(3) 33°14.31′ N lat., 119°17.48′ W
long.;
(4) 33°12.90′ N lat., 119°17.64′ W
long.;
(5) 33°11.89′ N lat., 119°27.26′ W
long.;
(6) 33°12.19′ N lat., 119°29.96′ W
long.;
(7) 33°15.42′ N lat., 119°39.14′ W
long.;
(8) 33°17.58′ N lat., 119°41.38′ W
long.; and
(9) 33°19.30′ N lat., 119°41.05′ W
long.
(v) The 40 fm (73 m) depth contour
around Cortes Bank off the state of
California is defined by straight lines
connecting all of the following points in
the order stated:
(1) 32°30.00′ N lat., 119°12.98′ W
long.;
(2) 32°28.33′ N lat., 119°06.81′ W
long.;
(3) 32°25.69′ N lat., 119°03.21′ W
long.;
(4) 32°24.66′ N lat., 119°03.83′ W
long.;
(5) 32°28.48′ N lat., 119°14.66′ W
long.; and
(6) 32°30.00′ N lat., 119°12.98′ W
long.
■ 8. Amend § 660.72 as follows:
■ a. Redesignate paragraphs (k)(15)
through (31) as (k)(17) through (33),
respectively; and
■ b. Add new paragraphs (k)(15) and
(16).
The additions read as follows:
§ 660.72 Latitude/longitude coordinates
defining the 50 fm (91 m) through 75 fm (137
m) depth contours.
*
*
*
*
*
(k) * * *
(15) 33°57.77′ N lat., 119°33.49′ W
long.;
(16) 33°57.64′ N lat., 119°35.78′ W
long.;
*
*
*
*
*
■ 9. Amend § 660.73 as follows:
■ a. Revise paragraphs (a)(178), (181),
and (190) through (192) and (d)(205)
through (354);
■ b. Add paragraphs (d)(355) through
(363);
■ c. Revise paragraphs (h)(281) through
(313); and
■ d. Add paragraphs (h)(314) through
(316).
The revisions and additions read as
follows:
§ 660.73 Latitude/longitude coordinates
defining the 100 fm (183 m) through 150 fm
(274 m) depth contours.
*
*
*
*
*
(a) * * *
(178) 40°10.13′ N lat., 124°21.92′ W
long.;
*
*
*
*
*
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(181) 40°06.39′ N lat., 124°17.26′ W
long.;
*
*
*
*
*
(190) 40°01.00′ N lat., 124°09.96′ W
long.;
(191) 39°58.07′ N lat., 124°11.81′ W
long.;
(192) 39°56.39′ N lat., 124°08.69′ W
long.;
*
*
*
*
*
(d) * * *
(205) 40°02.67′ N lat., 124°11.83′ W
long.;
(206) 40°02.70′ N lat., 124°10.57′ W
long.;
(207) 40°04.08′ N lat., 124°10.09′ W
long.;
(208) 40°04.08′ N lat., 124°09.10′ W
long.;
(209) 40°01.23′ N lat., 124°08.91′ W
long.;
(210) 40°01.18′ N lat., 124°09.92′ W
long.;
(211) 39°58.05′ N. lat., 124°11.87′ W
long.;
(212) 39°56.39′ N lat., 124°08.70′ W
long.;
(213) 39°54.64′ N lat., 124°07.31′ W
long.;
(214) 39°53.87′ N lat., 124°07.95′ W
long.;
(215) 39°52.42′ N lat., 124°08.18′ W
long.;
(216) 39°49.64′ N lat., 124°06.05′ W
long.;
(217) 39°49.30′ N lat., 124°04.60′ W
long.;
(218) 39°48.49′ N lat., 124°03.86′ W
long.;
(219) 39°47.73′ N lat., 124°04.59′ W
long.;
(220) 39°42.50′ N lat., 124°00.60′ W
long.;
(221) 39°34.23′ N lat., 123°56.82′ W
long.;
(222) 39°33.00′ N lat., 123°56.44′ W
long.;
(223) 39°30.96′ N lat., 123°56.00′ W
long.;
(224) 39°31.34′ N lat., 123°56.71′ W
long.;
(225) 39°32.03′ N lat., 123°57.44′ W
long.;
(226) 39°31.43′ N lat., 123°58.16′ W
long.;
(227) 39°05.56′ N lat., 123°57.24′ W
long.;
(228) 39°01.75′ N lat., 123°56.83′ W
long.;
(229) 38°59.52′ N lat., 123°55.95′ W
long.;
(230) 38°58.98′ N lat., 123°56.57′ W
long.;
(231) 38°57.50′ N lat., 123°56.57′ W
long.;
(232) 38°53.91′ N lat., 123°56.00′ W
long.;
(233) 38°42.57′ N lat., 123°46.60′ W
long.;
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(234) 38°28.72′ N lat., 123°35.61′ W
long.;
(235) 38°28.01′ N lat., 123°36.47′ W
long.;
(236) 38°20.94′ N lat., 123°31.26′ W
long.;
(237) 38°15.94′ N lat., 123°25.33′ W
long.;
(238) 38°10.95′ N lat., 123°23.19′ W
long.;
(239) 38°05.52′ N lat., 123°22.90′ W
long.;
(240) 38°08.46′ N lat., 123°26.23′ W
long.;
(241) 38°06.95′ N lat., 123°28.03′ W
long.;
(242) 38°06.25′ N lat., 123°29.70′ W
long.;
(243) 38°04.57′ N lat., 123°31.37′ W
long.;
(244) 38°02.32′ N lat., 123°31.09′ W
long.;
(245) 37°59.97′ N lat., 123°28.43′ W
long.;
(246) 37°58.10′ N lat., 123°26.69′ W
long.;
(247) 37°55.46′ N lat., 123°27.05′ W
long.;
(248) 37°51.51′ N lat., 123°24.86′ W
long.;
(249) 37°45.01′ N lat., 123°12.09′ W
long.;
(250) 37°35.67′ N lat., 123°01.56′ W
long.;
(251) 37°26.62′ N lat., 122°56.21′ W
long.;
(252) 37°14.41′ N lat., 122°49.07′ W
long.;
(253) 37°11.00′ N lat., 122°45.87′ W
long.;
(254) 37°07.00′ N lat., 122°41.97′ W
long.;
(255) 37°03.19′ N lat., 122°38.31′ W
long.;
(256) 37°00.99′ N lat., 122°35.51′ W
long.;
(257) 36°58.31′ N lat., 122°27.56′ W
long.;
(258) 37°00.54′ N lat., 122°24.74′ W
long.;
(259) 36°57.81′ N lat., 122°24.65′ W
long.;
(260) 36°58.54′ N lat., 122°21.67′ W
long.;
(261) 36°56.52′ N lat., 122°21.70′ W
long.;
(262) 36°55.37′ N lat., 122°18.45′ W
long.;
(263) 36°52.16′ N lat., 122°12.17′ W
long.;
(264) 36°51.53′ N lat., 122°10.67′ W
long.;
(265) 36°48.05′ N lat., 122°07.59′ W
long.;
(266) 36°47.35′ N lat., 122°03.27′ W
long.;
(267) 36°50.71′ N lat., 121°58.17′ W
long.;
(268) 36°48.89′ N lat., 121°58.90′ W
long.;
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(269) 36°47.70′ N lat., 121°58.76′ W
long.;
(270) 36°48.37′ N lat., 121°51.15′ W
long.;
(271) 36°45.74′ N lat., 121°54.18′ W
long.;
(272) 36°45.50′ N lat., 121°57.73′ W
long.;
(273) 36°44.02′ N lat., 121°58.55′ W
long.;
(274) 36°38.84′ N lat., 122°01.32′ W
long.;
(275) 36°35.63′ N lat., 122°00.98′ W
long.;
(276) 36°32.47′ N lat., 121°59.17′ W
long.;
(277) 36°32.52′ N lat., 121°57.62′ W
long.;
(278) 36°30.16′ N lat., 122°00.55′ W
long.;
(279) 36°24.56′ N lat., 121°59.19′ W
long.;
(280) 36°22.19′ N lat., 122°00.30′ W
long.;
(281) 36°20.62′ N lat., 122°02.93′ W
long.;
(282) 36°18.89′ N lat., 122°05.18′ W
long.;
(283) 36°14.45′ N lat., 121°59.44′ W
long.;
(284) 36°13.73′ N lat., 121°57.38′ W
long.;
(285) 36°14.41′ N lat., 121°55.45′ W
long.;
(286) 36°10.25′ N lat., 121°43.08′ W
long.;
(287) 36°07.67′ N lat., 121°40.92′ W
long.;
(288) 36°02.51′ N lat., 121°36.76′ W
long.;
(289) 36°01.04′ N lat., 121°36.68′ W
long.;
(290) 36°00.00′ N lat., 121°35.15′ W
long.;
(291) 35°57.84′ N lat., 121°33.10′ W
long.;
(292) 35°45.57′ N lat., 121°27.26′ W
long.;
(293) 35°39.02′ N lat., 121°22.86′ W
long.;
(294) 35°25.92′ N lat., 121°05.52′ W
long.;
(295) 35°16.26′ N lat., 121°01.50′ W
long.;
(296) 35°07.60′ N lat., 120°56.49′ W
long.;
(297) 34°57.77′ N lat., 120°53.87′ W
long.;
(298) 34°42.30′ N lat., 120°53.42′ W
long.;
(299) 34°37.69′ N lat., 120°50.04′ W
long.;
(300) 34°30.13′ N lat., 120°44.45′ W
long.;
(301) 34°27.00′ N lat., 120°39.24′ W
long.;
(302) 34°24.71′ N lat., 120°35.37′ W
long.;
(303) 34°21.63′ N lat., 120°24.86′ W
long.;
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(304) 34°24.39′ N lat., 120°16.65′ W
long.;
(305) 34°22.48′ N lat., 119°56.42′ W
long.;
(306) 34°18.54′ N lat., 119°46.26′ W
long.;
(307) 34°16.37′ N lat., 119°45.12′ W
long.;
(308) 34°15.91′ N lat., 119°47.29′ W
long.;
(309) 34°13.80′ N lat., 119°45.40′ W
long.;
(310) 34°11.69′ N lat., 119°41.80′ W
long.;
(311) 34°09.98′ N lat., 119°31.87′ W
long.;
(312) 34°08.12′ N lat., 119°27.71′ W
long.;
(313) 34°06.35′ N lat., 119°32.65′ W
long.;
(314) 34°06.80′ N lat., 119°40.08′ W
long.;
(315) 34°07.48′ N lat., 119°47.54′ W
long.;
(316) 34°08.21′ N lat., 119°54.90′ W
long.;
(317) 34°06.85′ N lat., 120°05.60′ W
long.;
(318) 34°07.03′ N lat., 120°10.47′ W
long.;
(319) 34°08.77′ N lat., 120°18.46′ W
long.;
(320) 34°11.89′ N lat., 120°28.09′ W
long.;
(321) 34°12.53′ N lat., 120°29.82′ W
long.;
(322) 34°09.02′ N lat., 120°37.47′ W
long.;
(323) 34°01.01′ N lat., 120°31.17′ W
long.;
(324) 33°58.07′ N lat., 120°28.33′ W
long.;
(325) 33°53.37′ N lat., 120°14.43′ W
long.;
(326) 33°50.53′ N lat., 120°07.20′ W
long.;
(327) 33°45.88′ N lat., 120°04.26′ W
long.;
(328) 33°38.19′ N lat., 119°57.85′ W
long.;
(329) 33°38.19′ N lat., 119°50.42′ W
long.;
(330) 33°42.36′ N lat., 119°49.60′ W
long.;
(331) 33°53.95′ N lat., 119°53.81′ W
long.;
(332) 33°55.99′ N lat., 119°41.40′ W
long.;
(333) 33°58.48′ N lat., 119°27.90′ W
long.;
(334) 33°59.24′ N lat., 119°23.61′ W
long.;
(335) 33°59.35′ N lat., 119°21.71′ W
long.;
(336) 33°59.94′ N lat., 119°19.57′ W
long.;
(337) 34°04.48′ N lat., 119°15.32′ W
long.;
(338) 34°02.80′ N lat., 119°12.95′ W
long.;
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(339) 34°02.39′ N lat., 119°07.17′ W
long.;
(340) 34°03.75′ N lat., 119°04.72′ W
long.;
(341) 34°01.82′ N lat., 119°03.24′ W
long.;
(342) 33°59.33′ N lat., 119°03.49′ W
long.;
(343) 33°59.01′ N lat., 118°59.56′ W
long.;
(344) 33°59.51′ N lat., 118°57.25′ W
long.;
(345) 33°58.83′ N lat., 118°52.50′ W
long.;
(346) 33°58.55′ N lat., 118°41.86′ W
long.;
(347) 33°55.10′ N lat., 118°34.25′ W
long.;
(348) 33°54.30′ N lat., 118°38.71′ W
long.;
(349) 33°50.88′ N lat., 118°37.02′ W
long.;
(350) 33°39.78′ N lat., 118°18.40′ W
long.;
(351) 33°35.50′ N lat., 118°16.85′ W
long.;
(352) 33°32.46′ N lat., 118°10.90′ W
long.;
(353) 33°34.11′ N lat., 117°54.07′ W
long.;
(354) 33°31.61′ N lat., 117°49.30′ W
long.;
(355) 33°16.36′ N lat., 117°35.48′ W
long.;
(356) 33°06.81′ N lat., 117°22.93′ W
long.;
(357) 32°59.28′ N lat., 117°19.69′ W
long.;
(358) 32°55.37′ N lat., 117°19.55′ W
long.;
(359) 32°53.35′ N lat., 117°17.05′ W
long.;
(360) 32°53.36′ N lat., 117°19.12′ W
long.;
(361) 32°46.42′ N lat., 117°23.45′ W
long.;
(362) 32°42.71′ N lat., 117°21.45′ W
long.; and
(363) 32°34.54′ N lat., 117°23.04′ W
long.
*
*
*
*
*
(h) * * *
(281) 34°07.10′ N lat., 120°10.37′ W
long.;
(282) 34°11.07′ N lat., 120°25.03′ W
long.;
(283) 34°09.00′ N lat., 120°18.40′ W
long.;
(284) 34°13.16′ N lat., 120°29.40′ W
long.;
(285) 34°09.41′ N lat., 120°37.75′ W
long.;
(286) 34°03.15′ N lat., 120°34.71′ W
long.;
(287) 33°57.09′ N lat., 120°27.76′ W
long.;
(288) 33°51.00′ N lat., 120°09.00′ W
long.;
(289) 33°38.16′ N lat., 119°59.23′ W
long.;
(290) 33°37.04′ N lat., 119°50.17′ W
long.;
(291) 33°42.28′ N lat., 119°48.85′ W
long.;
(292) 33°53.96′ N lat., 119°53.77′ W
long.;
(293) 33°55.88′ N lat., 119°41.05′ W
long.;
(294) 33°59.18′ N lat., 119°23.64′ W
long.;
(295) 33°59.26′ N lat., 119°21.92′ W
long.;
(296) 33°59.94′ N lat., 119°19.57′ W
long.;
(297) 34°03.12′ N lat., 119°15.51′ W
long.;
(298) 34°01.97′ N lat., 119°07.28′ W
long.;
(299) 34°03.60′ N lat., 119°04.71′ W
long.;
(300) 33°59.30′ N lat., 119°03.73′ W
long.;
(301) 33°58.87′ N lat., 118°59.37′ W
long.;
(302) 33°58.08′ N lat., 118°41.14′ W
long.;
(303) 33°50.93′ N lat., 118°37.65′ W
long.;
(304) 33°39.54′ N lat., 118°18.70′ W
long.;
(305) 33°35.42′ N lat., 118°17.14′ W
long.;
(306) 33°32.15′ N lat., 118°10.84′ W
long.;
(307) 33°33.71′ N lat., 117°53.72′ W
long.;
(308) 33°31.17′ N lat., 117°49.11′ W
long.;
(309) 33°16.53′ N lat., 117°36.13′ W
long.;
(310) 33°06.77′ N lat., 117°22.92′ W
long.;
(311) 32°58.94′ N lat., 117°20.05′ W
long.;
(312) 32°55.83′ N lat., 117°20.15′ W
long.;
(313) 32°46.29′ N lat., 117°23.89′ W
long.;
(314) 32°42.00′ N lat., 117°22.16′ W
long.;
(315) 32°39.47′ N lat., 117°27.78′ W
long.; and
(316) 32°34.83′ N lat., 117°24.69′ W
long.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 10. Tables 1a to part 660, subpart C,
through 1d to part 660, subpart C, are
revised to read as follows:
Sec.
*
*
*
*
*
Table 1a to Part 660, Subpart C—2019,
Specifications of OFL, ABC, ACL, ACT
and Fishery HG (Weights in Metric Tons)
Table 1b to Part 660, Subpart C—2019,
Allocations by Species or Species Group
(Weight in Metric Tons)
Table 1c to Part 660, Subpart C—Sablefish
North of 36° N lat. Allocations, 2019
Table 1d to Part 660, Subpart C—At-Sea
Whiting Fishery Annual Set-Asides,
2019
*
*
*
*
*
TABLE 1a TO PART 660, SUBPART C—2019, SPECIFICATIONS OF OFL, ABC, ACL, ACT AND FISHERY HG
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES2
[Weights in metric tons]
Stocks/stock complexes
Area
COWCOD c ........................................
COWCOD ..........................................
COWCOD ..........................................
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH d ...............
Arrowtooth Flounder e ........................
Big Skate f ..........................................
Black Rockfish g .................................
Black Rockfish h .................................
Bocaccio i ...........................................
Cabezon j ...........................................
California Scorpionfish k ....................
Canary Rockfish l ...............................
Chilipepper Rockfish m .......................
Darkblotched Rockfish n ....................
Dover Sole o .......................................
English Sole p ....................................
Lingcod q ............................................
S of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
(Conception) ....................................
(Monterey) ........................................
Coastwide ........................................
Coastwide ........................................
Coastwide ........................................
California (S of 42° N lat.) ...............
Washington (N of 46°16′ N lat.) ......
S of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
California (S of 42° N lat.) ...............
S of 34°27′ N lat ..............................
Coastwide ........................................
S of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
Coastwide ........................................
Coastwide ........................................
Coastwide ........................................
N of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
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61
13
82
18,696
541
344
312
2,194
154
337
1,517
2,652
800
91,102
11,052
5,110
ACL a
ABC
67
56
11
74
15,574
494
329
298
2,097
147
313
1,450
2,536
765
87,094
10,090
4,885
E:\FR\FM\12DER2.SGM
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10
NA
NA
48
15,574
494
329
298
2,097
147
313
1,450
2,536
765
50,000
10,090
4,871
Fishery HG b
8
NA
NA
42
13,479
452
328
280
2,051
147
311
1,383
2,451
731
48,404
9,874
4,593
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
63995
TABLE 1a TO PART 660, SUBPART C—2019, SPECIFICATIONS OF OFL, ABC, ACL, ACT AND FISHERY HG—Continued
[Weights in metric tons]
Stocks/stock complexes
Area
Lingcod r .............................................
Longnose Skate s ..............................
Longspine Thornyhead t ....................
Longspine Thornyhead u ....................
Pacific Cod v ......................................
Pacific Whiting w ................................
Pacific Ocean Perch x ........................
Petrale Sole y .....................................
Sablefish z ..........................................
Sablefish aa ........................................
Shortbelly Rockfish bb ........................
Shortspine Thornyhead cc ..................
Shortspine Thornyhead dd .................
Spiny Dogfish ee .................................
Splitnose Rockfish ff ...........................
Starry Flounder gg ..............................
Widow Rockfish hh .............................
Yellowtail Rockfish ii ...........................
Black Rockfish/Blue Rockfish/Deacon
Rockfish jj.
Cabezon/Kelp Greenling kk ................
S of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
Coastwide ........................................
N of 34°27′ N lat ..............................
S of 34°27′ N lat ..............................
Coastwide ........................................
Coastwide ........................................
N of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
Coastwide ........................................
N of 36° N lat ...................................
S of 36° N lat ...................................
Coastwide ........................................
N of 34°27′ N lat ..............................
S of 34°27′ N lat ..............................
Coastwide ........................................
S of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
Coastwide ........................................
Coastwide ........................................
N of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
Oregon (Between 46°16′ N lat. and
42° N lat.).
Oregon (Between 46°16′ N lat. and
42° N lat.).
Washington (N of 46°16′ N lat.) ......
N of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
N of 40°10′ N lat. .............................
N of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
S of 40°10′ N lat. .............................
S of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
S of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
Coastwide ........................................
Coastwide ........................................
Cabezon/Kelp Greenling ll .................
Nearshore Rockfish mm ......................
Shelf Rockfish nn ................................
Slope Rockfish oo ...............................
Nearshore Rockfish pp .......................
Shelf Rockfish qq ................................
Slope Rockfish rr ................................
Other Flatfish ss .................................
Other Fish tt ........................................
OFL
ACL a
ABC
1,143
2,499
4,112
1,093
2,389
3,425
3,200
2,221
1,039
2,000
2,603
822
1,600
1,028
1,852
2,553
821
1,094
(w)
(w)
(w)
(w)
4,753
3,042
8,489
4,340
2,908
7,750
6,950
3,089
5,789
2,573
2,486
1,831
652
12,375
6,568
677
2,071
1,750
452
11,831
6,279
617
4,340
2,908
5,606
1,990
500
1,683
890
2,071
1,750
452
11,831
6,279
617
4,318
2,587
See Table 1c
1,986
483
1,618
889
1,738
1,733
433
11,583
5,234
616
230
218
218
218
13
91
2,309
1,887
1,300
1,919
856
8,750
286
11
81
2,054
1,746
1,145
1,625
744
6,498
239
11
81
2,054
1,746
1,142
1,625
744
6,498
239
11
79
1,977
1,665
1,138
1,546
724
6,249
230
a Annual
catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs) and harvest guidelines (HGs) are specified as total catch values.
HGs means the HG or quota after subtracting Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribes allocations and projected catch, projected research
catch, deductions for fishing mortality in non-groundfish fisheries, and deductions for EFPs from the ACL or ACT.
c Cowcod south of 40°10′ N lat. 2 mt is deducted from the ACL to EFP fishing (less than 0.1 mt) and research activity (2 mt), resulting in a
fishery HG of 8 mt. Any additional mortality in research activities will be deducted from the ACL. A single ACT of 6 mt is being set for the Conception and Monterey areas combined.
d Yelloweye rockfish. The 48 mt ACL is based on the current rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild of 2029 and an SPR harvest rate of
65 percent. 6.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (2.3 mt), the incidental open access fishery (0.62 mt), EFP catch
(0.24 mt) and research catch (2.92 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 42 mt. The non-trawl HG is 38.6 mt. The non-nearshore HG is 2.0 mt and the
nearshore HG is 6.0 mt. Recreational HGs are: 10 mt (Washington); 8.9 mt (Oregon); and 11.6 mt (California). In addition, there are the following
ACTs: Non-nearshore (1.6 mt), nearshore (4.7 mt), Washington recreational (7.8 mt), Oregon recreational (7.0 mt), and California recreational
(9.1 mt).
e Arrowtooth flounder. 2,094.9 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (2,041 mt), the incidental open access fishery
(40.8 mt), EFP fishing (0.1 mt), and research catch (13 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 13,479 mt.
f Big skate. 41.9 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (15 mt), the incidental open access fishery (21.3 mt), EFP
fishing (0.1 mt), and research catch (5.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 452 mt.
g Black rockfish (California). 1.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP fishing (1.0 mt) and incidental open access fishery (0.3
mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 328 mt.
h Black rockfish (Washington). 18.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (18 mt) and research catch (0.1 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 280 mt.
i Bocaccio south of 40°10′ N lat. The stock is managed with stock-specific harvest specifications south of 40°10′ N lat. and within the Minor
Shelf Rockfish complex north of 40°10′ N lat. 46.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (0.5 mt),
EFP catch (40 mt) and research catch (5.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 2,051 mt. The California recreational fishery south of 40°10′ N lat has
an HG of 863.4 mt.
j Cabezon (California). 0.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery, resulting in a fishery HG of 147
mt.
k California scorpionfish south of 34°27′ N lat. 2.4 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (2.2 mt)
and research catch (0.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 311 mt.
l Canary rockfish. 67.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (50 mt), the incidental open access fishery (1.3 mt),
EFP catch (8 mt), and research catch (7.8 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,383 mt. Recreational HGs are: 47.1 mt (Washington); 70.7 mt (Oregon); and 127.3 mt (California).
m Chilipepper rockfish south of 40°10′ N lat. Chilipepper are managed with stock-specific harvest specifications south of 40°10′ N lat. and within the Minor Shelf Rockfish complex north of 40°10′ N lat. 84.9 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery
(11.5 mt), EFP fishing (60 mt), and research catch (13.4 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 2,451 mt.
n Darkblotched rockfish. 33.8 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (0.2 mt), the incidental open access fishery (24.5
mt), EFP catch (0.6 mt), and research catch (8.5 mt) resulting in a fishery HG of 731 mt.
o Dover sole. 1,595.6 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (1,497 mt), the incidental open access fishery (49.3 mt),
EFP fishing (0.1 mt), and research catch (49.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 48,404 mt.
p English sole. 216.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (200 mt), the incidental open access fishery (8.1 mt),
EFP fishing (0.1 mt), and research catch (8 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 9,874 mt.
q Lingcod north of 40°10′ N lat. 278 mt is deducted from the ACL for the Tribal fishery (250 mt), the incidental open access fishery (9.8 mt),
EFP catch (1.6 mt) and research catch (16.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 4,593 mt.
r Lingcod south of 40°10′ N lat. 11.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (8.1 mt) and research
catch (3.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,028 mt.
b Fishery
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63996
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
s Longnose skate. 148.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (130 mt), incidental open access fishery (5.7 mt),
EFP catch (0.1 mt), and research catch (12.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,852 mt.
t Longspine thornyhead north of 34°27′ N lat. 50.4 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (30 mt), the incidental open
access fishery (6.2 mt), and research catch (14.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 2,553 mt.
u Longspine thornyhead south of 34°27′ N lat. 1.4 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate research catch, resulting in a fishery HG of
821 mt.
v Pacific cod. 506.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (500 mt), research catch (5.5 mt), EFP fishing (0.1 mt),
and the incidental open access fishery (0.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,094 mt.
w Pacific whiting. Pacific whiting are assessed annually. The final specifications will be determined consistent with the U.S.-Canada Pacific
Whiting Agreement and will be announced after the Council’s April 2019 meeting.
x Pacific ocean perch north of 40°10′ N lat. 22.4 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (9.2 mt), the incidental open
access fishery (10 mt), EFP fishing (0.1 mt), and research catch (3.1 mt) resulting in a fishery HG of 4,318 mt.
y Petrale sole. 320.6 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (290 mt), the incidental open access fishery (6.4 mt), EFP
catch (0.1 mt), and research catch (24.1 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 2,587 mt.
z Sablefish north of 36° N lat. The 40–10 adjustment is applied to the ABC to derive a coastwide ACL value because the stock is in the precautionary zone. This coastwide ACL value is not specified in regulations. The coastwide ACL value is apportioned north and south of 36° N lat.,
using the 2003–2014 average estimated swept area biomass from the NMFS NWFSC trawl survey, with 73.8 percent apportioned north of 36° N
lat. and 26.2 percent apportioned south of 36° N lat. The northern ACL is 5,606 mt and is reduced by 561 mt for the Tribal allocation (10 percent
of the ACL north of 36° N lat.). The 561 mt Tribal allocation is reduced by 1.5 percent to account for discard mortality. Detailed sablefish allocations are shown in Table 1c.
aa Sablefish south of 36° N lat. The ACL for the area south of 36° N lat. is 1,990 mt (26.2 percent of the calculated coastwide ACL value). 4.2
mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (1.8 mt) and research catch (2.4 mt), resulting in a fishery HG
of 1,986 mt.
bb Shortbelly rockfish. 17.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (8.9 mt), EFP catch (0.1 mt), and
research catch (8.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 483 mt.
cc Shortspine thornyhead north of 34°27′ N lat. 65.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (50 mt), the incidental
open access fishery (4.7 mt), EFP catch (0.1 mt), and research catch (10.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,618 mt for the area north of 34°27′
N lat.
dd Shortspine thornyhead south of 34°27′ N lat. 1.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (0.5 mt)
and research catch (0.7 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 889 mt for the area south of 34°27′ N lat.
ee Spiny dogfish. 333 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (275 mt), the incidental open access fishery (22.6 mt),
EFP catch (1.1 mt), and research catch (34.3 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,738 mt.
ff Splitnose rockfish south of 40°10′ N lat. Splitnose rockfish in the north is managed in the Slope Rockfish complex and with stock-specific harvest specifications south of 40°10′ N lat. 16.6 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (5.8 mt), research
catch (9.3 mt) and EFP catch (1.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,733 mt.
gg Starry flounder. 18.8 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (2 mt), EFP catch (0.1 mt), research catch (0.6 mt),
and the incidental open access fishery (16.1 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 433 mt.
hh Widow rockfish. 248.4 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (200 mt), the incidental open access fishery (3.1 mt),
EFP catch (28 mt) and research catch (17.3 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 11,583 mt.
ii Yellowtail rockfish north of 40°10′ N lat. 1,045.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (1,000 mt), the incidental
open access fishery (4.5 mt), EFP catch (20 mt) and research catch (20.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 5,234 mt.
jj Black rockfish/Blue rockfish/Deacon rockfish (Oregon). 1.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery
(0.3 mt) and EFP catch (0.9 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 616 mt.
kk Cabezon/kelp greenling (Oregon). 0.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP catch, resulting in a fishery HG of 218 mt.
ll Cabezon/kelp greenling (Washington). There are no deductions from the ACL so the fishery HG is equal to the ACL of 11 mt.
mm Nearshore Rockfish north of 40°10′ N lat. 2.8 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (1.5 mt), EFP fishing (0.1
mt), research catch (0.3 mt) and the incidental open access fishery (0.9 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 79 mt.
nn Shelf Rockfish north of 40°10′ N lat. 76.9 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (30 mt), the incidental open access fishery (17.7 mt), EFP catch (4.5 mt), and research catch (24.7 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,977 mt.
oo Slope Rockfish north of 40°10′ N lat. 80.8 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (36 mt), the incidental open access fishery (21.7 mt), EFP catch (1.5 mt), and research catch (21.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,665 mt.
pp Nearshore Rockfish south of 40°10′ N lat. 4.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (1.4 mt) and
research catch (2.7 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,138 mt.
qq Shelf Rockfish south of 40°10′ N lat. 79.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (4.6 mt), EFP
catch (60 mt), and research catch (14.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,546 mt.
rr Slope Rockfish south of 40°10′ N lat. 20.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (16.9 mt), EFP
catch (1 mt), and research catch (2.3 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 724 mt. Blackgill rockfish has a stock-specific HG for the entire groundfish
fishery south of 40°10′ N lat. set equal to the species’ contribution to the 40–10-adjusted ACL. Harvest of blackgill rockfish in all groundfish fisheries south of 40°10′ N lat. counts against this HG of 159 mt.
ss Other Flatfish. The Other Flatfish complex is comprised of flatfish species managed in the PCGFMP that are not managed with stock-specific OFLs/ABCs/ACLs. Most of the species in the Other Flatfish complex are unassessed and include: Butter sole, curlfin sole, flathead sole, Pacific sanddab, rock sole, sand sole, and rex sole. 249.5 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (60 mt), the incidental
open access fishery (161.6 mt), EFP fishing (0.1 mt), and research catch (27.8 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 6,249 mt.
tt Other Fish. The Other Fish complex is comprised of kelp greenling off California and leopard shark coastwide. 8.9 mt is deducted from the
ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (8.8 mt) and research catch (0.1 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 230 mt.
TABLE 1b TO PART 660, SUBPART C—2019, ALLOCATIONS BY SPECIES OR SPECIES GROUP
[Weight in metric tons]
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES2
Stocks/stock complexes
Arrowtooth flounder ............
Big skate a ..........................
Bocaccio a ..........................
Canary rockfish a c ..............
Chilipepper rockfish ...........
COWCOD a b ......................
Darkblotched rockfish d ......
Dover sole ..........................
English sole ........................
Lingcod ...............................
VerDate Sep<11>2014
Fishery HG or
ACT a b
Area
Coastwide ..........................
Coastwide ..........................
S of 40°10′ N lat ................
Coastwide ..........................
S of 40°10′ N lat ................
S of 40°10′ N lat ................
Coastwide ..........................
Coastwide ..........................
Coastwide ..........................
N of 40′10° N lat ...............
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731.2
48,404.4
9,873.8
4,593.0
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%
Non-trawl
Mt
95
95
39
72
75
36
95
95
95
45
%
12,805.1
429.5
800.7
999.6
1,838.3
2.2
694.6
45,984.2
9,380.1
2,066.9
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5
5
61
28
25
64
5
5
5
55
674.0
22.6
1,250.2
383.3
612.8
3.8
36.6
2,420.2
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
63997
TABLE 1b TO PART 660, SUBPART C—2019, ALLOCATIONS BY SPECIES OR SPECIES GROUP—Continued
[Weight in metric tons]
Stocks/stock complexes
Trawl
Fishery HG or
ACT a b
Area
Non-trawl
%
Mt
Lingcod ...............................
Longnose skate a ...............
Longspine thornyhead .......
Pacific cod ..........................
Pacific whiting ....................
Pacific ocean perch e .........
Petrale sole ........................
S of 40′10° N lat ................
Coastwide ..........................
N of 34°27′ N lat ...............
Coastwide ..........................
Coastwide ..........................
N of 40°10′ N lat ...............
Coastwide ..........................
1,027.7
1,851.7
2,552.6
1,093.8
TBD
4,317.6
2,587.4
45
90
95
95
100
95
95
Sablefish ............................
N of 36° N lat ....................
NA
Sablefish ............................
Shortspine thornyhead .......
Shortspine thornyhead .......
Splitnose rockfish ...............
Starry flounder ...................
Widow rockfish f .................
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH
Yellowtail rockfish ..............
Minor Shelf Rockfish
North a.
Minor Shelf Rockfish
South a.
Minor Slope Rockfish North
Minor Slope Rockfish
South.
Other Flatfish .....................
S of 36° N lat .....................
N of 34°27′ N lat ...............
S of 34°27′ N lat ................
S of 40°10′ N lat ................
Coastwide ..........................
Coastwide ..........................
Coastwide ..........................
N of 40°10′ N lat ...............
N of 40°10′ N lat ...............
1,985.8
1,617.7
888.8
1,733.4
433.2
11,582.6
41.9
5,233.9
1,977.1
42
95
NA
95
50
91
8
88
60.2
S of 40°10′ N lat ................
1,545.9
N of 40°10′ N lat ...............
S of 40°10′ N lat ................
Coastwide ..........................
%
462.5
1,666.5
2,425.0
1,039.1
TBD
4,101.7
2,458.0
Mt
55
10
5
5
0
5
5
565.2
185.2
127.6
54.7
TBD
215.9
129.4
834.0
1,536.8
50.0
1,646.7
216.6
10,540.2
3.4
4,605.8
1,190.2
58
5
NA
5
50
9
92
12
39.8
1,151.8
80.9
838.8
86.7
216.6
1,042.4
38.6
628.1
786.9
12.2
188.6
87.8
1,357.3
1,665.2
723.8
81
63
1,348.8
456.0
19
37
316.4
267.8
6,248.5
90
5,623.7
10
624.9
See Table 1c
a Allocations decided through the biennial specification process.
b The cowcod fishery harvest guideline is further reduced to an ACT of 6.0 mt.
c 46 mt of the total trawl allocation of canary rockfish is allocated to the MS and
C/P sectors, as follows: 30 mt for the MS sector, and 16 mt for
the C/P sector.
d Consistent with regulations at § 660.55(c), 9 percent (62.5 mt) of the total trawl allocation for darkblotched rockfish is allocated to the Pacific
whiting fishery, as follows: 26.3 mt for the Shorebased IFQ Program, 15.0 mt for the MS sector, and 21.3 mt for the C/P sector. The tonnage calculated here for the Pacific whiting IFQ fishery contributes to the total shorebased trawl allocation, which is found at § 660.140(d)(1)(ii)(D).
e Consistent with regulations at § 660.55(c), 17 percent (697.3 mt) of the total trawl allocation for Pacific ocean perch is allocated to the Pacific
whiting fishery, as follows: 292.9 mt for the Shorebased IFQ Program, 167.4 mt for the MS sector, and 237.1 mt for the C/P sector. The tonnage
calculated here for the Pacific whiting IFQ fishery contributes to the total shorebased trawl allocation, which is found at § 660.140(d)(1)(ii)(D).
f Consistent with regulations at § 660.55(c), 10 percent (1,054 mt) of the total trawl allocation for widow rockfish is allocated to the whiting fisheries, as follows: 442.7 mt for the shorebased IFQ fishery, 253 mt for the mothership fishery, and 358.4 mt for the catcher/processor fishery. The
tonnage calculated here for the whiting portion of the shorebased IFQ fishery contributes to the total shorebased trawl allocation, which is found
at § 660.140(d)(1)(ii)(D).
TABLE 1C TO PART 660, SUBPART C—SABLEFISH NORTH OF 36° N LAT. ALLOCATIONS, 2019
Set-asides
Year
Tribal a
2019 ..................
Recreational
estimate
ACL
5,606
561
Research
30.68
6
1.1
LE All
All trawl
2019 ..........................................................................................
4,537
2,631
Percent
5,007
Limited entry
Year
Limited Entry HG
Commercial
HG
EFP
Open Access HG
mt
90.6
4,537
trawl c
mt b
Percent
9.4
Limited entry fixed
At-sea whiting
Shorebased
IFQ
50
2,581
All FG
1,905
471
gear d
Primary
DTL
1,620
286
a The
tribal allocation is further reduced by 1.5 percent for discard mortality resulting in 553 mt in 2019.
b The open access HG is taken by the incidental OA fishery and the directed OA fishery.
c The trawl allocation is 58 percent of the limited entry HG.
d The limited entry fixed gear allocation is 42 percent of the limited entry HG.
TABLE 1d TO PART 660, SUBPART C—AT-SEA WHITING FISHERY ANNUAL SET-ASIDES, 2019
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES2
Stock or stock complex
Area
COWCOD ...................................................................................
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH ..........................................................
Arrowtooth flounder ....................................................................
Bocaccio .....................................................................................
Canary rockfish a .........................................................................
Chilipepper rockfish ....................................................................
Darkblotched rockfish b ...............................................................
Dover sole ...................................................................................
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S of 40°10
Coastwide
S of 40°10
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Coastwide
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N lat .........................................................................
..................................................................................
..................................................................................
N lat .........................................................................
..................................................................................
N lat .........................................................................
..................................................................................
..................................................................................
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0.
70.
NA.
Allocation.
NA.
36.3.
5.
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 1d TO PART 660, SUBPART C—AT-SEA WHITING FISHERY ANNUAL SET-ASIDES, 2019—Continued
Stock or stock complex
Area
Set aside (mt)
English sole ................................................................................
Lingcod .......................................................................................
Lingcod .......................................................................................
Longnose skate ..........................................................................
Longspine thornyhead ................................................................
Longspine thornyhead ................................................................
Minor Nearshore Rockfish ..........................................................
Minor Nearshore Rockfish ..........................................................
Minor Shelf Rockfish ...................................................................
Minor Shelf Rockfish ...................................................................
Minor Slope Rockfish ..................................................................
Minor Slope Rockfish ..................................................................
Other Fish ...................................................................................
Other Flatfish ..............................................................................
Pacific cod ..................................................................................
Pacific Halibut c ...........................................................................
Pacific ocean perch d ..................................................................
Pacific Whiting ............................................................................
Petrale sole .................................................................................
Sablefish .....................................................................................
Sablefish .....................................................................................
Shortspine thornyhead ................................................................
Shortspine thornyhead ................................................................
Starry flounder ............................................................................
Widow rockfish a .........................................................................
Yellowtail rockfish .......................................................................
Coastwide ..................................................................................
N of 40°10 N lat .........................................................................
S of 40°10 N lat .........................................................................
Coastwide ..................................................................................
N of 34°27 N lat .........................................................................
S of 34°27 N lat .........................................................................
N of 40°10 N lat .........................................................................
S of 40°10 N lat .........................................................................
N of 40°10 N lat .........................................................................
S of 40°10 N lat .........................................................................
N of 40°10 N lat .........................................................................
S of 40°10 N lat .........................................................................
Coastwide ..................................................................................
Coastwide ..................................................................................
Coastwide ..................................................................................
Coastwide ..................................................................................
N of 40°10 N lat .........................................................................
Coastwide ..................................................................................
Coastwide ..................................................................................
N of 36° N lat .............................................................................
S of 36° N lat .............................................................................
N of 34°27 N lat .........................................................................
S of 34°27 N lat .........................................................................
Coastwide ..................................................................................
Coastwide ..................................................................................
N of 40°10 N lat .........................................................................
5.
15.
NA.
5.
5.
NA.
NA.
NA.
35.
NA.
100.
NA.
NA.
20.
5.
10.
404.5.
Allocation.
5.
50.
NA.
30.
NA.
5.
Allocation.
300.
a See
Table 1b to this subpart for the at-sea whiting allocations for these species.
rockfish will be managed as set-asides for the MS and C/P sectors based on pro-rata distribution described at
§ 660.55(c)(1)(i)(A), resulting in a set-aside of 15.0 mt for the MS sector, and a set-aside of 21.3 mt for the C/P sector.
c As stated in § 660.55(m), the Pacific halibut set-aside is 10 mt, to accommodate bycatch in the at-sea Pacific whiting fisheries and in the
shorebased trawl sector south of 40°10 N lat. (estimated to be approximately 5 mt each).
d Pacific ocean perch will be managed as set-asides for the MS and C/P sectors based on pro-rata distribution described at
§ 660.55(c)(1)(i)(B), resulting in a set-aside of 167.4 mt for the MS sector, and a set-aside of 237.1 mt for the C/P sector.
b Darkblotched
11. Tables 2a to part 660, subpart C,
through 2d to part 660, subpart C, are
revised to read as follows:
■
Sec.
*
*
*
*
*
Table 2a to Part 660, Subpart C—2020, and
Beyond, SpecificatioN of OFL, ABC,
ACL, ACT and Fishery Harvest
Guidelines (Weights in Metric Tons)
Table 2b to Part 660, Subpart C—2020, and
Beyond, Allocations by Species or
Species Group [Weight in Metric Tons]
Table 2c to Part 660, Subpart C—Sablefish
North of 36° N lat. Allocations, 2020 and
Beyond
Table 2d to Part 660, Subpart C—At-Sea
Whiting Fishery Annual Set-Asides,
2020 and Beyond
*
*
*
*
*
TABLE 2a TO PART 660, SUBPART C—2020, AND BEYOND, SPECIFICATION OF OFL, ABC, ACL, ACT AND FISHERY
HARVEST GUIDELINES
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES2
[Weights in metric tons]
Stocks/stock complexes
Area
COWCOD c ........................................
