Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2023-2024 Biennial Specifications and Management Measures; Inseason Adjustments, 22342-22352 [2024-06775]
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 63 / Monday, April 1, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
be challenged later in proceedings to
enforce its requirements (See section
307(b)(2)).
recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur
oxides, Volatile organic compounds.
Subpart V—Maryland
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Ammonia,
Incorporation by reference,
Intergovernmental relations, Lead,
Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Reporting and
For the reasons stated in the
preamble, EPA amends 40 CFR part 52
as follows:
PART 52—APPROVAL AND
PROMULGATION OF
IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
1. The authority citation for part 52
continues to read as follows:
■
§ 52.1070
*
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Name of source
Permit No./type
State
effective
date
*
Raven Power Fort
Smallwood, LLC—H.A.
Wagner Generating Station.
*
Consent Order ..
*
7/6/2021
*
*
*
*
*
Applicable
geographic
area
State
submittal
date
*
State-wide ........
*
2/8/2022
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 660
[Docket No. 221206–0261]
RIN 0648–BM97
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions;
Fisheries Off West Coast States;
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery;
2023–2024 Biennial Specifications and
Management Measures; Inseason
Adjustments
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*
*
Additional explanation
*
*
*
Consent Order approved via Docket EPA–R03–
OAR–2022–0912, as an element of Maryland’s
February 8, 2022 Regional Haze Plan from 2018–
2028, Appendix 19.
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule; inseason adjustments
to biennial groundfish management
measures.
AGENCY:
15:59 Mar 29, 2024
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EPA approval date
*
4/1/24, [INSERT Federal
Register CITATION].
Additional explanation
*
This final rule announces
routine inseason adjustments to
management measures in commercial
and recreational groundfish fisheries.
This action is intended to allow fishing
vessels to access more abundant
groundfish stocks while protecting
rebuilding stocks.
DATES: This final rule is effective April
1, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Electronic Access: This rule
is accessible at the Office of the Federal
Register website at https://
www.federalregister.gov. Background
information and documents are
available at the Pacific Fishery
Management Council’s website at
https://www.pcouncil.org.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
Sean Matson: 206–526–6187 or
sean.matson@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
[FR Doc. 2024–06415 Filed 3–29–24; 8:45 am]
VerDate Sep<11>2014
EPA approval date
*
4/1/24, [INSERT Federal
Register CITATION].
Identification of plan.
*
*
(d) * * *
(e) * * *
Name of non-regulatory
SIP revision
*
Regional Haze Plan from
2018–2028.
2. In § 52.1070:
a. Amend the table in paragraph (d) by
adding an entry for ‘‘Raven Power Fort
Smallwood, LLC—H.A. Wagner
Generating Station’’ at the end of the
table; and
■ b. Amend the table in paragraph (e) by
adding an entry for ‘‘Regional Haze Plan
from 2018–2028’’ at the end of the table.
The additions read as follows:
■
■
Adam Ortiz,
Regional Administrator, Region III.
Background
The Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery
Management Plan (PCGFMP) and its
implementing regulations at title 50 in
the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR),
part 660, subparts C through G, regulate
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*
fishing for over 90 species of groundfish
seaward of Washington, Oregon, and
California. The Pacific Fishery
Management Council (Council)
develops groundfish harvest
specifications and management
measures for 2-year periods (biennia).
NMFS published the final rule to
implement harvest specifications and
management measures for the 2023–
2024 biennium for most species
managed under the PCGFMP on
December 16, 2022 (87 FR 77007). The
management measures set at the start of
the biennial harvest specifications cycle
help the various sectors of the fishery
attain, but not exceed, the catch limits
for each stock. The Council, in
coordination with Pacific Coast Treaty
Indian Tribes and the States of
Washington, Oregon, and California,
recommends adjustments to the
management measures during the
fishing year to achieve this goal.
At its March 2024 meeting, the
Council recommended inseason
measures, modifying fixed gear
regulations in the area south of lat.
40°10′ N, including within the Non-
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Trawl Rockfish Conservation Area
(RCA) boundaries, and commercial
fixed gear trip limits for certain species
within the limited entry (LE) and open
access (OA) fisheries, including lingcod,
the other flatfish complex, and the
minor shelf rockfish complex. The
purpose of these inseason measures is to
promote the conservation of quillback
rockfish and vermillion/sunset rockfish
off California, while balancing the
economic benefits of fishing
opportunity. The Council also
recommended modifications to Federal
regulations, concerning the portion of
the California recreational fishery that
falls within Federal waters, which
include changes to season dates and
depth limits, and revisions to the subbag limit for vermilion/sunset rockfish
south of lat. 40°10′ N. The March
recommendations were communicated
in a letter to NMFS dated March 20,
2024.
The recommendations were based on
analysis using newly available
information on catch and attainment,
and input from industry at the March
meeting. Pacific Coast groundfish
fisheries are managed using harvest
specifications or limits (e.g., overfishing
limits [OFL], acceptable biological catch
[ABC], annual catch limits [ACL], and
harvest guidelines [HG]) recommended
biennially by the Council and based on
the best scientific information available
at that time (50 CFR 660.60(b)). During
development of the harvest
specifications, the Council also
recommends management measures
(e.g., trip limits, area closures, and bag
limits) that are meant to control catch so
as not to exceed the harvest
specifications. The harvest
specifications and management
measures developed for the 2023–2024
biennium used data through the 2021
fishing year. Each of the adjustments to
management measures discussed below
are based on updated fisheries
information that was unavailable when
the analysis for the current harvest
specifications was completed. As new
fisheries data becomes available,
adjustments to management measures
are assessed and associated mortality is
projected, so as to help harvesters
achieve but not exceed the harvest
limits.
Management Measures for Commercial
Fixed Gear, LE and OA Fisheries
Non-Trawl RCA
At the March 2024 meeting, the
Council recommended actions to reduce
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fishing mortality of quillback rockfish
and vermillion/sunset rockfish, off
California, through the 2024 fishing
season. Quillback rockfish off California
is an overfished stock. Vermilion/sunset
rockfish is managed in a stock complex,
however, fishing mortality for the stock
has exceeded the harvest specification
contributions to the complex for several
years. The recommended actions would
reduce fishing mortality of these
species, while further narrowing the
scope of restrictions and minimizing the
economic impact to fishing
communities to the extent possible.
These included a recommendation to
adjust the Non-Trawl RCA latitudinal
boundaries for the area between lat.
40°10′ N and lat. 36° N (to utilize a
boundary at lat. 37°07′ N rather than lat.
36° N), so that the area between lat.
37°07′ N and lat. 34°27′ N, from 50 to
75 fathoms (fm), would be closed to
fishing, and in the area from lat. 40°10′
N to lat. 37°07′ N, the 3 nautical mile
line to 75fm, would be closed to fishing.
The recommended non-trawl
boundaries, as well as those under
current regulations are shown in tables
1a and 1b.
TABLE 1a—NON-TRAWL ROCKFISH CONSERVATION AREA BOUNDARIES, SOUTH OF LAT. 40°10′ N: CURRENT REGULATION
Area
(latitude)
Depth
40°10′ N–36° N .................................................
36° N–34°27′ N .................................................
Shoreward EEZ–75 fm line ..............................
50–75 fm line ....................................................
Months
January through December.
January through December.
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TABLE 1b—NON-TRAWL ROCKFISH CONSERVATION AREA BOUNDARIES, SOUTH OF LAT. 40°10′ N: COUNCIL
RECOMMENDED
Area
(latitude)
Depth
40°10′ N–37°07′ N .............................................
37°07′ N–34°27′ N .............................................
Shoreward EEZ–75 fm line ..............................
50–75 fm line ....................................................
January through December.
January through December.