COWCOD ..........................................
COWCOD ..........................................
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH d ..............
Arrowtooth Flounder e .......................
Big Skate f .........................................
Black Rockfish g ................................
Black Rockfish h ................................
Bocaccio i ...........................................
Cabezon j ...........................................
California Scorpionfish k ....................
Canary Rockfish l ...............................
Chilipepper Rockfish m ......................
Darkblotched Rockfish n ....................
Dover Sole o ......................................
English Sole p ....................................
Lingcod q ............................................
Lingcod r ............................................
Longnose Skate s ..............................
Longspine Thornyhead t ....................
Longspine Thornyhead u ...................
Pacific Cod v ......................................
S of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
(Conception) ....................................
(Monterey) ........................................
Coastwide ........................................
Coastwide ........................................
Coastwide ........................................
California (S of 42° N lat.) ...............
Washington (N of 46°16′ N lat.) ......
S of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
California (S of 42° N lat.) ...............
S of 34°27′ N lat ..............................
Coastwide ........................................
S of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
Coastwide ........................................
Coastwide ........................................
Coastwide ........................................
N of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
S of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
Coastwide ........................................
N of 34°27′ N lat ..............................
S of 34°27′ N lat ..............................
Coastwide ........................................
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ACL a
ABC
76
62
13
84
15,306
541
341
311
2,104
153
331
1,431
2,521
853
92,048
11,101
4,768
977
2,474
3,901
68
57
11
77
12,750
494
326
297
2,011
146
307
1,368
2,410
815
87,998
10,135
4,558
934
2,365
3,250
3,200
2,221
E:\FR\FM\12DER2.SGM
12DER2
10
NA
NA
49
12,750
494
326
297
2,011
146
307
1,368
2,410
815
50,000
10,135
4,541
869
2,000
2,470
780
1,600
Fishery HG b
8.
NA.
NA.
43.
10,655.
452.
325.
279.
1,965.
146.
305.
1,301.
2,325.
781.
48,404.
9,919.
4,263.
858.
1,852.
2,420.
779.
1,094.
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
63999
TABLE 2a TO PART 660, SUBPART C—2020, AND BEYOND, SPECIFICATION OF OFL, ABC, ACL, ACT AND FISHERY
HARVEST GUIDELINES—Continued
[Weights in metric tons]
Stocks/stock complexes
Area
Pacific Whiting w ................................
Pacific Ocean Perch x .......................
Petrale Sole y .....................................
Sablefish z ..........................................
Sablefish aa ........................................
Shortbelly Rockfish bb ........................
Shortspine Thornyhead cc .................
Shortspine Thornyhead dd .................
Spiny Dogfish ee ................................
Splitnose Rockfish ff ..........................
Starry Flounder gg ..............................
Widow Rockfish hh .............................
Yellowtail Rockfish ii ..........................
Black Rockfish/Blue Rockfish/Deacon Rockfish jj.
Cabezon/Kelp Greenling kk ................
Coastwide ........................................
N of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
Coastwide ........................................
N of 36° N lat ...................................
S of 36° N lat ...................................
Coastwide ........................................
N of 34°27′ N lat ..............................
S of 34°27′ N lat ..............................
Coastwide ........................................
S of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
Coastwide ........................................
Coastwide ........................................
N of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
Oregon (Between 46°16′ N lat. and
42° N lat.).
Oregon (Between 46°16′ N lat. and
42° N lat.).
Washington (N of 46°16′ N lat.) ......
N of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
N of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
N of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
S of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
S of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
S of 40°10′ N lat ..............................
Coastwide ........................................
Coastwide ........................................
Cabezon/Kelp Greenling ll .................
Nearshore Rockfish mm .....................
Shelf Rockfish nn ...............................
Slope Rockfish oo ..............................
Nearshore Rockfish pp .......................
Shelf Rockfish qq ...............................
Slope Rockfish rr ................................
Other Flatfish ss .................................
Other Fish tt .......................................
OFL
ACL a
ABC
(w)
4,632
2,976
8,648
(w)
4,229
2,845
7,896
6,950
3,063
5,789
2,551
2,472
1,810
652
11,714
6,261
670
2,059
1,731
452
11,199
5,986
611
(w)
4,229
2,845
5,723
2,032
500
1,669
883
2,059
1,731
452
11,199
5,986
611
216
204
204
12
92
2,302
1,873
1,322
1,919
855
8,202
286
10
82
2,048
1,732
1,165
1,626
743
6,041
239
10
82
2,048
1,732
1,163
1,625
743
6,041
239
a Annual
(w)
4,207.
2,524.
See Table 2c.
2,028.
483.
1,604.
882.
1,726.
1,714.
433.
10,951.
4,941.
609.
204.
10.
79.
1,971.
1,651.
1,159.
1,546.
723.
5,792.
230.
catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs) and harvest guidelines (HGs) are specified as total catch values.
HGs means the HG or quota after subtracting Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribes allocations and projected catch, projected research
catch, deductions for fishing mortality in non-groundfish fisheries, and deductions for EFPs from the ACL or ACT.
c Cowcod south of 40°10′ N lat. 2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP fishing (less than 0.1 mt) and research activity (2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 8 mt. Any additional mortality in research activities will be deducted from the ACL. A single ACT of 6 mt is being set for
the Conception and Monterey areas combined.
d Yelloweye rockfish. The 49 mt ACL is based on the current rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild of 2029 and an SPR harvest rate of
65 percent. 6.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (2.3 mt), the incidental open access fishery (0.62 mt), EFP catch
(0.24 mt) and research catch (2.92 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 43 mt. The non-trawl HG is 39.5 mt. The non-nearshore HG is 2.1 mt and the
nearshore HG is 6.2 mt. Recreational HGs are: 10.2 mt (Washington); 9.1 mt (Oregon); and 11.9 mt (California). In addition, there are the following ACTs: Non-nearshore (1.7 mt), nearshore (4.9 mt), Washington recreational (8.1 mt), Oregon recreational (7.2 mt), and California recreational (9.4 mt).
e Arrowtooth flounder. 2,094.9 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (2,041 mt), the incidental open access fishery
(40.8 mt), EFP fishing (0.1 mt), and research catch (13 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 10,655 mt.
f Big skate. 41.9 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (15 mt), the incidental open access fishery (21.3 mt), EFP
fishing (0.1 mt), and research catch (5.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 452 mt.
g Black rockfish (California). 1.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP fishing (1.0 mt) and the incidental open access fishery (0.3
mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 325 mt.
h Black rockfish (Washington). 18.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (18 mt) and research catch (0.1 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 279 mt.
i Bocaccio south of 40°10′ N lat. The stock is managed with stock-specific harvest specifications south of 40°10′ N lat. and within the Minor
Shelf Rockfish complex north of 40°10′ N lat. 46.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (0.5 mt),
EFP catch (40 mt) and research catch (5.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,965 mt. The California recreational fishery has an HG of 827.2 mt.
j Cabezon (California). 0.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery, resulting in a fishery HG of 146
mt.
k California scorpionfish south of 34°27′ N lat. 2.4 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (2.2 mt)
and research catch (0.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 305 mt.
l Canary rockfish. 67.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (50 mt), the incidental open access fishery (1.3 mt),
EFP catch (8 mt), and research catch (7.8 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,301 mt. Recreational HGs are: 44.3 mt (Washington); 66.5 mt (Oregon); and 119.7 mt (California).
m Chilipepper rockfish south of 40°10′ N lat. Chilipepper are managed with stock-specific harvest specifications south of 40°10′N lat. and within
the Minor Shelf Rockfish complex north of 40°10′ N lat. 84.9 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery
(11.5 mt), EFP fishing (60 mt), and research catch (13.4 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 2,325 mt.
n Darkblotched rockfish. 33.8 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (0.2 mt), the incidental open access fishery (24.5
mt), EFP catch (0.6 mt), and research catch (8.5 mt) resulting in a fishery HG of 781 mt.
o Dover sole. 1,595.6 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (1,497 mt), the incidental open access fishery (49.3 mt),
EFP fishing (0.1 mt), and research catch (49.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 48,404 mt.
p English sole. 216.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (200 mt), the incidental open access fishery (8.1 mt),
EFP fishing (0.1 mt), and research catch (8 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 9,919 mt.
q Lingcod north of 40°10′ N lat. 278 mt is deducted from the ACL for the Tribal fishery (250 mt), the incidental open access fishery (9.8 mt),
EFP catch (1.6 mt) and research catch (16.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 4,263 mt.
r Lingcod south of 40°10′ N lat. 11.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (8.1 mt) and research
catch (3.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 858 mt.
s Longnose skate. 148.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (130 mt), incidental open access fishery (5.7 mt),
EFP catch (0.1 mt), and research catch (12.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,852 mt.
t Longspine thornyhead. 50.4 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (30 mt), the incidental open access fishery (6.2
mt), and research catch (14.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 2,420 mt.
u Longspine thornyhead south of 34°27′ N lat. 1.4 mt is deducted from the ACL to research catch, resulting in a fishery HG of 779 mt.
b Fishery
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Fishery HG b
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
v Pacific cod. 506.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (500 mt), EFP catch (0.1 mt), research catch (5.5 mt), and
the incidental open access fishery (0.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,094 mt.
w Pacific whiting. Pacific whiting are assessed annually. The final specifications will be determined consistent with the U.S.-Canada Pacific
Whiting Agreement and will be announced after the Council’s April 2020 meeting.
x Pacific ocean perch north of 40°10′ N lat. 22.4 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (9.2 mt), the incidental open
access fishery (10 mt), EFP fishing (0.1 mt), and research catch (3.1 mt)-resulting in a fishery HG of 4,207 mt.
y Petrale sole. 320.6 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (290 mt), the incidental open access fishery (6.4 mt), EFP
catch (0.1 mt), and research catch (24.1 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 2,524 mt.
z Sablefish north of 36° N lat. The 40–10 adjustment is applied to the ABC to derive a coastwide ACL value because the stock is in the precautionary zone. This coastwide ACL value is not specified in regulations. The coastwide ACL value is apportioned north and south of 36° N lat.,
using the 2003–2014 average estimated swept area biomass from the NMFS NWFSC trawl survey, with 73.8 percent apportioned north of 36° N
lat. and 26.2 percent apportioned south of 36° N lat. The northern ACL is 5,723 mt and is reduced by 572 mt for the Tribal allocation (10 perceN
of the ACL north of 36° N lat.). The 572 mt Tribal allocation is reduced by 1.5 percent to account for discard mortality. Detailed sablefish allocations are shown in Table 2c.
aa Sablefish south of 36° N lat. The ACL for the area south of 36° N lat. is 2,032 mt (26.2 perceN of the calculated coastwide ACL value). 4.2
mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (1.8 mt) and research catch (2.4 mt), resulting in a fishery HG
of 2,028 mt.
bb Shortbelly rockfish. 17.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (8.9 mt), EFP catch (0.1 mt), and
research catch (8.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 483 mt.
cc Shortspine thornyhead north of 34°27′ N lat. 65.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (50 mt), the incidental
open access fishery (4.7 mt), EFP catch (0.1 mt), and research catch (10.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,604 mt for the area north of 34°27′
N lat.
dd Shortspine thornyhead south of 34°27′ N lat. 1.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (0.5 mt)
and research catch (0.7 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 882 mt for the area south of 34°27′ N lat.
ee Spiny dogfish. 333 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (275 mt), the incidental open access fishery (22.6 mt),
EFP catch (1.1 mt), and research catch (34.3 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,726 mt.
ff Splitnose rockfish south of 40°10′ N lat. Splitnose rockfish in the north is managed in the Slope Rockfish complex and with stock-specific harvest specifications south of 40°10′ N lat. 16.6 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (5.8 mt), research
catch (9.3 mt) and EFP catch (1.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,714 mt.
gg Starry flounder. 18.8 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (2 mt), EFP catch (0.1 mt), research catch (0.6 mt),
and the incidental open access fishery (16.1 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 433 mt.
hh Widow rockfish. 248.4 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (200 mt), the incidental open access fishery (3.1 mt),
EFP catch (28 mt) and research catch (17.3 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 10,951 mt.
ii Yellowtail rockfish north of 40°10′ N lat. 1,045.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (1,000 mt), the incidental
open access fishery (4.5 mt), EFP catch (20 mt) and research catch (20.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 4,941 mt.
jj Black rockfishBlue rockfishDeacon rockfish (Oregon). 1.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery
(0.3 mt) and EFP catch (0.9 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 609 mt.
kk CabezonKelp greenling (Oregon). 0.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP catch, resulting in a fishery HG of 204 mt.
ll CabezonKelp greenling (Washington). There are no deductions from the ACL so the fishery HG is equal to the ACL of 10 mt.
mm Nearshore Rockfish north of 40°10′ N lat. 2.8 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (1.5 mt), EFP catch (0.1 mt),
research catch (0.3), and the incidental open access fishery (0.9 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 79 mt.
nn Shelf Rockfish north of 40°10′ N lat. 76.9 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (30 mt), the incidental open access fishery (17.7 mt), EFP catch (4.5 mt), and research catch (24.7 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,971 mt.
oo Slope Rockfish north of 40°10′ N lat. 80.8 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (36 mt), the incidental open access fishery (21.7 mt), EFP catch (1.5 mt), and research catch (21.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,651 mt.
pp Nearshore Rockfish south of 40°10′ N lat. 4.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (1.4 mt) and
research catch (2.7 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,159 mt.
qq Shelf Rockfish south of 40°10′ N lat. 79.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (4.6 mt), EFP
catch (60 mt), and research catch (14.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,546 mt.
rr Slope Rockfish south of 40°10′ N lat. 20.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (16.9 mt), EFP
catch (1 mt), and research catch (2.3 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 723 mt. Blackgill rockfish has a stock-specific HG for the entire groundfish
fishery south of 40°10′ N lat. set equal to the species’ contribution to the 40–10-adjusted ACL. HarveS of blackgill rockfish in all groundfish fisheries south of 40°10′ N lat. counts against this HG of 159 mt.
ss Other Flatfish. The Other Flatfish complex is comprised of flatfish species managed in the PCGFMP that are not managed with stock-specific OFLs/ABCs/ACLs. MoS of the species in the Other Flatfish complex are unassessed and include: butter sole, curlfin sole, flathead sole, Pacific sanddab, rock sole, sand sole, and rex sole. 249.5 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (60 mt), the incidental
open access fishery (161.6 mt), EFP fishing (0.1 mt), and research catch (27.8 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 5,792 mt.
tt Other Fish. The Other Fish complex is comprised of kelp greenliN off California and leopard shark coastwide. 8.9 mt is deducted from the
ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (8.8 mt) and research catch (0.1 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 230 mt.
TABLE 2b TO PART 660, SUBPART C—2020, AND BEYOND, ALLOCATIONS BY SPECIES OR SPECIES GROUP
[Weight in metric tons]
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES2
Stocks/stock complexes
Arrowtooth flounder .............
Big skate a ...........................
Bocaccio a ...........................
Canary rockfish a d ...............
Chilipepper rockfish ............
COWCOD a b .......................
Darkblotched rockfish c .......
Dover sole ...........................
English sole .........................
Lingcod ................................
Lingcod ................................
Longnose skate a ................
Longspine thornyhead ........
Pacific cod ...........................
Pacific whiting .....................
VerDate Sep<11>2014
Coastwide ...........................
Coastwide ...........................
S of 40°10′ N lat .................
Coastwide ...........................
S of 40°10′ N lat .................
S of 40°10′ N lat .................
Coastwide ...........................
Coastwide ...........................
Coastwide ...........................
N of 40′10° N lat ................
S of 40′10° N lat .................
Coastwide ...........................
N of 34°27′ N lat ................
Coastwide ...........................
Coastwide ...........................
19:54 Dec 11, 2018
Jkt 247001
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Trawl
Fishery HG
or ACT a b
Area
Frm 00032
%
10,655.1
452.1
1,964.9
1,300.9
2,325.1
6.0
781.2
48,404.4
9,918.8
4,263.0
857.7
1,851.7
2,419.6
1,093.8
TBD
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
Non-trawl
Mt
95
95
39
72
75
36
95
95
95
45
45
90
95
95
100
%
10,122.3
429.5
767.1
940.3
1,743.8
2.2
742.1
45,984.2
9,422.9
1,918.4
386.0
1,666.5
2,298.6
1,039.1
E:\FR\FM\12DER2.SGM
f
12DER2
Mt
5
5
61
28
25
64
5
5
5
55
55
10
5
5
0
532.8
22.6
1,197.8
360.6
581.3
3.8
39.1
2,420.2
495.9
2,344.7
471.7
185.2
121.0
54.7
TBD
64001
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 2b TO PART 660, SUBPART C—2020, AND BEYOND, ALLOCATIONS BY SPECIES OR SPECIES GROUP—Continued
[Weight in metric tons]
Stocks/stock complexes
Trawl
Fishery HG
or ACT a b
Area
Non-trawl
%
Pacific ocean perch e ..........
Petrale sole .........................
N of 40°10′ N lat ................
Coastwide ...........................
4,206.6
2,524.4
Sablefish .............................
N of 36° N lat .....................
NA
Sablefish .............................
Shortspine thornyhead ........
Shortspine thornyhead ........
Splitnose rockfish ................
Starry flounder ....................
Widow rockfish f ..................
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH ..
Yellowtail rockfish ...............
Minor Shelf Rockfish North
Minor Shelf Rockfish South
Minor Slope Rockfish North
Minor Slope Rockfish South
Other Flatfish ......................
S of 36° N lat .....................
N of 34°27′ N lat ................
S of 34°27′ N lat .................
S of 40°10′ N lat .................
Coastwide ...........................
Coastwide ...........................
Coastwide ...........................
N of 40°10′ N lat ................
N of 40°10′ N lat ................
S of 40°10′ N lat .................
N of 40°10′ N lat ................
S of 40°10′ N lat .................
Coastwide ...........................
2,027.8
1,603.7
881.8
1,714.4
433.2
10,950.6
42.9
4,940.9
1,971.1
1,545.9
1,651.2
722.8
5,791.5
Mt
95
95
%
3,996.3
2,398.2
Mt
5
5
210.3
126.2
58
5
NA
5
50
9
92
12
39.8
87.8
19
37
10
1,176.1
80.2
831.8
85.7
216.6
985.6
39.5
592.9
784.5
1,357.3
313.7
267.4
579.2
See Table 2c
42
95
NA
95
50
91
8
88
60.2
12.2
81
63
90
851.7
1,523.5
50.0
1,628.7
216.6
9,965.0
3.4
4,348.0
1,186.6
188.6
1,337.5
455.4
5,212.4
a Allocations
decided through the biennial specification process.
cowcod fishery harvest guideline is further reduced to an ACT of 6.0 mt.
c 46 mt of the total trawl allocation of canary rockfish is allocated to the MS and C/P sectors, as follows: 30 mt for the MS sector, and 16 mt for
the C/P sector.
d Consistent with regulations at § 660.55(c), 9 percent (66.8 mt) of the total trawl allocation for darkblotched rockfish is allocated to the Pacific
whiting fishery, as follows: 28.1 mt for the Shorebased IFQ Program, 16.0 mt for the MS sector, and 22.7 mt for the C/P sector. The tonnage calculated here for the Pacific whiting IFQ fishery contributes to the total shorebased trawl allocation, which is found at § 660.140(d)(1)(ii)(D).
e Consistent with regulations at § 660.55(c), 17 percent (679.4 mt) of the total trawl allocation for Pacific ocean perch is allocated to the Pacific
whiting fishery, as follows: 285.3 mt for the Shorebased IFQ Program, 163.0 mt for the MS sector, and 231.0 mt for the C/P sector. The tonnage
calculated here for the Pacific whiting IFQ fishery contributes to the total shorebased trawl allocation, which is found at § 660.140(d)(1)(ii)(D).
f Consistent with regulations at § 660.55(c), 10 percent (996.5 mt) of the total trawl allocation for widow rockfish is allocated to the whiting fisheries, as follows: 418.5 mt for the shorebased IFQ fishery, 239.2 mt for the mothership fishery, and 338.8 mt for the catcher/processor fishery.
The tonnage calculated here for the whiting portion of the shorebased IFQ fishery contributes to the total shorebased trawl allocation, which is
found at § 660.140(d)(1)(ii)(D).
b The
TABLE 2c TO PART 660, SUBPART C—SABLEFISH NORTH OF 36° N LAT. ALLOCATIONS, 2020 AND BEYOND
Set-asides
Year
Tribal a
2020 ..................
Recreational
estimate
ACL
5,723
572
Research
30.68
6
Limited entry HG
Commercial
HG
EFP
1.1
Percent
5,113
mt
90.6
LE All
All trawl
2020 ..........................................................................................
4,632
2,687
At-sea
whiting
9.4
481
Limited entry fixed gear d
Shorebased
IFQ
50
mt b
Percent
4,632
Limited entry trawl c
Year
Open access HG
All FG
2,637
1,946
Primary
DTL
1,654
292
a The
tribal allocation is further reduced by 1.5 percent for discard mortality resulting in 563 mt in 2020.
open access HG is taken by the incidental OA fishery and the directed OA fishery.
trawl allocation is 58 percent of the limited entry HG.
d The limited entry fixed gear allocation is 42 percent of the limited entry HG.
b The
c The
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES2
TABLE 2D TO PART 660, SUBPART C—AT-SEA WHITING FISHERY ANNUAL SET-ASIDES, 2020 AND BEYOND
Set aside
(mt)
Stock or stock complex
Area
COWCOD ...................................................................................
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH ..........................................................
Arrowtooth flounder ....................................................................
Bocaccio .....................................................................................
Canary rockfish a .........................................................................
Chilipepper rockfish ....................................................................
Darkblotched rockfish b ...............................................................
Dover sole ...................................................................................
English sole ................................................................................
Lingcod .......................................................................................
Lingcod .......................................................................................
Longnose skate ..........................................................................
Longspine thornyhead ................................................................
Longspine thornyhead ................................................................
Minor Nearshore Rockfish ..........................................................
S of 40°10 N lat .........................................................................
Coastwide ..................................................................................
Coastwide ..................................................................................
S of 40°10 N lat .........................................................................
Coastwide ..................................................................................
S of 40°10 N lat .........................................................................
Coastwide ..................................................................................
Coastwide ..................................................................................
Coastwide ..................................................................................
N of 40°10 N lat .........................................................................
S of 40°10 N lat .........................................................................
Coastwide ..................................................................................
N of 34°27 N lat .........................................................................
S of 34°27 N lat .........................................................................
N of 40°10 N lat .........................................................................
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12DER2
NA
0
70
NA
Allocation
NA
38.7
5
5
15
NA
5
5
NA
NA
64002
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 2D TO PART 660, SUBPART C—AT-SEA WHITING FISHERY ANNUAL SET-ASIDES, 2020 AND BEYOND—Continued
Set aside
(mt)
Stock or stock complex
Area
Minor Nearshore Rockfish ..........................................................
Minor Shelf Rockfish ...................................................................
Minor Shelf Rockfish ...................................................................
Minor Slope Rockfish ..................................................................
Minor Slope Rockfish ..................................................................
Other Fish ...................................................................................
Other Flatfish ..............................................................................
Pacific cod ..................................................................................
Pacific Halibut c ...........................................................................
Pacific ocean perch d ..................................................................
Pacific Whiting ............................................................................
Petrale sole .................................................................................
Sablefish .....................................................................................
Sablefish .....................................................................................
Shortspine thornyhead ................................................................
Shortspine thornyhead ................................................................
Starry flounder ............................................................................
Widow Rockfish a ........................................................................
Yellowtail rockfish .......................................................................
S of 40°10 N lat .........................................................................
N of 40°10 N lat .........................................................................
S of 40°10 N lat .........................................................................
N of 40°10 N lat .........................................................................
S of 40°10 N lat .........................................................................
Coastwide ..................................................................................
Coastwide ..................................................................................
Coastwide ..................................................................................
Coastwide ..................................................................................
N of 40°10 N lat .........................................................................
Coastwide ..................................................................................
Coastwide ..................................................................................
N of 36° N lat .............................................................................
S of 36° N lat .............................................................................
N of 34°27 N lat .........................................................................
S of 34°27 N lat .........................................................................
Coastwide ..................................................................................
Coastwide ..................................................................................
N of 40°10 N lat .........................................................................
NA
35
NA
100
NA
NA
20
5
10
394
Allocation
5
50
NA
30
NA
5
Allocation
300
a See
Table 1b to this subpart for the at-sea whiting allocations for these species.
rockfish will be managed as set-asides for the MS and C/P sectors based on pro-rata distribution described at
§ 660.55(c)(1)(i)(A), resulting in a set-aside of 16.0 mt for the MS sector, and a set-aside of 22.7 mt for the C/P sector.
c As stated in § 660.55(m), the Pacific halibut set-aside is 10 mt, to accommodate bycatch in the at-sea Pacific whiting fisheries and in the
shorebased trawl sector south of 40°10 N lat. (estimated to be approximately 5 mt each).
d Pacific ocean perch will be managed as set-asides for the MS and C/P sectors based on pro-rata distribution described at
§ 660.55(c)(1)(i)(B), resulting in a set-aside of 163 mt for the MS sector, and a set-aside of 231 mt for the C/P sector.
b Darkblotched
12. In § 660.130, revise paragraphs
(c)(2)(ii) and (iii), (d)(1)(ii), and (e)(6)
and add paragraph (e)(8) to read as
follows:
■
§ 660.130 Trawl fishery—management
measures.
*
*
*
*
(c) * * *
(2) * * *
(ii) Salmon bycatch mitigation
restrictions. The use of small footrope
trawl, other than selective flatfish trawl
gear, is prohibited between 42° North
latitude and 40°10′ North latitude.
(iii) Salmon conservation area
restrictions. The uS of small footrope
trawl, other than of selective flatfish
trawl gear, is required inside the
Klamath River Salmon Conservation
Zone (defined at § 660.131(c)(1)) and the
Columbia River Salmon Conservation
Zone (defined at § 660.131(c)(2)).
*
*
*
*
*
(d) * * *
(1) * * *
(ii) North of 40°10′ N lat. POP,
yellowtail rockfish, Washington
cabezon/kelp greenling complex,
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES2
*
Oregon cabezon/kelp greenling
complex, cabezon off California; and
*
*
*
*
*
(e) * * *
(6) Bycatch reduction areas (BRAs).
Vessels using midwater groundfish
trawl gear during the applicable Pacific
whiting primary season may be
prohibited from fishing shoreward of a
boundary line approximating the 75 fm
(137 m), 100 fm (183 m), 150 fm (274
m), or 200 fm (366 m) depth contours.
*
*
*
*
*
(8) Salmon conservation zones.
Fishing with midwater trawl gear and
bottom trawl gear, other than selective
flatfish trawl gear, is prohibited in the
following areas:
(i) Klamath River Salmon
Conservation Zone. The ocean area
surrounding the Klamath River mouth
bounded on the north by 41°38.80′ N
lat. (approximately 6 nm north of the
Klamath River mouth), on the west by
124°23′ W long. (approximately 12 nm
from shore), and on the south by
41°26.80′ N lat. (approximately 6 nm
south of the Klamath River mouth).
(ii) Columbia River Salmon
Conservation Zone. The ocean area
surrounding the Columbia River mouth
bounded by a line extending for 6 nm
due west from North Head along 46°18′
N lat. to 124°13.30′ W long., then
southerly along a line of 167 True to
46°11.10′ N lat. and 124°11′ W long.
(Columbia River Buoy), then northeast
along Red Buoy Line to the tip of the
south jetty.
■ 13. In § 660.131, remove and reserve
paragraph (c)(3) and add paragraph (i) to
read as follows:
§ 660.131 Pacific whiting fishery
management measures.
*
*
*
*
*
(i) Salmon bycatch. This fishery may
be closed through automatic action at
§ 660.60(d)(1)(v) and (vi).
■ 14. In § 660.140, revise paragraphs
(d)(1)(ii)(D), (e)(4)(i), (g)(1),
(h)(1)(i)(A)(3), and (l)(2) to read as
follows:
§ 660.140
*
*
*
*
(d) * * *
(1) * * *
(ii) * * *
(D) For the trawl fishery, NMFS will
issue QP based on the following
shorebased trawl allocations:
2019 Shorebased
trawl allocation
(mt)
IFQ species
Area
Arrowtooth flounder ..............................................
Bocaccio ...............................................................
Canary rockfish .....................................................
Coastwide .............................................................
South of 40°10′ N lat ............................................
Coastwide .............................................................
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Shorebased IFQ Program.
*
E:\FR\FM\12DER2.SGM
12,735.1
800.7
946.9
12DER2
2020 Shorebased
trawl allocation
(mt)
10,052.3
767.1
887.8
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
2019 Shorebased
trawl allocation
(mt)
IFQ species
Area
Chilipepper ............................................................
COWCOD .............................................................
Darkblotched rockfish ...........................................
Dover sole ............................................................
English sole ..........................................................
Lingcod .................................................................
Lingcod .................................................................
Longspine thornyhead ..........................................
Minor Shelf Rockfish complex ..............................
Minor Shelf Rockfish complex ..............................
Minor Slope Rockfish complex .............................
Minor Slope Rockfish complex .............................
Other Flatfish complex .........................................
Pacific cod ............................................................
Pacific ocean perch ..............................................
Pacific whiting .......................................................
Petrale sole ...........................................................
Sablefish ...............................................................
Sablefish ...............................................................
Shortspine thornyhead .........................................
Shortspine thornyhead .........................................
Splitnose rockfish .................................................
Starry flounder ......................................................
Widow rockfish .....................................................
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH ....................................
Yellowtail rockfish .................................................
South of 40°10′ N lat ............................................
South of 40°10′ N lat ............................................
Coastwide .............................................................
Coastwide .............................................................
Coastwide .............................................................
North of 40°10′ N lat ............................................
South of 40°10′ N lat ............................................
North of 34°27′ N lat ............................................
North of 40°10′ N lat ............................................
South of 40°10′ N lat ............................................
North of 40°10′ N lat ............................................
South of 40°10′ N lat ............................................
Coastwide .............................................................
Coastwide .............................................................
North of 40°10′ N lat ............................................
Coastwide .............................................................
Coastwide .............................................................
North of 36° N lat. ................................................
South of 36° N lat .................................................
North of 34°27′ N lat ............................................
South of 34°27′ N lat ............................................
South of 40°10′ N lat ............................................
Coastwide .............................................................
Coastwide .............................................................
Coastwide .............................................................
North of 40°10′ N lat ............................................
*
*
*
(e) * * *
(4) * * *
*
*
(i) Vessel limits. For each IFQ species
or species group specified in this
paragraph (e)(4)(i), vessel accounts may
not have QP or IBQ pounds in excess of
2020 Shorebased
trawl allocation
(mt)
1,838.3
2.2
658.4
45,979.2
9,375.1
2,051.9
462.5
2,420.0
1,155.2
188.6
1,248.8
456.0
5,603.7
1,034.1
3,697.3
TBD
2,453.0
2,581.3
834.0
1,511.8
50.0
1,646.7
211.6
9,928.8
3.4
4,305.8
Annual QP
vessel limit
(in percent)
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES2
Arrowtooth flounder .............................................................................................................................................................................
Bocaccio S of 40°10′ N lat ..................................................................................................................................................................
Canary rockfish ....................................................................................................................................................................................
Chilipepper S of 40°10′ N lat ...............................................................................................................................................................
Cowcod S of 40°10′ N lat ....................................................................................................................................................................
Darkblotched rockfish ..........................................................................................................................................................................
Dover sole ............................................................................................................................................................................................
English sole .........................................................................................................................................................................................
Lingcod:
N of 40°10′ N lat ...........................................................................................................................................................................
S of 40°10′ N lat ...........................................................................................................................................................................
Longspine thornyhead:
N of 34°27′ N lat ...........................................................................................................................................................................
Minor rockfish complex N of 40°10′ N lat.:
Shelf species ................................................................................................................................................................................
Slope species ...............................................................................................................................................................................
Minor rockfish complex S of 40°10′ N lat.:
Shelf species ................................................................................................................................................................................
Slope species ...............................................................................................................................................................................
Other Flatfish complex .........................................................................................................................................................................
Pacific cod ...........................................................................................................................................................................................
Pacific halibut (IBQ) N of 40°10′ N lat ................................................................................................................................................
Pacific ocean perch N of 40°10′ N lat .................................................................................................................................................
Pacific whiting (shoreside) ...................................................................................................................................................................
Petrale sole ..........................................................................................................................................................................................
Sablefish:
N of 36° N lat. (Monterey north) ...................................................................................................................................................
S of 36° N lat. (Conception area) .................................................................................................................................................
Shortspine thornyhead:
N of 34°27′ N lat ...........................................................................................................................................................................
S of 34°27′ N lat ...........................................................................................................................................................................
Splitnose rockfish S of 40°10′ N lat ....................................................................................................................................................
Starry flounder .....................................................................................................................................................................................
Widow rockfish .....................................................................................................................................................................................
19:54 Dec 11, 2018
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1,743.8
2.2
703.4
45,979.2
9,417.9
1,903.4
386.0
2,293.6
1,151.6
188.6
1,237.5
455.4
5,192.4
1,034.1
3,602.2
TBD
2,393.2
2,636.8
851.7
1,498.5
50.0
1,628.7
211.6
9,387.1
3.4
4,048.0
the annual QP vessel limit in any year.
The annual QP vessel limit is calculated
as all QPs transferred in minus all QPs
transferred out of the vessel account.
Species category
VerDate Sep<11>2014
64003
Sfmt 4700
E:\FR\FM\12DER2.SGM
12DER2
20
15.4
10
15
17.7
6.8
3.9
7.5
5.3
13.3
9
7.5
7.5
13.5
9
15
20
14.4
6
15
4.5
4.5
15
9
9
15
20
8.5
64004
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
Annual QP
vessel limit
(in percent)
Species category
Yelloweye rockfish ...............................................................................................................................................................................
Yellowtail rockfish N of 40°10′ N lat ....................................................................................................................................................
Non-whiting groundfish species ...........................................................................................................................................................
*
*
*
*
(g) * * *
(1) General. Shorebased IFQ Program
vessels may discard IFQ species/species
groups, and the discard mortality must
be accounted for and deducted from QP
in the vessel account. With the
exception of vessels on Pacific whiting
IFQ trips engaged in maximized
retention, prohibited and protected
species must be discarded at sea; Pacific
halibut must be discarded as soon as
practicable and the discard mortality
must be accounted for and deducted
from IBQ pounds in the vessel account.
Non-IFQ species and non-groundfish
species may be discarded at sea. The
sorting of catch, the weighing and
discarding of any IBQ and IFQ species,
and the retention of IFQ species must be
monitored by the observer.
*
*
*
*
*
(h) * * *
(1) * * *
(i) * * *
(A) * * *
(3) Is exempt from the requirement to
maintain observer coverage as specified
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES2
*
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:54 Dec 11, 2018
Jkt 247001
in this paragraph (h) while remaining
docked in port when the observer makes
available to the catch monitor an
Observer Program reporting form
documenting the weight and number of
any overfished species listed under a
rebuilding plan at § 660.40 retained
during that trip and which documents
any discrepancy the vessel operator and
observer may have in the weights and
number of the overfished species, unless
modified inseason under routine
management measures at § 660.60(c)(1).
*
*
*
*
*
(l) * * *
(2) AMP QP pass through. The 10
percent of non-whiting QS will be
reserved for the AMP, but the resulting
AMP QP will be issued to all QS permit
owners in proportion to their nonwhiting QS until an alternative use of
AMP QP is implemented.
■ 15. In § 660.150, revise paragraph
(c)(1)(ii) to read as follows:
§ 660.150
*
Mothership (MS) Coop Program.
*
*
(c) * * *
PO 00000
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*
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*
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11.4
7.5
3.2
(1) * * *
(ii) Species with set-asides for the MS
and C/P Coop Programs, as described in
Table 1d and Table 2d to subpart C of
this part.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 16. In § 660.160, revise paragraph
(c)(1)(ii) to read as follows:
§ 660.160 Catcher/processor (C/P) Coop
Program.
*
*
*
*
*
(c) * * *
(1) * * *
(ii) Species with set-asides for the MS
and C/P Programs, as described in Table
1d and Table 2d to subpart C of this
part.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 17. Revise Tables 1 (North) and 1
(South) to part 660, subpart D, to read
as follows:
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°10′ N Lat.
E:\FR\FM\12DER2.SGM
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64005
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
Table 1 (North) to Part 660, Subpart D -- Limited Entry Trawl RockfiSh Conservation Areas and Landing Allowances for non-IFQ
S ecies and Pacific Whiting North of 40°1 0' N. Lat.
his table describes Rockfish Conservation Areas for vessels using groundfish trawl gear. This table describes incidental landing allowances
or vessels registered to a Federal limited entry trawl permit and using groundfish trawl or groundfish non-trawl gears to harvest individual
uota (IFQ) species.
Other Limits and Requirements Apply-- Read§ 660.10- § 660.399 before using this table
JAN-FEB
I
I
MAR-APR
MAY-JUN
I
JUL-AUG
I
SEP-OCT
I
r
I
NOV-DEC
01012019
Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA) 11 :
1
North of 45°46' N. lat.
100fm line11 -150fm line11
2
45°46' N. lat. - 40°1 0' N. lat.
100 fm line11 - modified 21 200 fm line11
See provisions at § 660.130 for gear restrictions and requirements by area. 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
)>
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
rm
...I.
Minor Nearshore Rockfish, Washington
Black rockfish & Oregon
Black/blue/deacon rockfish
-z
300 lb/ month
Whiting 31
midwater trawl
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
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.
0
""'
......
-
::::r'
Oregon Cabezon/Kelp Greenling complex
50 lb/ month
Cabezon in California
50 lb/ month
Unlimited
Shortbelly rockfish
60,000 lb/ month
Spiny dogfish
5,000 lb/2
months
11 Big skate
I
25,000 lb/2
months
I
30.000 lb/2
months
12 Longnose skate
Other Fish
I
35.000 lb/2
months
I
10,000 lb/2
months
I
5,000 lb/2
months
Unlimited
Unlimited
41
1/ The Rockfish Conservation Area is an area closed to fishing by particular gear types, bounded by lines specifically defined by latitude and longitude
~This RCA is not defined by depth contours, and the boundary lines that define the RCA may close areas
21 The "modified" fathom lines are modified to exclude certain petrale sole areas from the RCA
3/ As specified at §660.131 (d), when fishing in the Eureka Area, 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.
4/ "Other Fish" are defined at§ 660.11 and include kelp greenling off California and leopard shark.
I
Table 1 (South) to Part 660, Subpart
D—Limited Entry Trawl Rockfish
Conservation Areas and Landing
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Allowances for non-IFQ Species and
Pacific Whiting South of 40°10′ N Lat.
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To convert pounds to kilograms, divide by 2.20462, the number of pounds in one kilogram.
64006
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
Table 1 (South) to Part 660, Subpart D -- Limited Entry Trawl Rockfish Conservation Areas and Landing Allowances for non-IFQ
Species and 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.
01012019
JAN-FEB
Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA) 11 :
South of 40"1 a· N. lat.
100 fm line11 - 150 fm line 1121
See provisions at § 660.130 for gear restrictions and requirements by area. 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 nontrawl 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
r-
24,000 lb/2 months
South of 34 • 27' N. lat.
3
-1
Minor Nearshore Rockfish, California
4 Black rockfish, & Oregon
Black/Blue/Deacon rockfish
m
300 lb/ month
-en
5 Whiting
During the Primary whiting season: allowed seaward of the trawl RCA
Prohibited within and shoreward of the trawl RCA
m idwater trawl
0
s:::::
large & small footrope gear
7
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.
50 lb/ month
8 Cabezon
9 Shortbelly rockfish
......
-
::::r
Unlimited
10 Spiny dogfish
60,000 lb/ month
5,000 lb/2
months
11 Big skate
25,000 lb/2
months
30,000 lb/2
months
35,000 lb/2
months
12 Longnose skate
Unlimited
13 California scorpionfish
Unlimited
14 Other Fish 31
Unlimited
10,000 lb/2
months
5,000 lb/2
months
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, and the boundary lines that define the RCA may close areas
that are dee er or shallower than the de th contour. Vessels that are sub·ect to the RCA restrictions ma not fish in the RCA, oro erate in the
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.
18. In § 660.230, revise paragraphs
(c)(2)(ii) and (d)(10)(ii) and add
paragraph (f) to read as follows:
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES2
■
§ 660.230 Fixed gear fishery—
management measures.
*
*
*
(c) * * *
(2) * * *
VerDate Sep<11>2014
*
*
19:54 Dec 11, 2018
Jkt 247001
(ii) North of 40°10′ N lat.—POP,
yellowtail rockfish, cabezon (California),
Washington cabezon/kelp greenling
complex, Oregon cabezon/kelp
greenling complex; and
*
*
*
*
*
(d) * * *
(10) * * *
PO 00000
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(ii) Fishing for rockfish and lingcod is
permitted shoreward of the 40 fm (73 m)
depth contour within the CCAs when
trip limits authorize such fishing and
provided a valid declaration report as
required at § 660.13(d) has been filed
with NMFS OLE.
*
*
*
*
*
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
(f) Salmon bycatch. This fishery may
be closed through automatic action at
§ 660.60(d)(1)(v) and (vi).
■ 19. In § 660.231, revise paragraph
(b)(3)(i) to read as follows:
§ 660.231 Limited entry fixed gear
sablefish primary fishery.
*
*
*
*
(b) * * *
(3) * * *
(i) A vessel participating in the
primary season will be constrained by
the sablefish cumulative limit
associated with each of the permits
registered for use with that vessel.
During the primary season, each vessel
authorized to fish in that season under
paragraph (a) of this section may take,
retain, possess, and land sablefish, up to
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*
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:54 Dec 11, 2018
Jkt 247001
the cumulative limits for each of the
permits registered for use with that
vessel (i.e., stacked permits). If multiple
limited entry permits with sablefish
endorsements are registered for use with
a single vessel, that vessel may land up
to the total of all cumulative limits
announced in this paragraph for the
tiers for those permits, except as limited
by paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section.