Trip Limits
The recommended modifications of
the Non-Trawl RCA in California
necessitated corresponding changes to
the latitude lines designating areaspecific LE and OA trip limits for
lingcod, the other flatfish complex, and
the minor shelf rockfish complex
(defined at § 660.11), south of lat. 40°10′
N (table 2a).
For the minor shelf rockfish complex
south of lat. 40°10′ N, in the LE fishery;
in addition to exchanging the lat. 36° N
boundary, in favor of the lat. 37°07′ N
boundary, one latitudinal stratum was
added with separate trip limits, dividing
the area south of lat. 40°10′ N into three
strata under Council recommendations,
compared with two strata under current
regulations. The new management area
boundaries and corresponding trip
limits for minor shelf rockfish are
shown in table 2b.
For minor shelf rockfish south of lat.
40°10′ N, in the OA fishery; in addition
to exchanging the lat. 36° N boundary,
in favor of the lat. 37°07′ N boundary,
one latitudinal stratum was added with
separate trip limits, dividing the area
south of lat. 40°10′ N into three strata
under Council recommendations,
compared with two strata under current
regulations. The new management area
boundaries and corresponding trip
limits for minor shelf rockfish are
shown in table 2b.
The Council’s Groundfish
Management Team (GMT) analyzed the
combination of proposed changes
(Agenda Item F.8.a Supplemental GMT
Report 1, March 2024) to trip limit
amounts, by area strata, for minor shelf
rockfish south of lat. 40°10′ N. These
combinations included a specifically
designed balance of modest increases, as
well as decreases, in trip limits, together
with the changes to the Non-Trawl RCA
boundaries. The GMT found in their
analysis that quillback rockfish
encounters between lat. 36° and 37°07′
N have been rare throughout the
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Months
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relevant time series. Only 0.7 percent of
commercial quillback rockfish landings
occurred south of lat. 37°07′ N over the
most recent 5-year period (2019–2023),
and only 3.7 percent over a much longer
time series (1992–2022). As such, the
changes in trip limits south of lat. 37°07′
N are congruent with both maintaining
adequate access by commercial fishers
to groundfish resources and the
conservation needs of quillback rockfish
off California, which was recently
determined to be overfished (NMFS
notified the Council of the overfished
status determination for quillback
rockfish on December 14, 2023; Agenda
Item F.2, Attachment 2, March 2024),
and maintaining catches of vermillion/
sunset rockfish at a sustainable level
(catches have been high since 2015).
Trip limits with corresponding areas
are shown in Table 2. Recommended
changes for the remaining lingcod, other
flatfish complex, and minor shelf
rockfish species did not involve any
new limits themselves, only the
redesignation of the latitudinal
boundaries for existing limits, in
accordance with the new recommended
Non-Trawl RCA boundaries.
TABLE 2a—TRIP LIMITS UNDER CURRENT REGULATION, AND COUNCIL-RECOMMENDATIONS, FOR LE AND OA NON-TRAWL
FISHERIES, SOUTH OF LAT. 40°10′ N: CURRENT REGULATION
Fleet
Species
Lat. area
Limit
LE ............
Lingcod ....................
40°10′ N–36° N .......
Minor shelf rockfish
South of 36° N .........
40°10′ N–34°27′ N ..
1,600 lb (726 kg)/2 months seaward of the non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/2 months inside the
non-trawl RCA.
1,600 lb (726 kg)/2 months.
6,000 lb (2,722 kg)/2 months, of which no more than 500 lb (227 kg) may be
vermilion/sunset.
6,000 lb (2,722 kg)/2 months, of which no more than 3,000 lb (1,361 kg) may be
vermilion/sunset.
10,000 lb (4,536 kg)/month seaward of the non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/month inside the
non-trawl RCA.
10,000 lb (4,536 kg)/month.
700 lb (318 kg)/2 months seaward of the non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/2 months inside the
non-trawl RCA.
700 lb (318 kg)/2 months.
3,000 lb (1,361 kg)/2 months, of which no more than 300 lb (136 kg) may be
vermilion/sunset.
3,000 lb (1,361 kg)/2 months, of which no more than 900 lb (408 kg) may be
vermilion/sunset.
5,000 lb (2,268 kg)/month seaward of the non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/month inside the nontrawl RCA.
5,000 lb (2,268 kg)/month.
South of 34°27′ N ....
OA ...........
Other flatfish ............
40°10′ N–36° N .......
Lingcod ....................
South of 36° N .........
40°10′ N–36° N .......
Minor shelf rockfish
South of 36° N .........
40°10′ N–36° N .......
South of 36° N .........
Other flatfish ............
40°10′ N–36° N .......
South of 36° N .........
TABLE 2b—TRIP LIMITS UNDER CURRENT REGULATION, AND COUNCIL-RECOMMENDATIONS, FOR LE AND OA NON-TRAWL
FISHERIES, SOUTH OF LAT. 40°10′ N: COUNCIL RECOMMENDED
Fleet
Species
Area
Limit
LE ............
Lingcod ....................
40°10′ N–37°07′ N ..
Minor shelf rockfish
South of 37°07′ N ....
40°10′ N–37°07′ N ..
1,600 lb (726 kg)/2 months seaward of the non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/2 months inside the
non-trawl RCA.
1,600 lb (726 kg)/2 months.
6,000 lb (2,722 kg)/2 months, of which no more than 500 lb (227 kg) may be
vermilion/sunset.
8,000 lb (3,629 kg)/2 months, of which no more than 500 lb (227 kg) may be
vermilion/sunset.
5,000 lb (2,268 kg)/2 months, of which no more than 3,000 lb (1,361 kg) may be
vermilion/sunset.
10,000 lb (4,536 kg)/month seaward of the non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/month inside the
non-trawl RCA.
10,000 lb (4,536 kg)/month.
700 lb (318 kg)/2 months seaward of the non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/2 months inside the
non-trawl RCA.
700 lb (318 kg)/2 months.
3,000 lb (1,361 kg)/2 months, of which no more than 300 lb may be vermilion/sunset.
4,000 lb (1,8141 kg)/2 months, of which no more than 300 lb may be vermilion/sunset.
3,000 lb (1,814 kg)/2 months, of which no more than 900 lb may be vermilion/sunset.
5,000 lb (2,268 kg)/2 months seaward of the non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/2 months inside
the non-trawl RCA.
5,000 lb (2,268 kg)/month.
37°07′ N–34°27′ N ..
South of 34°27′ N ....
OA ...........
Other flatfish ............
40°10′ N–37°07′ N ..
Lingcod ....................
South of 37°07′ N ....
40°10′ N–37°07′ N ..
Minor shelf rockfish
South of 37°07′ N ....
40°10′ N–37°07′ N ..
37°07′ N–34°27′ N ..
South of 34°27′ N ....
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Other flatfish ............
40°10′ N–37°07′ N ..
South of 37°07′ N ....
Pacific Halibut
At its March 2024 meeting, the
Council also recommended new annual
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trip limit ratios for the incidental catch
of Pacific halibut in the primary (tier)
sablefish fishery north of Point
Chehalis, Washington, starting for the
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2024 season. These measures are
reviewed each season. The Council
recommended a trip limit ratio of 130 lb
of dressed Pacific halibut per 1,000 lb of
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sablefish, plus two additional halibut
for the primary fishery north of Point
Chehalis, as recommended by the
Council’s Groundfish Advisory
Subpanel (GAP). This trip limit is a
reduction from last year when it was
150 lb of dressed Pacific halibut per
1,000 lb of sablefish. The GAP related
during their discussion of this topic that
this reduction was likely warranted
given the reduction in the overall
allocation for incidental catch in the
sablefish fishery from 70,000 lbs in 2023
to 50,000 lbs in 2024 (89 FR 19275,
March 18, 2024). Additionally, the GAP
noted that it expects the new trip limit
to be an adequate amount to utilize the
overall allocation and prevent waste of
bycatch. If necessary, incidental trip
limits could be updated later in the
year, by the Council, through inseason
action.