Up to 3 permits may be registered for
use with a single vessel during the
primary season; thus, a single vessel
may not take and retain, possess or land
more than 3 primary season sablefish
cumulative limits in any one year. A
vessel registered for use with multiple
limited entry permits is subject to per
vessel limits for species other than
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64007
sablefish, and to per vessel limits when
participating in the daily trip limit
fishery for sablefish under § 660.232. In
2019, the following annual limits are in
effect: Tier 1 at 47,637 lbs (21,608 kg),
Tier 2 at 21,653 lbs (9,822 kg), and Tier
3 at 12,373 lbs (5,612 kg). In 2020 and
beyond, the following annual limits are
in effect: Tier 1 at 48,642 lbs (22,064 kg),
Tier 2 at 22,110 lbs (10,029 kg), and Tier
3 at 12,634 lbs (5,731 kg).
*
*
*
*
*
■ 20. Revise Tables 2 (North) and 2
(South) to part 660, subpart E, 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.
E:\FR\FM\12DER2.SGM
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64008
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
2 (North) to Part 660, Subpart E •• Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation Areas and Trip Limits for Limited Entry Fixed Gear
of 40°1 0' N. lat.
30 fm line 11 - 100 fm line 11
I
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
I
EFHCAs).
1
State trip limits and seasons may be more restricti\e than Federal trip limits or seasons, particularly in waters off Oregon and California.
4 Minor Slope Rockfish" & Darkblotched
'rockfish
1
4,000 lb/2 month
Pacific ocean perch
1,800 lb/2 months
1,300 lblweek, not to exceed 3,900 lb/2 months
10,000 lb/2 months
2,000 lb/2 months
2,500 lb/2 months
5,000 lbl month
Dover sole, arrowtooth flounder,
petrale sole, English sole, starry
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.
flounder, Other Flatfish31
Whiting
Minor Shelf Rockfish", Shortbelly, &
Widow rockfish
Yellowtail rockfish
OJ
200 lb/ month
r-
m
300 lbl 2 months
N
CLOSED
-z
Minor Nearshore Rockfish, Washington
Black rockfish & Oregon
Black/blue/deacon rockfish
5,000 lbl 2 months, no more than 1,200 lb of which may be species other than black rockfish or
blue/deacon rockfish 41
8,500 lb/2
months, no
more than
1,200 lbof
42'00' N. lat.- 40.10' N.lat. which may be
species other
than black
rockfish or
blue/deacon
rockfish
22
~
10,000 lb/trip
1,000 lb/ month
North of 42°00' N. lat.
-1
0
-...
:::r
7,000 lb/2 months, no more than 1,200 lb of which may be species other than
black rockfish or blue/deacon rockfish
23 Lingcod51
24
North of 42°00' N. lat.
2,000 lb/2 months
42'00' N. lat.- 40.10' N. lat.
1,400 lb/2 months
100,000 lb/2 months
200,000 lb/2 months
, 28 Longnose skate
I
L29
Unlimited
Other Fish61& Cabezon in California
30 Oregon Cabezon/Kelp Greenling
Unlimited
Unlimited
1/ The Ro£_kfis~on~l"l/!1~11_~~~~n_ar~a_c~O!I~-~~Ilirl[b_y~~~~~.9_~ typ~s,_tl()Undecl by lirles ~eci~ally _cl_efinecl by ~lilu~------------de coordinates set out at
71-660.74. This RCA is not defined
depth contours (with the exception of the 20-fm
ther:..._than_!_ransi!!'!lL ______________________________________________________________ _
12/ B~accio, chilipepper and cowcod are included in the trip limits for Minor Shelf Rockfish and splitnose rockfish is included in the.
Table 2 (South) to Part 660, Subpart
E—Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:54 Dec 11, 2018
Jkt 247001
Areas and Trip Limits for Limited Entry
Fixed Gear South of 40°10′ N Lat.
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ER12DE18.002</GPH>
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1--Jirif>_lirrlits fclr Mill()r_§IC>p~~_(lC~Stt_______________________________________________________ _
'3/ "Other flatfish" are defined at§ 660.11 and include butter sole, curlfin sole, flathead sole, Pacific sanddab, rex sole, rock sole 1 and sand sole.
4/ For black rockfish north of Cape Alava (48°09.50' N. lat.), and between Destruction Is. (4r40' N. lat.) and Leadbetter Pnt. (46°38.-'1_7,_'..:.N_..;;,·_clat=."),,:...______________1
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
64009
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 lim~s and requirements apply-- Read §§660.10 through 660.399 before using this table
01012019
i
JAN-FEB
MAR-APR
I
I
Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA) 11 :
-tj4o'10'
N:-1~;- 34'2Tt.ll;rt:----------
MAY-JUN
I
JUL-AUG
I
I
I
i
i
SEP-OCT
I
I
i
NOV-DEC
I
I
f------------4-"0:...fc.;m:...'l=ine'_-"12:c:5'-'f"'m"""
line"---"-------------1
2 :south of 34 27' N. lat.
75 fm line"- 150 fm line" (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 restricti-.e than Federal trip limits or seasons, particular1y in waters off Oregon and Califomia.
I_ 3 IMinor Slope rockfish" & Darkblotched
'I
1rockflsh
4 JSplitnose rockfish
5 !Sableflsh
f-
r· 6
r· 8
r· 9
I
I
1,300 lb/week, not to exceed 3,900 lb/ 2 months
2,000 lbl week
10,000 lbl2 months
40'10' N. lat.- 36.00' N.lat.
~- ~~ !flounder, Other Flatfish
I
2,000 lbl 2 months
i
r· ~~-1oover sole, arrowtooth flounder,
['ill
f-~petrale sole, English so!~· starry
40,000 lbl2 months, of which no more than
1,600 lb may be blackgill rockfish
40,000 lbl2 months
!Longspine thornyhead
IShortspine thorn~ead
•
1 10 :
:
40 10' N. lat.- 34 27' N.lat.
f 11
South of 34'27' N. lat.
I
I
40,000 lbl2 months, of which no more than
1,375 lb may be blackgill rockfish
2,500 lb/ 2 months
3,000 lbl2 months
5,000 lbl 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.
r·18 !Whiting
10,000 lbltrip •
-1
)>
m
•
r-
19 :Minor Shelf Rockfish", Shortbelly rockfish, Widow rockfish (including Chilipepper between 40 10' - 34 27' N. lat.)
1
~-1 20
I
,lf-
:---------+-: ---------l---.4"',oo""o"'l"'bl"'2--r----r-....:....-~'--------'--'-'--------l
I
21
_ 1
.
.
Minor shelf rockfish, shortbelly, widow rockfish, & chilipepper: 2,500 lb/2 months, of which no more
40 10' N. lat. - 34 27' N. lat.
than 500 lb may be any species other than chili pepper.
1
South of 34'27' N. lat.
months
CLOSED
4,000 lbl2 months
N
! 22 !Chilipepper
r23t1_4_0-'.1-'0-''N.c·;_;lat=....-_3.::.4:,;.2::.:7_':...N.:...Iccat.::..I-C_hi-'lip_e..:.p.:.pe::-r::-i:::nc::-lu::-d::-e::-d_u_n_de::-r_m-::cin:-or_s_h_e_W,-roc-::-kfi_IS_h-:,_s_ho_rt-::b-:e-'lly'-a-n_d_w_i_dow.,-,:::ro,..c_kf_is_h_l:-im_n...,sc::-::-·::-S:-ee_a_b_ov_e-l
: 24
:
South of 34'27' N. lat.
2,000 lbl2 months, this opportunity only available seaward of the non-trawl RCA
l-251-C_a_n_a_ry_r_o~c-kf-is-h-~~~~~~~=t---~------'---~--~~----------------~
i 26!
!
300 lbl 2 months
40.10' N.lat.- 34.27' N.lat.
South of 34'27' N. lat.
300 lbl2
months
CLOSED
-0
CLOSED
:::r
CLOSED
~ 30 'Bronzespotted rockfish
, 31 , Bocaccio
~-321
____
J
r-1
i 33 i
~- 34
I
CLOSED
1,000 lbl2 months
40.10' N.lat.- 34.27' N.lat.
.
South of 34 27' N. lat.
-en
c
300 lbl2 months
r>8 JYelloweye rockfish
m
1soo1b12
~onths
1,500 lbl2 months
CLOSED
jMinor Nearshore Rockfish, California Black rockfish, & Oregon Black/Blue/Deacon rockfish
lf-35'
Shallow nearshore41
1,200 lbl2
months
CLOSED
1,200 lbl2 months
~·36+.--------D-e_e_p_e_r-ne_a_~_h_o_re_5~1 -~1 ~~00~~~;~~~~2::--+--C-LO_S_E_D-+---------1-,00-0-Ib_l_2_m_o_n-th-s-------~
0
1
2
f--3-7-+!C_al_if_o_rn_i_a_s_c_o_rp_io_n_f_is_h_ _ _ _ _ _l---"-~"'0°"-'nt'"I~"'~-""'"1---C-L_o_s_E_D_+-----""T---1-,50-0_Ib_l_2_m_o_n_th_s_ _--r_ _'T"_--I
~~~~~:
1 381Lingcod61
t>91Pacific cod
•
•
i 40 !Spiny dogfish
I
~~~~~:
CLOSED
1,200 lbl2 months
1,000 lbl2 months
150.000 lb/ 2
months
I
200,000 lb/ 2 months
[-41 ILongnose skate
r- 42 10ther Fish & Cabazon in California
I~~~~ I:~~~
100,000 lbl 2 months
Unlimited
71
Unlimited
Unlimited
, 43 JBig Skate
f)~~_!3ockf~~l1_ Con~~_rvatiO~_flrea ~~-~-n are~_~lose~_!<l_ fiShl~jl_by P~'!~cular_9_E>ar typ_E>~o bou:::~_ed by_!~~es sp_~~Wically_~ef1ne_~_~Y lat~_LJ~_El_-----------------J
l __l~-~~ lon9~_~de c~~dinat~__set o_LJt_~ §§_13130. 71~13139· 74 ..J:~is R~J'>.~~!-~efine<t_~y de~!~_cont~_LJ~S (w~l1_)he ex_~_E>ption_~_ the 2_Q:!~ _______________ _j
!depth contour boundary south of 42" N. lat.), and the boundary lines that define the RCA may close areas that are deeper or shallower
1
: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
:
I
I
':~~»~~ :~~i:::~i~~~~ trip:;i~ns f~;:~inor:~;ope ~~~kfish:::~lack~;~:roc~~~ hav~;:spec;~~ spe~~c trip:~:~b-lim~:;ithin ;~~ Mn~;::=:::::=::::=::::~
!slope R-ockfish -cumulative limit:-Yellowtilil rockfish are.iiicludedin the trip limns-for Minor Shelf-Rockfish~ Bronzespotte(i rockfish----------------~
=Favea silecies-silecific-liii> lim~:---------------------------------------------------------------------------------:::]
I "Oiiier Flaifish" are.definedai § 6eii:i1aiid-include.butter soie, cu-rlifn sole.-ilatheadsole, ·Pacific s!inddab:rex soie: rock·s-oiB,and.sand.saia--·J-----
~~'.'!~ow N_'.'".'sho~..:~ are d~!!~ed a!_~_ 660.!_:_ unde_r:::c;roun_~!!"!':J?)_(i)(B)(_1_L_~------l-----~---660.11 under "Groundfish" (?)(i) 8 2 .
'
i
'
i
i
ill "Other Fish" are defined at§ 660.11 and include kelp greenling off CaiWornia and leopard shark.
[!o
VerDate Sep<11>2014
'
c~~~ert p:~~nds:!~ kilo!{~~ms, ~]~ide ~r~.20~~~; the ~~mbe~:~ po~~~s in~~~ kil~~~m. ::::=::::=::::=::::=::::=:::::=::::=::::::]
19:54 Dec 11, 2018
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I "Dee er Nearshore" are defined at
i
----1-----~
64010
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
21. In § 660.330, revise paragraph
(c)(2)(ii) and (d)(11)(ii) and add
paragraph (f) to read as follows:
■
§ 660.330 Open access fishery—
management measures.
*
*
*
*
(c) * * *
(2) * * *
(ii) North of 40°10′ N. lat.—POP,
yellowtail rockfish, cabezon (California),
Washington cabezon/kelp greenling
complex, Oregon cabezon/kelp
greenling complex; and
*
*
*
*
*
(d) * * *
(11) * * *
(ii) Fishing for rockfish and lingcod is
permitted shoreward of the 40 fm (73 m)
depth contour within the CCAs when
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*
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19:54 Dec 11, 2018
Jkt 247001
trip limits authorize such fishing and
provided a valid declaration report as
required at § 660.13(d) has been filed
with NMFS OLE.
*
*
*
*
*
(f) Salmon bycatch. This fishery may
be closed through automatic action at
§ 660.60(d)(1)(v) and (vi).
■ 22. In § 660.333, revise paragraph
(c)(3) to read as follows:
§ 660.333 Open access non-groundfish
trawl fishery—management measures.
*
*
*
*
*
(c) * * *
(3) The landing includes California
halibut of a size required by California
Fish and Game Code section 8392,
which states: ‘‘No California halibut
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may be taken, possessed or sold which
measures less than 22 in (56 cm) in total
length. Total length means the shortest
distance between the tip of the jaw or
snout, whichever extends farthest while
the mouth is closed, and the tip of the
longest lobe of the tail, measured while
the halibut is lying flat in natural
repose, without resort to any force other
than the swinging or fanning of the
tail.’’
*
*
*
*
*
■ 23. Revise Tables 3 (North) and 3
(South) in part 660, subpart F, to read
as follows:
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.
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
ale
64011
3 (North) to Port 660, Subpart F - Non-T - Rookfioh Conoe"""bn An>ao and T<lp Lm.. fo• Open Aoceos Gea"' North of
0' N. lat.
Other limits and requirements apply-- Read §§660.1 0 through 660.399 before using this table
JAN-FEB
I
IIIIAR-APR
I
I
I
I
I
Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA) 11 :
IIIIAY-JUN
I
JUL-AUG
I
SEP-OCT
I
NOV-DEC
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
shoreline - 100 fm line 11
1 North of 46° 16' N. lat.
2 46°16' N. lat.- 42"00' N. lat.
30 fm line 11 - 100 fm line11
3 42"00' N. lat.- 40° 10' N. lat.
30 fm line 11 - 100 fm line11
See §§660.60, 660.330 and 660.333 for additional gear, trip limit and conservation area requirements and restrictions. See §§660.70660.74 and §§660.76-660.79 for conservation area descriptions and coordinates (including RCAs, YRCAs, CCAs, Farallon Islands,
Cordell Bank, and EFHCAs).
State trip limits and seasons may be more restricti;e than Federal trip limits or seasons, particularly in waters off Oregon and California.
Minor Slope Rockfish 21 &
Darkblotched rockfish
500 pounds/month
Pacific ocean perch
1oo lbl month
300 lb/ day; or one landing per week up to 1 ,200 lb, not to exceed 2,400 lb/ 2 months
50 lb/ month
Sablefish
Shortpine thornyheads
Longspine thornyheads
50 lb/ month
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
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.
flounder, Other Flatfish 31
iting
300 lbl month
Minor Shelf Rockfish21, Shortbelly
rockfish, & Widow rockfish
200 lb/ month
1
Yellowtail rockfish
500 lb/ month
1
Canary rockfish
1
Yelloweye rockfish
-
CLOSED
z
5, 000 lb/ 2 months, no more than 1 ,200 lb of which may be species other than black rockfish or
blue/deacon rockfish
42" 00' N. lat. - 40° 10' N. lat.
7,000 lb/2 months, no more than 1,200 lb of which may be species other than
black rockfish or blue/deacon rockfish
900 lb/ month
25
600 lb/ month
42" 00' N. lat. - 40° 10' N. lat.
200,000 lb/2 months
Spiny dogfish
I
150,000 lb/2
months
I
Longnose skate
Unlimited
Big skate
Unlimited
Other Fish 61 & Cabezon in California
Unlimited
Jkt 247001
100,000 lb/2 months
Unlimited
31 Oregon Cabezon/Kelp Greenling
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-
1,000 lb/ 2 months
Pacific cod
19:54 Dec 11, 2018
..,
......
::::r
23 Lingcod 51
24
!North of4iOO' N. lat.
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22
r-
w
Minor Nearshore Rockfish, Washington Black rockfish, & Oregon Black/Blue/Deacon rockfish
8,500 lb/2
months, no
more than
1,200 lb of
which maybe
species other
than black
rockfish or
blue/deacon
rockfish
DJ
m
300 lbl 2 months
North of4ioo· N. lat.
-1
)>
64012
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
(subject to RCAs IMlen retaining all species of groundfish, except for yellowtail rockfish and lingcod, as described below)
-1
)>
Salmon trollers may retain and land up to 1 lb of yellowtail rockfish for e"'ry 2 lbs of salmon landed, with a
cumulati"' limit of 200 lblmonth, 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 5 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 abo"', 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 abo"', unless otherwise stated here.
33 North
34 PINK SHRIMP NON-GROUNDFISH TRAWL (not subject to RCAs)
z.,
-0
Effective April 1 -October 31: Groundfish: 500 lblday, 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 o"'rall 500 lb/day and
1,500 lb/trip groundfish limits: lingcod 300 lblmonth (minimum 24 inch size limit); sablefish 2,000 lb/month;
canary, thomyheads and yelloweye rockfish are PROHIBITED. All other groundfish species taken are managed
under the o"'rall 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 ha"' species-specific limits. The amount of groundfish landed may
not exceed the amount of pink shrimp landed.
35 North
m
r
m
:::r
( ")
0
::l
""!:
c.
limits for Minor Slope Rockfish.
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.
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 limit of 100 lbs 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.
61 "Other fish" are defined at§ 660.11 and include kelp greenling off California and leopard shark.
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To convert pounds to kilograms, divide by 2.20462, the number of pounds in one kilogram.
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
Table
64013
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.
I !Other limits and requirements apply-- Read §§660.1 0 through 660.399 before using this table
JAN-FEB
IIIIAY-JUN
I MAR-APR
I
I
Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA) 11 :
1 40.10' N. lat.- 34.27' N. lat.
I
I
I
I
JUL-AUG
I
SEP-OCT
NOV-DEC
I
I
I
I
I
40 fm line"- 125 fm line"
2 South of 34.27' N. lat.
75 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 restricti;e than Federal trip limits or seasons, particularly in waters off Oregon and California.
10,000 lb/2 months, of which no more than 475110,000 lb/2 months, of which no more than 550
lb may be blackgill rockfish
lb may be blackgill rockfish
Minor Slope Rockfish 21 &
Darkblotched rockfish
200 lb/ month
Splitnose rockfish
Sablefish
140.10' N. lat.- 36.00' N. lat.
300 lb/ day or one landing per week up to 1,200 lb, not to exceed 2,400 lb/ 2 months
300 lb/ day, or one landing per week of up to 1,600 lb, not to exceed 3,200 lb/2 months
South of 36.00' N. lat.
Shortpine thornyheads and longspine
thornyheads
I
r
-1
)>
CLOSED
40.10' N. lat.- 34.27' N. lat.
10
11
50 lb/ day, no more than 1,000 lb/ 2 months
South of 34.27' N. lat.
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
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.
flounder, Other Flatfish 31
Rockfish21,
Minor Shelf
Shortbelly,
1
!Widow rockfish and Chilipepper
-
40.10' N. lat.- 34.27' N. lat.
South of 34.27' N. lat.
Canary rockfish
400 lb/2
months
1,500 lb/2
months
300 lb/2
months
400 lb/ 2 months
CLOSED
1,500 lb/ 2 months
CLOSED
300 lb/ 2 months
500 lb/2
months
25 Bocaccio
CLOSED
-
en
0
s:::::
.....
-
::::r
CLOSED
CLOSED
CLOSED
Yelloweye rockfish
Cowcod
Bronzespottedrockfish
m
w
300 lb/ month
Whiting
m
r-
500 lb/ 2 months
26 Minor Nearshore Rockfish, California Black rockfish, & Oregon Black/Blue/Deacon rockfish
7 Shallow nearshore41
1,200 lb/2
months
CLOSED
1,200 lb/2 months
Deeper nearshore51
1,000 lb/2
months
CLOSED
1, 000 lb/ 2 months
California scorpionfish
1,500 lb/2
months
CLOSED
1,500 lb/ 2 months
300 lb/ month
CLOSED
Lingcod"'
Pacific cod
300 lb/ month
1,000 lb/2 months
200,000 lb/2 months
150,000 lb/2
months
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33 Longnose skate
34 Big skate
35 Other Fish 71 & Cabezon in California
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100,000 lb/2 months
Unlimited
Unlimited
Unlimited
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32 Spiny dogfish
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
24. Amend § 660.360 as follows:
a. Revise paragraphs (c)(1)
introductory text, (c)(1)(i)(D)(1) through
(3), (c)(1)(ii) through (iv), (c)(2)(i)(B),
(c)(3)(i)(A) through (C), (c)(3)(ii)(A) and
(D), (c)(3)(iii)(A), (B), and (D), (c)(3)(iv),
and (c)(3)(v)(A) and (B); and
■ b. Add paragraph (d).
The revisions and addition read as
follows:
■
■
§ 660.360 Recreational fishery—
management measures.
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES2
*
*
*
*
*
(c) * * *
(1) Washington. For each person
engaged in recreational fishing off the
coast of Washington, the groundfish bag
limit is 9 groundfish per day, including
rockfish, cabezon and lingcod. Within
the groundfish bag limit, there are sublimits for rockfish, lingcod, and cabezon
outlined in paragraph (c)(1)(i)(D) of this
section. In addition to the groundfish
bag limit of 9, there will be a flatfish
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19:54 Dec 11, 2018
Jkt 247001
limit of 3 fish, not to be counted
towards the groundfish bag limit but in
addition to it. The recreational
groundfish fishery will open the second
Saturday in March through the third
Saturday in October for all species. In
the Pacific halibut fisheries, retention of
groundfish is governed in part by
annual management measures for
Pacific halibut fisheries, which are
published in the Federal Register. The
following seasons, closed areas, sublimits and size limits apply:
(i) * * *
(D) * * *
(1) West of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line
between the U.S. border with Canada
and the Queets River (Washington state
Marine Area 3 and 4), recreational
fishing for groundfish is prohibited
seaward of a boundary line
approximating the 20 fm (37 m) depth
contour from June 1 through Labor Day,
except on days when the Pacific halibut
fishery is open in this area it is lawful
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to retain lingcod, Pacific cod, and
sablefish seaward of the 20 fm (37 m)
boundary. Yellowtail and widow
rockfish can be retained seaward of 20
fm (37 m) in the months of July and
August on days open to the recreational
salmon fishery. Days open to Pacific
halibut recreational fishing off
Washington and days open to
recreational fishing for salmon are
announced on the NMFS hotline at
(206) 526–6667 or (800) 662–9825.
Coordinates for the boundary line
approximating the 20 fm (37 m) depth
contour are listed in § 660.71.
(2) Between the Queets River
(47°31.70′ N lat.) and Leadbetter Point
(46°38.17′ N lat.) (Washington state
Marine Area 2), recreational fishing for
lingcod is prohibited seaward of a
boundary line approximating the 30 fm
(55 m) depth contour from the second
Saturday in March through May 31
except that recreational fishing for
lingcod is permitted within the RCA on
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
days that the primary halibut fishery is
open. In addition to the RCA described
in the preceding sentence, between the
Queets River (47°31.70′ N lat.) and
Leadbetter Point (46°38.17′ N lat.)
(Washington state Marine Area 2),
recreational fishing for lingcod is
prohibited year round seaward of a
straight line connecting all of the
following points in the order stated:
47°31.70′ N lat., 124°45.00′ W long.;
46°38.17′ N lat., 124°30.00′ W long. with
the following exceptions: on days that
the primary halibut fishery is open
lingcod may be taken, retained and
possessed within the lingcod area
closure; lingcod may also be taken,
retained, and possessed from June 1
through June 15 and from September 1
through September 15 within the
lingcod area closure. If the Pacific
halibut recreational fishery in
Washington state Marine Area 2 is not
open for at least four days, lingcod may
be taken, retained, and possessed
seaward of the boundary line
approximating the 30 fm (55 m) depth
contour and the straight line connecting
all of the following points in the order
stated: 47°31.70′ N lat., 124°45.00′ W
long.; 46°38.17′ N lat., 124°30.00′ W
long. on Sundays in May. Days open to
Pacific halibut recreational fishing off
Washington are announced on the
NMFS hotline at (206) 526–6667 or
(800) 662–9825. For additional
regulations regarding the Washington
recreational lingcod fishery, see
paragraph (c)(1)(iv) of this section.
Coordinates for the boundary line
approximating the 30 fm (55 m) depth
contour are listed in § 660.71.
(3) Between Leadbetter Point
(46°38.17′ N lat.) and the Columbia
River (46°16.00′ N lat.) (Marine Area 1),
when Pacific halibut are onboard the
vessel, no groundfish may be taken and
retained, possessed or landed, except
sablefish, flatfish species (except
halibut), Pacific cod, and lingcod from
May 1 through September 30. Except
that taking, retaining, possessing or
landing incidental halibut with
groundfish on board is allowed in the
nearshore area on days not open to alldepth Pacific halibut fisheries in the
area shoreward of the boundary line
approximating the 30 fathom (fm) (55
m) depth contour extending from
Leadbetter Point, WA (46°38.17′ N lat.,
124°15.88′ W long.) to the Columbia
River (46°16.00′ N lat., 124°15.88′ W
long.) and from there, connecting to the
boundary line approximating the 40 fm
(73 m) depth contour in Oregon.
Nearshore season days are established
in the annual management measures for
Pacific halibut fisheries, which are
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:54 Dec 11, 2018
Jkt 247001
published in the Federal Register and
are announced on the NMFS halibut
hotline, 1–800–662–9825. Between
Leadbetter Point (46°38.17′ N lat.
124°21.00′ W long) and 46°33.00′ N lat.
124°21.00′ W long., recreational fishing
for lingcod is prohibited year round
seaward of a straight line connecting all
of the following points in the order
stated: 46°38.17′ N lat., 124°21.00′ W
long.; and 46°33.00′ N lat., 124°21.00′ W
long.
(ii) Rockfish. In areas of the EEZ
seaward of Washington (Washington
Marine Areas 1–4) that are open to
recreational groundfish fishing, there is
a 7 rockfish per day bag limit. Taking
and retaining yelloweye rockfish is
prohibited in all Marine areas.
(iii) Cabezon. In areas of the EEZ
seaward of Washington (Washington
Marine Areas 1–4) that are open to
recreational groundfish fishing, there is
a 1 cabezon per day bag limit.
(iv) Lingcod. In areas of the EEZ
seaward of Washington (Washington
Marine Areas 1–4) that are open to
recreational groundfish fishing and
when the recreational season for lingcod
is open, there is a bag limit of 2 lingcod
per day. The recreational fishing
seasons for lingcod is open from the
second Saturday in March through the
third Saturday in October.
(2) * * *
(i) * * *
(B) Recreational rockfish conservation
area (RCA). Fishing for groundfish with
recreational gear is prohibited within
the recreational RCA, a type of closed
area or groundfish conservation area,
except with long-leader gear (as defined
at § 660.351). It is unlawful to take and
retain, possess, or land groundfish taken
with recreational gear within the
recreational RCA, except with longleader gear (as defined at § 660.351). A
vessel fishing in the recreational RCA
may not be in possession of any
groundfish. [For example, if a vessel
fishes in the recreational salmon fishery
within the RCA, the vessel cannot be in
possession of groundfish while within
the RCA. The vessel may, however, on
the same trip fish for and retain
groundfish shoreward of the RCA on the
return trip to port.] Off Oregon, from
June 1 through August 31, recreational
fishing for groundfish is prohibited
seaward of a recreational RCA boundary
line approximating the 40 fm (73 m)
depth contour, except that fishing for
flatfish (other than Pacific halibut) is
allowed seaward of the 40 fm (73 m)
depth contour when recreational fishing
for groundfish is permitted. Coordinates
for the boundary line approximating the
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64015
40 fm (73 m) depth contour are listed at
§ 660.71.
*
*
*
*
*
(3) * * *
(i) * * *
(A) Recreational rockfish conservation
areas. The recreational RCAs are areas
that are closed to recreational fishing for
groundfish. Fishing for groundfish with
recreational gear is prohibited within
the recreational RCA, except that
recreational fishing for ‘‘Other Flatfish,’’
petrale sole, and starry flounder is
permitted within the recreational RCA
as specified in paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of
this section. It is unlawful to take and
retain, possess, or land groundfish taken
with recreational gear within the
recreational RCA, unless otherwise
authorized in this section. A vessel
fishing in the recreational RCA may not
be in possession of any species
prohibited by the restrictions that apply
within the recreational RCA. [For
example, if a vessel fishes in the
recreational salmon fishery within the
RCA, the vessel cannot be in possession
of rockfish while in the RCA. The vessel
may, however, on the same trip fish for
and retain rockfish shoreward of the
RCA on the return trip to port.] If the
season is closed for a species or species
group, fishing for that species or species
group is prohibited both within the
recreational RCA and shoreward of the
recreational RCA, unless otherwise
authorized in this section.
(1) Between 42° N lat. (California/
Oregon border) and 40°10′ N lat.
(Northern Management Area),
recreational fishing for all groundfish
(except petrale sole, starry flounder, and
‘‘Other Flatfish’’ as specified in
paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this section) is
closed from January 1 through April 30;
is prohibited seaward of the 30 fm (55
m) depth contour along the mainland
coast and along islands and offshore
seamounts from May 1 through October
31 (shoreward of 30 fm is open); and is
open at all depths from November 1
through December 31. Coordinates for
the boundary line approximating the 30
fm (55 m) depth contour are listed in
§ 660.71.
(2) Between 40°10′ N lat. and
38°57.50′ N lat. (Mendocino
Management Area), recreational fishing
for all groundfish (except petrale sole,
starry flounder, and ‘‘Other Flatfish’’ as
specified in paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this
section) is closed from January 1
through April 30; prohibited seaward of
the 20 fm (37 m) depth contour along
the mainland coast and along islands
and offshore seamounts from May 1
through October 31 (shoreward of 20 fm
is open), and is open at all depths from
November 1 through December 31.
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
(3) Between 38°57.50′ N lat. and
37°11′ N lat. (San Francisco
Management Area), recreational fishing
for all groundfish (except petrale sole,
starry flounder, and ‘‘Other Flatfish’’ as
specified in paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this
section) is closed from January 1
through March 31; is prohibited
seaward of the boundary line
approximating the 40 fm (73 m) depth
contour along the mainland coast and
along islands and offshore seamounts
from April 1 through December 31.
Closures around Cordell Bank (see
paragraph (c)(3)(i)(C) of this section)
also apply in this area. Coordinates for
the boundary line approximating the 40
fm (73 m) depth contour are listed in
§ 660.71.
(4) Between 37°11′ N lat. and 34°27′
N lat. (Central Management Area),
recreational fishing for all groundfish
(except petrale sole, starry flounder, and
‘‘Other Flatfish’’ as specified in
paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this section) is
closed from January 1 through March
31; and is prohibited seaward of a
boundary line approximating the 50 fm
(91 m) depth contour along the
mainland coast and along islands and
offshore seamounts from April 1
through December 31. Coordinates for
the boundary line approximating the 50
fm (91 m) depth contour are specified in
§ 660.72.
(5) South of 34°27′ N lat. (Southern
Management Area), recreational fishing
for all groundfish (except California
scorpionfish, ‘‘Other Flatfish,’’ petrale
sole, and starry flounder) is closed
entirely from January 1 through the last
day of February. Recreational fishing for
all groundfish (except ‘‘Other Flatfish,’’
petrale sole, and starry flounder, as
specified in paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this
section) is prohibited seaward of a
boundary line approximating the 75 fm
(137 m) depth contour from March 1
through December 31 along the
mainland coast and along islands and
offshore seamounts, except in the CCAs
where fishing is prohibited seaward of
the 40 fm (73 m) depth contour when
the fishing season is open (see
paragraph (c)(3)(i)(B) of this section).
Coordinates for the boundary lines
approximating the depth contours are
specified at §§ 660.71 through 660.74.
(B) Cowcod conservation areas. The
latitude and longitude coordinates of
the Cowcod Conservation Areas (CCAs)
boundaries are specified at § 660.70. In
general, recreational fishing for all
groundfish is prohibited within the
CCAs, except that fishing for petrale
sole, starry flounder, and ‘‘Other
Flatfish’’ is permitted within the CCAs
as specified in paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of
this section. However, recreational
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:54 Dec 11, 2018
Jkt 247001
fishing for the following species is
prohibited seaward of the 40 fm (37 m)
depth contour when the season for those
species is open south of 34°27′ N lat.:
Minor nearshore rockfish, cabezon, kelp
greenling, lingcod, California
scorpionfish, and shelf rockfish.
Retention of yelloweye rockfish,
bronzespotted rockfish and cowcod is
prohibited within the CCA. [Note:
California state regulations also permit
recreational fishing for California
sheephead, ocean whitefish, and all
greenlings of the genus Hexagrammos
shoreward-of the 40 fm (73 m) depth
contour in the CCAs when the season
for the RCG complex is open south of
34°27′ N lat.] It is unlawful to take and
retain, possess, or land groundfish taken
within the CCAs, except for species
authorized in this section.
(C) Cordell Bank. Recreational fishing
for groundfish is prohibited in waters
less than 100 fm (183 m) around Cordell
Bank as defined by specific latitude and
longitude coordinates at § 660.70,
subpart C, except that recreational
fishing for petrale sole, starry flounder,
and ‘‘Other Flatfish’’ is permitted
around Cordell Bank as specified in
paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this section.
*
*
*
*
*
(ii) * * *
(A) Seasons. When recreational
fishing for the RCG complex is open, it
is permitted only outside of the
recreational RCAs described in
paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section.
(1) Between 42° N lat. (California/
Oregon border) and 40°10′ N lat. (North
Management Area), recreational fishing
for the RCG complex is open from May
1 through December 31 (i.e., it’s closed
from January 1 through April 30).
(2) Between 40°10′ N lat. and
38°57.50′ N lat. (Mendocino
Management Area), recreational fishing
for the RCG Complex is open from May
1 through December 31 (i.e., it’s closed
from January 1 through April 30).
(3) Between 38°57.50′ N lat. and
37°11′ N lat. (San Francisco
Management Area), recreational fishing
for the RCG complex is open from April
1 through December 31 (i.e., it’s closed
from January 1 through March 31).
(4) Between 37°11′ N lat. and 34°27′
N lat. (Central Management Area),
recreational fishing for the RCG
complex is open from April 1 through
December 31 (i.e., it’s closed from
January 1 through March 31).
(5) South of 34°27′ N lat. (Southern
Management Area), recreational fishing
for the RCG Complex is open from
March 1 through December 31 (i.e., it’s
closed from January 1 through the last
day in February).
*
*
*
*
*
PO 00000
Frm 00048
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
(D) Dressing/filleting. Cabezon, kelp
greenling, and rock greenling taken in
the recreational fishery may not be
filleted at sea. Rockfish skin may not be
removed when filleting or otherwise
dressing rockfish taken in the
recreational fishery.
(iii) * * *
(A) Seasons. When recreational
fishing for lingcod is open, it is
permitted only outside of the
recreational RCAs described in
paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section.
(1) Between 42° N lat. (California/
Oregon border) and 40°10′ N lat.
(Northern Management Area),
recreational fishing for lingcod is open
from May 1 through December 31 (i.e.,
it’s closed from January 1 through April
30).
(2) Between 40°10′ N lat. and
38°57.50′ N lat. (Mendocino
Management Area), recreational fishing
for lingcod is open from May 1 through
December 31 (i.e., it’s closed from
January 1 through April 30).
(3) Between 38°57.50′ N lat. and
37°11′ N lat. (San Francisco
Management Area), recreational fishing
for lingcod is open from April 1 through
December 31 (i.e., it’s closed from
January 1 through March 31).
(4) Between 37°11′ N lat. and 34°27′
N lat. (Central Management Area),
recreational fishing for lingcod is open
from April 1 through December 31 (i.e.,
it’s closed from January 1 through
March 31).
(5) South of 34°27′ N lat. (Southern
Management Area), recreational fishing
for lingcod is open from March 1
through December 31 (i.e., it’s closed
from January 1 through the last day in
February).
(B) Bag limits, hook limits. In times
and areas when the recreational season
for lingcod is open, there is a limit of
2 hooks and 1 line when fishing for
lingcod. Multi-day limits are authorized
by a valid permit issued by California
and must not exceed the daily limit
multiplied by the number of days in the
fishing trip.
(1) The bag limit between 42° N lat.
(California/Oregon border) and 40°10′ N
lat. (Northern Management Area) is 2
lingcod per day.
(2) The bag limit between 40°10′ N lat.
and the U.S. border with Mexico
(Mendocino Management Area, San
Francisco Management Area, Central
Management Area, and Southern
Management Area) is 1 lingcod per day.
*
*
*
*
*
(D) Dressing/filleting. Lingcod filets
may be no smaller than 14 in (36 cm)
in length. Each fillet shall bear an intact
1 in (2.6 cm) square patch of skin.
E:\FR\FM\12DER2.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES2
(iv) ‘‘Other Flatfish,’’ petrale sole, and
starry flounder. Coastwide off
California, recreational fishing for
‘‘Other Flatfish,’’ petrale sole, and starry
flounder, is permitted both shoreward of
and within the closed areas described in
paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section.
‘‘Other Flatfish’’ are defined at § 660.11,
and include butter sole, curlfin sole,
flathead sole, Pacific sanddab, rex sole,
rock sole, and sand sole. ‘‘Other
Flatfish,’’ are subject to the overall 20fish bag limit for all species of finfish,
of which there may be no more than 10
fish of any one species; there is no daily
bag limit for petrale sole, starry flounder
and Pacific sanddab. There are no size
limits for ‘‘Other Flatfish,’’ petrale sole,
and starry flounder. ‘‘Other Flatfish’’,
petrale sole, and starry flounder may be
filleted at sea. Fillets may be of any size,
but must bear intact a one-inch (2.6 cm)
square patch of skin.
(v) * * *
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:54 Dec 11, 2018
Jkt 247001
(A) Seasons. When recreational
fishing for California scorpionfish is
open, it is permitted only outside of the
recreational RCAs described in
paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section.
(1) Between 40°10′ N lat. and
38°57.50′ N lat. (Mendocino
Management Area), recreational fishing
for California scorpionfish is open from
May 1 through December 31 (i.e., it’s
closed from January 1 through April 30).
(2) Between 38°57.50′ N lat. and
37°11′ N lat. (San Francisco
Management Area), recreational fishing
for California scorpionfish is open from
April 1 through December 31 (i.e., it’s
closed from January 1 through March
31).
(3) Between 37°11′ N lat. and 34°27′
N lat. (Central Management Area),
recreational fishing for California
scorpionfish is open from April 1
through December 31 (i.e., it’s closed
from January 1 through March 31).
PO 00000
Frm 00049
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 9990
64017
(4) South of 34°27′ N lat. (Southern
Management Area), recreational fishing
for California scorpionfish is open from
January 1 through December 31.
(B) Bag limits, hook limits. South of
40°10.00′ N lat., in times and areas
where the recreational season for
California scorpionfish is open there is
a limit of 2 hooks and 1 line, the bag
limit is 5 California scorpionfish per
day. California scorpionfish do not
count against the 10 RCG Complex fish
per day limit. Multi-day limits are
authorized by a valid permit issued by
California and must not exceed the daily
limit multiplied by the number of days
in the fishing trip.
*
*
*
*
*
(d) Salmon bycatch. Recreational
fisheries that are not accounted for
within pre-season salmon modeling may
be closed through automatic action at
§ 660.60(d)(1)(v) and (vi).
[FR Doc. 2018–26602 Filed 12–11–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 238 (Wednesday, December 12, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63970-64017]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-26602]
[[Page 63969]]
Vol. 83
Wednesday,
No. 238
December 12, 2018
Part II
Department of Commerce
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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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50 CFR Part 660
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States;
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2019-2020 Biennial Specifications and
Management Measures; Final Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 83 , No. 238 / Wednesday, December 12, 2018 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 63970]]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 660
[Docket No. 180625576-8999-02]
RIN 0648-BH93
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States;
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2019-2020 Biennial Specifications and
Management Measures
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This final rule establishes the 2019-2020 harvest
specifications and management measures for groundfish taken in the U.S.
exclusive economic zone off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and
California, consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation
and Management Act and the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management
Plan. This final rule revises the management measures that are intended
to keep the total catch of each groundfish stock or stock complex
within the harvest specifications. These measures are intended to help
prevent overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, achieve optimum yield,
and ensure that management measures are based on the best scientific
information available.
DATES: This final rule is effective January 1, 2019.
ADDRESSES: This rule is accessible via the Office of the Federal
Register website at https://www.federalregister.gov/. Background
information and documents including an integrated analysis for this
action (Analysis), which addresses the statutory requirements of the
Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-
Stevens Act), the National Environmental Policy Act, Presidential
Executive Order 12866, and the Regulatory Flexibility Act are available
at the NMFS West Coast Region website at https://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/groundfish/ and at
the Pacific Fishery Management Council's website at https://www.pcouncil.org. The final 2018 Stock Assessment and Fishery
Evaluation (SAFE) report for Pacific Coast groundfish, as well as the
SAFE reports for previous years, are available from the Pacific Fishery
Management Council's website at https://www.pcouncil.org. Other
documents associated with this rule are available at the NMFS West
Coast Region website at https://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/groundfish/.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keeley Kent, phone: 206-526-4655, fax:
206-526-6736, or email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Executive Summary
This final rule implements the 2019-2020 harvest specifications and
management measures for groundfish stocks taken in the U.S. exclusive
economic zone off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California.
NMFS published the proposed rule to implement the 2019-2020 harvest
specifications and management measures on September 19, 2018 (83 FR
47416). The comment period on the proposed rule ended on October 19,
2018. NMFS received eight comments on the proposed rule. A summary of
the comment and NMFS's responses is provided in the Comments and
Responses section of this preamble.
Purpose of the Regulatory Action
The purpose of this final rule is to conserve and manage Pacific
Coast groundfish fishery resources to prevent overfishing, to rebuild
overfished stocks, achieve optimum yield (OY), and ensure that
management measures are based on the best scientific information
available. This action includes harvest specifications for 2019-2020
consistent with existing or revised default harvest control rules for
all stocks, and sets management measures designed to keep catch within
the established limits. The harvest specifications are set consistent
with the OY harvest management framework described in Chapter 4 of the
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (PCGFMP).
Major Provisions
This final rule contains two types of major provisions. The first
are the harvest specifications (overfishing limits (OFLs), acceptable
biological catches (ABCs), and annual catch limits (ACLs)), and the
second are management measures designed to keep fishing mortality
within the ACLs. The Council developed the harvest specifications
(OFLs, ABCs, and ACLs) in this rule through a rigorous scientific
review and decision making process, which is described in the proposed
rule (83 FR 47416, September 19, 2018).