California Recreational Groundfish
Fisheries in Federal Waters
The Council recommended
modifications to Federal regulations
concerning the portion of the California
recreational groundfish fishery that falls
within Federal waters, consistent with
California state regulations for the
fishery. The State of California recently
revised its state regulations, including
changes to season dates and depth
limits for the California rockfish,
cabezon, and greenling (RCG) complex
as well as for lingcod, and revising a
sub-bag limit for vermilion/sunset
rockfish south of lat. 40°10′ N. The
Council recommended changes were
presented to the Council by the
California Department of Fish and
Wildlife (CDFW) (Agenda Item F.8.a
Supplemental CDFW Report 2 March
2024) in a request for consistent action
in federal waters, discussed by the
GMT, and recommended by the GAP
(Agenda Item F.8.a Supplemental GAP
Report 1 March 2024). The GMT did not
analyze nor make a recommendation
regarding CDFW’s proposal. The federal
regulations for the California
recreational groundfish fishery for RCG
and lingcod that were set at the
beginning of 2023 are summarized in
Table 3, inseason actions that were
taken during 2023 are not incorporated.
The Council recommended regulations
for 2024 are summarized in Table 4.
Table 3 and Table 4 are summaries only.
Refer to 50 CFR 660.360(c)(3)(i)(A) for a
detailed description of the California
recreational groundfish fishery
structure.
Table 3 - Summary of the California recreational groundfish fishery season
structure, by month, area, and depth, currently in regulation
Jan
I
Feb
I
Mar
I
Apr
May
I
Jun
I
Jul
I
Aug
I
Sep
Oct
I
Nov
I
Dec
Open>50 fin
Northern
Closed all depths
Mendocino
Closed all depths
Open>50
fm
Open all
Depths
Open>50 fm
San
Francisco
Closed all depths
Open>50
fm
Open all
depths
Open>50 fm
Central
Closed all depths
Southern
Closed all depths
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Open all depths
Open >50 fin
Open all depths
Open all depths
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>50fm
01APR1
ER01AP24.003</GPH>
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Area
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Table 4 - Summary of California recreational groundfish season structure, by
month, area, and depth, according to March 2024 Council recommendations. Open
in depths greater or less than 50 fm shown as ">50 fm" or "<50 fm" respectively.
I
Feb
I
Mar
May
I
Jun
Jul I Aug I Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Northern
Closed in EEZ
>50
fm
Closed in the EEZ
>50
fm
Closed >50
inEEZ fin
Mendoci
no
Closed in EEZ
>50
fm
Closed in the EEZ
>50
fm
Closed >50
inEEZ fin
San
Francisco
Closed in EEZ
>50
fm
Closed in the EEZ
>50
fm
Closed >50
inEEZ fin
Central
N of 36°
Closed in EEZ
>50
fm
Closed in the EEZ
>50
fm
Closed >50
inEEZ fin
Central S
of36°
Closed in EEZ
Open all depths
<50 fin
>50fm
Southern
Closed in EEZ
Open all depths
<50fm
>50fm
Classification
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Apr
This final rule makes routine inseason
adjustments to the Pacific Coast
groundfish fishery management
measures, based on the best scientific
information available, consistent with
the PCGFMP and its implementing
regulations.
This action is taken under the
authority of 50 CFR 660.60(c) and is
exempt from review under Executive
Order 12866.
The aggregate data upon which these
actions are based are available for public
inspection by contacting Dr. Sean
Matson in NMFS West Coast Region (see
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT,
above), or to view at the NMFS West
Coast Groundfish website: https://
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/westcoast-groundfish.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b), NMFS
finds good cause to waive prior public
notice and an opportunity for public
comment on this action, as notice and
comment would be impracticable and
contrary to the public interest. These
revisions are in response to new
information about the fishery, and to
conservation issues that need to be
addressed for the 2024 fishing year. The
adjustments to management measures in
this document increase trip limits and
decrease size limits for fisheries off
California to allow additional economic
opportunity, while keeping catch within
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allocations established by the 2023–
2024 harvest specifications. The GMT
found in their analysis that the
boundary change to the Non-Trawl RCA
would likely result in an increase in
lingcod, cabezon, other flatfish, minor
nearshore, and minor shelf species catch
from lat. 36° N to 37°07′ N, while
minimizing impacts to quillback
rockfish, and reducing catch of
vermillion/sunset rockfish to
sustainable levels, within that area. The
risk of the changes established in this
final rule resulting in exceedances of the
corresponding harvest limits is low, and
the risk to quillback rockfish is minimal,
particularly in areas south of lat. 37°07′
N. At the same time, the changes would
yield positive economic impacts to
commercial non-trawl fishermen that
fish in Federal waters in that area. This
economic opportunity would not
otherwise occur without the Non-Trawl
RCA boundary move and the associated
trip limit changes. This rule also makes
Council recommended changes to
regulations pertaining to the California
recreational groundfish fishery within
federally managed waters, in order to
create consistency with current state
regulations within California
jurisdiction. This is necessary to ensure
consistent management and
enforcement across the state and
federally managed fisheries. No aspect
of this action is controversial, and
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changes of this nature were anticipated
in the final rule for the 2023–2024
harvest specifications and management
measures, which published on
December 16, 2022 (87 FR 77007).
Trip limit ratios to cover incidental
catch of Pacific halibut in the fixed gear
sablefish primary (tier) fishery are set
annually, in alignment with the overall
allocation for incidental catch in this
fishery that is established by NMFS in
mid-March of each year. Halibut is
internationally managed, with
specifications that publish out of sync
with groundfish regulations, and
therefore measures to account for
incidental catch in the sablefish fishery
must be updated each year through
inseason action. Updating these limits
in a timely fashion is a critical
conservation need in the West Coast LE
sablefish primary (tier) fishery.
Delaying implementation of this rule
to allow for public comment would
have negative effects on the
conservation of California quillback
rockfish, which was recently
determined to be overfished, as well as
the conservation of vermilion/sunset
rockfish, whose catch has been
unsustainably high in recent years.
Delay in implementation would also
likely reduce the economic benefits to
the commercial fishing industry and the
businesses that rely on that industry,
because it is unlikely the new
regulations would publish and could be
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 63 / Monday, April 1, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
implemented in time to realize the
projected benefits to fishing
communities and the resource. A delay
in implementation could also contribute
to unnecessarily discarded and largely
wasted fish; fish which could otherwise
be landed to provide food and revenue,
and whose use would assist in the
responsible use of the resource.
Therefore, providing a comment period
for this action could significantly limit
the economic benefits to the fishery, and
would hamper the achievement of
optimum yield from the affected
fisheries.
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Therefore, the NMFS finds reason to
waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(1) so that
this final rule may become effective
upon publication in the Federal
Register. The adjustments to
management measures in this document
affect fisheries by increasing
opportunity and allowing greater
economic benefit. These adjustments
were requested by the Council’s
advisory bodies, as well as by members
of industry during the Council’s March
2024 meeting, and the changes are
recommended unanimously by the
Council. No aspect of this action is
controversial, and changes of this nature
were anticipated in the biennial harvest
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specifications and management
measures established through a notice
and comment rulemaking for 2023–2024
(87 FR 77007).
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660
Fisheries, Fishing, Indian fisheries.
Carrie Diane Robinson,
Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
For the reasons set out in the
preamble, NMFS amends 50 CFR part
660 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 § 660.231, revise paragraph
(b)(3)(iv) to read as follows:
*
*
*
*
*
(b) * * *
(3) * * *
(iv) Incidental Pacific halibut
retention north of Pt. Chehalis, WA
(46°53.30′ N lat.). From April 1 through
the closure date set by the International
Pacific Halibut Commission for Pacific
■
PO 00000
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22347
halibut in all commercial fisheries,
vessels authorized to participate in the
sablefish primary fishery, licensed by
the International Pacific Halibut
Commission for commercial fishing in
Area 2A (waters off Washington,
Oregon, California), and fishing with
longline gear north of Pt. Chehalis, WA
(46°53.30′ N lat.) may possess and land
up to 130 lb (59 kg) dressed weight of
Pacific halibut for every 1,000 lb (454
kg) dressed weight of sablefish landed,
and up to two additional Pacific halibut
in excess of the 130-lbs-per-1,000-lb
limit per landing. NMFS publishes the
International Pacific Halibut
Commission’s regulations setting forth
annual management measures,
including the closure date for Pacific
halibut in all commercial fisheries, in
the Federal Register by March 15 each
year, 50 CFR 300.62. ‘‘Dressed’’ Pacific
halibut in this area means halibut
landed eviscerated with their heads on.
Pacific halibut taken and retained in the
sablefish primary fishery north of Pt.
Chehalis may only be landed north of
Pt. Chehalis and may not be possessed
or landed south of Pt. Chehalis.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 3. Revise table 2 (South) to part 660,
subpart E, to read as follows:
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 63 / Monday, April 1, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
Table 2 (South) to Part 660, Subpart E -- Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation Areas and Trip Limits for Limited Entry Fixed Gear South of 40°10' N lat.
4/1/2024
Other limits and reauirements ace Iv -- Read &&660 1O throuah 660 399 before usina this table
JAN-FEB
I MAR-APR I MAY-JUN I JUL-AUG I SEP-OCT I NOV-DEC
Rockfish Conservation Area CRCAl 11:
1 40'10' N lat. - 37'07' N lat.
Shoreward EEZ 11 - 75 frn line11
2
3
37'07' N lat. - 34 '27' N lat.
ISouth of 34 '27' N lat.
50 fm line11 - 75 fm line 11
100 frn line11 -150 frn line11 (also aoolies around islands and banks)
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, Farallon Islands, Cordell Bank, and EFHCAs).
21
4 Minor Slope rockfish & Darkblotched
40,000 lb/ 2 months, of which no more than 6,000 lb may be blackgill rockfish
rockfish
s Sclitnose rockfish
6 Sablefish
7
8
40,000 lb/ 2 months
4,500 lb/ week, not to exceed 9,000 lb /2 months
2,500 lb/ week
10,000 lb/ 2 months
40°10' N lat. -36°00' N lat.
South of 36 °00' N lat.
Lonasci ne thomvhead
9
10 Shorlsoine thomvhead
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
ta
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
40'10' N lat. - 34'27' N lat.
South of 34'27' N lat.
Dover sole, arrowtooth flounder, petrale sole,
English sole, starry flounder
Other Flatfish 31
I 40°10' N lat. -37'07' N lat.
South of 37°07' N lat.
I
Whiling
21
Minor Shelf Rockfish
40'10' N lat. - 37°07' N lat.
I
I 37°07' N lat. - 34 '27' N lat.
South of 34'27' N lat.
Widow rockfish
40'10'
N lat. - 34'27' N lat.
I
South of 34'27' N lat.
Chilipepper rockfish
40'10' N lat. - 34'27' N lat.
South of 34'27' N lat.
Canary rockfish
Yelloweve rockfish
Quillback rockfish
Cowcod
Bronzespotted rockfish
Bocaccio
Minor Nearshore Rockfish
2,000 lb/ 2 months
I
3,000 lb/ 2 months
10,000 lb/ month
10,000 lb/ month seaward of the non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/month inside the non-trawl RCA
10,000 lb/ month
10,000 lb/ trip
6,000 lb/ 2 months, of which no more than 500 lb mav be vermilion/sunset
8,000 lb /2 month period, of which no more than 500 lb mav be vermilion/sunset
5,000 lb/ 2 months, of which no more than 3,000 lb mav be vermilion/sunset
44 Spiny dogfish
DJ
r
m
CJ)
0
C:
:::r
0 lb/ 2 months
2,000 lb/ 2 months
0 lb/ 2 months
2,000 lb/ 2 months, of which no more than 75 lb may be copper rockfish
3,500 lb/ 2 months
1,600 lb/ 2 months seaward of the Non-Trawl RCA; 0 lb/ 2 months inside the non-trawl RCA
1,600 lb/ 2 months
1,000 lb/ 2 months
150,000 lb/ 2
200,000 lb/ 2 months
100,000 lb/ 2 months
months
Unlimited
0 lb / 2 months
40'10' N lat. - 36' N lat.
South of 36' N lat.
48
48
)>
--
10,000 lb. / 2 months
8,000 lb./ 2 months
3,500 lb/ 2 months
CLOSED
0 lb/ 2 months
CLOSED
CLOSED
8,000 lb/ 2 months
I
Lonanose skate
46 Other Fish7'
47 Cabezon in California
45
-I
N
10,000 lb/ 2 months
8,000 lb/ 2 months
I
40'10' N lat. - 36' N lat. Shallow nearshore41
South of 36° N lat. Shallow nearshore41
40°10' N lat. - 36° N lat. Deeper nearshore51
South of 36° N lat. Deeper nearshore51
California Scorpionfish
Linacod61
40'10' N lat. - 37°07' N lat.
I
South of 37°07' N lat.
Pacific cod
2,500 lb/ 2 months
I
0 lb/ 2 months
Unlimited
Unlimited
50 Big Skate
1/ The Rockfish Conservation lvea is an area closed to fishing by particular gear types, bounded by lines specifically defined by latitude
and longitude coordinates set out at§§ 660.71-660.74. This RCA is not defined by depth contours (with the exception of the 20-fm
depth contour boundary south of 42° N lat.), and the boundary lines that define the RCA may close areas that are deeper or shallower
than the depth contour. Vessels that are subject to RCA restrictions may not fish in the RCA, or operate in the RCA for any purpose
other than transiting. LEFG vessels may be allowed to fish inside groundfish conservation areas using non-bottom contact hook and line only.
See§ 660.230 (d) of the regulations for more information.
2/ Minor Shelf and Slope Rockfish complexes are defined at§ 660.11. Pacific ocean perch is included in the trip limits for Minor Slope Rockfish. Blackgill rockfish have a
species specific trip sub-limit within the Minor Slope Rockfish cumulative limit. Yellowtail rockfish are included in the trip limits for Minor Shelf Rockfish. Bronzespotted
rockfish have a species specific trip limit.
3/ "Other Flatfish" are defined at§ 660.11 and include butter sole, curlfin sole, flathead sole, Pacific sanddab, rex sole, rock sole, and sand sole.
4/ "Shallow Nearshore" are defined at§ 660.11 under "Groundfish" (7)(i)(B)(1).
5/ "Deeper Nearshore" are defined at§ 660.11 under "Groundfish" (7)(i)(B)(2).
6/ The commercial mimimum size limit for ling cod is 22 inches (56 cm) total length South of 42° N lat.
71 "Other Fish" are defined at§ 660.11 and include kelp greenling off California and leopard shark.
To convert pounds to kllograms, divide by2.20462, the number of pounds In one kllogram.
4. Revise table 3 (South) to part 660,
subpart F, to read as follows:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:59 Mar 29, 2024
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ER01AP24.000</GPH>
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1
■
22349
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 63 / Monday, April 1, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
Table 3 (South) to Part 660, Subpart F - Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation Areas and Trip Limits for Open Access Gears South of 40°10' N lat.