This final rule includes harvest specifications for the two
overfished stocks managed under the PCGFMP, yelloweye rockfish and
cowcod. For the 2019-2020 biennium, NMFS is implementing changes to the
yelloweye rockfish rebuilding plan due to its improved stock rebuilding
outlook and changes to the needs of fishing communities. This final
rule modifies the harvest control rule for this stock and establishes
harvest specifications and management measures consistent with those
revisions. The other overfished stock, cowcod, continues to have a
positive rebuilding outlook and no changes to its rebuilding plan are
included in this rule. Since the 2017-2018 biennium, three stocks have
been declared rebuilt: Darkblotched rockfish, bocaccio rockfish, and
Pacific ocean perch (POP). The harvest control rules for these stocks
revert back to those established prior to the stock being declared
overfished.
To keep mortality of the stocks managed under the PCGFMP within the
ACLs, the Council also recommended management measures. Generally
speaking, management measures are intended to rebuild overfished
stocks, prevent catch from exceeding the ACLs, and allow for the
harvest of healthy stocks. Management measures include time and area
restrictions, gear restrictions, trip or bag limits, size limits, and
other management tools. Management measures may vary by fishing sector
because different fishing sectors require different types of management
to control catch. Most of the management measures the Council
recommended for 2019-2020 were slight variations to existing management
measures, and do not represent a change from current management
practices. Additionally, the Council recommended several new management
measures, including: Establishment of salmon bycatch mitigation
measures, modifications to depth restrictions in the Western Cowcod
Conservation Area (CCA), modification of discard mortality rates for
Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) for lingcod and sablefish, removal of
the Shorebased IFQ Program daily vessel limits, removal of the
automatic authority on at-sea set-asides, continuation of the IFQ
adaptive management pass-through, and modification of the retention
ratios for incidentally caught lingcod in the salmon troll fishery.
I. Harvest Specifications
This final rule sets the 2019-2020 harvest specifications and
management measures for all of the 128 groundfish stocks that have ACLs
or ACL
[[Page 63971]]
contributions to stock complexes managed under the PCGFMP, except for
Pacific whiting. Pacific whiting harvest specifications are established
annually through a separate bilateral process with Canada. The OFLs,
ABCs, and ACLs for each stock or stock complex for 2019 are in Table 1
and for 2020 are in Table 2. The harvest specifications set through
this rule are for non-overfished and overfished stocks. The SAFE
document posted on the Council's website at https://www.pcouncil.org/groundfish/safe-documents/ contains a detailed description of each non-
overfished and overfished stock and its status and management. The
proposed rules for the 2011-12 (75 FR 67810, November 3, 2010) and
2013-14 (77 FR 67974, November 14, 2012) harvest specifications and
management measures contain extensive discussions on the management
approach used for overfished stocks, which are not repeated here. A
summary of how these harvest specifications were developed, including a
description of off-the deductions for tribal, research, incidental, and
experimental fisheries, was provided in the proposed rule and is not
repeated here. Additional information on the development of these
harvest specifications is also provided in the Analysis and its
supporting appendices.
Table 1--2019 OFLs, ABCs, ACLs, and HGs for All Groundfish Stocks and Stock Complexes in Metric Tons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Area OFL ABC ACL Fishery HG
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COWCOD................................... S of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 74 67 10 8.
COWCOD................................... (Conception)................ 61 56 NA NA.
COWCOD................................... (Monterey).................. 13 11 NA NA.
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH....................... Coastwide................... 82 74 48 42.
Arrowtooth Flounder...................... Coastwide................... 18,696 15,574 15,574 13,479.
Big skate................................ Coastwide................... 541 494 494 452.
Black rockfish........................... California (S of 42[deg] N 344 329 329 328.
lat.).
Black rockfish/blue rockfish/deacon Oregon (Between 46[deg]16' N 677 617 617 616.
rockfish. lat. and 42[deg] N lat.).
Black rockfish........................... Washington (N of 46[deg]16' 312 298 298 280.
N lat.).
Bocaccio................................. S of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 2,194 2,097 2,097 2,051.
Cabezon.................................. California (S of 42[deg] N 154 147 147 147.
lat.).
Cabezon/kelp greenling................... Oregon (Between 46[deg]16' N 230 218 218 218.
lat. and 42[deg] N lat.).
Cabezon/kelp greenling................... Washington (N of 46[deg]16' 13 11 11 11.
N lat.).
California scorpionfish.................. S of 34[deg]27' N lat....... 337 313 313 311.
Canary rockfish.......................... Coastwide................... 1,517 1,450 1,450 1,383.
Chilipepper rockfish..................... S of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 2,652 2,536 2,536 2,451.
Darkblotched rockfish.................... Coastwide................... 800 765 765 731.
Dover sole............................... Coastwide................... 91,102 87,094 50,000 48,404.
English sole............................. Coastwide................... 11,052 10,090 10,090 9,874.
Lingcod.................................. N of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 5,110 4,885 4,871 4,593.
Lingcod.................................. S of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 1,143 1,093 1,039 1,028.
Longnose skate........................... Coastwide................... 2,499 2,389 2,000 1,852.
Longspine thornyhead..................... N of 34[deg]27' N lat....... 4,112 3,425 2,603 2,553.
Longspine thornyhead..................... S of 34[deg]27' N lat....... 822 821.
Pacific cod.............................. Coastwide................... 3,200 2,221 1,600 1,094.
Pacific whiting.......................... Coastwide................... TBD TBD TBD TBD.
Pacific ocean perch...................... N of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 4,753 4,340 4,340 4,318.
Petrale sole............................. Coastwide................... 3,042 2,908 2,908 2,587
Sablefish................................ N of 36[deg] N lat.......... 8,489 7,750 5,606 See Table 1c.
Sablefish................................ S of 36[deg] N lat.......... 1,990 1,986.
Shortbelly rockfish...................... Coastwide................... 6,950 5,789 500 483.
Shortspine thornyhead.................... N of 34[deg]27' N lat....... 3,089 2,573 1,683 1,618.
Shortspine thornyhead.................... S of 34[deg]27' N lat....... 890 889.
Spiny dogfish............................ Coastwide................... 2,486 2,071 2,071 1,738.
Splitnose rockfish....................... S of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 1,831 1,750 1,750 1,733.
Starry flounder.......................... Coastwide................... 652 452 452 433.
Widow rockfish........................... Coastwide................... 12,375 11,831 11,831 11,583.
Yellowtail rockfish...................... N of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 6,568 6,279 6,279 5,234.
Nearshore rockfish....................... N of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 91 81 81 79.
Shelf rockfish........................... N of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 2,309 2,054 2,054 1,977.
Slope rockfish........................... N of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 1,887 1,746 1,746 1,665.
Nearshore rockfish....................... S of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 1,300 1,145 1,142 1,138.
Shelf rockfish........................... S of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 1,919 1,625 1,625 1,546.
Slope rockfish........................... S of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 856 744 744 724.
Other flatfish........................... Coastwide................... 8,750 6,498 6,498 6,249.
Other fish............................... Coastwide................... 286 239 239 230.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 2--2020 OFLs, ABCs, ACLs, and HGs for All Groundfish Stocks and Stock Complexes in Metric Tons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Area OFL ABC ACL Fishery HG
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COWCOD................................... S of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 76 68 10 8.
COWCOD................................... (Conception)................ 62 57 NA NA.
COWCOD................................... (Monterey).................. 13 11 NA NA.
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH....................... Coastwide................... 84 77 49 43.
[[Page 63972]]
Arrowtooth Flounder...................... Coastwide................... 15,306 12,750 12,750 10,655.
Big skate................................ Coastwide................... 541 494 494 452.
Black rockfish........................... California (S of 42[deg] N 341 326 326 325.
lat.).
Black rockfish/blue rockfish/deacon Oregon (Between 46[deg]16' N 670 611 611 609.
rockfish. lat. and 42[deg] N lat.).
Black rockfish........................... Washington (N of 46[deg]16' 311 297 297 279.
N lat.).
Bocaccio................................. S of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 2,104 2,011 2,011 1,965.
Cabezon.................................. California (S of 42[deg] N 153 146 146 146.
lat.).
Cabezon/kelp greenling................... Oregon (Between 46[deg] 16' 216 204 204 204.
N lat. and 42[deg] N lat.).
Cabezon/kelp greenling................... Washington (N of 46[deg]16' 12 10 10 10.
N lat.).
California scorpionfish.................. S of 34[deg]27' N lat....... 331 307 307 305.
Canary rockfish.......................... Coastwide................... 1,431 1,368 1,368 1,301.
Chilipepper rockfish..................... S of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 2,521 2,410 2,410 2,325.
Darkblotched rockfish.................... Coastwide................... 853 815 815 781.
Dover sole............................... Coastwide................... 92,048 87,998 50,000 48,404.
English sole............................. Coastwide................... 11,101 10,135 10,135 9,919.
Lingcod.................................. N of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 4,768 4,558 4,541 4,263.
Lingcod.................................. S of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 977 934 869 858.
Longnose skate........................... Coastwide................... 2,474 2,365 2,000 1,852.
Longspine thornyhead..................... N of 34[deg]27' N lat....... 3,901 3,250 2,470 2,420.
Longspine thornyhead..................... S of 34[deg]27' N lat....... 780 779.
Pacific cod.............................. Coastwide................... 3,200 2,221 1,600 1,094.
Pacific whiting.......................... Coastwide................... y/ y/ y/ y/.
Pacific ocean perch...................... N of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 4,632 4,229 4,229 4,207.
Petrale sole............................. Coastwide................... 2,976 2,845 2,845 2,524.
Sablefish................................ N of 36[deg] N lat.......... 8,648 7,896 5,723 See Table 2c.
Sablefish................................ S of 36[deg] N lat.......... 2,032 2,028.
Shortbelly rockfish...................... Coastwide................... 6,950 5,789 500 483.
Shortspine thornyhead.................... N of 34[deg]27' N lat....... 3,063 2,551 1,669 1,604.
Shortspine thornyhead.................... S of 34[deg]27' N lat....... 883 882.
Spiny dogfish............................ Coastwide................... 2,472 2,059 2,059 1,726.
Splitnose rockfish....................... S of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 1,810 1,731 1,731 1,714.
Starry flounder.......................... Coastwide................... 652 452 452 433.
Widow rockfish........................... Coastwide................... 11,714 11,199 11,199 10,951.
Yellowtail rockfish...................... N of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 6,261 5,986 5,986 4,941.
Nearshore rockfish....................... N of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 92 82 82 79.
Shelf rockfish........................... N of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 2,302 2,048 2,048 1,971.
Slope rockfish........................... N of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 1,873 1,732 1,732 1,651.
Nearshore rockfish....................... S of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 1,322 1,165 1,163 1,159.
Shelf rockfish........................... S of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 1,919 1,626 1,625 1,546.
Slope rockfish........................... S of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 855 743 743 723.
Other flatfish........................... Coastwide................... 8,202 6,041 6,041 5,792.
Other fish............................... Coastwide................... 286 239 239 230.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The most significant changes to harvest specifications from 2018 to
2019 are for stocks that were rebuilt (bocaccio, darkblotched rockfish,
and Pacific ocean perch), and for stocks that have a more optimistic
stock outlook in a recent stock assessment (lingcod north of 40[deg]10'
N. lat., California scorpionfish south of 34[deg]27' N. lat., and
yelloweye rockfish [an overfished stock]).
Yelloweye Rockfish (Sebastes ruberrimus)
This final rule includes changes to the rebuilding plan for
yelloweye rockfish. The Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC)
conducted a new stock assessment for yelloweye rockfish in 2017, and
the SSC conducted a rebuilding analysis using the updated assessment.
This rule modifies the spawning potential ratio (SPR) harvest rate from
76 percent to 65 percent, and modifies the median time to rebuild
(TTARGET) from 2074 to 2029. This improvement in stock
status outlook is due to several factors, including: Lower than
expected catches of yelloweye rockfish in recent years; a more
optimistic value on stock recruit steepness, which corresponds to a
more productive stock; and strong year classes entering the spawning
population in recent years.
This change in the rebuilding plan allows an ACL for yelloweye
rockfish of 48 mt in 2019 and 49 mt in 2020. Within the ACL, for 2019,
the Council recommended an HG of 42.1 mt, of which 3.4 mt is the trawl
HG and 38.6 mt is the nontrawl HG. For 2020, the Council recommended an
HG of 42.1 mt, of which 3.4 is the trawl HG and 39.5 is the nontrawl
HG. Additionally, the Council recommended and NMFS is establishing
Annual Catch Targets (ACTs) within the nontrawl allocation HG as part
of this final rule. The nontrawl sector includes the limited entry
fixed gear and open access fixed gear fisheries as well as the
recreational fisheries for Washington, Oregon, and California. The
nearshore fisheries occur off of Oregon and California and are subject
to both Federal and state HGs as well as other state-specific
management measures. The non-nearshore fisheries include the limited
entry and Federal open access fixed gear fleets. Tables 3 and 4 outline
the harvest specifications for 2019 and 2020 for yelloweye rockfish.
[[Page 63973]]
Table 3--2019 Harvest Specifications for Yelloweye Rockfish
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OFL (mt) ABC (mt) ACL (mt) HG (mt) ACT (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All sectors..................... 82 74 48 42 ..............
Nontrawl.................... .............. .............. .............. 38.6 ..............
Non-Nearshore........... .............. .............. .............. 2.0 1.6
Nearshore............... .............. .............. .............. 6.0 4.7
Washington Recreational. .............. .............. .............. 10.0 7.8
Oregon Recreational..... .............. .............. .............. 8.9 7.0
California Recreational. .............. .............. .............. 11.6 9.1
Trawl....................... .............. .............. .............. 3.4 ..............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 4--2020 Harvest Specifications for Yelloweye Rockfish
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OFL (mt) ABC (mt) ACL (mt) HG (mt) ACT (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All sectors..................... 84 77 49 43 ..............
Nontrawl.................... .............. .............. .............. 39.5 ..............
Non-Nearshore........... .............. .............. .............. 2.1 1.7
Nearshore............... .............. .............. .............. 6.2 4.9
Washington Recreational. .............. .............. .............. 10.2 8.1
Oregon Recreational..... .............. .............. .............. 9.1 7.2
California Recreational. .............. .............. .............. 11.9 9.4
Trawl....................... .............. .............. .............. 3.4 ..............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Analysis demonstrates how the changes to the rebuilding plan
selects a target time for rebuilding (TTARGET) that is ``as
short as possible,'' while giving consideration to ``the status and
biology of the overfished species and the needs of the fishing
communities,'' consistent with Section 303(e)(4) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act (see Appendix B of the Analysis). The Council indicated a
new default harvest control rule may more appropriately account for the
needs of West Coast communities by providing greater opportunity in
both commercial and recreational groundfish sectors and improving
income stability for dependent communities. The proposed rule (83 FR
47416, September 19, 2018) includes a summary of this analysis.
II. Management Measures
This section describes biennial fishery HGs and set-asides used to
further allocate the ACLs to the various components on the fishery,
routine management measures to control fishing, and new management
measures adopted for 2019-2020. Routine management measures for the
commercial fishery modify fishing behavior during the fishing year to
ensure that catch is constrained below the ACL, and include trip and
cumulative landing limits, time/area closures, size limits, and gear
restrictions. Routine management measures for the recreational
fisheries include bag limits, size limits, gear restrictions, fish
dressing requirements, and time/area closures. New management measures
adopted for the 2019-2020 biennial cycle would work in combination with
current management measures to control fishing effort/activity.
Biennial Fishery Allocations
The Council recommends two-year trawl and nontrawl allocations
during the biennial specifications process for all stocks without long-
term allocations or stocks where the long-term allocation is suspended
because the stock is declared overfished. For all stocks, except
sablefish north of 36[deg] N lat., the Council recommends allocations
for the trawl and nontrawl sectors based on the fishery HG.
Additionally, some stocks are further portioned out to the various
sectors within the trawl and nontrawl groupings. Table 5 shows the
allocations of the fishery HG for 2019 for stocks that the Council
biennially allocates. Table 6 shows the allocations of the fishery HG
for 2020 for stocks that the Council biennially allocates.
Additionally, table 7 shows the HGs for select stocks within stock
complexes.
Table 5--2019 Biennial Allocations for Select Stocks
[In mt]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bocaccio south Cowcod south Minor shelf Minor shelf
Big skate of 40[deg]10' Canary of 40[deg]10' Longnose skate rockfish N of rockfish S of
N rockfish N 40[deg]10' N 40[deg]10' N
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trawl................................... 429.5 800.7 999.6 3.8 1,666.5 1,190.2 188.6
SB IFQ.............................. .............. .............. 953.6 .............. .............. .............. ..............
At-sea.............................. .............. .............. 46.0 .............. .............. .............. ..............
C/P............................. .............. .............. 16.0 .............. .............. .............. ..............
M............................... .............. .............. 30.0 .............. .............. .............. ..............
Nontrawl................................ 22.6 1,250.2 383.3 2.2 185.2 786.9 1,357.3
Nearshore........................... .............. 4.8 43.8 .............. .............. .............. ..............
Non-nearshore....................... .............. 382.0 94.3 .............. .............. .............. ..............
WA Rec.............................. .............. .............. 47.1 .............. .............. .............. ..............
OR Rec.............................. .............. .............. 70.7 .............. .............. .............. ..............
CA Rec.............................. .............. 863.4 127.3 .............. .............. .............. ..............
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 63974]]
Table 6--2020 Biennial Allocations for Select Stocks
[In mt]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bocaccio south Cowcod south Minor shelf Minor shelf
Big skate of 40[deg]10' Canary of 40[deg]10' Longnose skate rockfish N of rockfish S of
N rockfish N 40[deg]10' N 40[deg]10' N
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trawl................................... 429.5 767.1 940.3 3.8 1,666.5 1,186.6 188.6
SB IFQ.............................. .............. .............. 894.3 .............. .............. .............. ..............
At-sea.............................. .............. .............. 46.0 .............. .............. .............. ..............
C/P............................. .............. .............. 16.0 .............. .............. .............. ..............
M............................... .............. .............. 30.0 .............. .............. .............. ..............
Nontrawl................................ 22.6 1,197.8 360.6 2.2 185.2 784.5 1,357.3
Nearshore........................... .............. 4.6 41.2 .............. .............. .............. ..............
Non-nearshore....................... .............. 366.0 88.7 .............. .............. .............. ..............
WA Rec.............................. .............. .............. 44.3 .............. .............. .............. ..............
OR Rec.............................. .............. .............. 66.5 .............. .............. .............. ..............
CA Rec.............................. .............. 827.2 119.7 .............. .............. .............. ..............
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 7--Fishery HGs for Stocks Within a Stock Complex
[In mt]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock (Complex) 2019 2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blackgill rockfish S of 40[deg]10' N 159.0 159.0
lat. (Minor Slope Rockfish complex)....
Oregon black rockfish (Oregon black/blue/ 515.8 512.2
deacon rockfish complex)...............
Oregon cabezon (Oregon cabezon/kelp 46.8 46.8
greenling complex).....................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tribal Fisheries
Tribes implement management measures for Tribal fisheries both
independently as sovereign governments and cooperatively with the
management measures in the Federal regulations. The Tribes may adjust
their Tribal fishery management measures inseason to stay within the
Tribal harvest targets and estimated impacts to overfished stocks. The
only change to Tribal harvest targets and management measures for the
2019-2020 biennium is an increase in the petrale sole harvest target
from 220 mt to 290 mt.
Rockfish Conservation Areas
Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCAs) are large area closures intended
to reduce the catch of a stock or stock complex by restricting fishing
activity at specific depths. The boundaries for RCAs are defined by
straight lines connecting a series of latitude and longitude
coordinates that approximate depth contours. These sets of coordinates,
or lines, are not gear or fishery specific, but can be used in
combination to define an area. NMFS then implements fishing
restrictions for a specific gear and/or fishery within each defined
area.
This rule adjusts the coordinates for the 75 fathom (fm) (137 m),
100 fm (183 m), 125 fm (229 m), and 150 fm (274 m) depth contours off
of California to more accurately refine the depth contours. These
modifications adjust boundaries for RCAs around Santa Cruz Island,
Spanish Canyon, Delgada Canyon, Cordell Bank, Point Ano Nuevo, San
Miguel Island, Anacapa Island, Usal Canyon, and Noyo Canyon. Currently,
the 75, 100, 125, 150 fm depth contours are in use as RCAs for either
the trawl sector, limited entry fixed gear sector, or the open access
sector. Table 8 shows the RCAs for 2019 and beyond, until otherwise
modified.
Table 8--RCA Boundaries by Gear Type
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector Area RCA in effect
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trawl........................... North of 100 fm--150 fm.
45[deg]46' N lat.
45[deg]46' N lat.-- 100 fm--modified
40[deg]10' N lat. \a\ 200 fm.
South of 100 fm--150 fm.
40[deg]10' N lat.
South of shoreline--150 fm.
34[deg]27' N lat.
around islands.
Limited entry fixed gear and North of shoreline--100 fm.
open access. 46[deg]16' N lat.
46[deg]16' N lat.-- 30 fm--100 fm.
40[deg]10' N lat.
40[deg]10' N lat.-- 40 fm--125 fm.
34[deg]27' N lat.
South of 75 fm--150 fm
34[deg]27' N lat. (also applies
around islands).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ The ``modified'' fathom lines are modified to exclude certain
petrale sole areas from the RCA.
Limited Entry Trawl
Shorebased IFQ Program Allocations
Table 9 shows the yearly allocations to the Shorebased IFQ Program
for 2019 and 2020.
[[Page 63975]]
Table 9--Shorebased IFQ Program Allocations for 2019 and 2020
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2019 2020
Shorebased Shorebased
IFQ species Area trawl trawl
allocation allocation
(mt) (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth flounder........................... Coastwide....................... 12,735.1 10,052.3
Bocaccio...................................... South of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 800.7 767.1
Canary rockfish............................... Coastwide....................... 946.9 887.8
Chilipepper................................... South of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 1,838.3 1,743.8
COWCOD........................................ South of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 2.2 2.2
Darkblotched rockfish......................... Coastwide....................... 658.4 703.4
Dover sole.................................... Coastwide....................... 45,979.2 45,979.2
English sole.................................. Coastwide....................... 9,375.1 9,417.9
Lingcod....................................... North of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 2,051.9 1,903.4
Lingcod....................................... South of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 462.5 386.0
Longspine thornyhead.......................... North of 34[deg]27' N lat....... 2,420.0 2,293.6
Minor Shelf Rockfish complex.................. North of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 1,155.2 1,151.6
Minor Shelf Rockfish complex.................. South of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 188.6 188.6
Minor Slope Rockfish complex.................. North of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 1,248.8 1,237.5
Minor Slope Rockfish complex.................. South of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 456.0 455.4
Other Flatfish complex........................ Coastwide....................... 5,603.7 5,192.4
Pacific cod................................... Coastwide....................... 1,034.1 1,034.1
Pacific ocean perch........................... North of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 3,697.3 3,602.2
Pacific whiting............................... Coastwide....................... TBD TBD
Petrale sole.................................. Coastwide....................... 2,453.0 2,393.2
Sablefish..................................... North of 36[deg] N lat.......... 2,581.3 2,636.8
Sablefish..................................... South of 36[deg] N lat.......... 834.0 851.7
Shortspine thornyhead......................... North of 34[deg]27' N lat....... 1,511.8 1,498.5
Shortspine thornyhead......................... South of 34[deg]27' N lat....... 50.0 50.0
Splitnose rockfish............................ South of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 1,646.7 1,628.7
Starry flounder............................... Coastwide....................... 211.6 211.6
Widow rockfish................................ Coastwide....................... 9,928.8 9,387.1
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH............................ Coastwide....................... 3.4 3.4
Yellowtail rockfish........................... North of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 4,305.8 4,048.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incidental Trip Limits for Limited Entry Trawl Vessels
Table 10 shows the trip limits for limited entry trawl vessels
north of 40[deg]10' N lat. Changes to trip limits are considered a
routine measure under Sec. 660.60(c) and may be implemented or
adjusted, if determined necessary, through inseason action.
Table 10--Limited Entry Trawl Landing Allowances (Trip Limits) for Non-IFQ Species and Pacific Whiting for 2019 and Beyond, Until Revised
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan-Feb Mar-Apr May-Jun Jul-Aug Sep-Oct Nov-Dec
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Minor Nearshore Rockfish, 300 lb/month.
Washington Black rockfish &
Oregon Black/blue/deacon
rockfish.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Whiting \a\
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. midwater trawl............... Before the primary whiting season: CLOSED.--During the primary season: mid-water trawl permitted in the RCA. See Sec.
660.131 for season and trip limit details.--After the primary whiting season: CLOSED.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. large & small footrope gear.. 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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Oregon Cabezon/Kelp Greenling 50 lb/month.
complex.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Cabezon in California........ 50 lb/month.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. Shortbelly rockfish.......... Unlimited.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. Spiny dogfish................ 60,000 lb/month.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. Big skate.................... 5,000 lb/2 months. 25,000 lb/2 months 30,000 lb/2 months 35,000 lb/2 months 10,000 lb/2 months 5,000 lb/2 months.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. Longspine thornyhead south 24,000 lb/2 months.
of 34[deg]27' N lat.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 63976]]
11. California scorpionfish..... Unlimited.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. Longnose skate.............. Unlimited.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. Other Fish \b\.............. Unlimited.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ As specified at Sec. 660.131(d), when fishing in the Eureka Area, 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.
\b\ ``Other Fish'' are defined at Sec. 660.11 and include kelp greenling off California and leopard shark.
At-Sea Whiting Sector Set Asides
The Council and NMFS use either allocations or set asides to manage
the non-whiting groundfish catch in the at-sea sectors (the catcher/
processor sector and the mothership sector). Set-asides are managed on
an annual basis unless there is a risk of catch exceeding a harvest
specification (ACL, ACT, or HG) inseason, unforeseen impact on another
fishery, or conservation concerns, in which case inseason action may be
taken. Table 11 presents the set-asides for the at-sea sector for 2019
and 2020.
Table 11--Set Asides for At-Sea Sectors for 2019 and 2020
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock or stock complex Area 2019 Set aside (mt) 2020 Set aside (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COWCOD.............................. S of 40[deg]10 N lat... NA...................... NA.
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH.................. Coastwide.............. 0....................... 0.
Arrowtooth flounder................. Coastwide.............. 70...................... 70.
Bocaccio............................ S of 40[deg]10 N lat... NA...................... NA.
Canary rockfish \a\................. Coastwide.............. Allocation.............. Allocation.
Chilipepper......................... S of 40[deg]10 N lat... NA...................... NA.
Darkblotched rockfish \b\........... Coastwide.............. 37.2.................... 39.6.
Dover sole.......................... Coastwide.............. 5....................... 5.
English sole........................ Coastwide.............. 5....................... 5.
Lingcod............................. N of 40[deg]10 N lat... 15...................... 15.
Lingcod............................. S of 40[deg]10 N lat... NA...................... NA.
Longnose skate...................... Coastwide.............. 5....................... 5.
Longspine thornyhead................ N of 34[deg]27 N lat... 5....................... 5.
Longspine thornyhead................ S of 34[deg]27 N lat... NA...................... NA.
Minor Nearshore Rockfish............ N of 40[deg]10 N lat... NA...................... NA.
Minor Nearshore Rockfish............ S of 40[deg]10 N lat... NA...................... NA.
Minor Shelf Rockfish................ N of 40[deg]10 N lat... 35...................... 35.
Minor Shelf Rockfish................ S of 40[deg]10 N lat... NA...................... NA.
Minor Slope Rockfish................ N of 40[deg]10 N lat... 100..................... 100.
Minor Slope Rockfish................ S of 40[deg]10 N lat... NA...................... NA.
Other Fish.......................... Coastwide.............. NA...................... NA.
Other Flatfish...................... Coastwide.............. 20...................... 20.
Pacific cod......................... Coastwide.............. 5....................... 5.
Pacific Halibut \c\................. Coastwide.............. 10...................... 10.
Pacific ocean perch \d\............. N of 40[deg]10 N lat... 404.5................... 394.
Pacific Whiting..................... Coastwide.............. Allocation.............. Allocation.
Petrale sole........................ Coastwide.............. 5....................... 5.
Sablefish........................... N of 36[deg] N lat..... 50...................... 50.
Sablefish........................... S of 36[deg] N lat..... NA...................... NA.
Shortspine thornyhead............... N of 34[deg]27 N lat... 30...................... 30.
Shortspine thornyhead............... S of 34[deg]27 N lat... NA...................... NA.
Starry flounder..................... Coastwide.............. 5....................... 5.
Widow Rockfish \a\.................. Coastwide.............. Allocation.............. Allocation.
Yellowtail rockfish................. N of 40[deg]10 N lat... 300..................... 300.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ See Table 1.b. to subpart C for the at-sea whiting allocations for these species.
\b\ Darkblotched rockfish will be managed as set-asides for the MS and C/P sectors based on pro-rata
distribution described at Sec. 660.55(c)(1)(i)(A).
\c\ As stated in Sec. 660.55(m), the Pacific halibut set-aside is 10 mt, to accommodate bycatch in the at-sea
Pacific whiting fisheries and in the shorebased trawl sector south of 40[deg]10 N lat. (estimated to be
approximately 5 mt each).
\d\ Pacific ocean perch will be managed as set-asides for the MS and C/P sectors based on pro-rata distribution
described at Sec. 660.55(c)(1)(i)(B).
Limited Entry Fixed Gear and Open Access Nontrawl Fishery
Management measures for the limited entry fixed gear (LEFG) and
open access (OA) nontrawl fisheries tend to be similar because the
majority of participants in both fisheries use hook-and-line gear.
Management measures, including area restrictions and trip limits in
these nontrawl fisheries, are generally designed to allow harvest of
target stocks while keeping catch of
[[Page 63977]]
overfished stocks low. For the 2019-2020 biennium, changes to
management measures include: Changes to trip limits for sablefish,
minor slope rockfish and darkblotched rockfish, canary rockfish,
lingcod, shortspine rockfish, and longspine rockfish. Trip limits for
the limited entry fixed gear fishery for 2019 and beyond are shown in
Table 12. Trip limits for the open access fishery for 2019 and beyond
are shown in Table 13.
Table 12--Limited Entry Fixed Gear Landing Allowances (Trip Limits) for 2019 and Beyond
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan-Feb Mar-Apr May-Jun Jul-Aug Sep-Oct Nov-Dec
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Minor Slope Rockfish a & North of 4,000 lb/2 month.
Darkblotched rockfish. 40[deg]10' N
lat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2............................ South of 40,000 lb/2 months, of which no more than 1,375 lb
40[deg]10' N may be blackgill rockfish
lat.b.
40,000 lb/2 months, of which no more than 1,600 lb
may be blackgill rockfish.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Pacific ocean perch....... North of 1,800 lb/2 months.
40[deg]10' N
lat.
4. Splitnose rockfish........ South of 40,000 lb/2 months.
40[deg]10' N
lat.
5. Sablefish................. North of 1,300 lb/week, not to exceed 3,900 lb/2 months.
36[deg]00' N
lat.
6............................ South of 2,000 lb/week.
36[deg]00' N
lat.
7. Longspine thornyhead...... Coastwide....... 10,000 lb/2 months.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. Shortspine thornyhead..... North of 2,500 lb/2 months
34[deg]27' N
lat.
2,500 lb/2 months.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9............................ South of 3,000 lb/2 months.
34[deg]27' N
lat.
10. Dover sole, arrowtooth Coastwide....... 5,000 lb/month.
flounder, petrale sole,
English sole, starry
flounder, Other Flatfish c.
11. Whiting.................. Coastwide....... 10,000 lb/trip.
12. Minor Shelf Rockfish,d North of 200 lb/month.
Shortbelly rockfish, Widow 40[deg]10' N
rockfish (including lat.
Chilipepper between
40[deg]10'--34[deg]27' N
lat.).
13........................... 40[deg]10' N Minor shelf rockfish, shortbelly, widow rockfish, & chilipepper: 2,500 lb/2 months, of which no more
lat.--34[deg]27 than 500 lb may be any species other than chilipepper.
' N lat.e.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14........................... South of 4,000 lb/2 CLOSED.......... 4,000 lb/2 months.
34[deg]27' N months.
lat.e.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. Chilipepper rockfish..... South of 2,000 lb/2 months, this opportunity only available seaward of the non-trawl RCA.
34[deg]27' N
lat.
16. Yellowtail rockfish...... North of 1,000 lb/month.
40[deg]10' N
lat.
17. Canary rockfish.......... North of 300 lb/2 months.
34[deg]27' N
lat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18........................... South of 300 lb/2 months. CLOSED.......... 300 lb/2 months.
34[deg]27' N
lat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. Bocaccio................. 40[deg]10' N 1,000 lb/2 months.
lat.--34[deg]27
' N lat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20........................... South of 1,500 lb/2 CLOSED.......... 1,500 lb/2 months.
34[deg]27' N months.
lat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 63978]]
21. Minor Nearshore Rockfish, North of 5,000 lb/2
Washington Black rockfish & 42[deg]00' N months, no more
Oregon Black/blue/deacon lat. than 1,200 lb
rockfish. of which may be
species other
than black
rockfish or
blue/deacon
rockfish f.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22........................... 42[deg]00' N 8,500 lb/2 7,000 lb/2 months, no more than 1,200 lb of which may be species other than black
lat.--40[deg]10 months, no more rockfish or blue/deacon rockfish.
' N lat. than 1,200 lb
of which may be
species other
than black
rockfish.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23. Shallow nearshore South of 1,200 lb/2 CLOSED.......... 1,200 lb/2 months.
rockfish g. 40[deg]10' N months.
lat.
24. Deeper nearshore rockfish South of 1,000 lb/2 CLOSED.......... 1,000 lb/2 months.
h. 40[deg]10' N months.
lat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25. Lingcod i................ North of 2,000 lb/2 months.
42[deg]00' N
lat.
26........................... 42[deg]00' N 1,400 lb/2 months.
lat.--40[deg]10
' N lat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
27........................... South of 200 lb/2 months. CLOSED.......... 800 lb/2 months. 1,200 lb/2 months 600 lb/month
40[deg]10' N (NOV) & 300 lb/
lat. month (DEC).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
28. California Scorpionfish.. South of 1,500 lb/2 CLOSED.......... 1,500 lb/2 months.
40[deg]10' N months.
lat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
29. Pacific cod.............. Coastwide....... 1,000 lb/2 months.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30. Spiny dogfish............ Coastwide....... 200,000 lb/2 months 150,000 lb/2 100,000 lb/2 months.
months.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
31. Longnose skate........... Coastwide....... Unlimited.
32. Other Fish j & Cabezon in Coastwide....... Unlimited.
California.
33. Oregon Cabezon/Kelp Oregon.......... Unlimited.
Greenling.
34. Big skate................ Coastwide....... Unlimited.
35. Yelloweye rockfish....... Coastwide....... CLOSED.
36. Cowcod................... South of CLOSED.
40[deg]10' N
lat.
37. Bronzespotted rockfish... South of CLOSED.
40[deg]10' N
lat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
a Splitnose rockfish north of 40[deg]10' N lat. is included in the trip limits for Minor Slope Rockfish.
b POP is included in the trip limits for Minor Slope Rockfish south of 40[deg]10' N lat. Blackgill rockfish have a species specific trip sub-limit
within the Minor Slope Rockfish cumulative limit south of 40[deg]10' N lat.
c ``Other flatfish'' are defined at Sec. 660.11 and include butter sole, curlfin sole, flathead sole, Pacific sanddab, rex sole, rock sole, and sand
sole.
d Bocaccio, chilipepper and cowcod north of 40[deg]10' N lat. are included in the trip limits for Minor Shelf Rockfish.
e Yellowtail rockfish are included in the trip limits for Minor Shelf Rockfish south of 40[deg]10' N lat. Bronzespotted rockfish have a species specific
trip limit.
f For black rockfish north of Cape Alava (48[deg]09.50' N lat.), and between Destruction Is. (47[deg]40' N lat.) and Leadbetter Pnt. (46[deg]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.
g ``Shallow Nearshore'' are defined at Sec. 660.11 under ``Groundfish'' (7)(i)(B)(1) and include black and yellow rockfish, S. chrysomelas; China
rockfish, S. nebulosus; gopher rockfish, S. carnatus; grass rockfish, S. rastrelliger; kelp rockfish, S. atrovirens.
[[Page 63979]]
h ``Deeper Nearshore'' are defined at Sec. 660.11 under ``Groundfish'' (7)(i)(B)(2) and include black rockfish, S. melanops; blue rockfish, S.
mystinus; brown rockfish, S. auriculatus; calico rockfish, S. dalli; copper rockfish, S. caurinus; deacon rockfish, S. diaconus; olive rockfish, S.
serranoides; quillback rockfish, S. maliger; treefish, S. serriceps.
i The commercial minimum size limit for lingcod is 22 inches (56 cm) total length north of 42[deg] N lat. and 24 inches (61 cm) total length south of
42[deg] N lat.
j ``Other Fish'' are defined at Sec. 660.11 and include kelp greenling off California and leopard shark.
Table 13--Open Access Landing Allowances (Trip Limits) for 2019 and Beyond, Until Revised
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan-Feb Mar-Apr May-Jun Jul-Aug Sep-Oct Nov-Dec
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Minor Slope Rockfish a & North of 500 pounds/month.
Darkblotched rockfish. 40[deg]10' N
lat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2............................ South of 10,000 lb/2 months, of which no more than 475 lb may
40[deg]10' N be blackgill rockfish
lat.
10,000 lb/2 months, of which no more than 550 lb may
be blackgill rockfish.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Splitnose rockfish........ South of 200 lb/month.
40[deg]10' N
lat.
4. Pacific ocean perch....... North of 100 lb/month.
40[deg]10' N
lat.
6. Sablefish................. North of 300 lb/day or one landing per week up to 1,200 lb, not to exceed 2,400 lb/2 months.
36[deg]00' N
lat.
7............................ South of 300 lb/day, or one landing per week of up to 1,600 lb, not to exceed 3,200 lb/2 months.
36[deg]00' N
lat.
8. Shortpine thornyheads and North of 50 lb/month of each.
longspine thornyheads. 40[deg]10' N
lat.
9............................ 40[deg]10' N CLOSED.
lat.--34[deg]27
' N lat.
10........................... South of 50 lb/day, no more than 1,000 lb/2 months (both species combined).
34[deg]27' N
lat.
11. Dover sole, arrowtooth Coastwide....... 3,000 lb/month, no more than 300 lb of which may be species other than Pacific sanddabs.
flounder, petrale sole,
English sole, starry
flounder, Other Flatfish b.
12. Whiting.................. Coastwide....... 300 lb/month.
13. Minor Shelf Rockfish, c North of 200 lb/month.
Shortbelly rockfish, & Widow 40[deg]10' N
rockfish (and Chilipepper lat.
south of 40[deg]10' N lat.).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14........................... 40[deg]10' N 400 lb/2 months. CLOSED.......... 400 lb/2 months.
lat.-34[deg]27'
N lat.
15........................... South of 1,500 lb/2 1,500 lb/2 months.
34[deg]27' N months.
lat.
16. Bocaccio................. South of 500 lb/2 months. CLOSED.......... 500 lb/2 months.
40[deg]10' N
lat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. Yellowtail rockfish...... North of 500 lb/month.
40[deg]10' N
lat.
18. Canary rockfish.......... North of 300 lb/2 months.
40[deg]10' N
lat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19........................... South of 300 lb/2 months. CLOSED.......... 300 lb/2 months.
40[deg]10' N
lat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 63980]]
20. Minor Nearshore Rockfish, North of 5,000 lb/2 months, no more than 1,200 lb of which may be species other than black rockfish or blue/
Washington Black rockfish, 42[deg]00' N deacon rockfish. d
Oregon Black/Blue/Deacon lat.
rockfish, California black
rockfish.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
21........................... 42[deg]00' N 8,500 lb/2 7,000 lb/2 months, no more than 1,200 lb of which may be species other than black
lat.--40[deg]10 months, no more rockfish or blue/deacon rockfish.
' N lat. than 1,200 lb
of which may be
species other
than black
rockfish or
blue/deacon
rockfish.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22. Shallow nearshore e...... South of 1,200 lb/2 CLOSED.......... 1,200 lb/2 months.
40[deg]10' N months.
lat.
23. Deeper nearshore f....... South of 1,000 lb/2 CLOSED.......... 1,000 lb/2 months.
40[deg]10' N months.
lat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24. Lingcod g................ North of 900 lb/month.
42[deg]00' N
lat.
25........................... 42[deg]00' N 600 lb/month.
lat.--40[deg]10
' N lat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26........................... South of 300 lb/month.... CLOSED.......... 300 lb/month.
40[deg]10' N
lat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
27. California scorpionfish.. South of 1,500 lb/2 CLOSED.......... 1,500 lb/2 months.
40[deg]10' N months.
lat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
28. Pacific cod.............. Coastwide....... 1,000 lb/2 months.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
29. Spiny dogfish............ North of 200,000 lb/2 months 150,000 lb/2 100,000 lb/2 months.
40[deg]10' N months.
lat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30. Longnose skate........... Coastwide....... Unlimited.
31. Big skate................ Coastwide....... Unlimited.
32. Other Fish h & Cabezon in Coastwide....... Unlimited.
California.
33. Oregon Cabezon/Kelp North of Unlimited.
Greenling. 40[deg]10' N
lat.
34. Yelloweye rockfish....... Coastwide....... CLOSED.
35. Cowcod................... South of CLOSED.
40[deg]10' N
lat.
36. Bronzespotted rockfish... South of CLOSED.
40[deg]10' N
lat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
a Splitnose rockfish is included in the trip limits for Minor Slope Rockfish north of 40[deg]10' N lat. POP is included in the trip limits for Minor
slope rockfish south of 40[deg]10' N lat. Blackgill rockfish have a species specific trip sub-limit within the minor slope rockfish cumulative limits.
b ``Other flatfish'' are defined at Sec. 660.11 and include butter sole, curlfin sole, flathead sole, Pacific sanddab, rex sole, rock sole, and sand
sole.
c Bocaccio, chilipepper and cowcod rockfishes are included in the trip limits for Minor Shelf Rockfish north of 40[deg]10' N lat. Yellowtail rockfish is
included in the trip limits for Minor Shelf Rockfish south of 40[deg]10' N lat. Bronzespotted rockfish have a species specific trip limit.
d For black rockfish north of Cape Alava (48[deg]09.50' N lat.), and between Destruction Is. (47[deg]40' N lat.) and Leadbetter Pnt. (46[deg]38.17' N
lat.), there is an additional limit of 100 lbs or 30 percent by weight of all fish on board, whichever is greater, per vessel, per fishing trip.
e ``Shallow Nearshore'' are defined at Sec. 660.11 under ``Groundfish'' (7)(i)(B)(1) and include black and yellow rockfish, S. chrysomelas; China
rockfish, S. nebulosus; gopher rockfish, S. carnatus; grass rockfish, S. rastrelliger; kelp rockfish, S. atrovirens.
f ``Deeper Nearshore'' are defined at Sec. 660.11 under ``Groundfish'' (7)(i)(B)(2) and include black rockfish, S. melanops; blue rockfish, S.
mystinus; brown rockfish, S. auriculatus; calico rockfish, S. dalli; copper rockfish, S. caurinus; deacon rockfish, S. diaconus; olive rockfish, S.
serranoides; quillback rockfish, S. maliger; treefish, S. serriceps.
g The minimum size limit for lingcod is 22 inches (56 cm) total length North of 42[deg] N lat. and 24 inches (61 cm) total length South of 42[deg] N
lat.
h ``Other fish'' are defined at Sec. 660.11 and include kelp greenling off California and leopard shark.
[[Page 63981]]
Primary Sablefish Tier Limits
Some limited entry fixed gear permits are endorsed to receive
annual sablefish quota, or ``tier limits.'' Vessels registered with
one, two, or up to three of these permits may participate in the
primary sablefish fishery. The tier limits are shown in Table 14.
Table 14--Sablefish Tier Limits for 2019 and 2020
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2019 2020
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tier 1............................... 47,637 lb (21,608 kg)........ 48,642 lb (22,064 kg).
Tier 2............................... 21,653 lb (9,822 kg)......... 22,110 lb (10,029 kg).
Tier 3............................... 12,373 lb (5,612 kg)......... 12,634 lb (5,731 kg).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recreational Fisheries
This section describes the recreational fisheries management
measures for 2019-2020. The Council primarily recommends depth
restrictions and groundfish conservation areas (GCAs) to constrain
catch within the recreational harvest guidelines for each stock. Most
of the changes to recreational management measures are modifications to
existing measures.
Washington, Oregon, and California each proposed, and the Council
recommended, different combinations of seasons, bag limits, area
closures, and size limits for stocks targeted in recreational
fisheries. These measures are designed to limit catch of overfished
stocks found in the waters adjacent to each state while allowing target
fishing opportunities in their particular recreational fisheries. The
following sections describe the recreational management measures this
final rule implements for each state.
Washington
The state of Washington manages its marine fisheries in four areas:
Marine Area 1 extends from the Oregon/Washington border to Leadbetter
Point; Marine Area 2 extends from Leadbetter Point to the mouth of the
Queets Rivers; Marine Area 3 extends from the Queets River to Cape
Alava; and Marine Area 4 extends from Cape Alava to the Sekiu River.
Changes from the 2018 fishing season that will be effective for 2019
and beyond include the elimination of the canary rockfish sublimit from
all marine areas, and the change to a uniform cabezon sublimit of one
fish a day across all marine areas, with no size limit in Marine Area
4. For 2019 and beyond, until otherwise modified, the bag limits for
Washington are as follows: 9 groundfish/day, with a sublimit of 7 a day
for rockfish, 2 a day for lingcod, and 1 a day for cabezon.
This final rule also aligns the lingcod season in Marine Area 4
with the recreational groundfish season and the lingcod season in
Marine Areas 1-3. This adjustment allows for an additional month of
fishing in Marine Area 4 compared to 2018. Additionally, this rule
allows retention of yellowtail and widow rockfish seaward of 20 fm (37
m) in July and August in Marine Areas 3 and 4.
Oregon
Oregon recreational fisheries in 2019-2020 will operate under the
same season structures and bag limits as 2017-2018. As shown in Table
15, this rule expands all-depth fishing from October through March in
2018 to September through May in 2019 and 2020.
Table 15--Oregon Recreational Season Structure and Bag Limits for 2019 and 2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bottomfish Season........................................... Open all depths
<40 fm
Open all depths.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marine Bag Limit \a\........................................ Ten (10).
Lingcod Bag Limit........................................... Three (3).
Flatfish Bag Limit \b\...................................... Twenty Five (25).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
a/Marine bag limit is 10 fish per day and includes all species other than lingcod, salmon, steelhead, Pacific halibut, flatfish, surfperch, sturgeon, striped bass, pelagic tuna and mackerel
species, and bait fish such as herring, anchovy, sardine, and smelt; of which no more than one may be cabezon.
b/Flounders, soles, sanddabs, turbots and halibuts except Pacific halibut.
California
The Council manages recreational fisheries off of California in
five separate management areas. The 2019 and 2020 California season
structure includes additional time and depth opportunities. Table 16
shows the season structure and depth limits by management area for 2019
and 2020.
Table 16--California Recreational Fishery Season Structure and Depth Limits by Management Area for 2019 and 2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management area Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern.................................................... Closed
May 1--Oct 31 < 30 fm
All Depth.
Mendocino................................................... Closed
May 1--Oct 31 < 20 fm
All Depth.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
San Francisco............................................... Closed
April 1--Dec 31 < 40 fm.
Central..................................................... Closed
April 1--Dec 31 < 50 fm.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southern.................................................... Closed
Mar 1--Dec 31 < 75 fm.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 63982]]
Size, bag, and sublimits will remain the same as 2018 for all
stocks except for lingcod. To keep within allowable limits, the lingcod
bag limit is split into separate limits for north (42[deg] N lat.
(California/Oregon border) to 40[deg]10' N lat. (Northern Management
Area)) and south (40[deg]10' N lat. to the U.S. border with Mexico
(Mendocino Management Area, San Francisco Management Area, Central
Management Area, and Southern Management Area)). In the north area, the
bag limit is 2 lingcod per day; in the south area the bag limit is 1
lingcod per day. Additionally, this rule allows year-round retention of
California scorpionfish in the Southern management area.
Salmon Bycatch Mitigation Measures
In December 2017, NMFS completed an Endangered Species Act (ESA)
consultation on the continued implementation of the PCGFMP and
published a Biological Opinion (see ADDRESSES). The components of this
Biological Opinion are described in the proposed rule (83 FR 47416,
September 19, 2018). This final rule includes four actions related to
the mitigation of salmon bycatch in the groundfish fisheries. The first
action removes the Ocean Salmon Conservation Zone provision from the
regulations because it is an ineffective measure for mitigating salmon
bycatch in midwater trawl fisheries.
The second action creates a new bycatch reduction area (BRA) (a
depth-based management provision) at the 200-fm (366-m) depth contour.
The Council and NMFS monitor the salmon bycatch rates of the fleet
inseason. If any midwater trawl sector's bycatch rates exceed those
considered in the Biological Opinion, the Council and NMFS can take
inseason action to implement the BRA for any of the midwater trawl
sector. The groundfish midwater trawl sectors subject to this area
closure are the Pacific whiting IFQ fishery, the catcher/processor (C/
P) sector, and the mothership sector as well as the non-whiting
midwater trawl sector, which primarily targets widow rockfish and
yellowtail rockfish. If the Council and NMFS implements the 200-fm
(366-m) BRA during a fishing season, vessels would be prohibited from
using midwater trawl gear to target either whiting or non-whiting
groundfish in waters shoreward of the 200-fm (366-m) depth contour, but
would still be allowed to fish in waters seaward of 200-fm (366-m).
This action only applies to non-tribal midwater trawl vessels. NMFS
expects that the Tribes may implement area management measures to
mitigate salmon bycatch, if necessary.
The third action closes the Columbia River Salmon Conservation Zone
(CRSCZ) and the Klamath River Salmon Conservation Zone (KRSCZ) to all
midwater trawling and to bottom trawling, unless vessels are using a
selective flatfish trawl (SFFT). Vessels are currently prohibited from
fishing with midwater trawl gear in both areas. This final action
maintains the prohibition on bottom trawling in these areas without
SFFT, which is currently included under a blanket requirement that
groundfish trawl vessels use SFFT gear shoreward of the trawl RCA north
of 40[deg]10' N lat. Both the CRSCZ and KRSCZ are located inside this
area. NMFS proposed removing this blanket requirement in a rule
published on September 7, 2018 (83 FR 45396), and anticipates
publishing a final rule removing the requirement in time for the start
of the groundfish fishing year. This final rule reestablishes the SFFT
requirement inside the CRSCZ and KRSCZ.
The fourth action creates a provision in the regulations to give
NMFS automatic authority to close either or both of the whiting and
non-whiting sector fisheries if: (1) Either sector catches its
guideline limit and the reserve amount; or (2) either sector reaches
its guideline limit when the other sector has already taken the reserve
amount. The guideline limit for the whiting sector (including tribal
and non-tribal vessels in the mothership, catcher/processor (C/P), and
Shoreside whiting fleets) is 11,000 Chinook salmon. The guideline limit
for the non-whiting sector (including tribal and non-tribal vessels in
the Shoreside trawl, fixed gear, and recreational fleets) is 5,500
Chinook salmon. The reserve amount of Chinook is 3,500 fish. This
provision includes only select recreational fisheries that are not
accounted for in pre-season salmon modeling. The recreational fisheries
not accounted for in pre-season salmon modeling are those occurring
outside of the open salmon seasons and the Oregon longleader fishery.
Any Chinook salmon bycatch in these fisheries must be attributed to the
non-whiting threshold, and these fisheries are subject to potential
closures. Chinook salmon bycatch from each fishery accrues to the
larger sector (i.e., whiting or non-whiting) level.
As described in the proposed rule, access to the Reserve for
additional Chinook salmon bycatch above the sector's guideline limit is
not guaranteed. However, if one sector surpasses its guideline limit,
it may be allowed to continue fishing, with additional salmon bycatch
accounted for within the Reserve. Under such a scenario, if the
sector's bycatch reached the Reserve limit, all fisheries within that
sector would be subject to an automatic closure. If one sector is
allowed to take the Reserve in a given calendar year, then the other
sector, upon reaching its guideline limit, would be subject to an
automatic closure rather than potentially being able to access the
Reserve. Under the regulations for automatic actions at Sec.
660.60(d), a closure notice would be published in the Federal Register
and be effective immediately for all fisheries within either or both of
the whiting or non-whiting sectors. NMFS waives notice and comment
under the Administrative Procedure Act if good cause exists. The
closure would be effective until the end of the fishing year on
December 31. However, the Council and NMFS intend to use other
available tools, including area management tools, to help manage salmon
bycatch before either sector's catch reaches or exceeds the guideline
limits to avoid either sector being closed for the remainder of the
fishing year.
Modifications to Depth Restrictions Within the Western CCA
This final rule modifies the allowed fishing depths from 20-fm (37-
m) to 40-fm (73-m) for the commercial fixed gear fishery and the
recreational fishery inside the Western Cowcod Conservation Area (CCA).
This rule also adds new waypoints approximating the 30-fm (55-m) and
40-fm (73-m) depth contours around Santa Barbara Island, San Nicolas
Island, Tanner Bank, and Cortes Bank because waypoints approximating
these contours do not exist at these depths currently. Fisheries are
allowed to operate in areas shallower than the depth limit. This final
rule increases the area open to fishing within the Western CCA from
40.4 mi\2\ (104.6 km \2\) to 150.4 mi \2\ (389.5 km \2\).
Modification of Lingcod and Sablefish Discard Mortality Rates
This rule implements lower discard mortality rates (DMRs) for
lingcod and sablefish used to debit IFQ accounts in the Shorebased IFQ
Program to match the rates the Council's Scientific and Statistical
Committee (SSC) endorsed for use in stock assessments and that WCGOP
uses for year-end groundfish catch accounting. By providing IFQ
participants with discard survival credits for lingcod and sablefish,
this rule will better meet some of the objectives of the IFQ program,
such as increased attainments of and increased
[[Page 63983]]
value of IFQ stocks like Dover sole and thornyheads. The DMRs in Table
17 reflect the best scientific information available and will replace
the current DMRs of 100 percent.
Table 17--Discard Mortality Rates for Lingcod and Sablefish
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock Gear DMR (%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lingcod........................... Bottom trawl........ 50
Fixed gear \a\...... 7
Sablefish......................... Bottom trawl........ 50
Fixed gear \a\...... 20
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ Applies to both pot and hook and line gear.
This rule is expected to result in a minimal increase (about 1
percent) in total coastwide IFQ mortality of sablefish (see Section C.5
of Appendix C of the Analysis). The resulting ``savings'' of trawl
sablefish could possibly increase landings of co-occurring,
underattained stocks such as Dover sole, shortspine thornyheads, and
longspine thornyheads (see Section C.5 of Appendix C of the Analysis).
Removal of IFQ Daily Vessel Limits
Under the Shorebased IFQ Program, vessel limits in vessel accounts
restrict the amount of quota pounds (QPs)--the annual currency of quota
shares--that any vessel can catch or hold. NMFS calculates annual QP
vessel limits, which are a set percentage of the total IFQ sector
allocation based on formulas set through Amendment 20 to the PCGFMP.
The annual vessel QP limit restricts the amount of used and unused QP
in a vessel account during a fishing year.
NMFS also sets daily vessel limits for overfished stocks, which cap
the amount of overfished stock QPs any vessel account can have
available in their account on a given day. The Council and NMFS
established daily vessel limits to prevent a person from acquiring
additional QP from others before those QP are needed in order to
promote trading of QP of overfished species. As explained in the
proposed rule (83 FR 47416, September 19, 2018), the daily vessel limit
has been ineffective for keeping catch available for trading, so this
rule eliminates the daily limits for all stocks (bocaccio (south),
darkblotched rockfish, and Pacific ocean perch, cowcod (south),
yelloweye rockfish, and Pacific halibut). Because the daily limits for
the remaining overfished stocks and for Pacific halibut have not been
constraining, NMFS expects that eliminating this provision will not
have a measurable effect on the fishery.
Removal of Automatic Authority for Darkblotched Rockfish and Pacific
Ocean Perch (POP) Set-Asides for At-Sea Sector
This rule removes NMFS's automatic authority to close either at-sea
sector (C/P and MS sectors) if they exceed their set-aside value for
these stocks so that they are managed like all other at-sea set-asides
in the PCGFMP. The Analysis demonstrates that the expected risk of the
at-sea sectors exceeding their set-aside values for darkblotched
rockfish and Pacific ocean perch is low due to low overall attainment
in the trawl sector in recent years.
Continuation of Adaptive Management Pass Through
This rule clarifies that NMFS will continue to pass through the QP
reserved for the adaptive management program until the Council
recommends an alternative use of adaptive management program QP. This
is an administrative measure that will not affect fishing opportunity
and related catch.
Modification of the Incidental Lingcod Retention Ratio in the Salmon
Troll Fishery
This rule modifies the incidental retention ratio for landing
lingcod based on the number of Chinook landed in the ocean salmon troll
fishery in the area north of 40[deg] 10' N latitude from a 1 to 15 fish
ratio to a 1 to 5 fish ratio. Vessels are also allowed to retain an
additional lingcod per trip, up to a trip limit of 10 lingcod. The
purpose of the ratio is to allow salmon trollers to retain incidentally
caught lingcod, but to discourage lingcod targeting within the nontrawl
RCA. Vessels participating in the ocean salmon troll fishery must be
equipped with a vessel monitoring system (VMS) to retain incidentally
caught groundfish. The Council can adjust the ratio of lingcod
retention per Chinook landed through inseason adjustments, if
necessary. NMFS does not expect this rule will create an incentive for
salmon trollers to target lingcod because these vessels are still
restricted to an overall limit of 10 lingcod per trip.
Administrative Actions
NMFS also implements four minor changes to the regulatory text
through this final rule to clarify regulatory intent. NMFS will add big
skate to the LEFG and OA fixed gear fisheries trip limit tables, Table
2 North and Table 2 South to part 660, subpart E, and Table 3 North and
Table 3 South to part 660, subpart F. Big skate is not currently listed
in the trip limit table for either the LEFG or OA fisheries, and as
such is unlimited.
This rule also removes an obsolete reference to halibut weight
provisions off of California at Sec. 660.333(c)(3). California
Department of Fish and Wildlife removed this provision from state
regulations in 2004.
This rule clarifies the application of Amendment 21-3 set-aside
management of darkblotched rockfish and Pacific ocean perch for the at-
sea sector for both years of the biennium in Tables 1b, 2b, 1d, and 2d
to part 660, subpart C.
Finally, this action removes the WCGOP priority sampling
requirement for canary rockfish and bocaccio, formerly overfished
stocks that were declared rebuilt, as requested by the Council at its
March 2017 meeting. As a result of this change, observers are no longer
required to count and weigh these fish on a docked vessel prior to
offloading.
III. Response to Comments
NMFS received eight unique comment letters during the public
comment period on the proposed rule. Three state agencies submitted
comments, including the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
(WDFW), the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and the
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). The letters from the
state agencies included requests for clarifications on information
included in the preamble to the proposed rule and noted several small
errors or inconsistencies in the proposed regulations. NMFS has
addressed those in separate sections, ``Corrections to the Preamble of
the Proposed Rule'' and ``Changes from the Proposed Rule.'' The other
five comment letters, one of which was a duplicate, were from private
citizens and contained substantive comments. NMFS addresses these
comments below.
Comment 1: Three private citizens commented in support of the
proposed rule, noting the importance of marine life and the belief that
this proposed rule will be beneficial for conserving fish stocks. One
commenter stated that the rule protects our oceans for the future and
that, without regulations, fishing could have negative effects on the
environment.
Response: NMFS agrees, and is implementing the proposed measures
with this final rule. The final rule appropriately balances NMFS's
duties under the Magnuson-Stevens Act to conserve marine resources
while simultaneously creating opportunities to achieve optimum yield.
[[Page 63984]]
Comment 2: NMFS should consider tighter control over trawl salmon
bycatch because a 20,000 fish Chinook salmon limit rewards the trawl
industry at the expense of the dedicated ocean salmon fisheries and
does not give adequate protection to ESA-listed salmon species. There
should be strict penalties, such as a monetary penalty or revocation of
quota, for the groundfish trawl sector and individual vessels that take
too much salmon in ``lightning strike'' tows.
Response: NMFS agrees that controlling and limiting salmon impacts
from the groundfish fishery is important under both the Magnuson-
Stevens Act and the ESA. The analysis in the Biological Opinion
predicted that the operation of the groundfish fishery would result in
bycatch of no more than 20,000 Chinook. The analysis also concluded
this level of take was not likely to jeopardize the continued existence
of any of the ESA-listed salmon species covered under the Biological
Opinion.
All Chinook salmon catch, including ``lightning strike'' tows,
counts towards the 20,000 Chinook bycatch limit. This rule gives NMFS
the automatic authority to close the whiting or non-whiting sectors for
the remainder of the fishing year if either exceed their salmon bycatch
guideline limit and/or the reserve. Closing either sector for the
duration of the fishing year is a severe penalty that, as described in
the preamble to the proposed rule, would result in significant economic
harm to fishing vessels and fishing communities (83 FR 47416, September
19, 2018). Additionally, the reserve is not guaranteed to be available
for either sector. Under the terms and conditions of the Biological
Opinion, if either sector's bycatch exceeds their guideline limit, and
any portion of the reserve is caught in more than three out of every
five years, NMFS is required to reinitiate an ESA consultation to
reevaluate the impacts of the groundfish fishery on ESA-listed salmon
species. The automatic closure requirement and the potential for
reinitiation mean that, in effect, the groundfish fisheries are held to
lower limits than the 20,000 Chinook salmon total fishery limit.
This rule also includes a new area management tool, the 200-fm (366
m) BRA, for NMFS and the Council to use to address high bycatch in the
midwater trawl fleet. The midwater trawl fleet has historically taken
the greatest number of Chinook as bycatch; therefore, this new tool
will be beneficial in addressing the bycatch issue where it is most
prominent.
Finally, term and condition 2.b. of the December 2017 Biological
Opinion also recommend that the Council develop additional management
measures it deems are necessary for timely inseason management to keep
the sectors from exceeding their salmon bycatch guidelines. The Council
is scheduled to discuss and potentially develop additional inseason
bycatch measures in a separate action outside of this rulemaking. The
first discussion of these measures will take place at the November 2018
Council meeting. Additional inseason management tools could provide
more flexibility for NMFS and the Council to further reduce salmon
bycatch in the groundfish fisheries.
Comment 3: A private citizen commented that the 20,000 Chinook
salmon total fishery limit for the operation of the groundfish fishery
is more Chinook than is landed in the ocean commercial and recreational
salmon fisheries each year. The salmon industry can never rebound if
another fishing sector is allowed to take salmon with little penalty.
Response: The commenter suggests the 20,000 Chinook salmon total
fishery limit is more Chinook than is landed in the ocean commercial
and recreational salmon fisheries each year. This statement is
incorrect. While ocean salmon fisheries have been constrained in recent
years, coastwide directed salmon fisheries land substantially more
Chinook salmon than are as bycatch in the groundfish fisheries each
year. The Council's Review of 2017 Ocean Salmon Fisheries (https://www.pcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Review_of_2017_Ocean_Salmon_Fisheries_18Final.pdf) showed coastwide
commercial troll and ocean recreational landings of Chinook salmon were
212,606 fish in 2016 and 184,331 fish in 2017. Salmon harvest in ocean
salmon fisheries in recent years is approximately 10 times higher than
the maximum allowed to be taken in the groundfish fishery. Moreover,
actual Chinook salmon bycatch in the groundfish fishery has been
substantially below 20,000 salmon. As described in the response to
Comment 2 above, NMFS is committed to reducing salmon bycatch in the
groundfish fishery in order to limit negative impacts on ESA-listed
salmon species. Limiting salmon bycatch in groundfish fisheries is also
beneficial to the salmon directed fisheries. NMFS manages both directed
and incidental salmon catch levels to control catch of ESA-listed
species, and controlling ESA-listed salmon catch in both the directed
salmon and groundfish fisheries contributes to recovery efforts.
Comment 4: CDFW supports the proposed cowcod harvest
specifications, including an ACT of 6 mt, to provide more flexibility
to allow continued and expanded research activities to inform future
assessments and stability for fisheries. CDFW also supports the change
in depth restrictions for commercial and recreational fisheries within
the Cowcod Conservation Area (CCA). CDFW also strongly supports the
yelloweye rockfish rebuilding plan changes and higher ACLs to prevent
the economic losses experienced by restricted or closed fishing
opportunities.
Response: NMFS agrees, and is implementing the measures from the
proposed rule in this final action.
Comment 5: CDFW states that Federal regulations at Sec. 660.330(a)
need to be updated because they list canary rockfish as a species for
which retention is prohibited in open access fishery coastwide. CDFW
notes that vessels have been permitted to retain this species since
2017.
Response: The regulations at Sec. 660.330(a) state that only
cowcod and yelloweye rockfish are prohibited species coastwide in the
open access fishery. Canary rockfish is not listed as a prohibited
species in this section, and these regulations are consistent with
canary rockfish trip limits.
Comment 6: CDFW recommends that bronzespotted rockfish be listed in
Sec. 660.230(a) because vessels are not permitted to retain this
species south of 40[deg]10' N lat.
Response: Section 660.230(a) applies to coastwide limited entry
fishery management measures. Listing bronzespotted rockfish as a
prohibited species in this paragraph would not be appropriate because
vessels are permitted to retain bronzespotted rockfish in open times
and areas north of 40[deg]10' N lat. Bronzespotted rockfish retention
prohibitions (closures) are listed in trip limit Table 2 (South),
subpart E.
IV. Clarifications and Corrections to the Preamble of the Proposed Rule
NMFS received comment letters from CDFW, WDFW, and ODFW noting
inaccuracies in information presented in the preamble to the proposed
rule. NMFS offers the following corrections in this final rule. These
clarifications and corrections to the information described in the
preamble to the proposed rule do not change the substance or intent of
the final rule.
In the proposed rule preamble under Section I (A): Specification
and
[[Page 63985]]
Management Measure Development Process, NMFS erroneously stated that
the NWFSC conducted a full stock assessment for blue/deacon rockfish
off of Washington in 2017. However, the NWFSC only conducted full stock
assessments in 2017 for blue/deacon rockfish stocks off of Oregon and
California. Additionally, NMFS stated that the NWFSC conducted eight
stock assessment updates, but only listed updates for four stocks. The
NWFSC did conduct assessments in 2017 for the four stocks listed in the
proposed rule, and the statement should have said that the 2017
assessment updates were only for the four stocks. The following
paragraph is the correct information for stock assessments conducted in
2017 for the purposes of determining OFLs, ABCs, and ACLs for the 2019-
2020 fishing years.
The Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) conducted full stock
assessments in 2017 for the following stocks: Blue/deacon rockfish (CA,
OR), California scorpionfish, lingcod [north and south], Pacific ocean
perch, yellowtail rockfish north of 40[deg]10' N lat., yelloweye
rockfish. Additionally, the NWFSC conducted assessment updates, which
incorporate new data into existing models, for four stocks (arrowtooth
flounder, blackgill rockfish south of 40[deg]10' N lat., bocaccio S of
43[deg] N lat., darkblotched rockfish). The NWFSC did not update
assessments for the remaining stocks, so harvest specifications for
these stocks are based on assessments from previous years. The stock
assessment reports are available on the Council website (https://www.pcouncil.org/).
Public comments from CDFW and WDFW pointed out that the description
in Table 1 of the preamble to the proposed rule of the proposed change
for the harvest control rule for lingcod north of 40[deg]10\' N
latitude erroneously stated that in addition to changing the P* value
for the California portion of the stock (from 0.40 to 0.45), that the
assumptions of ACL attainment were also modified. However, both the
harvest control rule in place prior to this final rule and the harvest
control rule implemented through this final rule assumed a total catch
in 2017 and 2018 of 1,000 mt, and then used an average 2015-2017
exploitation rate to distribute catches among the fisheries.
In Section II: Harvest Specifications, B. Proposed ABCs for 2019
and 2020, WDFW pointed out that NMFS failed to include lingcod south of
40[deg]10' N latitude in the list of category two and three stocks for
which the Council selected a P* other than 0.4. As was noted in Table 1
of the preamble in the proposed rule, the Council selected a P* of 0.45
for lingcod south of 40[deg]10' N latitude.
In Section III: Management Measures, B. Stock Complex
Restructuring, WDFW noted in their comment letter that NMFS's
description of the proposed stock complex change to create a new stock
complex with Washington cabezon and Washington kelp greenling did not
accurately capture the most recent make-up of that stock complex. The
references to ratfish, skates, codling, and grenadier as being part of
the Other Fish complex were inaccurate; those stocks were removed from
the complex through Amendment 24 to the FMP (80 FR 12567; March 10,
2015). Prior to this final rule, the following stocks were managed
under the Other Fish complex: Kelp greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus),
leopard shark (Trakis semifasciata), and cabezon (Scorpaenichthys
marmoratus) in waters off Washington. This final rule removes the
portion of the kelp greenling stock off Washington and cabezon off
Washington from this complex and places them in a new complex together.
A separate action under this final rule removes the portion of kelp
greenling off Oregon and groups that with Oregon cabezon to create a
new complex. As a result of the changes in this final rule, beginning
in the 2019 fishing year, the stocks managed under the Other Fish
complex are: Kelp greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus) off California
and leopard shark (Trakis semifasciata).
In Section B: Stock Complex Composition Restructuring, in response
to CDFW and ODFW comments, NMFS clarifies that the new Oregon black/
blue/deacon rockfish complex only includes Oregon blue/deacon rockfish
north of 42[deg] N latitude, which is the border between Oregon and
California, rather than north of 40[deg]10' N latitude. The species
managed in the minor nearshore rockfish complex off Washington and
California are not revised with this rule. This clarification is also
made in regulations, and is further described in Changes from the
Proposed Rule.
CDFW also noted that in Section C, Table 9 of the preamble to the
proposed rule incorrectly transposed the labels for 2019 and 2020. The
cowcod allocation is 36 percent of the fishery HG for the trawl
fishery, or 2.2 mt, and is 64 percent of the fishery HG for the non-
trawl fishery is, or 3.8 mt. The allocations in Tables 1b and 1b to
subpart C listed the cowcod allocations correctly, and did not result
in a change from the proposed rule.
CDFW requested clarifications regarding commercial non-trawl
lingcod trip limit changes described in the preamble of the proposed
rule. The text and Table 16 in the preamble mistakenly referenced
lingcod trip limit reductions for limited entry fixed gear south of
40[deg]10' N lat. but changes are only for open access fisheries in
this area. The limited entry fixed gear trip limits for lingcod south
of 40[deg]10' N lat. shown in Table 16 were incorrectly reduced, but
are correct (and unchanged from current limits) in Table 2 (South) to
subpart E regulations.
WDFW requested a clarification on information in the preamble to
the proposed rule referenced statements in Section C: Biennial Fishery
Allocations: Minor Nearshore Rockfish. The paragraph mentions that
under state management, vessels must record their landings on their
state landing receipts according to the sorting requirements; which
include sorting component stocks within the Minor Nearshore Rockfish
complex by stock. However, Washington does not have a commercial
nearshore fishery. Therefore, the statement should note that only
states for which there are commercial nearshore fisheries require that
catch of component stocks within the Minor Nearshore Rockfish complex
be sorted by stock.
In Section H: Recreational Fisheries, in the Washington section,
the proposed rule erroneously states that Marine Area 4 extends to the
Sekiu River. However, for federally-managed groundfish stocks, Marine
Area 4 only includes coastal waters west of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line at
Cape Flattery. NMFS notes the correction. This means that all of the
changes to the lingcod season structure that align harvests in Marine
Area 4 with Marine Areas 1-3 apply to only the coastal waters west of
the Bonilla-Tatoosh line at Cape Flattery, in addition to the correctly
described waters in Marine Areas 1-3.
Additionally, in Section H: Recreational Fisheries, in the
Washington section, the proposed rule explains that retention of
yellowtail and widow rockfish would be allowed in Marine Areas 3 and 4
seaward of 20 fms in July and August. In a comment letter, WDFW
requests a clarification to explain that yellowtail and widow rockfish
retention will be allowed in these areas, seaward of 20 fms, on days
open to recreational salmon fishing during the months of July and
August.
Under Section H: Recreational Fisheries, in the California section,
CDFW noted the discrepancy between preamble text stating that the
proposed rule would allow year-round retention
[[Page 63986]]
of California scorpionfish in all management areas. As is correctly set
out in the proposed rule at 50 CFR 660.360(c)(3)(v)(A), California
scorpionfish will only be open year-round in the Southern Management
Area (South of 34[deg]27' N lat.).
Under Section I: Salmon Bycatch Mitigation Measures of the proposed
rule preamble, NMFS incorrectly stated that the Council estimated coho
catch in the whiting and non-whiting groundfish fisheries for purposes
of the Biological Opinion. While the Council provided an estimate of
Chinook bycatch for the proposed action, it did not similarly discuss
coho bycatch. In the Biological Opinion, NMFS estimated the bycatch of
coho in the whiting and non-whiting sectors based on historical
mortalities and assumptions about coho bycatch in newer fisheries, such
as the Oregon long-leader fishery. This is because a biological opinion
must analyze the proposed action's expected take of listed species.
Additionally, for the purposes of clarity requested by CDFW, NMFS notes
that under this final rule, tribal bycatch of Chinook and coho in the
whiting fishery accrues to the whiting sector bycatch guideline limits
for each species and similarly, tribal bycatch of Chinook and coho in
the non-whiting fishery accrues to the non-whiting sector's bycatch
guideline limits for each species.
The comment letter from WDFW also points out an incorrect statement
under Section L: Removal of IFQ Daily Vessel Limits. In this section,
NMFS stated that NMFS also sets daily vessel limits for overfished
stocks. That statement should have read, NMFS also sets daily vessel
limits for overfished stocks and for Pacific halibut. Pacific halibut
is not an overfished stock, but is managed as bycatch in the Shorebased
IFQ fisheries. NMFS correctly states later in the section that the
proposed rule would remove the daily vessel limit for Pacific halibut.
In Section M: Removal of Automatic Authority for Darkblotched
Rockfish and Pacific Ocean Perch Set-Asides for At-Sea Sector, WDFW
pointed out inconsistencies in the description of how the current set-
aside structure was created. The final rule for the 2017-2018 harvest
specifications and management measures (82 FR 9634, February 7, 2017)
created the buffer originally, and then under Amendment 21-3 to the
PCGFMP (83 FR 757, January 8, 2018), the portion of the harvest of each
of these stocks for the at-sea sector was changed from an allocation to
a set-aside. This final rule removes NMFS's automatic authority to shut
down the sector if the set-aside is exceeded.
Under the description of the lingcod retention ratio in the salmon
troll fishery in Section O of the proposed rule, NMFS further clarifies
in response to WDFW's comment letter that under the revised lingcod
retention ratio, salmon troll vessels are still subject to the monthly
open access lingcod trip limits. This information is noted in the
current regulations in Table 3 (North) to part 660, subpart F, however
was not explicitly stated in the preamble to the proposed rule. Under
this final rule, any salmon troll vessels seeking to retain
incidentally-caught lingcod are subject to the revised ratio (1 lingcod
per 5 Chinook per trip, plus 1 lingcod per trip), the vessel trip limit
(10 lingcod), and then the current monthly lingcod trip limit noted in
the table.
V. Changes From the Proposed Rule
As a result of comments received on the proposed rule, NMFS is
making the following changes to the proposed rule. During the process
of reviewing the information in the proposed rule, the Council
determined that there was a calculation error for the ABC, ACL, HG and
subsequent trawl and non-trawl allocations for yellowtail rockfish N of
40[deg]10' N lat. This error in calculation was the result of the
application of an incorrect sigma ([sigma]) value to the OFL for this
stock, based on the stock category. Under the Council's procedure for
developing harvest specifications, the SSC recommends a [sigma] value.
The [sigma] value is based on the scientific uncertainty in the biomass
estimates generated from stock assessments. The SSC determined that the
Yellowtail rockfish N of 40[deg]10' N lat. is a category 1 stock and
should have the standard sigma value of 0.36 applied. However, in
calculating the ABC and ACL for yellowtail rockfish N of 40[deg]10' N
lat, the Council inadvertently used a sigma value of 0.72, which is the
sigma value for category 2 stocks. The proposed rule incorrectly stated
that the ABC and ACL for yellowtail rockfish N of 40[deg]10' N lat. for
2019 was 5,997 mt and the HG was 4,952 mt. For 2020, the proposed rule
stated the ABC and ACL was 5,716 mt and the HG was 4,671 mt. After
making the correction, the resulting ABC and ACL for yellowtail
rockfish N of 40[deg]10' N lat. for 2019 is 6,279 mt, with an HG of
5,234 mt, and for 2020 an ABC and ACL of 5,986 mt, with an HG of 4,941
mt. This results in a 2019 trawl allocation of 4,605.8 mt and 628.1 mt
for non-trawl, and an allocation of 4,305.8 mt to the Shorebased IFQ
Program. For 2020, the yellowtail rockfish N of 40[deg]10' N lat. trawl
allocation is 4,348.0 mt and the non-trawl allocation is 592.9 mt. The
2020 Shorebased IFQ allocation is 4,048.0 mt. All other allocations of
yellowtail rockfish N of 40[deg]10' N lat. are unchanged from those
announced in the proposed rule.
In 50 CFR 660.360(c)(1)(i)(D)(2), NMFS erred in not deleting a
closure clause from the recreational fishing season for lingcod in
Marine Area 2. This closure clause conflicted with another portion of
that paragraph that correctly noted that the lingcod season will be
open the second Saturday in March through the third Saturday in October
under this final rule. This minor change to the regulations implemented
through this final rule is an obvious extension of the Council intent
for this action.
In response to a comment from ODFW, at 50 CFR 660.11, in the
definition of ``groundfish'', this final rule makes clarifications to
reflect the new stock complex compositions off Oregon for black/blue/
deacon rockfishes. This final rule clarifies that the minor nearshore
rockfish complex stock composition off Washington and California are
unchanged.
For the Minor Slope Rockfish complex south of 40[deg]10' N
latitude, the 2019 Shorebased trawl allocation was listed incorrectly
in 50 CFR 660.140(d)(1)(ii)(D) as 1,049.1 mt. The 2019 Shorebased Trawl
allocation is 456.0 mt. This value was listed correctly as the trawl
allocation in Table 1b to part 660, subpart C. Because there is no
allocation of this species complex to the at-sea sector, the entire
trawl allocation is passed through as the Shorebased trawl allocation.
This final rule corrects that inconsistency.
In response to CDFW's comments regarding the California
recreational fishery, this final rule revises season date changes for
the recreational fishery. The updated season dates for the recreational
RCA (50 CFR 660.360(c)(3)(i)(A)) and California scorpionfish (Sec.
660.360(c)(3)(v)(A)) were correct in the proposed rule. However,
updated season dates for the other recreational groundfish species
groups were mistakenly omitted. This final rule corrects that
inconsistency by revising the season dates for the rockfish, cabezon
and greenling (RCG) complex (Sec. 660.360(C)(3)(ii)(A)), lingcod
(Sec. 660.360(C)(3)(iii)(A)), and California scorpionfish (Sec.
660.360(C)(3)(v)(A)).
Finally, at its November 2018 meeting, the Council recommended
changes to the trip limits for the open access fisheries north of
36[deg] N latitude for sablefish, and for the fisheries north and south
of 40[deg]10' N latitude for canary rockfish. Additionally, the Council
[[Page 63987]]
recommended changes to the trip limit for the limited entry fixed gear
fisheries north of 36[deg] N latitude for sablefish. All changes are to
increase trip limits as a result of updated catch data that show lower
than projected attainment for these stocks in the most recent fishing
season. As a result, trip limits can be raised to allow for full
attainment of the HG for both of these stocks in 2019. These changes
were made under the inseason action process and are incorporated into
this rule for implementation for the 2019 fisheries. Because these trip
limits are within the range of what was previously analyzed, they are a
minor, routine adjustment to the management measures for the 2019
groundfish fisheries.
VI. Classification
Pursuant to sections 304(b)(1)(A) and 305(d) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act, the NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that this
rule is consistent with the FMP, other provisions of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act, and other applicable law.
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 on January 1, 2019. This action establishes the final
specifications (i.e., annual catch limits) for the Pacific Coast
groundfish fisheries for the 2019 fishing year, which begins on January
1, 2019. If this final rule is not effective on January 1, 2019, then
the fishing year begins using the catch limits and management measures
from 2018.
Because this final rule increases the catch limits for several
species for 2019, leaving 2018 harvest specifications in place could
unnecessarily delay fishing opportunities until later in the year,
potentially reducing the total catch for these species in 2019. Thus, a
delay in effectiveness could ultimately cause economic harm to the
fishing industry and associated fishing communities or result in
harvest levels inconsistent with the best available scientific
information. For example, due to the improved status of yelloweye
rockfish, the Council recommended significant changes in catch limits
and management measures for a number of sector of the fishery,
including higher trip limits for the limited entry fleets, reductions
in depth limit restrictions for the recreational fisheries, and more
quota pounds for the Shorebased IFQ fishery. This measure provides for
a year-round opportunity to access underutilized target stocks. In
effect, because this final rule implements higher catch limits for many
species than are in effect for 2018, this final rule relieves a
restriction on the fishing industry.
This final rule is not unexpected or controversial for the public.
The groundfish harvest specifications are published biennially and are
intended to be effective on January 1 of odd numbered years.
Additionally, the subject of this final rule has been developed over a
series of six public meetings of the Pacific Fishery Management Council
from June 2017 to June 2018. These meetings are publicly noticed and
the public is provided opportunity to comment on actions through this
venue as well as through rulemaking.
Because of the potential harm to fishing communities that could be
caused by delaying the effectiveness of this final rule and because of
the previous notification to the regulated public of these changes
through the Council process, NMFS finds there is good cause to waive
the 30-day delay in effectiveness.
NMFS prepared an integrated analysis for this action, which
addresses the statutory requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the
National Environmental Policy Act, Presidential Executive Order 12866,
and the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The NMFS WCR Regional Administrator
concluded in a ``Finding of No Significant Impact'' that there will be
no significant impact on the human environment as a result of this
rule. A copy of the integrated analysis is available from NMFS (see
ADDRESSES). The Office of Management and Budget has determined that
this action is not significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866.
NMFS prepared a final regulatory flexibility analysis (FRFA) under
section 603 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), which incorporates
the initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA). A summary of any
significant issues raised by the public comments in response to the
IRFA, and NMFS's responses to those comments, and a summary of the
analyses completed to support the action are addressed below. NMFS also
prepared a Regulatory Impact Review (RIR) for this action. A copy of
the RIR and FRFA are available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES), and per the
requirements of 5 U.S.C. 604(a), the text of the FRFA follows:
Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
As applicable, section 604 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
requires an agency to prepare a final regulatory flexibility analysis
(FRFA) after being required by that section or any other law to publish
a general notice of proposed rulemaking and when an agency promulgates
a final rule under section 553 of Title 5 of the U.S. Code. The
following paragraphs constitute the FRFA for this action.
This FRFA incorporates the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
(IRFA), a summary of any significant issues raised by the public
comments, NMFS's responses to those comments, and a summary of the
analyses completed to support the action. Analytical requirements for
the FRFA are described in the RFA, section 604(a)(1) through (6). FRFAs
contain:
1. A statement of the need for, and objectives of, the rule;
2. A statement of the significant issues raised by the public
comments in response to the IRFA, a statement of the assessment of the
agency of such issues, and a statement of any changes made in the
proposed rule as a result of such comments;
3. The response of the agency to any comments filed by the Chief
Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration (SBA) in
response to the proposed rule, and a detailed statement of any change
made to the proposed rule in the final rule as a result of the
comments;
4. A description and an estimate of the number of small entities to
which the rule will apply, or an explanation of why no such estimate is
available;
5. A description of the projected reporting, recordkeeping, and
other compliance requirements of the rule, including an estimate of the
classes of small entities which will be subject to the requirement and
the type of professional skills necessary for preparation of the report
or record; and
6. A description of the steps the agency has taken to minimize the
significant economic impact on small entities consistent with the
stated objectives of applicable statutes, including a statement of the
factual, policy, and legal reasons for selecting the alternative
adopted in the final rule and why each one of the other significant
alternatives to the rule considered by the agency which affect the
impact on small entities was rejected.
The ``universe'' of entities to be considered in a FRFA generally
includes only those small entities that can reasonably be expected to
be directly regulated by the action. If the effects of the rule fall
primarily on a distinct segment of the industry, or portion thereof
(e.g., user group, gear type, geographic area), that segment will be
considered the universe for purposes of this analysis.
In preparing a FRFA, an agency may provide either a quantifiable or
[[Page 63988]]
numerical description of the effects of a rule (and alternatives to the
rule), or more general descriptive statements, if quantification is not
practicable or reliable.