Other limits and reQuirements apply -- Read §§660 1O throuah 660 399 before usina this table
JAN-FEB
JUL-AUG
I MAR-APR I MAY-JUN
I
I SEP-OCT
Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA) :
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
11
11
1 40"1 0' N lat. - 37°07' N lat.
Shoreward EEZ - 75 fm line
I
I
4/1/2024
NOV-DEC
I
2 37"07' N lat. - 34 "27' N lat.
50 fm line 11 - 75 fm line 11
3 ISouth of 34 °27' N lat.
100 fm line 11 -150 fm line 11 (also aoolies around islands and banks)
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, Farallon Islands, Cordell Bank, and EFHCAs).
4 Minor Slope Rockfish 21 & Darkblotched rockfish
10,000 lb/ 2 months, of\Mlich no more than 2,500 lb may be black.gill rockfish
5 Splitnose rockfish
6 Sablefish
7
200 lb/ month
3,000 lb/ week, not to exceed 6,000 lb/ 2 months
140°10' N lat. -36°00' N lat.
8
ISouth of 36 •00" N lat.
9 Shortpine thomyheads
10
I
40"10' N lat. - 34"27' N lat.
11 Longspine thomvheads
12
40"10' N lat. - 34"27' N lat.
I
13 Shortpine thomyheads and longspine
thomvheads
14
ISouth of 34 •27' N lat.
2,000 lb/ week, not to exceed 6,000 lb/ 2 months
50 lb/ month
50 lb/ month
100 lb/ day, no more than 1,000 lb/ 2 months
15 Dover sole, arrowtooth flounder, petrale sole,
English sole, starry flounder3181
other
I
I
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1
VerDate Sep<11>2014
5,000 lb/ month
300 lb/ month
)>
OJ
r-
m
I
40"10' N lat. - 37"07' N lat.
37°07' N lat. - 34"27' N lat.
South of 34 °27' N lat.
I
I
40°10' N lat. -34°27' N lat.
South of 34°27' N lat.
6,000 lb/ 2 months
4,000 lb/ 2 months
I
I
40"10' N lat. - 34"27' N lat.
South of 34 "27' N lat.
6,000 lb/ 2 months
4,000 lb/ 2 months
1,500 lb/ 2 months
CLOSED
CLOSED
CLOSED
O lb/ 2 months
6,000 lb/ 2 months
I
I
3,000 lb/ 2 months, of \Mlich no more than 300 lb may be vermilion/sunset
4,000 lb/ 2 month, of\Mlich no more than 300 lb mav be vermilion/sunset
3,000 lb/ 2 months, of \Mlich no more than 900 lb may be vermilion/sunset
w
en
Widow rockfish
0
-
Chilipepper rockfish
Canarv rockfish
Yelloweve rockfish
Cowcod
Bronzespotted rockfish
Quillback rockfish
Bocaccio
Minor Nearshore Rockfish
40°10' N lat. -36°00' N lat. Shallownearshore41
South of 36°00' N lat. Shallow nearshore41
40°10' N lat.-36°00' N lat. Deepernearshore51
South of 36°00' N lat. Deeoer nearshore51
C8Iifornia Scorpionfish
61
Linacod
I 40° 10' N lat. - 37"07' N lat.
South of 37°07' N lat.
Pacific cod
Longnose skate
Big skate
other Fish7'
cabezon in C8Iifornia
I
I
15:59 Mar 29, 2024
700 lb/ month seaward of the non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/ month inside the non-trawl RCA
700 lb/ month
1,000 lb/ 2 months
150,000 lb/ 2
200,000 lb/ 2 months
100,000 lb/ 2 months
months
Unlimited
Unlimited
Unlimited
PO 00000
I
o lb/ month
40"10' N lat. - 36"00' N lat.
South of 36"00' N lat.
Jkt 262001
C:
:::r
0 lb/ 2 months
2,000 lb/ 2 months
O lb/ 2 months
2,000 lb/ 2 months, of \Mlich no more than 75 lb may be copper rockfish
3,500 lb/ 2 months
I
48 Spiny dogfish
47
48
49
so
51
52
-I
5,000 lb/ month seaward of the Non-Trawl RCA; O lb/month inside the Non-Trawl RCA
Whiting
Minor Shelf Rockfish 21
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34,
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
40° 10' N lat. - 37"07' N lat.
South of 37°07' N lat.
Unlimited
Frm 00019
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16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
5,000 lb/ month
Flatfish31
22350
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 63 / Monday, April 1, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
Table 3 (South) Continued
Other limits and requirements apply -- Read §§660 1O through 660 399 before using this table
JAN-FEB
I
MAR-APR
I
MAY-JUN
I
JUL-AUG
I
SEP-OCT
I
4/1/2024
NOV-DEC
Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA)1':
1 40"1 0' N lat. - 36"00' N lat.
Shoreward EEZ11 - 75 fm line11
2 36"00' N lat. - 34 "27' N lat.
50 fm line 11 - 75 fm line 11
11
3 ISouth of 34 °27' N lat.
100 fm line -150 fm line 11 (also aoolies around islands and banks)
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, Farallon Islands, Cordell Bank, and EFHCAs).
59 SALMON TROLL (subject to RCAs when retaining all species of groundfish, except for yel/owfail rockfish, as described below)
Salmon trailers may retain and land up to 1 lb of yellowlail rockfish for every 2 lb of Chinook salmon landed, with a
cumulative limit of 200 lb/month, both within and outside of the RCA. This limit is within the 4,000 lb per 2 month
South of40°10' N lat. limit for minor shelf rockfish beh.veen 40°10' and 34°27' N lat., and not in addition to that limit. All groundfish species
are subject to the open access limits, seasons, size limits and RCA restrictions listed in the table above, unless
otherwise stated here.
60
40"10' N lat. -38"00' N lat.
64
38°00' N lat. - 34°27' N lat.
South of 34°27' N lat.
65
100 fmline 11 200 fm line 11
I
100 fmline
11
-150 fmline 11
11
11
>
DJ
r-
m
w
61 RIDGEBACK PRAWN AND, SOUTH OF 38°57.50' N lat., CA HALIBUT AND SEA CUCUMBER NON-GROUNDFISH TRAWL
62 NON-GROUNDFISH TRAWL Rockfish Conservation Area CRCAl for CA Halibut, Sea Cucumber & Ridaeback Prawn:
63
-I
I
100 fm line 11 200 fm line 11
i-(/)
0
--·
100fmline -150fmline
100fmline 11 -150fmline 11
C:
Groundfish: 300 lb/trip. Species-specific limits described in the table above also apply and are counted toward the
:::r
300 lb groundfish per trip limit. The amount of groundfish landed may not exceed the amount of the target species
landed, except that the amount of spiny dogfish landed may exceed the amount of target species landed. Spiny
dogfish are limited by the 300 lb/trip overall groundfish limit. Toe daily trip limits for sablefish coastwide and
0
thornyheads south of Pt. Conception and the overall groundfish "per trip" limit may not be multiplied by the number of 0
days of the trip. Vessels participating in the California halibut fishery south of 38°57.50' N lat. are allOV11ed to (1) land
::I
up to 100 lb/day of groundfish without the ratio requirement, provided that at least one California halibut is landed and
(2) land up to 3,000 lb/month of flatfish, no more than 300 lb of which may be species other than Pacific sanddabs,
sand sole, starry flounder, rock sole, curlfin sole, or California scorpionfish (California scorpionfish is also subject to the ::::J
trip limits and closures in line 29).