Need for and Objective of This Final Rule
The purpose of this final rule is to prevent overfishing, to
rebuild overfished stocks, to ensure conservation, to facilitate long-
term protection of essential fish habitat (EFH), and to realize the
full potential of the nation's fishery resources (Magnuson-Stevens Act
section 2(a)(6)). This final rule is needed to respond to new
scientific information and information about the needs of fishing
communities, to provide additional tools to ensure that annual catch
limits (ACLs) and other Federal harvest guidelines (HGs) are not
exceeded, and to afford additional fishing opportunities where
warranted.
Summary of Significant Issues Raised During Public Comment
NMFS published the proposed rule for the 2019-2020 harvest
specifications and management measures on September 19, 2018 (83 FR
47416). An IRFA was prepared and summarized in the Classification
section of the preamble to the proposed rule. The comment period on the
proposed rule ended on October 19, 2018. NMFS received eight comment
letters on the proposed rule. The Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the SBA
did not file any comments on the IRFA or the proposed rule. One comment
was received pertaining to the IRFA, from CDFW, providing results of an
analysis that changes the estimated number of vessels that may be
impacted by a change in open access lingcod trip limits for vessels
fishing in the salmon troll fishery between 42[deg] N lat. and
40[deg]10' N lat. This information was updated for the FRFA below.
A Description and an Estimate of the Number of Small Entities to Which
the Rule Will Apply
The RFA (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires government agencies to
assess the effects that regulatory alternatives would have on small
entities, defined as any business/organization independently owned and
operated, not dominant in its field of operation (including its
affiliates). A small harvesting business has combined annual receipts
of $11 million \1\ or less for all affiliated operations worldwide.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ On December 29, 2015, the National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) issued a final rule establishing a small business size
standard of $11 million in annual gross receipts for all businesses
primarily engaged in the commercial fishing industry (NAICS 11411)
for Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) compliance purposes only (80 FR
81194, December 29, 2015). The $11 million standard became effective
on July 1, 2016, and after that date it is to be used in all NMFS
rules subject to the RFA. Id. at 81194. This NMFS rule is to be used
in place of the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) current
standards of $20.5 million, $5.5 million, and $7.5 million for the
finfish (NAICS 114111), shellfish (NAICS 114112), and other marine
fishing (NAICS 114119) sectors of the U.S. commercial fishing
industry, respectively.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A small fish-processing business is one that employs 750 or fewer
persons for all affiliated operations worldwide. NMFS is applying this
standard to catcher/processors for the purposes of this rulemaking,
because these vessels earn the majority of their revenue from selling
processed fish.
For marinas and charter/party boats, a small business is one that
has annual receipts not in excess of $7.5 million. A wholesale business
servicing the fishing industry is a small business if it employs 100 or
fewer persons on a full-time, part-time, temporary, or other basis, at
all its affiliated operations worldwide.
For the purposes of this rulemaking, a nonprofit organization is
determined to be ``not dominant in its field of operation'' if it is
considered small under one of the following SBA size standards:
Environmental, conservation, or professional organizations are
considered small if they have combined annual receipts of $15 million
or less, and other organizations are considered small if they have
combined annual receipts of $7.5 million or less. The RFA defines small
governmental jurisdictions as governments of cities, counties, towns,
townships, villages, school districts, or special districts with
populations of less than 50,000.
This final rule regulates businesses that participate in the
groundfish fishery. This rule directly affects commercial vessels in
the groundfish fisheries, trawl quota share (QS) holders and Pacific
whiting catch history endorsed permit holders (which include shorebased
whiting processors), tribal vessels, and charterboat vessels.
Additionally, a provision of this final rule regulates commercial
vessels in the salmon troll fleet.
To determine the number of small entities potentially affected by
this rule, NMFS reviewed analyses of fish ticket data and limited entry
permit data, information on charterboat, tribal, and open access
fleets, available cost-earnings data developed by NWFSC, and responses
associated with the permitting process for the Trawl Rationalization
Program where applicants were asked if they considered themselves a
small business based on SBA definitions. This rule primarily regulates
businesses that harvest groundfish.
Charter Operations
There were an estimated 287 active Commercial Passenger Fishing
Vessels (charter) engaged in groundfish fishing in California in 2017.
In 2017, an estimated 49 charter boats targeted groundfish in Oregon.
There is no Oregon license or tracking of ``six pack'' or party fishing
vessel businesses that will also be impacted, however in one week in
August 2017, there were 285 boat trips targeting recreational
groundfish in Oregon, which would include the 49 charter vessels, and
is an upper bound of such entities likely to be impacted in Oregon.
Similarly in Washington, the number of party/charter vessels likely to
be impacted by the rule was 182 in 2017. All 705 of these vessels are
likely to be impacted by changes in recreational catch guidelines for
groundfish in their respective states.
Commercial Vessels
Groundfish
Entities that are not registered as trusts, estates, governments,
or non-profits are assumed to earn the majority of their revenue from
commercial fishing. The definition above is used for 124 QS permit
owners, who collectively received 76.5 percent of the QP issued in
2018. Limited entry groundfish vessels are required to self-report size
across all affiliated entities; of the business who earn the majority
of their revenue from commercial fishing, one self-reported as large.
This entity owns four groundfish permits and one QS permit. 264
entities owning 376 permits self-reported as small. The average small
entity owns 1.4 permits, with 30 small entities owning between 3-6
permits each. Open access groundfish vessel owners are assumed to earn
the majority of their revenue from fishing and would thus fall into the
SBA definition of small entities. 186 non-limited entry vessels
harvested at least $10,000 worth of groundfish in 2017; these are
likely to be impacted by this final rule. This number is likely an
upper bound as some entities may own more than one vessel; however,
these generally small operations are assumed to be independent
entities; with the top three vessels having coastwide (including non-
groundfish) revenues averaging $585,000. Median revenues were $37,000
per vessel.
[[Page 63989]]
In addition to benefits from increasing ACLs in the harvest
specifications, several of the new management measures contained in the
rule are likely to benefit vessels. Clarifications such as the stock
complex restructuring and updates to Rockfish Conservation Area
coordinates may streamline management burden for vessels. IFQ vessels
are expected to benefit from the removal of daily vessel quota pounds,
which did not appear to constrain operations but did account for some
level of administrative burden for quota pound account managers. With
the elimination of these limits, managers will have greater flexibility
in moving and holding quota pounds for the remaining overfished species
and halibut IBQ. These vessels and vessel account operators may also
benefit somewhat from changes to the discard mortality rates in the IFQ
program. Some of the non-trawl fixed gear vessels are expected to
benefit by the modifications to the commercial depths inside the
Western Cowcod Conservation area in California.
Salmon Trollers
This final rule primarily impacts entities in the groundfish
fishery. However, one new management measure included the rule will
likely benefit vessels primarily involved in the salmon troll fishery,
through a modification in the incidental lingcod retention ratio in
that fishery. This modification reflects the increased rate of lingcod
encounters during declining Chinook salmon harvest seasons. This
modification allows salmon trollers to retain and sell a larger number
of lingcod caught incidentally when targeting salmon. The level of
activity varies substantially, with trips ranging from 500 to over
5,500 in a year. The subsector of the fleet expected to benefit from
the final rule is much smaller, as historically a small proportion has
elected to land lingcod within the previously allowed limits. In order
to land lingcod, the vessel would have to install VMS, which likely
deters salmon trollers, among other factors. Thus, this provision of
the final rule may impact between 14 to 133 vessels in California of
the approximately 207 operating there if they choose to retain lingcod.
These estimates are updated from the IRFA based on public comment from
CDFW and the results of their analysis. In Oregon, between 7 and 85
trollers have landed lingcod, and in Washington between 10 and 17. This
final rule is expected to have a small benefit to these 235 vessels,
which landed lingcod on a median of 1-2 trips, with vessels in the 90th
percentile landing lingcod on 5 trips annually. This small positive
benefit is not expected to be a substantial impact, nor are the
entities likely to be impacted a substantial number of the overall
salmon troll fishery.
QS Owners
As the harvest specifications process determines the amount of QP
available in the catch share (limited entry trawl permit Individual
Fishing Quota) sector, this final rule will impact QS. Twenty-two non-
whiting QS permit owners are estimated, based on holdings of first
receiver permit affiliation in the non-public West Coast Region permits
database, to be primarily engaged in seafood ``product preparation and
packaging.'' According to the size standard defined above, three of the
entities that own three of these permits are considered small. These
small processing entities were issued 1.7 percent of the non-whiting QP
issued in 2018. Some of these small processing entities also own
groundfish permits, required on both catcher vessels and catcher
processors, which would be regulated by this final rule; three small
entities primarily engaged in seafood processing own two groundfish
permits. Thirty groundfish vessel permits are owned by seven entities
who are considered large both estimated independently using the
definition above, as well as through ownership affiliation to self-
reported size on groundfish permit and first receiver site license
permits (self-reported using the definition above). Six of these seven
large processing entities were issued 10.2 percent of the non-whiting
QP issued in 2018 across sixteen QS permits.
Governmental Jurisdictions
According to the public IFQ Account database as of June 19, 2018,
the City of Monterey owns QS of ten stocks. The U.S. Census estimates
the population to be 28,454 as of July 1, 2017, so it would be
considered a small governmental jurisdiction by the RFA standard above.
The City of Monterey received 0.5 percent of the QP issued for 2018
according to the public IFQ Account database.
Not-for-Profits
According to the public IFQ Account database, six not-for-profit
organizations own QS in the catch share program and would thus be
impacted by the trawl sector allocation under this final rule. Five of
these would be considered small by the definition above (2016 annual
receipts as reported on IRS form 990 of $120-500 thousand dollars), and
one large (self-reported fiscal year 2017 receipts of $1.1 billion).
Collectively, the five small not-for-profit organizations received 7.2
percent of the non-whiting \2\ QP issued in 2018, and the large not-
for-profit organization received 0.5 percent. The large not-for-profit
organization also owned four limited entry trawl permits which would be
impacted by the management measures of the rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ Whiting is issued annually through a separate rulemaking
process resulting from international treaty negotiations, see 83 FR
22401 (May 15, 2018) for more information and 2018 allocations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Trusts
Eleven personal or family trusts/estates owned QS permits and would
thus potentially be impacted by the trawl sector allocation under this
final rule. All of these are assumed to be smaller than the size
standard above. Collectively, these eight small entities received 4.2
percent of the non-whiting QP issued for 2018.
Recordkeeping, Reporting, and Other Compliance Requirements
This rule does not modify existing recordkeeping or reporting
requirements.
Description of Significant Alternatives to This Final Rule That
Minimize Economic Impacts on Small Entities
In the event of a fishery closure under the Biological Opinion
provisions included in this rule, the loss of revenue in groundfish
fisheries would likely have a substantial negative impact on a
significant number of small entities, an equal impact to all large
entities in the fishery. However, such a closure is not anticipated by
either analysts or industry, given historic catch levels and
cooperative management structures with extensive inseason monitoring.
Because these provisions are non-discretionary under the ESA, there are
no significant alternatives to the rule that would minimize adverse
economic impacts on small entities.
The Council did consider alternatives to the rule which would have
had a lower level of benefits to small entities, the Council did not
consider alternatives that would have had greater benefits to small
entities as these would not have met several primary objectives of the
rule (prevent overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, ensure
conservation).
Under No Action, the default harvest specifications and associated
routine management measures would be implemented using best scientific
information available to establish default harvest control rules for
all groundfish stocks. The Council
[[Page 63990]]
considered alternative specifications for California scorpionfish,
lingcod north of 40[deg]10' N lat, and yelloweye rockfish. In each
case, the Council selected the harvest control rule that resulted in
the maximum benefits to both large and small directly regulated
entities. Routine management measures are adjusted according to harvest
specifications, which also impact the new management measures available
for implementation.
Small Entity Compliance Guide
Section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness
Act of 1996 states that, for each rule or group of related rules for
which an agency is required to prepare a final regulatory flexibility
analysis, the agency shall publish one or more guides to assist small
entities in complying with the rule, and shall designate such
publications as ``small entity compliance guides.'' The agency shall
explain the actions a small entity is required to take to comply with a
rule or group of rules. As part of this rulemaking process, a small
entity compliance guide (the guide) was prepared. Copies of this final
rule are available from the West Coast Regional Office (see ADDRESSES),
and the guide will be included in a public notice sent to all members
of the groundfish email group. To sign-up for the groundfish email
group, click on the ``subscribe'' link on the following website: https://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/publications/fishery_management/groundfish/public_notices/recent_public_notices.html. The guide and
this final rule will also be available on the West Coast Region's
website (see ADDRESSES) and upon request.
Executive Order 13175
Pursuant to Executive Order 13175, this rule was developed after
meaningful consultation and collaboration with tribal officials from
the area covered by the PCGFMP. Under the Magnuson-Stevens Act at 16
U.S.C. 1852(b)(5), one of the voting members of the Pacific Council
must be a representative of an Indian tribe with federally recognized
fishing rights from the area of the Council's jurisdiction. In
addition, regulations implementing the PCGFMP establish a procedure by
which the tribes with treaty fishing rights in the area covered by the
PCGFMP request new allocations or regulations specific to the tribes,
in writing, before the first of the two meetings at which the Council
considers groundfish management measures. The regulations at 50 CFR
660.324(d) further state, ``the Secretary will develop tribal
allocations and regulations under this paragraph in consultation with
the affected tribe(s) and, insofar as possible, with tribal
consensus.'' The tribal management measures in this rule have been
developed following these procedures. The tribal representative on the
Council made a motion to adopt the non-whiting tribal management
measures, which was passed by the Council. Those management measures,
which were developed and proposed by the tribes, are included in this
final rule.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660
Fisheries, Fishing, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: December 3, 2018.
Samuel D. Rauch, III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, 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. In Sec. 660.11, in the definition of ``Conservation area(s),''
revise paragraph (1), and in the definition of ``Groundfish,'' revise
paragraphs (6), (7)(i), and (9) to read as follows:
Sec. 660.11 General definitions.
* * * * *
Conservation area(s) * * *
(1) Groundfish Conservation Area or GCA means a geographic area
defined by coordinates expressed in degrees latitude and longitude,
wherein fishing by a particular gear type or types may be prohibited.
Regulations at Sec. 660.60(c)(3) describe the various purposes for
which these GCAs may be implemented. Regulations at Sec. 660.70 define
coordinates for these polygonal GCAs: Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation
Areas, Cowcod Conservation Areas, waters encircling the Farallon
Islands, and waters encircling the Cordell Bank. GCAs also include
Bycatch Reduction Areas (BRAs), and Rockfish Conservation Areas or
RCAs, which are areas closed to fishing by particular gear types,
bounded by lines approximating particular depth contours. RCA
boundaries may and do change seasonally according to conservation
needs. Regulations at Sec. Sec. 660.70 through 660.74 define boundary
lines with latitude/longitude coordinates; regulations at Tables 1
(North) and 1 (South) of subpart D of this part, Tables 2 (North) and 2
(South) of subpart E of this part, and Tables 3 (North) and 3 (South)
of subpart F of this part set seasonal boundaries. Fishing prohibitions
associated with GCAs are in addition to those associated with EFH
Conservation Areas.
* * * * *
Groundfish * * *
* * * * *
(6) Roundfish: Cabezon, Scorpaenichthys marmoratus; kelp greenling,
Hexagrammos decagrammus; lingcod, Ophiodon elongatus; Pacific cod,
Gadus macrocephalus; Pacific whiting, Merluccius productus; sablefish,
Anoplopoma fimbria. Species listed in paragraphs (6)(i) and (ii) of
this definition with an area-specific listing are managed within a
complex in that area-specific listing.
(i) Between 46[deg]16' N lat. and the U.S. Canada border
(Washington): Cabezon, S. marmoratus and kelp greenling, H.
decagrammus.
(ii) Between 46[deg]16' N lat. and 42[deg] N lat. (Oregon):
Cabezon, S. marmoratus and kelp greenling, H. decagrammus.
(7) * * *
(i) Nearshore rockfish includes black rockfish, Sebastes melanops
(off Washington and California) and the following nearshore rockfish
species managed in ``minor rockfish'' complexes:
(A) North of 46[deg]16' N lat. (Washington) and between 42[deg]00'
N lat. and 40[deg]10' N lat. (northern California): Black and yellow
rockfish, S. chrysomelas; blue rockfish, S. mystinus; brown rockfish,
S. auriculatus; calico rockfish, S. dalli; China rockfish, S.
nebulosus; copper rockfish, S. caurinus; deacon rockfish, S. diaconus,
gopher rockfish, S. carnatus; grass rockfish, S. rastrelliger; kelp
rockfish, S. atrovirens; olive rockfish, S. serranoides; quillback
rockfish, S. maliger; treefish, S. serriceps.
(B) Between 46[deg]16' N lat. and 42[deg] N lat. (Oregon): Black
and yellow rockfish, S. chrysomelas; brown rockfish, S. auriculatus;
calico rockfish, S. dalli; China rockfish, S. nebulosus; copper
rockfish, S. caurinus; gopher rockfish, S. carnatus; grass rockfish, S.
rastrelliger; kelp rockfish, S. atrovirens; olive rockfish, S.
serranoides; quillback rockfish, S. maliger; treefish, S. serriceps.
(C) Between 46[deg]16' N lat. and 42[deg] N lat. (Oregon): Black
rockfish, S. melanops, blue rockfish, S. mystinus, and deacon rockfish,
S. diaconus.
* * * * *
(9) ``Other Fish'': kelp greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus) off
[[Page 63991]]
California and leopard shark (Trakis semifasciata).
* * * * *
0
3. Amend Sec. 660.40 as follows:
0
a. Remove paragraph (a), (c), and (d);
0
b. Redesignate paragraphs (b) and (e) as paragraph (a) and (b); and
0
c. Revise newly redesignated paragraph (b).
The revision reads as follows:
Sec. 660.40 Overfished species rebuilding plans.
* * * * *
(b) Yelloweye rockfish. Yelloweye rockfish was declared overfished
in 2002. The target year for rebuilding the yelloweye rockfish stock to
BMSY is 2029. The harvest control rule to be used to rebuild
the yelloweye rockfish stock is an annual SPR harvest rate of 65.0
percent.
0
4. In Sec. 660.50, revise paragraphs (f)(2)(ii) and (f)(6) and add
paragraph (h) to read as follows:
Sec. 660.50 Pacific Coast treaty Indian fisheries.
* * * * *
(f) * * *
(2) * * *
(ii) The Tribal allocation is 561 mt in 2019 and 572 mt in 2020 per
year. This allocation is, for each year, 10 percent of the Monterey
through Vancouver area (North of 36[deg] N lat.) ACL. The Tribal
allocation is reduced by 1.5 percent for estimated discard mortality.
* * * * *
(6) Petrale sole. For petrale sole, treaty fishing vessels are
restricted to a fleetwide harvest target of 290 mt each year.
* * * * *
(h) Salmon bycatch. This fishery may be closed through automatic
action at Sec. 660.60(d)(1)(v) and (vi).
0
5. In Sec. 660.55, revise paragraphs (c)(1)(i)(A) and (B) to read as
follows:
Sec. 660.55 Allocations.
* * * * *
(c) * * *
(1) * * *
(i) * * *
(A) Darkblotched rockfish. Distribute 9 percent or 25 mt, whichever
is greater, of the total trawl allocation of darkblotched rockfish to
the Pacific whiting fishery (MS sector, C/P sector, and Shorebased IFQ
sectors). The distribution of darkblotched rockfish to each sector will
be done pro rata relative to the sector's allocation of the commercial
harvest guideline for Pacific whiting. Darkblotched rockfish
distributed to the MS sector and C/P sector are managed as set-asides
at Table 1d and Table 2d to this subpart. The allocation of
darkblotched rockfish to the Pacific whiting IFQ fishery contributes to
the Shorebased IFQ allocation. After deducting allocations for the
Pacific whiting fishery, the remaining trawl allocation is allocated to
the Shorebased IFQ Program.
(B) Pacific Ocean Perch (POP). Distribute 17 percent or 30 mt,
whichever is greater, of the total trawl allocation of POP to the
Pacific whiting fishery (MS sector, C/P sector, and Shorebased IFQ
sector). The distribution of POP to each sector will be done pro rata
relative to the sector's allocation of the commercial harvest guideline
for Pacific whiting. POP distributed to the MS sector and C/P sector
are managed as set-asides at Table 1d and Table 2d to this subpart. The
allocation of POP to the Pacific whiting IFQ fishery contributes to the
Shorebased IFQ allocation. After deducting allocations for the Pacific
whiting fishery, the remaining trawl allocation is allocated to the
Shorebased IFQ Program.
* * * * *
0
6. Amend Sec. 660.60 as follows:
0
a. Revise paragraph (d)(1)(v);
0
b. Remove paragraph (d)(1)(vii);
0
c. Redesignate paragraph (d)(1)(vi) as paragraph (d)(1)(vii); and
0
d. Add new paragraph (d)(1)(vi).
The revision and addition read as follows:
Sec. 660.60 Specifications and management measures.
* * * * *
(d) * * *
(1) * * *
(v) Close one or both of the whiting or non-whiting sectors of the
groundfish fishery upon that sector having exceeded its annual Chinook
salmon bycatch guideline and the reserve.
The whiting sector includes the Pacific whiting IFQ fishery, MS,
and C/P sectors. The non-whiting sector includes the midwater trawl,
bottom trawl, and fixed gear fisheries under the Shorebased IFQ
Program, limited entry fixed gear fisheries, open access fisheries, and
recreational fisheries subject to this provision as set out in Sec.
660.360(d).
(A) The whiting sector Chinook salmon bycatch guideline is 11,000
fish.
(B) The non-whiting sector Chinook salmon bycatch guideline is
5,500 fish.
(C) The reserve is 3,500 fish.
(vi) Close the whiting or non-whiting sector of the groundfish
fishery upon that sector having exceeded its annual Chinook salmon
bycatch guideline if the other sector has already been closed after
exceeding its Chinook salmon bycatch guideline and the reserve. The
whiting sector includes the Pacific whiting IFQ fishery, MS, and C/P
sectors. The non-whiting sector includes the midwater trawl, bottom
trawl, and fixed gear fisheries under the Shorebased IFQ Program,
limited entry fixed gear fisheries, open access fisheries, and
recreational fisheries subject to this provision as set out in Sec.
660.360(d).
* * * * *
0
7. Amend Sec. 660.71 as follows:
0
a. Redesignate paragraphs (k) through (n) as paragraphs (o) through
(r); and
0
b. Add new paragraphs (k) through (n) and paragraphs (s) through (v).
The additions read as follows:
Sec. 660.71 Latitude/longitude coordinates defining the 10-fm (18-m)
through 40-fm (73-m) depth contours.
* * * * *
(k) The 30 fm (55 m) depth contour around Santa Barbara Island off
the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of
the following points in the order stated:
(1) 33[deg]30.38' N lat., 119[deg]03.15' W long.;
(2) 33[deg]29.64' N lat., 119[deg]00.58' W long.;
(3) 33[deg]27.24' N lat., 119[deg]01.73' W long.;
(4) 33[deg]27.76' N lat., 119[deg]03.48' W long.;
(5) 33[deg]29.50' N lat., 119[deg]04.20' W long.; and
(6) 33[deg]30.38' N lat., 119[deg]03.15' W long.
(l) The 30 fm (55 m) depth contour around San Nicholas Island off
the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of
the following points in the order stated:
(1) 33[deg]18.39' N lat., 119[deg]38.87' W long.;
(2) 33[deg]18.63' N lat., 119[deg]27.52' W long.;
(3) 33[deg]15.24' N lat., 119[deg]20.10' W long.;
(4) 33[deg]13.27' N lat., 119[deg]20.10' W long.;
(5) 33[deg]12.16' N lat., 119[deg]26.82' W long.;
(6) 33[deg]13.20' N lat., 119[deg]31.87' W. long.;
(7) 33[deg]15.70' N lat., 119[deg]38.87' W long.;
(8) 33[deg]17.52' N lat., 119[deg]40.15' W long.; and
(9) 33[deg]18.39' N lat., 119[deg]38.87' W long.
(m) The 30 fm (55 m) depth contour around Tanner Bank off the state
of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the
following points in the order stated:
(1) 32[deg]43.02' N lat., 119[deg]08.52' W long.;
[[Page 63992]]
(2) 32[deg]41.81' N lat., 119[deg]06.20' W long.;
(3) 32[deg]40.67' N lat., 119[deg]06.82' W long.;
(4) 32[deg]41.62' N lat., 119[deg]09.46' W long.; and
(5) 32[deg]43.02' N lat., 119[deg]08.52' W long.
(n) The 30 fm (55 m) depth contour around Cortes Bank off the state
of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the
following points in the order stated:
(1) 32[deg]29.73' N lat., 119[deg]12.95' W long.;
(2) 32[deg]28.17' N lat., 119[deg]07.04' W long.;
(3) 32[deg]26.27' N lat., 119[deg]04.14' W long.;
(4) 32[deg]25.22' N lat., 119[deg]04.77' W long.;
(5) 32[deg]28.60' N lat., 119[deg]14.15' W long.; and
(6) 32[deg]29.73' N lat., 119[deg]12.95' W long.
* * * * *
(s) The 40 fm (73 m) depth contour around Santa Barbara Island off
the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of
the following points in the order stated:
(1) 33[deg]30.87' N lat., 119[deg]02.43' W long.;
(2) 33[deg]29.87' N lat., 119[deg]00.34' W long.;
(3) 33[deg]27.08' N lat., 119[deg]01.65' W long.;
(4) 33[deg]27.64' N lat., 119[deg]03.45' W long.;
(5) 33[deg]29.12' N lat., 119[deg]04.55' W long.;
(6) 33[deg]29.66' N lat., 119[deg]05.49' W long.; and
(7) 33[deg]30.87' N lat., 119[deg]02.43' W long.
(t) The 40 fm (73 m) depth contour around Tanner Bank off the state
of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the
following points in the order stated:
(1) 32[deg]43.40' N lat., 119[deg]08.56' W long.;
(2) 32[deg]41.36' N lat., 119[deg]05.02' W long.;
(3) 32[deg]40.07' N lat., 119[deg]05.59' W long.;
(4) 32[deg]41.51' N lat., 119[deg]09.76' W long.; and
(5) 32[deg]43.40' N lat., 119[deg]08.56' W long.
(u) The 40 fm (73 m) depth contour around San Nicholas Island off
the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of
the following points in the order stated:
(1) 33[deg]19.30' N lat., 119[deg]41.05' W long.;
(2) 33[deg]19.42' N lat., 119[deg]27.88' W long.;
(3) 33[deg]14.31' N lat., 119[deg]17.48' W long.;
(4) 33[deg]12.90' N lat., 119[deg]17.64' W long.;
(5) 33[deg]11.89' N lat., 119[deg]27.26' W long.;
(6) 33[deg]12.19' N lat., 119[deg]29.96' W long.;
(7) 33[deg]15.42' N lat., 119[deg]39.14' W long.;
(8) 33[deg]17.58' N lat., 119[deg]41.38' W long.; and
(9) 33[deg]19.30' N lat., 119[deg]41.05' W long.
(v) The 40 fm (73 m) depth contour around Cortes Bank off the state
of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the
following points in the order stated:
(1) 32[deg]30.00' N lat., 119[deg]12.98' W long.;
(2) 32[deg]28.33' N lat., 119[deg]06.81' W long.;
(3) 32[deg]25.69' N lat., 119[deg]03.21' W long.;
(4) 32[deg]24.66' N lat., 119[deg]03.83' W long.;
(5) 32[deg]28.48' N lat., 119[deg]14.66' W long.; and
(6) 32[deg]30.00' N lat., 119[deg]12.98' W long.
0
8. Amend Sec. 660.72 as follows:
0
a. Redesignate paragraphs (k)(15) through (31) as (k)(17) through (33),
respectively; and
0
b. Add new paragraphs (k)(15) and (16).
The additions read as follows:
Sec. 660.72 Latitude/longitude coordinates defining the 50 fm (91 m)
through 75 fm (137 m) depth contours.
* * * * *
(k) * * *
(15) 33[deg]57.77' N lat., 119[deg]33.49' W long.;
(16) 33[deg]57.64' N lat., 119[deg]35.78' W long.;
* * * * *
0
9. Amend Sec. 660.73 as follows:
0
a. Revise paragraphs (a)(178), (181), and (190) through (192) and
(d)(205) through (354);
0
b. Add paragraphs (d)(355) through (363);
0
c. Revise paragraphs (h)(281) through (313); and
0
d. Add paragraphs (h)(314) through (316).
The revisions and additions read as follows:
Sec. 660.73 Latitude/longitude coordinates defining the 100 fm (183
m) through 150 fm (274 m) depth contours.
* * * * *
(a) * * *
(178) 40[deg]10.13' N lat., 124[deg]21.92' W long.;
* * * * *
(181) 40[deg]06.39' N lat., 124[deg]17.26' W long.;
* * * * *
(190) 40[deg]01.00' N lat., 124[deg]09.96' W long.;
(191) 39[deg]58.07' N lat., 124[deg]11.81' W long.;
(192) 39[deg]56.39' N lat., 124[deg]08.69' W long.;
* * * * *
(d) * * *
(205) 40[deg]02.67' N lat., 124[deg]11.83' W long.;
(206) 40[deg]02.70' N lat., 124[deg]10.57' W long.;
(207) 40[deg]04.08' N lat., 124[deg]10.09' W long.;
(208) 40[deg]04.08' N lat., 124[deg]09.10' W long.;
(209) 40[deg]01.23' N lat., 124[deg]08.91' W long.;
(210) 40[deg]01.18' N lat., 124[deg]09.92' W long.;
(211) 39[deg]58.05' N. lat., 124[deg]11.87' W long.;
(212) 39[deg]56.39' N lat., 124[deg]08.70' W long.;
(213) 39[deg]54.64' N lat., 124[deg]07.31' W long.;
(214) 39[deg]53.87' N lat., 124[deg]07.95' W long.;
(215) 39[deg]52.42' N lat., 124[deg]08.18' W long.;
(216) 39[deg]49.64' N lat., 124[deg]06.05' W long.;
(217) 39[deg]49.30' N lat., 124[deg]04.60' W long.;
(218) 39[deg]48.49' N lat., 124[deg]03.86' W long.;
(219) 39[deg]47.73' N lat., 124[deg]04.59' W long.;
(220) 39[deg]42.50' N lat., 124[deg]00.60' W long.;
(221) 39[deg]34.23' N lat., 123[deg]56.82' W long.;
(222) 39[deg]33.00' N lat., 123[deg]56.44' W long.;
(223) 39[deg]30.96' N lat., 123[deg]56.00' W long.;
(224) 39[deg]31.34' N lat., 123[deg]56.71' W long.;
(225) 39[deg]32.03' N lat., 123[deg]57.44' W long.;
(226) 39[deg]31.43' N lat., 123[deg]58.16' W long.;
(227) 39[deg]05.56' N lat., 123[deg]57.24' W long.;
(228) 39[deg]01.75' N lat., 123[deg]56.83' W long.;
(229) 38[deg]59.52' N lat., 123[deg]55.95' W long.;
(230) 38[deg]58.98' N lat., 123[deg]56.57' W long.;
(231) 38[deg]57.50' N lat., 123[deg]56.57' W long.;
(232) 38[deg]53.91' N lat., 123[deg]56.00' W long.;
(233) 38[deg]42.57' N lat., 123[deg]46.60' W long.;
[[Page 63993]]
(234) 38[deg]28.72' N lat., 123[deg]35.61' W long.;
(235) 38[deg]28.01' N lat., 123[deg]36.47' W long.;
(236) 38[deg]20.94' N lat., 123[deg]31.26' W long.;
(237) 38[deg]15.94' N lat., 123[deg]25.33' W long.;
(238) 38[deg]10.95' N lat., 123[deg]23.19' W long.;
(239) 38[deg]05.52' N lat., 123[deg]22.90' W long.;
(240) 38[deg]08.46' N lat., 123[deg]26.23' W long.;
(241) 38[deg]06.95' N lat., 123[deg]28.03' W long.;
(242) 38[deg]06.25' N lat., 123[deg]29.70' W long.;
(243) 38[deg]04.57' N lat., 123[deg]31.37' W long.;
(244) 38[deg]02.32' N lat., 123[deg]31.09' W long.;
(245) 37[deg]59.97' N lat., 123[deg]28.43' W long.;
(246) 37[deg]58.10' N lat., 123[deg]26.69' W long.;
(247) 37[deg]55.46' N lat., 123[deg]27.05' W long.;
(248) 37[deg]51.51' N lat., 123[deg]24.86' W long.;
(249) 37[deg]45.01' N lat., 123[deg]12.09' W long.;
(250) 37[deg]35.67' N lat., 123[deg]01.56' W long.;
(251) 37[deg]26.62' N lat., 122[deg]56.21' W long.;
(252) 37[deg]14.41' N lat., 122[deg]49.07' W long.;
(253) 37[deg]11.00' N lat., 122[deg]45.87' W long.;
(254) 37[deg]07.00' N lat., 122[deg]41.97' W long.;
(255) 37[deg]03.19' N lat., 122[deg]38.31' W long.;
(256) 37[deg]00.99' N lat., 122[deg]35.51' W long.;
(257) 36[deg]58.31' N lat., 122[deg]27.56' W long.;
(258) 37[deg]00.54' N lat., 122[deg]24.74' W long.;
(259) 36[deg]57.81' N lat., 122[deg]24.65' W long.;
(260) 36[deg]58.54' N lat., 122[deg]21.67' W long.;
(261) 36[deg]56.52' N lat., 122[deg]21.70' W long.;
(262) 36[deg]55.37' N lat., 122[deg]18.45' W long.;
(263) 36[deg]52.16' N lat., 122[deg]12.17' W long.;
(264) 36[deg]51.53' N lat., 122[deg]10.67' W long.;
(265) 36[deg]48.05' N lat., 122[deg]07.59' W long.;
(266) 36[deg]47.35' N lat., 122[deg]03.27' W long.;
(267) 36[deg]50.71' N lat., 121[deg]58.17' W long.;
(268) 36[deg]48.89' N lat., 121[deg]58.90' W long.;
(269) 36[deg]47.70' N lat., 121[deg]58.76' W long.;
(270) 36[deg]48.37' N lat., 121[deg]51.15' W long.;
(271) 36[deg]45.74' N lat., 121[deg]54.18' W long.;
(272) 36[deg]45.50' N lat., 121[deg]57.73' W long.;
(273) 36[deg]44.02' N lat., 121[deg]58.55' W long.;
(274) 36[deg]38.84' N lat., 122[deg]01.32' W long.;
(275) 36[deg]35.63' N lat., 122[deg]00.98' W long.;
(276) 36[deg]32.47' N lat., 121[deg]59.17' W long.;
(277) 36[deg]32.52' N lat., 121[deg]57.62' W long.;
(278) 36[deg]30.16' N lat., 122[deg]00.55' W long.;
(279) 36[deg]24.56' N lat., 121[deg]59.19' W long.;
(280) 36[deg]22.19' N lat., 122[deg]00.30' W long.;
(281) 36[deg]20.62' N lat., 122[deg]02.93' W long.;
(282) 36[deg]18.89' N lat., 122[deg]05.18' W long.;
(283) 36[deg]14.45' N lat., 121[deg]59.44' W long.;
(284) 36[deg]13.73' N lat., 121[deg]57.38' W long.;
(285) 36[deg]14.41' N lat., 121[deg]55.45' W long.;
(286) 36[deg]10.25' N lat., 121[deg]43.08' W long.;
(287) 36[deg]07.67' N lat., 121[deg]40.92' W long.;
(288) 36[deg]02.51' N lat., 121[deg]36.76' W long.;
(289) 36[deg]01.04' N lat., 121[deg]36.68' W long.;
(290) 36[deg]00.00' N lat., 121[deg]35.15' W long.;
(291) 35[deg]57.84' N lat., 121[deg]33.10' W long.;
(292) 35[deg]45.57' N lat., 121[deg]27.26' W long.;
(293) 35[deg]39.02' N lat., 121[deg]22.86' W long.;
(294) 35[deg]25.92' N lat., 121[deg]05.52' W long.;
(295) 35[deg]16.26' N lat., 121[deg]01.50' W long.;
(296) 35[deg]07.60' N lat., 120[deg]56.49' W long.;
(297) 34[deg]57.77' N lat., 120[deg]53.87' W long.;
(298) 34[deg]42.30' N lat., 120[deg]53.42' W long.;
(299) 34[deg]37.69' N lat., 120[deg]50.04' W long.;
(300) 34[deg]30.13' N lat., 120[deg]44.45' W long.;
(301) 34[deg]27.00' N lat., 120[deg]39.24' W long.;
(302) 34[deg]24.71' N lat., 120[deg]35.37' W long.;
(303) 34[deg]21.63' N lat., 120[deg]24.86' W long.;
(304) 34[deg]24.39' N lat., 120[deg]16.65' W long.;
(305) 34[deg]22.48' N lat., 119[deg]56.42' W long.;
(306) 34[deg]18.54' N lat., 119[deg]46.26' W long.;
(307) 34[deg]16.37' N lat., 119[deg]45.12' W long.;
(308) 34[deg]15.91' N lat., 119[deg]47.29' W long.;
(309) 34[deg]13.80' N lat., 119[deg]45.40' W long.;
(310) 34[deg]11.69' N lat., 119[deg]41.80' W long.;
(311) 34[deg]09.98' N lat., 119[deg]31.87' W long.;
(312) 34[deg]08.12' N lat., 119[deg]27.71' W long.;
(313) 34[deg]06.35' N lat., 119[deg]32.65' W long.;
(314) 34[deg]06.80' N lat., 119[deg]40.08' W long.;
(315) 34[deg]07.48' N lat., 119[deg]47.54' W long.;
(316) 34[deg]08.21' N lat., 119[deg]54.90' W long.;
(317) 34[deg]06.85' N lat., 120[deg]05.60' W long.;
(318) 34[deg]07.03' N lat., 120[deg]10.47' W long.;
(319) 34[deg]08.77' N lat., 120[deg]18.46' W long.;
(320) 34[deg]11.89' N lat., 120[deg]28.09' W long.;
(321) 34[deg]12.53' N lat., 120[deg]29.82' W long.;
(322) 34[deg]09.02' N lat., 120[deg]37.47' W long.;
(323) 34[deg]01.01' N lat., 120[deg]31.17' W long.;
(324) 33[deg]58.07' N lat., 120[deg]28.33' W long.;
(325) 33[deg]53.37' N lat., 120[deg]14.43' W long.;
(326) 33[deg]50.53' N lat., 120[deg]07.20' W long.;
(327) 33[deg]45.88' N lat., 120[deg]04.26' W long.;
(328) 33[deg]38.19' N lat., 119[deg]57.85' W long.;
(329) 33[deg]38.19' N lat., 119[deg]50.42' W long.;
(330) 33[deg]42.36' N lat., 119[deg]49.60' W long.;
(331) 33[deg]53.95' N lat., 119[deg]53.81' W long.;
(332) 33[deg]55.99' N lat., 119[deg]41.40' W long.;
(333) 33[deg]58.48' N lat., 119[deg]27.90' W long.;
(334) 33[deg]59.24' N lat., 119[deg]23.61' W long.;
(335) 33[deg]59.35' N lat., 119[deg]21.71' W long.;
(336) 33[deg]59.94' N lat., 119[deg]19.57' W long.;
(337) 34[deg]04.48' N lat., 119[deg]15.32' W long.;
(338) 34[deg]02.80' N lat., 119[deg]12.95' W long.;
[[Page 63994]]
(339) 34[deg]02.39' N lat., 119[deg]07.17' W long.;
(340) 34[deg]03.75' N lat., 119[deg]04.72' W long.;
(341) 34[deg]01.82' N lat., 119[deg]03.24' W long.;
(342) 33[deg]59.33' N lat., 119[deg]03.49' W long.;
(343) 33[deg]59.01' N lat., 118[deg]59.56' W long.;
(344) 33[deg]59.51' N lat., 118[deg]57.25' W long.;
(345) 33[deg]58.83' N lat., 118[deg]52.50' W long.;
(346) 33[deg]58.55' N lat., 118[deg]41.86' W long.;
(347) 33[deg]55.10' N lat., 118[deg]34.25' W long.;
(348) 33[deg]54.30' N lat., 118[deg]38.71' W long.;
(349) 33[deg]50.88' N lat., 118[deg]37.02' W long.;
(350) 33[deg]39.78' N lat., 118[deg]18.40' W long.;
(351) 33[deg]35.50' N lat., 118[deg]16.85' W long.;
(352) 33[deg]32.46' N lat., 118[deg]10.90' W long.;
(353) 33[deg]34.11' N lat., 117[deg]54.07' W long.;
(354) 33[deg]31.61' N lat., 117[deg]49.30' W long.;
(355) 33[deg]16.36' N lat., 117[deg]35.48' W long.;
(356) 33[deg]06.81' N lat., 117[deg]22.93' W long.;
(357) 32[deg]59.28' N lat., 117[deg]19.69' W long.;
(358) 32[deg]55.37' N lat., 117[deg]19.55' W long.;
(359) 32[deg]53.35' N lat., 117[deg]17.05' W long.;
(360) 32[deg]53.36' N lat., 117[deg]19.12' W long.;
(361) 32[deg]46.42' N lat., 117[deg]23.45' W long.;
(362) 32[deg]42.71' N lat., 117[deg]21.45' W long.; and
(363) 32[deg]34.54' N lat., 117[deg]23.04' W long.
* * * * *
(h) * * *
(281) 34[deg]07.10' N lat., 120[deg]10.37' W long.;
(282) 34[deg]11.07' N lat., 120[deg]25.03' W long.;
(283) 34[deg]09.00' N lat., 120[deg]18.40' W long.;
(284) 34[deg]13.16' N lat., 120[deg]29.40' W long.;
(285) 34[deg]09.41' N lat., 120[deg]37.75' W long.;
(286) 34[deg]03.15' N lat., 120[deg]34.71' W long.;
(287) 33[deg]57.09' N lat., 120[deg]27.76' W long.;
(288) 33[deg]51.00' N lat., 120[deg]09.00' W long.;
(289) 33[deg]38.16' N lat., 119[deg]59.23' W long.;
(290) 33[deg]37.04' N lat., 119[deg]50.17' W long.;
(291) 33[deg]42.28' N lat., 119[deg]48.85' W long.;
(292) 33[deg]53.96' N lat., 119[deg]53.77' W long.;
(293) 33[deg]55.88' N lat., 119[deg]41.05' W long.;
(294) 33[deg]59.18' N lat., 119[deg]23.64' W long.;
(295) 33[deg]59.26' N lat., 119[deg]21.92' W long.;
(296) 33[deg]59.94' N lat., 119[deg]19.57' W long.;
(297) 34[deg]03.12' N lat., 119[deg]15.51' W long.;
(298) 34[deg]01.97' N lat., 119[deg]07.28' W long.;
(299) 34[deg]03.60' N lat., 119[deg]04.71' W long.;
(300) 33[deg]59.30' N lat., 119[deg]03.73' W long.;
(301) 33[deg]58.87' N lat., 118[deg]59.37' W long.;
(302) 33[deg]58.08' N lat., 118[deg]41.14' W long.;
(303) 33[deg]50.93' N lat., 118[deg]37.65' W long.;
(304) 33[deg]39.54' N lat., 118[deg]18.70' W long.;
(305) 33[deg]35.42' N lat., 118[deg]17.14' W long.;
(306) 33[deg]32.15' N lat., 118[deg]10.84' W long.;
(307) 33[deg]33.71' N lat., 117[deg]53.72' W long.;
(308) 33[deg]31.17' N lat., 117[deg]49.11' W long.;
(309) 33[deg]16.53' N lat., 117[deg]36.13' W long.;
(310) 33[deg]06.77' N lat., 117[deg]22.92' W long.;
(311) 32[deg]58.94' N lat., 117[deg]20.05' W long.;
(312) 32[deg]55.83' N lat., 117[deg]20.15' W long.;
(313) 32[deg]46.29' N lat., 117[deg]23.89' W long.;
(314) 32[deg]42.00' N lat., 117[deg]22.16' W long.;
(315) 32[deg]39.47' N lat., 117[deg]27.78' W long.; and
(316) 32[deg]34.83' N lat., 117[deg]24.69' W long.
* * * * *
0
10. Tables 1a to part 660, subpart C, through 1d to part 660, subpart
C, are revised to read as follows:
Sec.
* * * * *
Table 1a to Part 660, Subpart C--2019, Specifications of OFL, ABC,
ACL, ACT and Fishery HG (Weights in Metric Tons)
Table 1b to Part 660, Subpart C--2019, Allocations by Species or
Species Group (Weight in Metric Tons)
Table 1c to Part 660, Subpart C--Sablefish North of 36[deg] N lat.
Allocations, 2019
Table 1d to Part 660, Subpart C--At-Sea Whiting Fishery Annual Set-
Asides, 2019
* * * * *
Table 1a to Part 660, Subpart C--2019, Specifications of OFL, ABC, ACL, ACT and Fishery HG
[Weights in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stocks/stock complexes Area OFL ABC ACL \a\ Fishery HG \b\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COWCOD \c\..................................... S of 40[deg]10' N lat.................. 74 67 10 8
COWCOD......................................... (Conception)........................... 61 56 NA NA
COWCOD......................................... (Monterey)............................. 13 11 NA NA
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH \d\......................... Coastwide.............................. 82 74 48 42
Arrowtooth Flounder \e\........................ Coastwide.............................. 18,696 15,574 15,574 13,479
Big Skate \f\.................................. Coastwide.............................. 541 494 494 452
Black Rockfish \g\............................. California (S of 42[deg] N lat.)....... 344 329 329 328
Black Rockfish \h\............................. Washington (N of 46[deg]16' N lat.).... 312 298 298 280
Bocaccio \i\................................... S of 40[deg]10' N lat.................. 2,194 2,097 2,097 2,051
Cabezon \j\.................................... California (S of 42[deg] N lat.)....... 154 147 147 147
California Scorpionfish \k\.................... S of 34[deg]27' N lat.................. 337 313 313 311
Canary Rockfish \l\............................ Coastwide.............................. 1,517 1,450 1,450 1,383
Chilipepper Rockfish \m\....................... S of 40[deg]10' N lat.................. 2,652 2,536 2,536 2,451
Darkblotched Rockfish \n\...................... Coastwide.............................. 800 765 765 731
Dover Sole \o\................................. Coastwide.............................. 91,102 87,094 50,000 48,404
English Sole \p\............................... Coastwide.............................. 11,052 10,090 10,090 9,874
Lingcod \q\.................................... N of 40[deg]10' N lat.................. 5,110 4,885 4,871 4,593
[[Page 63995]]
Lingcod \r\.................................... S of 40[deg]10' N lat.................. 1,143 1,093 1,039 1,028
Longnose Skate \s\............................. Coastwide.............................. 2,499 2,389 2,000 1,852
Longspine Thornyhead \t\....................... N of 34[deg]27' N lat.................. 4,112 3,425 2,603 2,553
Longspine Thornyhead \u\....................... S of 34[deg]27' N lat.................. 822 821
Pacific Cod \v\................................ Coastwide.............................. 3,200 2,221 1,600 1,094
Pacific Whiting \w\............................ Coastwide.............................. \(w)\ \(w)\ \(w)\ \(w)\
Pacific Ocean Perch \x\........................ N of 40[deg]10' N lat.................. 4,753 4,340 4,340 4,318
Petrale Sole \y\............................... Coastwide.............................. 3,042 2,908 2,908 2,587
Sablefish \z\.................................. N of 36[deg] N lat..................... 8,489 7,750 5,606 See Table 1c
Sablefish \aa\................................. S of 36[deg] N lat..................... 1,990 1,986
Shortbelly Rockfish \bb\....................... Coastwide.............................. 6,950 5,789 500 483
Shortspine Thornyhead \cc\..................... N of 34[deg]27' N lat.................. 3,089 2,573 1,683 1,618
Shortspine Thornyhead \dd\..................... S of 34[deg]27' N lat.................. 890 889
Spiny Dogfish \ee\............................. Coastwide.............................. 2,486 2,071 2,071 1,738
Splitnose Rockfish \ff\........................ S of 40[deg]10' N lat.................. 1,831 1,750 1,750 1,733
Starry Flounder \gg\........................... Coastwide.............................. 652 452 452 433
Widow Rockfish \hh\............................ Coastwide.............................. 12,375 11,831 11,831 11,583
Yellowtail Rockfish \ii\....................... N of 40[deg]10' N lat.................. 6,568 6,279 6,279 5,234
Black Rockfish/Blue Rockfish/Deacon Rockfish Oregon (Between 46[deg]16' N lat. and 677 617 617 616
\jj\. 42[deg] N lat.).
Cabezon/Kelp Greenling \kk\.................... Oregon (Between 46[deg]16' N lat. and 230 218 218 218
42[deg] N lat.).
Cabezon/Kelp Greenling \ll\.................... Washington (N of 46[deg]16' N lat.).... 13 11 11 11
Nearshore Rockfish \mm\........................ N of 40[deg]10' N lat.................. 91 81 81 79
Shelf Rockfish \nn\............................ N of 40[deg]10' N lat.................. 2,309 2,054 2,054 1,977
Slope Rockfish \oo\............................ N of 40[deg]10' N lat.................. 1,887 1,746 1,746 1,665
Nearshore Rockfish \pp\........................ S of 40[deg]10' N lat.................. 1,300 1,145 1,142 1,138
Shelf Rockfish \qq\............................ S of 40[deg]10' N lat.................. 1,919 1,625 1,625 1,546
Slope Rockfish \rr\............................ S of 40[deg]10' N lat.................. 856 744 744 724
Other Flatfish \ss\............................ Coastwide.............................. 8,750 6,498 6,498 6,249
Other Fish \tt\................................ Coastwide.............................. 286 239 239 230
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs) and harvest guidelines (HGs) are specified as total catch values.
\b\ Fishery HGs means the HG or quota after subtracting Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribes allocations and projected catch, projected research catch,
deductions for fishing mortality in non-groundfish fisheries, and deductions for EFPs from the ACL or ACT.
\c\ Cowcod south of 40[deg]10' N lat. 2 mt is deducted from the ACL to EFP fishing (less than 0.1 mt) and research activity (2 mt), resulting in a
fishery HG of 8 mt. Any additional mortality in research activities will be deducted from the ACL. A single ACT of 6 mt is being set for the
Conception and Monterey areas combined.
\d\ Yelloweye rockfish. The 48 mt ACL is based on the current rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild of 2029 and an SPR harvest rate of 65
percent. 6.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (2.3 mt), the incidental open access fishery (0.62 mt), EFP catch (0.24 mt)
and research catch (2.92 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 42 mt. The non-trawl HG is 38.6 mt. The non-nearshore HG is 2.0 mt and the nearshore HG is
6.0 mt. Recreational HGs are: 10 mt (Washington); 8.9 mt (Oregon); and 11.6 mt (California). In addition, there are the following ACTs: Non-nearshore
(1.6 mt), nearshore (4.7 mt), Washington recreational (7.8 mt), Oregon recreational (7.0 mt), and California recreational (9.1 mt).
\e\ Arrowtooth flounder. 2,094.9 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (2,041 mt), the incidental open access fishery (40.8 mt),
EFP fishing (0.1 mt), and research catch (13 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 13,479 mt.
\f\ Big skate. 41.9 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (15 mt), the incidental open access fishery (21.3 mt), EFP fishing
(0.1 mt), and research catch (5.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 452 mt.
\g\ Black rockfish (California). 1.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP fishing (1.0 mt) and incidental open access fishery (0.3 mt),
resulting in a fishery HG of 328 mt.
\h\ Black rockfish (Washington). 18.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (18 mt) and research catch (0.1 mt), resulting in a
fishery HG of 280 mt.
\i\ Bocaccio south of 40[deg]10' N lat. The stock is managed with stock-specific harvest specifications south of 40[deg]10' N lat. and within the Minor
Shelf Rockfish complex north of 40[deg]10' N lat. 46.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (0.5 mt), EFP
catch (40 mt) and research catch (5.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 2,051 mt. The California recreational fishery south of 40[deg]10' N lat has an
HG of 863.4 mt.
\j\ Cabezon (California). 0.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery, resulting in a fishery HG of 147 mt.
\k\ California scorpionfish south of 34[deg]27' N lat. 2.4 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (2.2 mt) and
research catch (0.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 311 mt.
\l\ Canary rockfish. 67.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (50 mt), the incidental open access fishery (1.3 mt), EFP catch
(8 mt), and research catch (7.8 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,383 mt. Recreational HGs are: 47.1 mt (Washington); 70.7 mt (Oregon); and 127.3 mt
(California).
\m\ Chilipepper rockfish south of 40[deg]10' N lat. Chilipepper are managed with stock-specific harvest specifications south of 40[deg]10' N lat. and
within the Minor Shelf Rockfish complex north of 40[deg]10' N lat. 84.9 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery
(11.5 mt), EFP fishing (60 mt), and research catch (13.4 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 2,451 mt.
\n\ Darkblotched rockfish. 33.8 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (0.2 mt), the incidental open access fishery (24.5 mt),
EFP catch (0.6 mt), and research catch (8.5 mt) resulting in a fishery HG of 731 mt.
\o\ Dover sole. 1,595.6 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (1,497 mt), the incidental open access fishery (49.3 mt), EFP
fishing (0.1 mt), and research catch (49.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 48,404 mt.
\p\ English sole. 216.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (200 mt), the incidental open access fishery (8.1 mt), EFP fishing
(0.1 mt), and research catch (8 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 9,874 mt.
\q\ Lingcod north of 40[deg]10' N lat. 278 mt is deducted from the ACL for the Tribal fishery (250 mt), the incidental open access fishery (9.8 mt), EFP
catch (1.6 mt) and research catch (16.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 4,593 mt.
\r\ Lingcod south of 40[deg]10' N lat. 11.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (8.1 mt) and research catch
(3.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,028 mt.
[[Page 63996]]
\s\ Longnose skate. 148.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (130 mt), incidental open access fishery (5.7 mt), EFP catch
(0.1 mt), and research catch (12.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,852 mt.
\t\ Longspine thornyhead north of 34[deg]27' N lat. 50.4 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (30 mt), the incidental open
access fishery (6.2 mt), and research catch (14.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 2,553 mt.
\u\ Longspine thornyhead south of 34[deg]27' N lat. 1.4 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate research catch, resulting in a fishery HG of 821 mt.
\v\ Pacific cod. 506.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (500 mt), research catch (5.5 mt), EFP fishing (0.1 mt), and the
incidental open access fishery (0.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,094 mt.
\w\ Pacific whiting. Pacific whiting are assessed annually. The final specifications will be determined consistent with the U.S.-Canada Pacific Whiting
Agreement and will be announced after the Council's April 2019 meeting.
\x\ Pacific ocean perch north of 40[deg]10' N lat. 22.4 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (9.2 mt), the incidental open
access fishery (10 mt), EFP fishing (0.1 mt), and research catch (3.1 mt) resulting in a fishery HG of 4,318 mt.
\y\ Petrale sole. 320.6 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (290 mt), the incidental open access fishery (6.4 mt), EFP catch
(0.1 mt), and research catch (24.1 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 2,587 mt.
\z\ Sablefish north of 36[deg] N lat. The 40-10 adjustment is applied to the ABC to derive a coastwide ACL value because the stock is in the
precautionary zone. This coastwide ACL value is not specified in regulations. The coastwide ACL value is apportioned north and south of 36[deg] N
lat., using the 2003-2014 average estimated swept area biomass from the NMFS NWFSC trawl survey, with 73.8 percent apportioned north of 36[deg] N lat.
and 26.2 percent apportioned south of 36[deg] N lat. The northern ACL is 5,606 mt and is reduced by 561 mt for the Tribal allocation (10 percent of
the ACL north of 36[deg] N lat.). The 561 mt Tribal allocation is reduced by 1.5 percent to account for discard mortality. Detailed sablefish
allocations are shown in Table 1c.
\aa\ Sablefish south of 36[deg] N lat. The ACL for the area south of 36[deg] N lat. is 1,990 mt (26.2 percent of the calculated coastwide ACL value).
4.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (1.8 mt) and research catch (2.4 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of
1,986 mt.
\bb\ Shortbelly rockfish. 17.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (8.9 mt), EFP catch (0.1 mt), and research
catch (8.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 483 mt.
\cc\ Shortspine thornyhead north of 34[deg]27' N lat. 65.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (50 mt), the incidental open
access fishery (4.7 mt), EFP catch (0.1 mt), and research catch (10.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,618 mt for the area north of 34[deg]27' N
lat.
\dd\ Shortspine thornyhead south of 34[deg]27' N lat. 1.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (0.5 mt) and
research catch (0.7 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 889 mt for the area south of 34[deg]27' N lat.
\ee\ Spiny dogfish. 333 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (275 mt), the incidental open access fishery (22.6 mt), EFP catch
(1.1 mt), and research catch (34.3 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,738 mt.
\ff\ Splitnose rockfish south of 40[deg]10' N lat. Splitnose rockfish in the north is managed in the Slope Rockfish complex and with stock-specific
harvest specifications south of 40[deg]10' N lat. 16.6 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (5.8 mt),
research catch (9.3 mt) and EFP catch (1.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,733 mt.
\gg\ Starry flounder. 18.8 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (2 mt), EFP catch (0.1 mt), research catch (0.6 mt), and the
incidental open access fishery (16.1 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 433 mt.
\hh\ Widow rockfish. 248.4 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (200 mt), the incidental open access fishery (3.1 mt), EFP
catch (28 mt) and research catch (17.3 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 11,583 mt.
\ii\ Yellowtail rockfish north of 40[deg]10' N lat. 1,045.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (1,000 mt), the incidental
open access fishery (4.5 mt), EFP catch (20 mt) and research catch (20.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 5,234 mt.
\jj\ Black rockfish/Blue rockfish/Deacon rockfish (Oregon). 1.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (0.3 mt)
and EFP catch (0.9 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 616 mt.
\kk\ Cabezon/kelp greenling (Oregon). 0.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP catch, resulting in a fishery HG of 218 mt.
\ll\ Cabezon/kelp greenling (Washington). There are no deductions from the ACL so the fishery HG is equal to the ACL of 11 mt.
\mm\ Nearshore Rockfish north of 40[deg]10' N lat. 2.8 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (1.5 mt), EFP fishing (0.1 mt),
research catch (0.3 mt) and the incidental open access fishery (0.9 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 79 mt.
\nn\ Shelf Rockfish north of 40[deg]10' N lat. 76.9 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (30 mt), the incidental open access
fishery (17.7 mt), EFP catch (4.5 mt), and research catch (24.7 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,977 mt.
\oo\ Slope Rockfish north of 40[deg]10' N lat. 80.8 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (36 mt), the incidental open access
fishery (21.7 mt), EFP catch (1.5 mt), and research catch (21.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,665 mt.
\pp\ Nearshore Rockfish south of 40[deg]10' N lat. 4.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (1.4 mt) and
research catch (2.7 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,138 mt.
\qq\ Shelf Rockfish south of 40[deg]10' N lat. 79.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (4.6 mt), EFP catch
(60 mt), and research catch (14.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,546 mt.
\rr\ Slope Rockfish south of 40[deg]10' N lat. 20.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (16.9 mt), EFP catch
(1 mt), and research catch (2.3 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 724 mt. Blackgill rockfish has a stock-specific HG for the entire groundfish fishery
south of 40[deg]10' N lat. set equal to the species' contribution to the 40-10-adjusted ACL. Harvest of blackgill rockfish in all groundfish fisheries
south of 40[deg]10' N lat. counts against this HG of 159 mt.
\ss\ Other Flatfish. The Other Flatfish complex is comprised of flatfish species managed in the PCGFMP that are not managed with stock-specific OFLs/
ABCs/ACLs. Most of the species in the Other Flatfish complex are unassessed and include: Butter sole, curlfin sole, flathead sole, Pacific sanddab,
rock sole, sand sole, and rex sole. 249.5 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (60 mt), the incidental open access fishery
(161.6 mt), EFP fishing (0.1 mt), and research catch (27.8 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 6,249 mt.
\tt\ Other Fish. The Other Fish complex is comprised of kelp greenling off California and leopard shark coastwide. 8.9 mt is deducted from the ACL to
accommodate the incidental open access fishery (8.8 mt) and research catch (0.1 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 230 mt.
Table 1b to Part 660, Subpart C--2019, Allocations by Species or Species Group
[Weight in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trawl Non-trawl
Stocks/stock complexes Area Fishery HG or ---------------------------------------------------------------
ACT \a\ \b\ % Mt % Mt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth flounder...................... Coastwide................... 13,479.1 95 12,805.1 5 674.0
Big skate \a\............................ Coastwide................... 452.1 95 429.5 5 22.6
Bocaccio \a\............................. S of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 2,050.9 39 800.7 61 1,250.2
Canary rockfish \a\ \c\.................. Coastwide................... 1,382.9 72 999.6 28 383.3
Chilipepper rockfish..................... S of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 2,451.1 75 1,838.3 25 612.8
COWCOD \a\ \b\........................... S of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 6.0 36 2.2 64 3.8
Darkblotched rockfish \d\................ Coastwide................... 731.2 95 694.6 5 36.6
Dover sole............................... Coastwide................... 48,404.4 95 45,984.2 5 2,420.2
English sole............................. Coastwide................... 9,873.8 95 9,380.1 5 493.7
Lingcod.................................. N of 40'10[deg] N lat....... 4,593.0 45 2,066.9 55 2,526.2
[[Page 63997]]
Lingcod.................................. S of 40'10[deg] N lat....... 1,027.7 45 462.5 55 565.2
Longnose skate \a\....................... Coastwide................... 1,851.7 90 1,666.5 10 185.2
Longspine thornyhead..................... N of 34[deg]27' N lat....... 2,552.6 95 2,425.0 5 127.6
Pacific cod.............................. Coastwide................... 1,093.8 95 1,039.1 5 54.7
Pacific whiting.......................... Coastwide................... TBD 100 TBD 0 TBD
Pacific ocean perch \e\.................. N of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 4,317.6 95 4,101.7 5 215.9
Petrale sole............................. Coastwide................... 2,587.4 95 2,458.0 5 129.4
---------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish................................ N of 36[deg] N lat.......... NA See Table 1c
---------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish................................ S of 36[deg] N lat.......... 1,985.8 42 834.0 58 1,151.8
Shortspine thornyhead.................... N of 34[deg]27' N lat....... 1,617.7 95 1,536.8 5 80.9
Shortspine thornyhead.................... S of 34[deg]27' N lat....... 888.8 NA 50.0 NA 838.8
Splitnose rockfish....................... S of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 1,733.4 95 1,646.7 5 86.7
Starry flounder.......................... Coastwide................... 433.2 50 216.6 50 216.6
Widow rockfish \f\....................... Coastwide................... 11,582.6 91 10,540.2 9 1,042.4
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH....................... Coastwide................... 41.9 8 3.4 92 38.6
Yellowtail rockfish...................... N of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 5,233.9 88 4,605.8 12 628.1
Minor Shelf Rockfish North \a\........... N of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 1,977.1 60.2 1,190.2 39.8 786.9
Minor Shelf Rockfish South \a\........... S of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 1,545.9 12.2 188.6 87.8 1,357.3
Minor Slope Rockfish North............... N of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 1,665.2 81 1,348.8 19 316.4
Minor Slope Rockfish South............... S of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 723.8 63 456.0 37 267.8
Other Flatfish........................... Coastwide................... 6,248.5 90 5,623.7 10 624.9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ Allocations decided through the biennial specification process.
\b\ The cowcod fishery harvest guideline is further reduced to an ACT of 6.0 mt.
\c\ 46 mt of the total trawl allocation of canary rockfish is allocated to the MS and C/P sectors, as follows: 30 mt for the MS sector, and 16 mt for
the C/P sector.
\d\ Consistent with regulations at Sec. 660.55(c), 9 percent (62.5 mt) of the total trawl allocation for darkblotched rockfish is allocated to the
Pacific whiting fishery, as follows: 26.3 mt for the Shorebased IFQ Program, 15.0 mt for the MS sector, and 21.3 mt for the C/P sector. The tonnage
calculated here for the Pacific whiting IFQ fishery contributes to the total shorebased trawl allocation, which is found at Sec.
660.140(d)(1)(ii)(D).
\e\ Consistent with regulations at Sec. 660.55(c), 17 percent (697.3 mt) of the total trawl allocation for Pacific ocean perch is allocated to the
Pacific whiting fishery, as follows: 292.9 mt for the Shorebased IFQ Program, 167.4 mt for the MS sector, and 237.1 mt for the C/P sector. The tonnage
calculated here for the Pacific whiting IFQ fishery contributes to the total shorebased trawl allocation, which is found at Sec.
660.140(d)(1)(ii)(D).
\f\ Consistent with regulations at Sec. 660.55(c), 10 percent (1,054 mt) of the total trawl allocation for widow rockfish is allocated to the whiting
fisheries, as follows: 442.7 mt for the shorebased IFQ fishery, 253 mt for the mothership fishery, and 358.4 mt for the catcher/processor fishery. The
tonnage calculated here for the whiting portion of the shorebased IFQ fishery contributes to the total shorebased trawl allocation, which is found at
Sec. 660.140(d)(1)(ii)(D).
Table 1c to Part 660, Subpart C--Sablefish North of 36[deg] N lat. Allocations, 2019
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Set-asides Limited Entry HG Open Access HG
Year ACL -------------------------- Recreational EFP Commercial ---------------------------------------------------
Tribal \a\ Research estimate HG Percent mt Percent mt \b\
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2019......................................................... 5,606 561 30.68 6 1.1 5,007 90.6 4,537 9.4 471
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Limited entry trawl \c\ Limited entry fixed gear \d\
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year LE All At-sea Shorebased
All trawl whiting IFQ All FG Primary DTL
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2019......................................................... 4,537 2,631 50 2,581 1,905 1,620 286
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ The tribal allocation is further reduced by 1.5 percent for discard mortality resulting in 553 mt in 2019.
\b\ The open access HG is taken by the incidental OA fishery and the directed OA fishery.
\c\ The trawl allocation is 58 percent of the limited entry HG.
\d\ The limited entry fixed gear allocation is 42 percent of the limited entry HG.
Table 1d to Part 660, Subpart C--At-Sea Whiting Fishery Annual Set-
Asides, 2019
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock or stock complex Area Set aside (mt)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
COWCOD....................... S of 40[deg]10 N lat. NA.
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH........... Coastwide............ 0.
Arrowtooth flounder.......... Coastwide............ 70.
Bocaccio..................... S of 40[deg]10 N lat. NA.
Canary rockfish \a\.......... Coastwide............ Allocation.
Chilipepper rockfish......... S of 40[deg]10 N lat. NA.
Darkblotched rockfish \b\.... Coastwide............ 36.3.
Dover sole................... Coastwide............ 5.
[[Page 63998]]
English sole................. Coastwide............ 5.
Lingcod...................... N of 40[deg]10 N lat. 15.
Lingcod...................... S of 40[deg]10 N lat. NA.
Longnose skate............... Coastwide............ 5.
Longspine thornyhead......... N of 34[deg]27 N lat. 5.
Longspine thornyhead......... S of 34[deg]27 N lat. NA.
Minor Nearshore Rockfish..... N of 40[deg]10 N lat. NA.
Minor Nearshore Rockfish..... S of 40[deg]10 N lat. NA.
Minor Shelf Rockfish......... N of 40[deg]10 N lat. 35.
Minor Shelf Rockfish......... S of 40[deg]10 N lat. NA.
Minor Slope Rockfish......... N of 40[deg]10 N lat. 100.
Minor Slope Rockfish......... S of 40[deg]10 N lat. NA.
Other Fish................... Coastwide............ NA.
Other Flatfish............... Coastwide............ 20.
Pacific cod.................. Coastwide............ 5.
Pacific Halibut \c\.......... Coastwide............ 10.
Pacific ocean perch \d\...... N of 40[deg]10 N lat. 404.5.
Pacific Whiting.............. Coastwide............ Allocation.
Petrale sole................. Coastwide............ 5.
Sablefish.................... N of 36[deg] N lat... 50.
Sablefish.................... S of 36[deg] N lat... NA.
Shortspine thornyhead........ N of 34[deg]27 N lat. 30.
Shortspine thornyhead........ S of 34[deg]27 N lat. NA.
Starry flounder.............. Coastwide............ 5.
Widow rockfish \a\........... Coastwide............ Allocation.
Yellowtail rockfish.......... N of 40[deg]10 N lat. 300.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ See Table 1b to this subpart for the at-sea whiting allocations for
these species.
\b\ Darkblotched rockfish will be managed as set-asides for the MS and C/
P sectors based on pro-rata distribution described at Sec.
660.55(c)(1)(i)(A), resulting in a set-aside of 15.0 mt for the MS
sector, and a set-aside of 21.3 mt for the C/P sector.
\c\ As stated in Sec. 660.55(m), the Pacific halibut set-aside is 10
mt, to accommodate bycatch in the at-sea Pacific whiting fisheries and
in the shorebased trawl sector south of 40[deg]10 N lat. (estimated to
be approximately 5 mt each).
\d\ Pacific ocean perch will be managed as set-asides for the MS and C/P
sectors based on pro-rata distribution described at Sec.
660.55(c)(1)(i)(B), resulting in a set-aside of 167.4 mt for the MS
sector, and a set-aside of 237.1 mt for the C/P sector.
0
11. Tables 2a to part 660, subpart C, through 2d to part 660, subpart
C, are revised to read as follows:
Sec.
* * * * *
Table 2a to Part 660, Subpart C--2020, and Beyond, SpecificatioN of
OFL, ABC, ACL, ACT and Fishery Harvest Guidelines (Weights in Metric
Tons)
Table 2b to Part 660, Subpart C--2020, and Beyond, Allocations by
Species or Species Group [Weight in Metric Tons]
Table 2c to Part 660, Subpart C--Sablefish North of 36[deg] N lat.
Allocations, 2020 and Beyond
Table 2d to Part 660, Subpart C--At-Sea Whiting Fishery Annual Set-
Asides, 2020 and Beyond
* * * * *
Table 2a to Part 660, Subpart C--2020, and Beyond, SpecificatioN of OFL, ABC, ACL, ACT and Fishery Harvest Guidelines
[Weights in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stocks/stock complexes Area OFL ABC ACL \a\ Fishery HG \b\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COWCOD \c\.............................. S of 40[deg]10' N lat.......... 76 68 10 8.
COWCOD.................................. (Conception)................... 62 57 NA NA.
COWCOD.................................. (Monterey)..................... 13 11 NA NA.
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH \d\.................. Coastwide...................... 84 77 49 43.
Arrowtooth Flounder \e\................. Coastwide...................... 15,306 12,750 12,750 10,655.
Big Skate \f\........................... Coastwide...................... 541 494 494 452.
Black Rockfish \g\...................... California (S of 42[deg] N 341 326 326 325.
lat.).
Black Rockfish \h\...................... Washington (N of 46[deg]16' N 311 297 297 279.
lat.).
Bocaccio \i\............................ S of 40[deg]10' N lat.......... 2,104 2,011 2,011 1,965.
Cabezon \j\............................. California (S of 42[deg] N 153 146 146 146.
lat.).
California Scorpionfish \k\............. S of 34[deg]27' N lat.......... 331 307 307 305.
Canary Rockfish \l\..................... Coastwide...................... 1,431 1,368 1,368 1,301.
Chilipepper Rockfish \m\................ S of 40[deg]10' N lat.......... 2,521 2,410 2,410 2,325.
Darkblotched Rockfish \n\............... Coastwide...................... 853 815 815 781.
Dover Sole \o\.......................... Coastwide...................... 92,048 87,998 50,000 48,404.
English Sole \p\........................ Coastwide...................... 11,101 10,135 10,135 9,919.
Lingcod \q\............................. N of 40[deg]10' N lat.......... 4,768 4,558 4,541 4,263.
Lingcod \r\............................. S of 40[deg]10' N lat.......... 977 934 869 858.
Longnose Skate \s\...................... Coastwide...................... 2,474 2,365 2,000 1,852.
Longspine Thornyhead \t\................ N of 34[deg]27' N lat.......... 3,901 3,250 2,470 2,420.
Longspine Thornyhead \u\................ S of 34[deg]27' N lat.......... 780 779.
Pacific Cod \v\......................... Coastwide...................... 3,200 2,221 1,600 1,094.
[[Page 63999]]
Pacific Whiting \w\..................... Coastwide...................... (\w\) (\w\) (\w\) (\w\)
Pacific Ocean Perch \x\................. N of 40[deg]10' N lat.......... 4,632 4,229 4,229 4,207.
Petrale Sole \y\........................ Coastwide...................... 2,976 2,845 2,845 2,524.
Sablefish \z\........................... N of 36[deg] N lat............. 8,648 7,896 5,723 See Table 2c.
Sablefish \aa\.......................... S of 36[deg] N lat............. 2,032 2,028.
Shortbelly Rockfish \bb\................ Coastwide...................... 6,950 5,789 500 483.
Shortspine Thornyhead \cc\.............. N of 34[deg]27' N lat.......... 3,063 2,551 1,669 1,604.
Shortspine Thornyhead \dd\.............. S of 34[deg]27' N lat.......... 883 882.
Spiny Dogfish \ee\...................... Coastwide...................... 2,472 2,059 2,059 1,726.
Splitnose Rockfish \ff\................. S of 40[deg]10' N lat.......... 1,810 1,731 1,731 1,714.
Starry Flounder \gg\.................... Coastwide...................... 652 452 452 433.
Widow Rockfish \hh\..................... Coastwide...................... 11,714 11,199 11,199 10,951.
Yellowtail Rockfish \ii\................ N of 40[deg]10' N lat.......... 6,261 5,986 5,986 4,941.
Black Rockfish/Blue Rockfish/Deacon Oregon (Between 46[deg]16' N 670 611 611 609.
Rockfish \jj\. lat. and 42[deg] N lat.).
Cabezon/Kelp Greenling \kk\............. Oregon (Between 46[deg]16' N 216 204 204 204.
lat. and 42[deg] N lat.).
Cabezon/Kelp Greenling \ll\............. Washington (N of 46[deg]16' N 12 10 10 10.
lat.).
Nearshore Rockfish \mm\................. N of 40[deg]10' N lat.......... 92 82 82 79.
Shelf Rockfish \nn\..................... N of 40[deg]10' N lat.......... 2,302 2,048 2,048 1,971.
Slope Rockfish \oo\..................... N of 40[deg]10' N lat.......... 1,873 1,732 1,732 1,651.
Nearshore Rockfish \pp\................. S of 40[deg]10' N lat.......... 1,322 1,165 1,163 1,159.
Shelf Rockfish \qq\..................... S of 40[deg]10' N lat.......... 1,919 1,626 1,625 1,546.
Slope Rockfish \rr\..................... S of 40[deg]10' N lat.......... 855 743 743 723.
Other Flatfish \ss\..................... Coastwide...................... 8,202 6,041 6,041 5,792.
Other Fish \tt\......................... Coastwide...................... 286 239 239 230.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs) and harvest guidelines (HGs) are specified as total catch values.
\b\ Fishery HGs means the HG or quota after subtracting Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribes allocations and projected catch, projected research catch,
deductions for fishing mortality in non-groundfish fisheries, and deductions for EFPs from the ACL or ACT.
\c\ Cowcod south of 40[deg]10' N lat. 2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP fishing (less than 0.1 mt) and research activity (2 mt),
resulting in a fishery HG of 8 mt. Any additional mortality in research activities will be deducted from the ACL. A single ACT of 6 mt is being set
for the Conception and Monterey areas combined.
\d\ Yelloweye rockfish. The 49 mt ACL is based on the current rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild of 2029 and an SPR harvest rate of 65
percent. 6.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (2.3 mt), the incidental open access fishery (0.62 mt), EFP catch (0.24 mt)
and research catch (2.92 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 43 mt. The non-trawl HG is 39.5 mt. The non-nearshore HG is 2.1 mt and the nearshore HG is
6.2 mt. Recreational HGs are: 10.2 mt (Washington); 9.1 mt (Oregon); and 11.9 mt (California). In addition, there are the following ACTs: Non-
nearshore (1.7 mt), nearshore (4.9 mt), Washington recreational (8.1 mt), Oregon recreational (7.2 mt), and California recreational (9.4 mt).
\e\ Arrowtooth flounder. 2,094.9 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (2,041 mt), the incidental open access fishery (40.8 mt),
EFP fishing (0.1 mt), and research catch (13 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 10,655 mt.
\f\ Big skate. 41.9 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (15 mt), the incidental open access fishery (21.3 mt), EFP fishing
(0.1 mt), and research catch (5.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 452 mt.
\g\ Black rockfish (California). 1.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP fishing (1.0 mt) and the incidental open access fishery (0.3 mt),
resulting in a fishery HG of 325 mt.
\h\ Black rockfish (Washington). 18.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (18 mt) and research catch (0.1 mt), resulting in a
fishery HG of 279 mt.
\i\ Bocaccio south of 40[deg]10' N lat. The stock is managed with stock-specific harvest specifications south of 40[deg]10' N lat. and within the Minor
Shelf Rockfish complex north of 40[deg]10' N lat. 46.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (0.5 mt), EFP
catch (40 mt) and research catch (5.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,965 mt. The California recreational fishery has an HG of 827.2 mt.
\j\ Cabezon (California). 0.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery, resulting in a fishery HG of 146 mt.
\k\ California scorpionfish south of 34[deg]27' N lat. 2.4 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (2.2 mt) and
research catch (0.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 305 mt.
\l\ Canary rockfish. 67.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (50 mt), the incidental open access fishery (1.3 mt), EFP catch
(8 mt), and research catch (7.8 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,301 mt. Recreational HGs are: 44.3 mt (Washington); 66.5 mt (Oregon); and 119.7 mt
(California).
\m\ Chilipepper rockfish south of 40[deg]10' N lat. Chilipepper are managed with stock-specific harvest specifications south of 40[deg]10'N lat. and
within the Minor Shelf Rockfish complex north of 40[deg]10' N lat. 84.9 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery
(11.5 mt), EFP fishing (60 mt), and research catch (13.4 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 2,325 mt.
\n\ Darkblotched rockfish. 33.8 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (0.2 mt), the incidental open access fishery (24.5 mt),
EFP catch (0.6 mt), and research catch (8.5 mt) resulting in a fishery HG of 781 mt.
\o\ Dover sole. 1,595.6 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (1,497 mt), the incidental open access fishery (49.3 mt), EFP
fishing (0.1 mt), and research catch (49.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 48,404 mt.
\p\ English sole. 216.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (200 mt), the incidental open access fishery (8.1 mt), EFP fishing
(0.1 mt), and research catch (8 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 9,919 mt.
\q\ Lingcod north of 40[deg]10' N lat. 278 mt is deducted from the ACL for the Tribal fishery (250 mt), the incidental open access fishery (9.8 mt), EFP
catch (1.6 mt) and research catch (16.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 4,263 mt.
\r\ Lingcod south of 40[deg]10' N lat. 11.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (8.1 mt) and research catch
(3.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 858 mt.
\s\ Longnose skate. 148.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (130 mt), incidental open access fishery (5.7 mt), EFP catch
(0.1 mt), and research catch (12.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,852 mt.
\t\ Longspine thornyhead. 50.4 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (30 mt), the incidental open access fishery (6.2 mt), and
research catch (14.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 2,420 mt.
\u\ Longspine thornyhead south of 34[deg]27' N lat. 1.4 mt is deducted from the ACL to research catch, resulting in a fishery HG of 779 mt.
[[Page 64000]]
\v\ Pacific cod. 506.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (500 mt), EFP catch (0.1 mt), research catch (5.5 mt), and the
incidental open access fishery (0.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,094 mt.
\w\ Pacific whiting. Pacific whiting are assessed annually. The final specifications will be determined consistent with the U.S.-Canada Pacific Whiting
Agreement and will be announced after the Council's April 2020 meeting.
\x\ Pacific ocean perch north of 40[deg]10' N lat. 22.4 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (9.2 mt), the incidental open
access fishery (10 mt), EFP fishing (0.1 mt), and research catch (3.1 mt)-resulting in a fishery HG of 4,207 mt.
\y\ Petrale sole. 320.6 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (290 mt), the incidental open access fishery (6.4 mt), EFP catch
(0.1 mt), and research catch (24.1 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 2,524 mt.
\z\ Sablefish north of 36[deg] N lat. The 40-10 adjustment is applied to the ABC to derive a coastwide ACL value because the stock is in the
precautionary zone. This coastwide ACL value is not specified in regulations. The coastwide ACL value is apportioned north and south of 36[deg] N
lat., using the 2003-2014 average estimated swept area biomass from the NMFS NWFSC trawl survey, with 73.8 percent apportioned north of 36[deg] N lat.
and 26.2 percent apportioned south of 36[deg] N lat. The northern ACL is 5,723 mt and is reduced by 572 mt for the Tribal allocation (10 perceN of the
ACL north of 36[deg] N lat.). The 572 mt Tribal allocation is reduced by 1.5 percent to account for discard mortality. Detailed sablefish allocations
are shown in Table 2c.
\aa\ Sablefish south of 36[deg] N lat. The ACL for the area south of 36[deg] N lat. is 2,032 mt (26.2 perceN of the calculated coastwide ACL value). 4.2
mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (1.8 mt) and research catch (2.4 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 2,028
mt.
\bb\ Shortbelly rockfish. 17.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (8.9 mt), EFP catch (0.1 mt), and research
catch (8.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 483 mt.
\cc\ Shortspine thornyhead north of 34[deg]27' N lat. 65.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (50 mt), the incidental open
access fishery (4.7 mt), EFP catch (0.1 mt), and research catch (10.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,604 mt for the area north of 34[deg]27' N
lat.
\dd\ Shortspine thornyhead south of 34[deg]27' N lat. 1.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (0.5 mt) and
research catch (0.7 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 882 mt for the area south of 34[deg]27' N lat.
\ee\ Spiny dogfish. 333 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (275 mt), the incidental open access fishery (22.6 mt), EFP catch
(1.1 mt), and research catch (34.3 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,726 mt.
\ff\ Splitnose rockfish south of 40[deg]10' N lat. Splitnose rockfish in the north is managed in the Slope Rockfish complex and with stock-specific
harvest specifications south of 40[deg]10' N lat. 16.6 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (5.8 mt),
research catch (9.3 mt) and EFP catch (1.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,714 mt.
\gg\ Starry flounder. 18.8 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (2 mt), EFP catch (0.1 mt), research catch (0.6 mt), and the
incidental open access fishery (16.1 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 433 mt.
\hh\ Widow rockfish. 248.4 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (200 mt), the incidental open access fishery (3.1 mt), EFP
catch (28 mt) and research catch (17.3 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 10,951 mt.
\ii\ Yellowtail rockfish north of 40[deg]10' N lat. 1,045.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (1,000 mt), the incidental
open access fishery (4.5 mt), EFP catch (20 mt) and research catch (20.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 4,941 mt.
\jj\ Black rockfishBlue rockfishDeacon rockfish (Oregon). 1.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (0.3 mt) and
EFP catch (0.9 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 609 mt.
\kk\ CabezonKelp greenling (Oregon). 0.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP catch, resulting in a fishery HG of 204 mt.
\ll\ CabezonKelp greenling (Washington). There are no deductions from the ACL so the fishery HG is equal to the ACL of 10 mt.
\mm\ Nearshore Rockfish north of 40[deg]10' N lat. 2.8 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (1.5 mt), EFP catch (0.1 mt),
research catch (0.3), and the incidental open access fishery (0.9 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 79 mt.
\nn\ Shelf Rockfish north of 40[deg]10' N lat. 76.9 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (30 mt), the incidental open access
fishery (17.7 mt), EFP catch (4.5 mt), and research catch (24.7 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,971 mt.
\oo\ Slope Rockfish north of 40[deg]10' N lat. 80.8 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (36 mt), the incidental open access
fishery (21.7 mt), EFP catch (1.5 mt), and research catch (21.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,651 mt.
\pp\ Nearshore Rockfish south of 40[deg]10' N lat. 4.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (1.4 mt) and
research catch (2.7 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,159 mt.
\qq\ Shelf Rockfish south of 40[deg]10' N lat. 79.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (4.6 mt), EFP catch
(60 mt), and research catch (14.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,546 mt.
\rr\ Slope Rockfish south of 40[deg]10' N lat. 20.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (16.9 mt), EFP catch
(1 mt), and research catch (2.3 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 723 mt. Blackgill rockfish has a stock-specific HG for the entire groundfish fishery
south of 40[deg]10' N lat. set equal to the species' contribution to the 40-10-adjusted ACL. HarveS of blackgill rockfish in all groundfish fisheries
south of 40[deg]10' N lat. counts against this HG of 159 mt.
\ss\ Other Flatfish. The Other Flatfish complex is comprised of flatfish species managed in the PCGFMP that are not managed with stock-specific OFLs/
ABCs/ACLs. MoS of the species in the Other Flatfish complex are unassessed and include: butter sole, curlfin sole, flathead sole, Pacific sanddab,
rock sole, sand sole, and rex sole. 249.5 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (60 mt), the incidental open access fishery
(161.6 mt), EFP fishing (0.1 mt), and research catch (27.8 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 5,792 mt.