,--
66
C:
CD
67 PINK SHRIMP NON-GROUNDFISH TRAWL GEAR (not subject to RCAs)
69
Effective April 1 - October 31: Groundfish: 500 lb/day, multiplied by the number of days of the trip, not to exceed
1,500 lb/trip. The following sublimits also apply and are counted toward the overall 500 lb/ day and 1,500 lb/ trip
groundfish limits: lingcod 300 lb/ month (minimum 24 inch size limit); sablefish 2,000 lb/ month; canary rockfish,
thornyheads and yell0\/1/eye rockfish are PROHIBITED. All other groundfish species taken are managed under the
overall 500 lb/day and 1,500 lb/ trip groundfish limits. Landings of all groundfish species count toward the per day,
per trip or other species-specific sublimits described here and the species-specific limits described in the table above
do not apply. The amount of groundfish landed may not exceed the amount of pink shrimp landed.
South
C.
1/ The Rockfish Conservation Area is an area closed to fishing by particular gear types, bounded by lines specifically defined by latitude
and longitude coordinates set out at§§ 660. 71-660.74. This RCA is not defined by depth contours (with the exception of the 20-fm
depth contour boundary south of 42° N lat.), and the boundary lines that define the RCA may close areas that are deeper or shallower
than the depth contour. Vessels that are subject to RCA restrictions may not fish in the RCA, or operate in the RCA for any purpose
other than transiting. Open access vessels may be allowed to fish inside groundfish conservation areas using hook and line only.
See§ 660.330 (d) of the regulations for more information.
21 Minor Shelf and Slope Rockfish complexes are defined at§ 660.11. Pacific ocean perch is included in the trip limits for minor slope rockfish. Blackgill rockfish have
a species specific trip sub-limit within the minor slope rockfish cumulative limits. Yellowtail rockfish is included in the trip limits for minor shelf rockfish. Bronzespotted rockfish
have a species specific trip limit.
3/ "Other flatfish" are defined at§ 660.11 and include butter sole, curlfin sole, flathead sole, Pacific sanddab, rex sole, rock sole, and sand sole.
4/ "Shallow Nearshore" are defined at§ 660.11 under "Groundfish" (7)(i)(B)(1 ).
5/ "Deeper Nearshore" are defined at§ 660.11 under "Groundfish" (7)(i)(B)(2).
BILLING CODE 3510–22–C
5. In § 660.360, revise paragraphs
(c)(3)(i)(A)(1) through (5), (c)(3)(ii)(A)(1)
through (5), (c)(3)(ii)(B), and
(c)(3)(iii)(A)(1) through (5) to read as
follows:
■
§ 660.360 Recreational fishery—
management measures.
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1
*
*
*
*
*
(c) * * *
(3) * * *
(i) * * *
(A) * * *
(1) Between 42° N lat. (California/
Oregon border) and 40°10′ N lat.
(Northern Management Area),
recreational fishing for the RCG
Complex and lingcod is closed in the
EEZ from January 1 through March 31,
is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of
the boundary line approximating the 50
fm (91 m) depth contour along the
mainland coast and along islands and
offshore seamounts from April 1
through April 30, is closed in the EEZ
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:59 Mar 29, 2024
Jkt 262001
from May 1 to September 30, is
prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the
boundary line approximating the 50 fm
(91 m) depth contour along the
mainland coast and along islands and
offshore seamounts from October 1
through October 31, closed in the EEZ
from November 1 through November 30,
and prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of
the boundary line approximating the 50
fm (91 m) depth contour along the
mainland coast and along islands and
offshore seamounts from December 1
through December 31.
(2) Between 40°10′ N lat. and
38°57.50′ N lat. (Mendocino
Management Area), recreational fishing
for the RCG Complex and lingcod is
closed from in the EEZ from January 1
through March 31, is prohibited in the
EEZ shoreward of the boundary line
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth
contour along the mainland coast and
along islands and offshore seamounts
from April 1 through April 30, is closed
in the EEZ from May 1 to September 30,
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of
the boundary line approximating the 50
fm (91 m) depth contour along the
mainland coast and along islands and
offshore seamounts from October 1
through October 31, closed in the EEZ
from November 1 through November 30,
and prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of
the boundary line approximating the 50
fm (91 m) depth contour along the
mainland coast and along islands and
offshore seamounts from December 1
through December 31.
(3) Between 38°57.50′ N lat. and
37°11′ N lat. (San Francisco
Management Area), recreational fishing
for the RCG Complex and lingcod is
closed in the EEZ from January 1
through March 31, is prohibited in the
EEZ shoreward of the boundary line
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth
contour along the mainland coast and
along islands and offshore seamounts
from April 1 through April 30, is closed
in the EEZ from May 1 to September 30,
is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of
E:\FR\FM\01APR1.SGM
01APR1
ER01AP24.002</GPH>
6/ The commercial mimimum size limit for lingcod is 22 inches (56 cm) South of 42° N lat.
7/ "other fish" are defined at§ 660.11 and includes kelp green ling off California and leopard shark.
8/ Open access vessels may be allowed to fish inside groundfish conservation areas using hook and line only. See§ 660.330 (d) of the regulations for more information.
To convert pounds to kilograms, divide by 2.20462, the number of pounds in one kilogram.
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 63 / Monday, April 1, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
the boundary line approximating the 50
fm (91 m) depth contour along the
mainland coast and along islands and
offshore seamounts from October 1
through October 31, closed in the EEZ
from November 1 through November 30,
and prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of
the boundary line approximating the 50
fm (91 m) depth contour along the
mainland coast and along islands and
offshore seamounts from December 1
through December 31. Closures around
Cordell Bank (see paragraph (c)(3)(i)(C)
of this section) also apply in this area.
(4) Between 37°11′ N lat. and 34°27′
N lat. (Central Management Area),
(i) Between 37°11′ N lat. and 36° N
lat., recreational fishing for the RCG
Complex and lingcod is closed in the
EEZ from January 1 through March 31,
is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of
the boundary line approximating the 50
fm (91 m) depth contour along the
mainland coast and along islands and
offshore seamounts from April 1
through April 30, is closed in the EEZ
from May 1 to September 30, is
prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the
boundary line approximating the 50 fm
(91 m) depth contour along the
mainland coast and along islands and
offshore seamounts from October 1
through October 31, closed in the EEZ
from November 1 through November 30,
and prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of
the boundary line approximating the 50
fm (91 m) depth contour along the
mainland coast and along islands and
offshore seamounts from December 1
through December 31.
(ii) Between 36° N lat. and 34°27′ N
lat., recreational fishing for the RCG
Complex and lingcod is closed from
January 1 through March 31, is open at
all depths from April 1 through June 30;
is prohibited in the EEZ seaward of a
boundary line approximating the 50 fm
(91 m) depth contour along the
mainland coast and along islands and
offshore seamounts from July 1 through
September 30, and is prohibited in the
EEZ shoreward of a boundary line
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth
contour along the mainland coast and
along islands and offshore seamounts
from October 1 through December 31.
(5) South of 34°27′ N lat. (Southern
Management Area), recreational fishing
for the RCG Complex and lingcod is
closed from January 1 through March
31, open at all depths from April 1
through June 30; is prohibited in the
EEZ seaward of a boundary line
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth
contour along the mainland coast and
along islands and offshore seamounts
from July 1 through September 30, and
is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of a
boundary line approximating the 50 fm
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:59 Mar 29, 2024
Jkt 262001
(91 m) depth contour along the
mainland coast and along islands and
offshore seamounts from October 1
through December 31.
*
*
*
*
*
(ii) * * *
(A) * * *
(1) Between 42° N lat. (California/
Oregon border) and 40°10′ N lat.