\tt\ Other Fish. The Other Fish complex is comprised of kelp greenliN off California and leopard shark coastwide. 8.9 mt is deducted from the ACL to
accommodate the incidental open access fishery (8.8 mt) and research catch (0.1 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 230 mt.
Table 2b to Part 660, Subpart C--2020, and Beyond, Allocations by Species or Species Group
[Weight in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trawl Non-trawl
Stocks/stock complexes Area Fishery HG or ---------------------------------------------------------------
ACT \a\ \b\ % Mt % Mt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth flounder....................... Coastwide................... 10,655.1 95 10,122.3 5 532.8
Big skate \a\............................. Coastwide................... 452.1 95 429.5 5 22.6
Bocaccio \a\.............................. S of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 1,964.9 39 767.1 61 1,197.8
Canary rockfish \a\ \d\................... Coastwide................... 1,300.9 72 940.3 28 360.6
Chilipepper rockfish...................... S of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 2,325.1 75 1,743.8 25 581.3
COWCOD \a\ \b\............................ S of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 6.0 36 2.2 64 3.8
Darkblotched rockfish \c\................. Coastwide................... 781.2 95 742.1 5 39.1
Dover sole................................ Coastwide................... 48,404.4 95 45,984.2 5 2,420.2
English sole.............................. Coastwide................... 9,918.8 95 9,422.9 5 495.9
Lingcod................................... N of 40'10[deg] N lat....... 4,263.0 45 1,918.4 55 2,344.7
Lingcod................................... S of 40'10[deg] N lat....... 857.7 45 386.0 55 471.7
Longnose skate \a\........................ Coastwide................... 1,851.7 90 1,666.5 10 185.2
Longspine thornyhead...................... N of 34[deg]27' N lat....... 2,419.6 95 2,298.6 5 121.0
Pacific cod............................... Coastwide................... 1,093.8 95 1,039.1 5 54.7
Pacific whiting........................... Coastwide................... TBD 100 \f\ 0 TBD
[[Page 64001]]
Pacific ocean perch \e\................... N of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 4,206.6 95 3,996.3 5 210.3
Petrale sole.............................. Coastwide................... 2,524.4 95 2,398.2 5 126.2
---------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish................................. N of 36[deg] N lat.......... NA See Table 2c
---------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish................................. S of 36[deg] N lat.......... 2,027.8 42 851.7 58 1,176.1
Shortspine thornyhead..................... N of 34[deg]27' N lat....... 1,603.7 95 1,523.5 5 80.2
Shortspine thornyhead..................... S of 34[deg]27' N lat....... 881.8 NA 50.0 NA 831.8
Splitnose rockfish........................ S of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 1,714.4 95 1,628.7 5 85.7
Starry flounder........................... Coastwide................... 433.2 50 216.6 50 216.6
Widow rockfish \f\........................ Coastwide................... 10,950.6 91 9,965.0 9 985.6
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH........................ Coastwide................... 42.9 8 3.4 92 39.5
Yellowtail rockfish....................... N of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 4,940.9 88 4,348.0 12 592.9
Minor Shelf Rockfish North................ N of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 1,971.1 60.2 1,186.6 39.8 784.5
Minor Shelf Rockfish South................ S of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 1,545.9 12.2 188.6 87.8 1,357.3
Minor Slope Rockfish North................ N of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 1,651.2 81 1,337.5 19 313.7
Minor Slope Rockfish South................ S of 40[deg]10' N lat....... 722.8 63 455.4 37 267.4
Other Flatfish............................ Coastwide................... 5,791.5 90 5,212.4 10 579.2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ Allocations decided through the biennial specification process.
\b\ The cowcod fishery harvest guideline is further reduced to an ACT of 6.0 mt.
\c\ 46 mt of the total trawl allocation of canary rockfish is allocated to the MS and C/P sectors, as follows: 30 mt for the MS sector, and 16 mt for
the C/P sector.
\d\ Consistent with regulations at Sec. 660.55(c), 9 percent (66.8 mt) of the total trawl allocation for darkblotched rockfish is allocated to the
Pacific whiting fishery, as follows: 28.1 mt for the Shorebased IFQ Program, 16.0 mt for the MS sector, and 22.7 mt for the C/P sector. The tonnage
calculated here for the Pacific whiting IFQ fishery contributes to the total shorebased trawl allocation, which is found at Sec.
660.140(d)(1)(ii)(D).
\e\ Consistent with regulations at Sec. 660.55(c), 17 percent (679.4 mt) of the total trawl allocation for Pacific ocean perch is allocated to the
Pacific whiting fishery, as follows: 285.3 mt for the Shorebased IFQ Program, 163.0 mt for the MS sector, and 231.0 mt for the C/P sector. The tonnage
calculated here for the Pacific whiting IFQ fishery contributes to the total shorebased trawl allocation, which is found at Sec.
660.140(d)(1)(ii)(D).
\f\ Consistent with regulations at Sec. 660.55(c), 10 percent (996.5 mt) of the total trawl allocation for widow rockfish is allocated to the whiting
fisheries, as follows: 418.5 mt for the shorebased IFQ fishery, 239.2 mt for the mothership fishery, and 338.8 mt for the catcher/processor fishery.
The tonnage calculated here for the whiting portion of the shorebased IFQ fishery contributes to the total shorebased trawl allocation, which is found
at Sec. 660.140(d)(1)(ii)(D).
Table 2c to Part 660, Subpart C--Sablefish North of 36[deg] N Lat. Allocations, 2020 and Beyond
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Set-asides Limited entry HG Open access HG
Year ACL -------------------------- Recreational EFP Commercial ---------------------------------------------------
Tribal \a\ Research estimate HG Percent mt Percent mt \b\
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2020......................................................... 5,723 572 30.68 6 1.1 5,113 90.6 4,632 9.4 481
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Limited entry trawl \c\ Limited entry fixed gear \d\
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year LE All At-sea Shorebased
All trawl whiting IFQ All FG Primary DTL
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2020......................................................... 4,632 2,687 50 2,637 1,946 1,654 292
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ The tribal allocation is further reduced by 1.5 percent for discard mortality resulting in 563 mt in 2020.
\b\ The open access HG is taken by the incidental OA fishery and the directed OA fishery.
\c\ The trawl allocation is 58 percent of the limited entry HG.
\d\ The limited entry fixed gear allocation is 42 percent of the limited entry HG.
Table 2d to Part 660, Subpart C--At-Sea Whiting Fishery Annual Set-
Asides, 2020 and Beyond
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock or stock complex Area Set aside (mt)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
COWCOD....................... S of 40[deg]10 N lat. NA
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH........... Coastwide............ 0
Arrowtooth flounder.......... Coastwide............ 70
Bocaccio..................... S of 40[deg]10 N lat. NA
Canary rockfish \a\.......... Coastwide............ Allocation
Chilipepper rockfish......... S of 40[deg]10 N lat. NA
Darkblotched rockfish \b\.... Coastwide............ 38.7
Dover sole................... Coastwide............ 5
English sole................. Coastwide............ 5
Lingcod...................... N of 40[deg]10 N lat. 15
Lingcod...................... S of 40[deg]10 N lat. NA
Longnose skate............... Coastwide............ 5
Longspine thornyhead......... N of 34[deg]27 N lat. 5
Longspine thornyhead......... S of 34[deg]27 N lat. NA
Minor Nearshore Rockfish..... N of 40[deg]10 N lat. NA
[[Page 64002]]
Minor Nearshore Rockfish..... S of 40[deg]10 N lat. NA
Minor Shelf Rockfish......... N of 40[deg]10 N lat. 35
Minor Shelf Rockfish......... S of 40[deg]10 N lat. NA
Minor Slope Rockfish......... N of 40[deg]10 N lat. 100
Minor Slope Rockfish......... S of 40[deg]10 N lat. NA
Other Fish................... Coastwide............ NA
Other Flatfish............... Coastwide............ 20
Pacific cod.................. Coastwide............ 5
Pacific Halibut \c\.......... Coastwide............ 10
Pacific ocean perch \d\...... N of 40[deg]10 N lat. 394
Pacific Whiting.............. Coastwide............ Allocation
Petrale sole................. Coastwide............ 5
Sablefish.................... N of 36[deg] N lat... 50
Sablefish.................... S of 36[deg] N lat... NA
Shortspine thornyhead........ N of 34[deg]27 N lat. 30
Shortspine thornyhead........ S of 34[deg]27 N lat. NA
Starry flounder.............. Coastwide............ 5
Widow Rockfish \a\........... Coastwide............ Allocation
Yellowtail rockfish.......... N of 40[deg]10 N lat. 300
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ See Table 1b to this subpart for the at-sea whiting allocations for
these species.
\b\ Darkblotched rockfish will be managed as set-asides for the MS and C/
P sectors based on pro-rata distribution described at Sec.
660.55(c)(1)(i)(A), resulting in a set-aside of 16.0 mt for the MS
sector, and a set-aside of 22.7 mt for the C/P sector.
\c\ As stated in Sec. 660.55(m), the Pacific halibut set-aside is 10
mt, to accommodate bycatch in the at-sea Pacific whiting fisheries and
in the shorebased trawl sector south of 40[deg]10 N lat. (estimated to
be approximately 5 mt each).
\d\ Pacific ocean perch will be managed as set-asides for the MS and C/P
sectors based on pro-rata distribution described at Sec.
660.55(c)(1)(i)(B), resulting in a set-aside of 163 mt for the MS
sector, and a set-aside of 231 mt for the C/P sector.
0
12. In Sec. 660.130, revise paragraphs (c)(2)(ii) and (iii),
(d)(1)(ii), and (e)(6) and add paragraph (e)(8) to read as follows:
Sec. 660.130 Trawl fishery--management measures.
* * * * *
(c) * * *
(2) * * *
(ii) Salmon bycatch mitigation restrictions. The use of small
footrope trawl, other than selective flatfish trawl gear, is prohibited
between 42[deg] North latitude and 40[deg]10' North latitude.
(iii) Salmon conservation area restrictions. The uS of small
footrope trawl, other than of selective flatfish trawl gear, is
required inside the Klamath River Salmon Conservation Zone (defined at
Sec. 660.131(c)(1)) and the Columbia River Salmon Conservation Zone
(defined at Sec. 660.131(c)(2)).
* * * * *
(d) * * *
(1) * * *
(ii) North of 40[deg]10' N lat. POP, yellowtail rockfish,
Washington cabezon/kelp greenling complex, Oregon cabezon/kelp
greenling complex, cabezon off California; and
* * * * *
(e) * * *
(6) Bycatch reduction areas (BRAs). Vessels using midwater
groundfish trawl gear during the applicable Pacific whiting primary
season may be prohibited from fishing shoreward of a boundary line
approximating the 75 fm (137 m), 100 fm (183 m), 150 fm (274 m), or 200
fm (366 m) depth contours.
* * * * *
(8) Salmon conservation zones. Fishing with midwater trawl gear and
bottom trawl gear, other than selective flatfish trawl gear, is
prohibited in the following areas:
(i) Klamath River Salmon Conservation Zone. The ocean area
surrounding the Klamath River mouth bounded on the north by
41[deg]38.80' N lat. (approximately 6 nm north of the Klamath River
mouth), on the west by 124[deg]23' W long. (approximately 12 nm from
shore), and on the south by 41[deg]26.80' N lat. (approximately 6 nm
south of the Klamath River mouth).
(ii) Columbia River Salmon Conservation Zone. The ocean area
surrounding the Columbia River mouth bounded by a line extending for 6
nm due west from North Head along 46[deg]18' N lat. to 124[deg]13.30' W
long., then southerly along a line of 167 True to 46[deg]11.10' N lat.
and 124[deg]11' W long. (Columbia River Buoy), then northeast along Red
Buoy Line to the tip of the south jetty.
0
13. In Sec. 660.131, remove and reserve paragraph (c)(3) and add
paragraph (i) to read as follows:
Sec. 660.131 Pacific whiting fishery management measures.
* * * * *
(i) Salmon bycatch. This fishery may be closed through automatic
action at Sec. 660.60(d)(1)(v) and (vi).
0
14. In Sec. 660.140, revise paragraphs (d)(1)(ii)(D), (e)(4)(i),
(g)(1), (h)(1)(i)(A)(3), and (l)(2) to read as follows:
Sec. 660.140 Shorebased IFQ Program.
* * * * *
(d) * * *
(1) * * *
(ii) * * *
(D) For the trawl fishery, NMFS will issue QP based on the
following shorebased trawl allocations:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2019 Shorebased 2020 Shorebased
IFQ species Area trawl allocation trawl allocation
(mt) (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth flounder....................... Coastwide................... 12,735.1 10,052.3
Bocaccio.................................. South of 40[deg]10' N lat... 800.7 767.1
Canary rockfish........................... Coastwide................... 946.9 887.8
[[Page 64003]]
Chilipepper............................... South of 40[deg]10' N lat... 1,838.3 1,743.8
COWCOD.................................... South of 40[deg]10' N lat... 2.2 2.2
Darkblotched rockfish..................... Coastwide................... 658.4 703.4
Dover sole................................ Coastwide................... 45,979.2 45,979.2
English sole.............................. Coastwide................... 9,375.1 9,417.9
Lingcod................................... North of 40[deg]10' N lat... 2,051.9 1,903.4
Lingcod................................... South of 40[deg]10' N lat... 462.5 386.0
Longspine thornyhead...................... North of 34[deg]27' N lat... 2,420.0 2,293.6
Minor Shelf Rockfish complex.............. North of 40[deg]10' N lat... 1,155.2 1,151.6
Minor Shelf Rockfish complex.............. South of 40[deg]10' N lat... 188.6 188.6
Minor Slope Rockfish complex.............. North of 40[deg]10' N lat... 1,248.8 1,237.5
Minor Slope Rockfish complex.............. South of 40[deg]10' N lat... 456.0 455.4
Other Flatfish complex.................... Coastwide................... 5,603.7 5,192.4
Pacific cod............................... Coastwide................... 1,034.1 1,034.1
Pacific ocean perch....................... North of 40[deg]10' N lat... 3,697.3 3,602.2
Pacific whiting........................... Coastwide................... TBD TBD
Petrale sole.............................. Coastwide................... 2,453.0 2,393.2
Sablefish................................. North of 36[deg] N lat...... 2,581.3 2,636.8
Sablefish................................. South of 36[deg] N lat...... 834.0 851.7
Shortspine thornyhead..................... North of 34[deg]27' N lat... 1,511.8 1,498.5
Shortspine thornyhead..................... South of 34[deg]27' N lat... 50.0 50.0
Splitnose rockfish........................ South of 40[deg]10' N lat... 1,646.7 1,628.7
Starry flounder........................... Coastwide................... 211.6 211.6
Widow rockfish............................ Coastwide................... 9,928.8 9,387.1
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH........................ Coastwide................... 3.4 3.4
Yellowtail rockfish....................... North of 40[deg]10' N lat... 4,305.8 4,048.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
(e) * * *
(4) * * *
(i) Vessel limits. For each IFQ species or species group specified
in this paragraph (e)(4)(i), vessel accounts may not have QP or IBQ
pounds in excess of the annual QP vessel limit in any year. The annual
QP vessel limit is calculated as all QPs transferred in minus all QPs
transferred out of the vessel account.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual QP
Species category vessel limit
(in percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth flounder..................................... 20
Bocaccio S of 40[deg]10' N lat.......................... 15.4
Canary rockfish......................................... 10
Chilipepper S of 40[deg]10' N lat....................... 15
Cowcod S of 40[deg]10' N lat............................ 17.7
Darkblotched rockfish................................... 6.8
Dover sole.............................................. 3.9
English sole............................................ 7.5
Lingcod:
N of 40[deg]10' N lat............................... 5.3
S of 40[deg]10' N lat............................... 13.3
Longspine thornyhead:
N of 34[deg]27' N lat............................... 9
Minor rockfish complex N of 40[deg]10' N lat.:
Shelf species....................................... 7.5
Slope species....................................... 7.5
Minor rockfish complex S of 40[deg]10' N lat.:
Shelf species....................................... 13.5
Slope species....................................... 9
Other Flatfish complex.................................. 15
Pacific cod............................................. 20
Pacific halibut (IBQ) N of 40[deg]10' N lat............. 14.4
Pacific ocean perch N of 40[deg]10' N lat............... 6
Pacific whiting (shoreside)............................. 15
Petrale sole............................................ 4.5
Sablefish:
N of 36[deg] N lat. (Monterey north)................ 4.5
S of 36[deg] N lat. (Conception area)............... 15
Shortspine thornyhead:
N of 34[deg]27' N lat............................... 9
S of 34[deg]27' N lat............................... 9
Splitnose rockfish S of 40[deg]10' N lat................ 15
Starry flounder......................................... 20
Widow rockfish.......................................... 8.5
[[Page 64004]]
Yelloweye rockfish...................................... 11.4
Yellowtail rockfish N of 40[deg]10' N lat............... 7.5
Non-whiting groundfish species.......................... 3.2
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
(g) * * *
(1) General. Shorebased IFQ Program vessels may discard IFQ
species/species groups, and the discard mortality must be accounted for
and deducted from QP in the vessel account. With the exception of
vessels on Pacific whiting IFQ trips engaged in maximized retention,
prohibited and protected species must be discarded at sea; Pacific
halibut must be discarded as soon as practicable and the discard
mortality must be accounted for and deducted from IBQ pounds in the
vessel account. Non-IFQ species and non-groundfish species may be
discarded at sea. The sorting of catch, the weighing and discarding of
any IBQ and IFQ species, and the retention of IFQ species must be
monitored by the observer.
* * * * *
(h) * * *
(1) * * *
(i) * * *
(A) * * *
(3) Is exempt from the requirement to maintain observer coverage as
specified in this paragraph (h) while remaining docked in port when the
observer makes available to the catch monitor an Observer Program
reporting form documenting the weight and number of any overfished
species listed under a rebuilding plan at Sec. 660.40 retained during
that trip and which documents any discrepancy the vessel operator and
observer may have in the weights and number of the overfished species,
unless modified inseason under routine management measures at Sec.
660.60(c)(1).
* * * * *
(l) * * *
(2) AMP QP pass through. The 10 percent of non-whiting QS will be
reserved for the AMP, but the resulting AMP QP will be issued to all QS
permit owners in proportion to their non-whiting QS until an
alternative use of AMP QP is implemented.
0
15. In Sec. 660.150, revise paragraph (c)(1)(ii) to read as follows:
Sec. 660.150 Mothership (MS) Coop Program.
* * * * *
(c) * * *
(1) * * *
(ii) Species with set-asides for the MS and C/P Coop Programs, as
described in Table 1d and Table 2d to subpart C of this part.
* * * * *
0
16. In Sec. 660.160, revise paragraph (c)(1)(ii) to read as follows:
Sec. 660.160 Catcher/processor (C/P) Coop Program.
* * * * *
(c) * * *
(1) * * *
(ii) Species with set-asides for the MS and C/P Programs, as
described in Table 1d and Table 2d to subpart C of this part.
* * * * *
0
17. Revise Tables 1 (North) and 1 (South) to part 660, subpart D, to
read as follows:
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[deg]10' N Lat.
[[Page 64005]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR12DE18.000
Table 1 (South) to Part 660, Subpart D--Limited Entry Trawl
Rockfish Conservation Areas and Landing Allowances for non-IFQ Species
and Pacific Whiting South of 40[deg]10' N Lat.
[[Page 64006]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR12DE18.001
0
18. In Sec. 660.230, revise paragraphs (c)(2)(ii) and (d)(10)(ii) and
add paragraph (f) to read as follows:
Sec. 660.230 Fixed gear fishery--management measures.
* * * * *
(c) * * *
(2) * * *
(ii) North of 40[deg]10' N lat.--POP, yellowtail rockfish, cabezon
(California), Washington cabezon/kelp greenling complex, Oregon
cabezon/kelp greenling complex; and
* * * * *
(d) * * *
(10) * * *
(ii) Fishing for rockfish and lingcod is permitted shoreward of the
40 fm (73 m) depth contour within the CCAs when trip limits authorize
such fishing and provided a valid declaration report as required at
Sec. 660.13(d) has been filed with NMFS OLE.
* * * * *
[[Page 64007]]
(f) Salmon bycatch. This fishery may be closed through automatic
action at Sec. 660.60(d)(1)(v) and (vi).
0
19. In Sec. 660.231, revise paragraph (b)(3)(i) to read as follows:
Sec. 660.231 Limited entry fixed gear sablefish primary fishery.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(3) * * *
(i) A vessel participating in the primary season will be
constrained by the sablefish cumulative limit associated with each of
the permits registered for use with that vessel. During the primary
season, each vessel authorized to fish in that season under paragraph
(a) of this section may take, retain, possess, and land sablefish, up
to the cumulative limits for each of the permits registered for use
with that vessel (i.e., stacked permits). If multiple limited entry
permits with sablefish endorsements are registered for use with a
single vessel, that vessel may land up to the total of all cumulative
limits announced in this paragraph for the tiers for those permits,
except as limited by paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section. Up to 3
permits may be registered for use with a single vessel during the
primary season; thus, a single vessel may not take and retain, possess
or land more than 3 primary season sablefish cumulative limits in any
one year. A vessel registered for use with multiple limited entry
permits is subject to per vessel limits for species other than
sablefish, and to per vessel limits when participating in the daily
trip limit fishery for sablefish under Sec. 660.232. In 2019, the
following annual limits are in effect: Tier 1 at 47,637 lbs (21,608
kg), Tier 2 at 21,653 lbs (9,822 kg), and Tier 3 at 12,373 lbs (5,612
kg). In 2020 and beyond, the following annual limits are in effect:
Tier 1 at 48,642 lbs (22,064 kg), Tier 2 at 22,110 lbs (10,029 kg), and
Tier 3 at 12,634 lbs (5,731 kg).
* * * * *
0
20. Revise Tables 2 (North) and 2 (South) to part 660, subpart E, 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[deg]10' N Lat.
[[Page 64008]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR12DE18.002
Table 2 (South) to Part 660, Subpart E--Non-Trawl Rockfish
Conservation Areas and Trip Limits for Limited Entry Fixed Gear South
of 40[deg]10' N Lat.
[[Page 64009]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR12DE18.003
[[Page 64010]]
0
21. In Sec. 660.330, revise paragraph (c)(2)(ii) and (d)(11)(ii) and
add paragraph (f) to read as follows:
Sec. 660.330 Open access fishery--management measures.
* * * * *
(c) * * *
(2) * * *
(ii) North of 40[deg]10' N. lat.--POP, yellowtail rockfish, cabezon
(California), Washington cabezon/kelp greenling complex, Oregon
cabezon/kelp greenling complex; and
* * * * *
(d) * * *
(11) * * *
(ii) Fishing for rockfish and lingcod is permitted shoreward of the
40 fm (73 m) depth contour within the CCAs when trip limits authorize
such fishing and provided a valid declaration report as required at
Sec. 660.13(d) has been filed with NMFS OLE.
* * * * *
(f) Salmon bycatch. This fishery may be closed through automatic
action at Sec. 660.60(d)(1)(v) and (vi).
0
22. In Sec. 660.333, revise paragraph (c)(3) to read as follows:
Sec. 660.333 Open access non-groundfish trawl fishery--management
measures.
* * * * *
(c) * * *
(3) The landing includes California halibut of a size required by
California Fish and Game Code section 8392, which states: ``No
California halibut may be taken, possessed or sold which measures less
than 22 in (56 cm) in total length. Total length means the shortest
distance between the tip of the jaw or snout, whichever extends
farthest while the mouth is closed, and the tip of the longest lobe of
the tail, measured while the halibut is lying flat in natural repose,
without resort to any force other than the swinging or fanning of the
tail.''
* * * * *
0
23. Revise Tables 3 (North) and 3 (South) in part 660, subpart F, to
read as follows:
Table 3 (North) to Part 660, Subpart F--Non-Trawl Rockfish
Conservation Areas and Trip Limits for Open Access Gears North of
40[deg]10' N Lat.
[[Page 64011]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR12DE18.004
[[Page 64012]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR12DE18.005
[[Page 64013]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR12DE18.006
[[Page 64014]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR12DE18.007
0
24. Amend Sec. 660.360 as follows:
0
a. Revise paragraphs (c)(1) introductory text, (c)(1)(i)(D)(1) through
(3), (c)(1)(ii) through (iv), (c)(2)(i)(B), (c)(3)(i)(A) through (C),
(c)(3)(ii)(A) and (D), (c)(3)(iii)(A), (B), and (D), (c)(3)(iv), and
(c)(3)(v)(A) and (B); and
0
b. Add paragraph (d).
The revisions and addition read as follows:
Sec. 660.360 Recreational fishery--management measures.
* * * * *
(c) * * *
(1) Washington. For each person engaged in recreational fishing off
the coast of Washington, the groundfish bag limit is 9 groundfish per
day, including rockfish, cabezon and lingcod. Within the groundfish bag
limit, there are sub-limits for rockfish, lingcod, and cabezon outlined
in paragraph (c)(1)(i)(D) of this section. In addition to the
groundfish bag limit of 9, there will be a flatfish limit of 3 fish,
not to be counted towards the groundfish bag limit but in addition to
it. The recreational groundfish fishery will open the second Saturday
in March through the third Saturday in October for all species. In the
Pacific halibut fisheries, retention of groundfish is governed in part
by annual management measures for Pacific halibut fisheries, which are
published in the Federal Register. The following seasons, closed areas,
sub-limits and size limits apply:
(i) * * *
(D) * * *
(1) West of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line between the U.S. border with
Canada and the Queets River (Washington state Marine Area 3 and 4),
recreational fishing for groundfish is prohibited seaward of a boundary
line approximating the 20 fm (37 m) depth contour from June 1 through
Labor Day, except on days when the Pacific halibut fishery is open in
this area it is lawful to retain lingcod, Pacific cod, and sablefish
seaward of the 20 fm (37 m) boundary. Yellowtail and widow rockfish can
be retained seaward of 20 fm (37 m) in the months of July and August on
days open to the recreational salmon fishery. Days open to Pacific
halibut recreational fishing off Washington and days open to
recreational fishing for salmon are announced on the NMFS hotline at
(206) 526-6667 or (800) 662-9825. Coordinates for the boundary line
approximating the 20 fm (37 m) depth contour are listed in Sec.
660.71.
(2) Between the Queets River (47[deg]31.70' N lat.) and Leadbetter
Point (46[deg]38.17' N lat.) (Washington state Marine Area 2),
recreational fishing for lingcod is prohibited seaward of a boundary
line approximating the 30 fm (55 m) depth contour from the second
Saturday in March through May 31 except that recreational fishing for
lingcod is permitted within the RCA on
[[Page 64015]]
days that the primary halibut fishery is open. In addition to the RCA
described in the preceding sentence, between the Queets River
(47[deg]31.70' N lat.) and Leadbetter Point (46[deg]38.17' N lat.)
(Washington state Marine Area 2), recreational fishing for lingcod is
prohibited year round seaward of a straight line connecting all of the
following points in the order stated: 47[deg]31.70' N lat.,
124[deg]45.00' W long.; 46[deg]38.17' N lat., 124[deg]30.00' W long.
with the following exceptions: on days that the primary halibut fishery
is open lingcod may be taken, retained and possessed within the lingcod
area closure; lingcod may also be taken, retained, and possessed from
June 1 through June 15 and from September 1 through September 15 within
the lingcod area closure. If the Pacific halibut recreational fishery
in Washington state Marine Area 2 is not open for at least four days,
lingcod may be taken, retained, and possessed seaward of the boundary
line approximating the 30 fm (55 m) depth contour and the straight line
connecting all of the following points in the order stated:
47[deg]31.70' N lat., 124[deg]45.00' W long.; 46[deg]38.17' N lat.,
124[deg]30.00' W long. on Sundays in May. Days open to Pacific halibut
recreational fishing off Washington are announced on the NMFS hotline
at (206) 526-6667 or (800) 662-9825. For additional regulations
regarding the Washington recreational lingcod fishery, see paragraph
(c)(1)(iv) of this section. Coordinates for the boundary line
approximating the 30 fm (55 m) depth contour are listed in Sec.
660.71.
(3) Between Leadbetter Point (46[deg]38.17' N lat.) and the
Columbia River (46[deg]16.00' N lat.) (Marine Area 1), when Pacific
halibut are onboard the vessel, no groundfish may be taken and
retained, possessed or landed, except sablefish, flatfish species
(except halibut), Pacific cod, and lingcod from May 1 through September
30. Except that taking, retaining, possessing or landing incidental
halibut with groundfish on board is allowed in the nearshore area on
days not open to all-depth Pacific halibut fisheries in the area
shoreward of the boundary line approximating the 30 fathom (fm) (55 m)
depth contour extending from Leadbetter Point, WA (46[deg]38.17' N
lat., 124[deg]15.88' W long.) to the Columbia River (46[deg]16.00' N
lat., 124[deg]15.88' W long.) and from there, connecting to the
boundary line approximating the 40 fm (73 m) depth contour in Oregon.
Nearshore season days are established in the annual management measures
for Pacific halibut fisheries, which are published in the Federal
Register and are announced on the NMFS halibut hotline, 1-800-662-9825.
Between Leadbetter Point (46[deg]38.17' N lat. 124[deg]21.00' W long)
and 46[deg]33.00' N lat. 124[deg]21.00' W long., recreational fishing
for lingcod is prohibited year round seaward of a straight line
connecting all of the following points in the order stated:
46[deg]38.17' N lat., 124[deg]21.00' W long.; and 46[deg]33.00' N lat.,
124[deg]21.00' W long.
(ii) Rockfish. In areas of the EEZ seaward of Washington
(Washington Marine Areas 1-4) that are open to recreational groundfish
fishing, there is a 7 rockfish per day bag limit. Taking and retaining
yelloweye rockfish is prohibited in all Marine areas.
(iii) Cabezon. In areas of the EEZ seaward of Washington
(Washington Marine Areas 1-4) that are open to recreational groundfish
fishing, there is a 1 cabezon per day bag limit.
(iv) Lingcod. In areas of the EEZ seaward of Washington (Washington
Marine Areas 1-4) that are open to recreational groundfish fishing and
when the recreational season for lingcod is open, there is a bag limit
of 2 lingcod per day. The recreational fishing seasons for lingcod is
open from the second Saturday in March through the third Saturday in
October.
(2) * * *
(i) * * *
(B) Recreational rockfish conservation area (RCA). Fishing for
groundfish with recreational gear is prohibited within the recreational
RCA, a type of closed area or groundfish conservation area, except with
long-leader gear (as defined at Sec. 660.351). It is unlawful to take
and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with recreational gear
within the recreational RCA, except with long-leader gear (as defined
at Sec. 660.351). A vessel fishing in the recreational RCA may not be
in possession of any groundfish. [For example, if a vessel fishes in
the recreational salmon fishery within the RCA, the vessel cannot be in
possession of groundfish while within the RCA. The vessel may, however,
on the same trip fish for and retain groundfish shoreward of the RCA on
the return trip to port.] Off Oregon, from June 1 through August 31,
recreational fishing for groundfish is prohibited seaward of a
recreational RCA boundary line approximating the 40 fm (73 m) depth
contour, except that fishing for flatfish (other than Pacific halibut)
is allowed seaward of the 40 fm (73 m) depth contour when recreational
fishing for groundfish is permitted. Coordinates for the boundary line
approximating the 40 fm (73 m) depth contour are listed at Sec.
660.71.
* * * * *
(3) * * *
(i) * * *
(A) Recreational rockfish conservation areas. The recreational RCAs
are areas that are closed to recreational fishing for groundfish.
Fishing for groundfish with recreational gear is prohibited within the
recreational RCA, except that recreational fishing for ``Other
Flatfish,'' petrale sole, and starry flounder is permitted within the
recreational RCA as specified in paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this section.
It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken
with recreational gear within the recreational RCA, unless otherwise
authorized in this section. A vessel fishing in the recreational RCA
may not be in possession of any species prohibited by the restrictions
that apply within the recreational RCA. [For example, if a vessel
fishes in the recreational salmon fishery within the RCA, the vessel
cannot be in possession of rockfish while in the RCA. The vessel may,
however, on the same trip fish for and retain rockfish shoreward of the
RCA on the return trip to port.] If the season is closed for a species
or species group, fishing for that species or species group is
prohibited both within the recreational RCA and shoreward of the
recreational RCA, unless otherwise authorized in this section.
(1) Between 42[deg] N lat. (California/Oregon border) and
40[deg]10' N lat. (Northern Management Area), recreational fishing for
all groundfish (except petrale sole, starry flounder, and ``Other
Flatfish'' as specified in paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this section) is
closed from January 1 through April 30; is prohibited seaward of the 30
fm (55 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands and
offshore seamounts from May 1 through October 31 (shoreward of 30 fm is
open); and is open at all depths from November 1 through December 31.
Coordinates for the boundary line approximating the 30 fm (55 m) depth
contour are listed in Sec. 660.71.
(2) Between 40[deg]10' N lat. and 38[deg]57.50' N lat. (Mendocino
Management Area), recreational fishing for all groundfish (except
petrale sole, starry flounder, and ``Other Flatfish'' as specified in
paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this section) is closed from January 1 through
April 30; prohibited seaward of the 20 fm (37 m) depth contour along
the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from May 1
through October 31 (shoreward of 20 fm is open), and is open at all
depths from November 1 through December 31.
[[Page 64016]]
(3) Between 38[deg]57.50' N lat. and 37[deg]11' N lat. (San
Francisco Management Area), recreational fishing for all groundfish
(except petrale sole, starry flounder, and ``Other Flatfish'' as
specified in paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this section) is closed from
January 1 through March 31; is prohibited seaward of the boundary line
approximating the 40 fm (73 m) depth contour along the mainland coast
and along islands and offshore seamounts from April 1 through December
31. Closures around Cordell Bank (see paragraph (c)(3)(i)(C) of this
section) also apply in this area. Coordinates for the boundary line
approximating the 40 fm (73 m) depth contour are listed in Sec.
660.71.
(4) Between 37[deg]11' N lat. and 34[deg]27' N lat. (Central
Management Area), recreational fishing for all groundfish (except
petrale sole, starry flounder, and ``Other Flatfish'' as specified in
paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this section) is closed from January 1 through
March 31; and is prohibited seaward of a boundary line approximating
the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along
islands and offshore seamounts from April 1 through December 31.
Coordinates for the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth
contour are specified in Sec. 660.72.
(5) South of 34[deg]27' N lat. (Southern Management Area),
recreational fishing for all groundfish (except California
scorpionfish, ``Other Flatfish,'' petrale sole, and starry flounder) is
closed entirely from January 1 through the last day of February.
Recreational fishing for all groundfish (except ``Other Flatfish,''
petrale sole, and starry flounder, as specified in paragraph (c)(3)(iv)
of this section) is prohibited seaward of a boundary line approximating
the 75 fm (137 m) depth contour from March 1 through December 31 along
the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts, except in
the CCAs where fishing is prohibited seaward of the 40 fm (73 m) depth
contour when the fishing season is open (see paragraph (c)(3)(i)(B) of
this section). Coordinates for the boundary lines approximating the
depth contours are specified at Sec. Sec. 660.71 through 660.74.
(B) Cowcod conservation areas. The latitude and longitude
coordinates of the Cowcod Conservation Areas (CCAs) boundaries are
specified at Sec. 660.70. In general, recreational fishing for all
groundfish is prohibited within the CCAs, except that fishing for
petrale sole, starry flounder, and ``Other Flatfish'' is permitted
within the CCAs as specified in paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this section.
However, recreational fishing for the following species is prohibited
seaward of the 40 fm (37 m) depth contour when the season for those
species is open south of 34[deg]27' N lat.: Minor nearshore rockfish,
cabezon, kelp greenling, lingcod, California scorpionfish, and shelf
rockfish. Retention of yelloweye rockfish, bronzespotted rockfish and
cowcod is prohibited within the CCA. [Note: California state
regulations also permit recreational fishing for California sheephead,
ocean whitefish, and all greenlings of the genus Hexagrammos shoreward-
of the 40 fm (73 m) depth contour in the CCAs when the season for the
RCG complex is open south of 34[deg]27' N lat.] It is unlawful to take
and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken within the CCAs, except
for species authorized in this section.
(C) Cordell Bank. Recreational fishing for groundfish is prohibited
in waters less than 100 fm (183 m) around Cordell Bank as defined by
specific latitude and longitude coordinates at Sec. 660.70, subpart C,
except that recreational fishing for petrale sole, starry flounder, and
``Other Flatfish'' is permitted around Cordell Bank as specified in
paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this section.
* * * * *
(ii) * * *
(A) Seasons. When recreational fishing for the RCG complex is open,
it is permitted only outside of the recreational RCAs described in
paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section.
(1) Between 42[deg] N lat. (California/Oregon border) and
40[deg]10' N lat. (North Management Area), recreational fishing for the
RCG complex is open from May 1 through December 31 (i.e., it's closed
from January 1 through April 30).
(2) Between 40[deg]10' N lat. and 38[deg]57.50' N lat. (Mendocino
Management Area), recreational fishing for the RCG Complex is open from
May 1 through December 31 (i.e., it's closed from January 1 through
April 30).
(3) Between 38[deg]57.50' N lat. and 37[deg]11' N lat. (San
Francisco Management Area), recreational fishing for the RCG complex is
open from April 1 through December 31 (i.e., it's closed from January 1
through March 31).
(4) Between 37[deg]11' N lat. and 34[deg]27' N lat. (Central
Management Area), recreational fishing for the RCG complex is open from
April 1 through December 31 (i.e., it's closed from January 1 through
March 31).
(5) South of 34[deg]27' N lat. (Southern Management Area),
recreational fishing for the RCG Complex is open from March 1 through
December 31 (i.e., it's closed from January 1 through the last day in
February).
* * * * *
(D) Dressing/filleting. Cabezon, kelp greenling, and rock greenling
taken in the recreational fishery may not be filleted at sea. Rockfish
skin may not be removed when filleting or otherwise dressing rockfish
taken in the recreational fishery.
(iii) * * *
(A) Seasons. When recreational fishing for lingcod is open, it is
permitted only outside of the recreational RCAs described in paragraph
(c)(3)(i) of this section.
(1) Between 42[deg] N lat. (California/Oregon border) and
40[deg]10' N lat. (Northern Management Area), recreational fishing for
lingcod is open from May 1 through December 31 (i.e., it's closed from
January 1 through April 30).
(2) Between 40[deg]10' N lat. and 38[deg]57.50' N lat. (Mendocino
Management Area), recreational fishing for lingcod is open from May 1
through December 31 (i.e., it's closed from January 1 through April
30).
(3) Between 38[deg]57.50' N lat. and 37[deg]11' N lat. (San
Francisco Management Area), recreational fishing for lingcod is open
from April 1 through December 31 (i.e., it's closed from January 1
through March 31).
(4) Between 37[deg]11' N lat. and 34[deg]27' N lat. (Central
Management Area), recreational fishing for lingcod is open from April 1
through December 31 (i.e., it's closed from January 1 through March
31).
(5) South of 34[deg]27' N lat. (Southern Management Area),
recreational fishing for lingcod is open from March 1 through December
31 (i.e., it's closed from January 1 through the last day in February).
(B) Bag limits, hook limits. In times and areas when the
recreational season for lingcod is open, there is a limit of 2 hooks
and 1 line when fishing for lingcod. Multi-day limits are authorized by
a valid permit issued by California and must not exceed the daily limit
multiplied by the number of days in the fishing trip.
(1) The bag limit between 42[deg] N lat. (California/Oregon border)
and 40[deg]10' N lat. (Northern Management Area) is 2 lingcod per day.
(2) The bag limit between 40[deg]10' N lat. and the U.S. border
with Mexico (Mendocino Management Area, San Francisco Management Area,
Central Management Area, and Southern Management Area) is 1 lingcod per
day.
* * * * *
(D) Dressing/filleting. Lingcod filets may be no smaller than 14 in
(36 cm) in length. Each fillet shall bear an intact 1 in (2.6 cm)
square patch of skin.
[[Page 64017]]
(iv) ``Other Flatfish,'' petrale sole, and starry flounder.
Coastwide off California, recreational fishing for ``Other Flatfish,''
petrale sole, and starry flounder, is permitted both shoreward of and
within the closed areas described in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this
section. ``Other Flatfish'' are defined at Sec. 660.11, and include
butter sole, curlfin sole, flathead sole, Pacific sanddab, rex sole,
rock sole, and sand sole. ``Other Flatfish,'' are subject to the
overall 20-fish bag limit for all species of finfish, of which there
may be no more than 10 fish of any one species; there is no daily bag
limit for petrale sole, starry flounder and Pacific sanddab. There are
no size limits for ``Other Flatfish,'' petrale sole, and starry
flounder. ``Other Flatfish'', petrale sole, and starry flounder may be
filleted at sea. Fillets may be of any size, but must bear intact a
one-inch (2.6 cm) square patch of skin.
(v) * * *
(A) Seasons. When recreational fishing for California scorpionfish
is open, it is permitted only outside of the recreational RCAs
described in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section.
(1) Between 40[deg]10' N lat. and 38[deg]57.50' N lat. (Mendocino
Management Area), recreational fishing for California scorpionfish is
open from May 1 through December 31 (i.e., it's closed from January 1
through April 30).
(2) Between 38[deg]57.50' N lat. and 37[deg]11' N lat. (San
Francisco Management Area), recreational fishing for California
scorpionfish is open from April 1 through December 31 (i.e., it's
closed from January 1 through March 31).
(3) Between 37[deg]11' N lat. and 34[deg]27' N lat. (Central
Management Area), recreational fishing for California scorpionfish is
open from April 1 through December 31 (i.e., it's closed from January 1
through March 31).
(4) South of 34[deg]27' N lat. (Southern Management Area),
recreational fishing for California scorpionfish is open from January 1
through December 31.
(B) Bag limits, hook limits. South of 40[deg]10.00' N lat., in
times and areas where the recreational season for California
scorpionfish is open there is a limit of 2 hooks and 1 line, the bag
limit is 5 California scorpionfish per day. California scorpionfish do
not count against the 10 RCG Complex fish per day limit. Multi-day
limits are authorized by a valid permit issued by California and must
not exceed the daily limit multiplied by the number of days in the
fishing trip.
* * * * *
(d) Salmon bycatch. Recreational fisheries that are not accounted
for within pre-season salmon modeling may be closed through automatic
action at Sec. 660.60(d)(1)(v) and (vi).
[FR Doc. 2018-26602 Filed 12-11-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