(Northern Management Area),
recreational fishing for the RCG
Complex and lingcod is closed in the
EEZ from January 1 through March 31,
is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of
the boundary line approximating the 50
fm (91 m) depth contour along the
mainland coast and along islands and
offshore seamounts from April 1
through April 30, is closed in the EEZ
from May 1 to September 30, is
prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the
boundary line approximating the 50 fm
(91 m) depth contour along the
mainland coast and along islands and
offshore seamounts from October 1
through October 31, closed in the EEZ
from November 1 through November 30,
and prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of
the boundary line approximating the 50
fm (91 m) depth contour along the
mainland coast and along islands and
offshore seamounts from December 1
through December 31.
(2) Between 40°10′ N lat. and
38°57.50′ N lat. (Mendocino
Management Area), recreational fishing
for the RCG Complex and lingcod is
closed from in the EEZ from January 1
through March 31, is prohibited in the
EEZ shoreward of the boundary line
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth
contour along the mainland coast and
along islands and offshore seamounts
from April 1 through April 30, is closed
in the EEZ from May 1 to September 30,
is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of
the boundary line approximating the 50
fm (91 m) depth contour along the
mainland coast and along islands and
offshore seamounts from October 1
through October 31, closed in the EEZ
from November 1 through November 30,
and prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of
the boundary line approximating the 50
fm (91 m) depth contour along the
mainland coast and along islands and
offshore seamounts from December 1
through December 31.
(3) Between 38°57.50′ N lat. and
37°11′ N lat. (San Francisco
Management Area), recreational fishing
for the RCG Complex and lingcod is
closed in the EEZ from January 1
through March 31, is prohibited in the
EEZ shoreward of the boundary line
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth
contour along the mainland coast and
along islands and offshore seamounts
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
22351
from April 1 through April 30, is closed
in the EEZ from May 1 to September 30,
is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of
the boundary line approximating the 50
fm (91 m) depth contour along the
mainland coast and along islands and
offshore seamounts from October 1
through October 31, closed in the EEZ
from November 1 through November 30,
and prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of
the boundary line approximating the 50
fm (91 m) depth contour along the
mainland coast and along islands and
offshore seamounts from December 1
through December 31. Closures around
Cordell Bank (see paragraph (c)(3)(i)(C)
of this section) also apply in this area.
(4) Between 37°11′ N lat. and 34°27′
N lat. (Central Management Area),
(i) Between 37°11′ N lat. and 36° N
lat., recreational fishing for the RCG
Complex and lingcod is closed in the
EEZ from January 1 through March 31,
is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of
the boundary line approximating the 50
fm (91 m) depth contour along the
mainland coast and along islands and
offshore seamounts from April 1
through April 30, is closed in the EEZ
from May 1 to September 30, is
prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the
boundary line approximating the 50 fm
(91 m) depth contour along the
mainland coast and along islands and
offshore seamounts from October 1
through October 31, closed in the EEZ
from November 1 through November 30,
and prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of
the boundary line approximating the 50
fm (91 m) depth contour along the
mainland coast and along islands and
offshore seamounts from December 1
through December 31.
(ii) Between 36° N lat. and 34°27′ N
lat., recreational fishing for the RCG
Complex and lingcod is closed from
January 1 through March 31, is open at
all depths from April 1 through June 30;
is prohibited in the EEZ seaward of a
boundary line approximating the 50 fm
(91 m) depth contour along the
mainland coast and along islands and
offshore seamounts from July 1 through
September 30, and is prohibited in the
EEZ shoreward of a boundary line
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth
contour along the mainland coast and
along islands and offshore seamounts
from October 1 through December 31.
(5) South of 34°27′ N lat. (Southern
Management Area), recreational fishing
for the RCG Complex and lingcod is
closed from January 1 through March
31, open at all depths from April 1
through June 30; is prohibited in the
EEZ seaward of a boundary line
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth
contour along the mainland coast and
along islands and offshore seamounts
E:\FR\FM\01APR1.SGM
01APR1
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1
22352
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 63 / Monday, April 1, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
from July 1 through September 30, and
is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of a
boundary line approximating the 50 fm
(91 m) depth contour along the
mainland coast and along islands and
offshore seamounts from October 1
through December 31.
(B) Bag limits, hook limits. In times
and areas when the recreational season
for the RCG Complex is open, there is
a limit of two hooks and one line when
fishing for the RCG complex. The bag
limit is 10 RCG Complex fish per day
coastwide, with a sub-bag limit of 4 fish
for vermilion rockfish between 42° N
lat. and 40°10 N lat., a sub-bag limit of
2 fish for vermilion/sunset rockfish
south of 40°10 N lat., and 1 fish for
copper rockfish. These sub-bag limits
count towards the bag limit for the RCG
Complex and are not in addition to that
limit. Retention of yelloweye rockfish,
bronzespotted rockfish, quillback
rockfish, and cowcod is prohibited.
Multi-day limits are authorized by a
valid permit issued by California and
must not exceed the daily limit
multiplied by the value of days in the
fishing trip.
*
*
*
*
*
(iii) * * *
(A) * * *
(1) Between 42° N lat. (California/
Oregon border) and 40°10′ N lat.
(Northern Management Area),
recreational fishing for lingcod in the
EEZ is open from April 1 through April
30, October 1 through October 31, and
December 1 through December 31 (i.e.,
recreational fishing for lingcod in the
EEZ is closed from January 1 through
March 31, May 1 through September 30,
and November 1 through November 30).
(2) Between 40°10′ N lat. and
38°57.50′ N lat. (Mendocino
Management Area), recreational fishing
for lingcod in the EEZ is open from
April 1 through April 30, October 1
through October 31, and December 1
through December 31 (i.e., recreational
fishing for lingcod in the EEZ is closed
from January 1 through March 31, May
1 through September 30, and November
1 through November 30).
(3) Between 38°57.50′ N lat. and
37°11′ N lat. (San Francisco
Management Area), recreational fishing
for lingcod in the EEZ is open from
April 1 through April 30, October 1
through October 31, and December 1
through December 31 (i.e., recreational
fishing for lingcod in the EEZ is closed
from January 1 through March 31, May
1 through September 30, and November
1 through November 30).
(4) Between 37°11′ N lat. and 34°27′
N lat. (Central Management Area),
(i) Between 37°11′ N lat. and 36° N
lat., recreational fishing for lingcod in
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:59 Mar 29, 2024
Jkt 262001
the EEZ is open from April 1 through
April 30, October 1 through October 31,
and December 1 through December 31
(i.e., recreational fishing for lingcod is
closed in the EEZ from January 1
through March 31, May 1 through
September 30, and November 1 through
November 30).
(ii) Between 36° N lat. and 34°27′ N
lat., recreational fishing for lingcod in
the EEZ is open from April 1 through
December 31 (i.e., recreational fishing
for the lingcod in the EEZ is closed from
January 1 through March 31).
(5) South of 34°27′ N lat. (Southern
Management Area), recreational fishing
for lingcod in the EEZ is open from
April 1 through December 31 (i.e.,
recreational fishing for lingcod in the
EEZ is closed from January 1 through
March 31).
*
*
*
*
*
[FR Doc. 2024–06775 Filed 3–29–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 660
[Docket No. 240229–0063]
RIN 0648–BL80
Fisheries Off West Coast States;
Emergency Action To Temporarily
Modify Continuous Transit Limitations
for California Recreational Vessels
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; emergency
action; request for comments.
AGENCY:
This emergency rule
temporarily modifies a continuous
transit requirement for California
recreational vessels. This modification
will temporarily allow recreational
vessels to anchor overnight and/or stop
to fish for non-groundfish species inside
the seasonal Recreational Rockfish
Conservation Area off the coast of
California, also known as the 50-fathom
(91-meter) offshore fishery. This
emergency measure will prevent the
possible cancellation of thousands of
recreational fishing trips during the
2024 recreational fishing season off
California.
SUMMARY:
Effective April 1, 2024 until
September 30, 2024. Comments must be
submitted by May 1, 2024.
ADDRESSES:
DATES:
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
Electronic Access
This emergency rule is accessible via
the internet at the Office of the Federal
Register website at https://
www.federalregister.gov/. The
continuing environmental effects of the
California recreational fishery were
previously considered under the
Environmental Assessment for
Amendment 30 to the Pacific Coast
Groundfish Fishery Management Plan,
2023–2024 Harvest Specifications, and
Management Measures. This document
is available on the NMFS West Coast
Region website at: https://
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/westcoast-groundfish.html.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lynn Massey, phone: 562–900–2060, or
email: lynn.massey@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Pacific Coast Groundfish fishery in the
U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ)
seaward of Washington, Oregon, and
California is managed under the Pacific
Coast Groundfish Fishery Management
Plan (FMP). The Pacific Fishery
Management Council (Council)
developed the Pacific Coast Groundfish
FMP pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management
Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), 16 U.S.C.
1801 et seq. The Secretary of Commerce
approved the Pacific Coast Groundfish
FMP and implemented the provisions of
the plan through Federal regulations at
50 CFR part 660, subparts C through G.
Species managed under the Pacific
Coast Groundfish FMP include more
than 90 species of roundfish, flatfish,
rockfish, sharks, and skates.
The recreational fishery sector off the
California coast benefits the economy
through tourism, bait and tackle sales,
and other commerce that brings income
to California coastal fishing
communities. NMFS, the Council, and
the California Department of Fish and
Wildlife (CDFW) manage recreational
fisheries within five districts: the
Northern Management Area between 42°
North latitude (N lat.) and 40°10′ N lat.,
the Mendocino Management Area
between 40°10′ N lat. and 38°57.50′ N
lat., the San Francisco Management
Area between 38°57.50′ N lat. and
37°11′ N lat., the Central Management
Area between 37°11′ N lat. and 34°27′ N
lat., and the Southern Management Area
between 34°27′ N lat. and the U.S./
Mexico border. The California
recreational groundfish fishery
primarily targets lingcod, nearshore
rockfish, and shelf rockfish with hookand-line gear. Primary catch controls for
this fishery include season dates, depth
closures, bag limits, and area closures,
all of which are tools used to keep catch
E:\FR\FM\01APR1.SGM
01APR1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 63 (Monday, April 1, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22342-22352]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-06775]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 660
[Docket No. 221206-0261]
RIN 0648-BM97
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States;
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2023-2024 Biennial Specifications and
Management Measures; Inseason Adjustments
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule; inseason adjustments to biennial groundfish
management measures.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This final rule announces routine inseason adjustments to
management measures in commercial and recreational groundfish
fisheries. This action is intended to allow fishing vessels to access
more abundant groundfish stocks while protecting rebuilding stocks.
DATES: This final rule is effective April 1, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Electronic Access: This rule is accessible at the Office of
the Federal Register website at https://www.federalregister.gov.
Background information and documents are available at the Pacific
Fishery Management Council's website at https://www.pcouncil.org.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Sean Matson: 206-526-6187 or
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (PCGFMP) and
its implementing regulations at title 50 in the Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR), part 660, subparts C through G, regulate fishing for
over 90 species of groundfish seaward of Washington, Oregon, and
California. The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) develops
groundfish harvest specifications and management measures for 2-year
periods (biennia). NMFS published the final rule to implement harvest
specifications and management measures for the 2023-2024 biennium for
most species managed under the PCGFMP on December 16, 2022 (87 FR
77007). The management measures set at the start of the biennial
harvest specifications cycle help the various sectors of the fishery
attain, but not exceed, the catch limits for each stock. The Council,
in coordination with Pacific Coast Treaty Indian Tribes and the States
of Washington, Oregon, and California, recommends adjustments to the
management measures during the fishing year to achieve this goal.
At its March 2024 meeting, the Council recommended inseason
measures, modifying fixed gear regulations in the area south of lat.
40[deg]10' N, including within the Non-
[[Page 22343]]
Trawl Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA) boundaries, and commercial fixed
gear trip limits for certain species within the limited entry (LE) and
open access (OA) fisheries, including lingcod, the other flatfish
complex, and the minor shelf rockfish complex. The purpose of these
inseason measures is to promote the conservation of quillback rockfish
and vermillion/sunset rockfish off California, while balancing the
economic benefits of fishing opportunity. The Council also recommended
modifications to Federal regulations, concerning the portion of the
California recreational fishery that falls within Federal waters, which
include changes to season dates and depth limits, and revisions to the
sub-bag limit for vermilion/sunset rockfish south of lat. 40[deg]10' N.
The March recommendations were communicated in a letter to NMFS dated
March 20, 2024.
The recommendations were based on analysis using newly available
information on catch and attainment, and input from industry at the
March meeting. Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries are managed using
harvest specifications or limits (e.g., overfishing limits [OFL],
acceptable biological catch [ABC], annual catch limits [ACL], and
harvest guidelines [HG]) recommended biennially by the Council and
based on the best scientific information available at that time (50 CFR
660.60(b)). During development of the harvest specifications, the
Council also recommends management measures (e.g., trip limits, area
closures, and bag limits) that are meant to control catch so as not to
exceed the harvest specifications. The harvest specifications and
management measures developed for the 2023-2024 biennium used data
through the 2021 fishing year. Each of the adjustments to management
measures discussed below are based on updated fisheries information
that was unavailable when the analysis for the current harvest
specifications was completed. As new fisheries data becomes available,
adjustments to management measures are assessed and associated
mortality is projected, so as to help harvesters achieve but not exceed
the harvest limits.
Management Measures for Commercial Fixed Gear, LE and OA Fisheries
Non-Trawl RCA
At the March 2024 meeting, the Council recommended actions to
reduce fishing mortality of quillback rockfish and vermillion/sunset
rockfish, off California, through the 2024 fishing season. Quillback
rockfish off California is an overfished stock. Vermilion/sunset
rockfish is managed in a stock complex, however, fishing mortality for
the stock has exceeded the harvest specification contributions to the
complex for several years. The recommended actions would reduce fishing
mortality of these species, while further narrowing the scope of
restrictions and minimizing the economic impact to fishing communities
to the extent possible. These included a recommendation to adjust the
Non-Trawl RCA latitudinal boundaries for the area between lat.
40[deg]10' N and lat. 36[deg] N (to utilize a boundary at lat.
37[deg]07' N rather than lat. 36[deg] N), so that the area between lat.
37[deg]07' N and lat. 34[deg]27' N, from 50 to 75 fathoms (fm), would
be closed to fishing, and in the area from lat. 40[deg]10' N to lat.
37[deg]07' N, the 3 nautical mile line to 75fm, would be closed to
fishing. The recommended non-trawl boundaries, as well as those under
current regulations are shown in tables 1a and 1b.
Table 1a--Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation Area Boundaries, South of Lat.
40[deg]10' N: Current Regulation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area (latitude) Depth Months
------------------------------------------------------------------------
40[deg]10' N-36[deg] N.......... Shoreward EEZ-75 January through
fm line. December.
36[deg] N-34[deg]27' N.......... 50-75 fm line..... January through
December.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 1b--Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation Area Boundaries, South of Lat.
40[deg]10' N: Council Recommended
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area (latitude) Depth Months
------------------------------------------------------------------------
40[deg]10' N-37[deg]07' N....... Shoreward EEZ-75 January through
fm line. December.
37[deg]07' N-34[deg]27' N....... 50-75 fm line..... January through
December.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trip Limits
The recommended modifications of the Non-Trawl RCA in California
necessitated corresponding changes to the latitude lines designating
area-specific LE and OA trip limits for lingcod, the other flatfish
complex, and the minor shelf rockfish complex (defined at Sec.
660.11), south of lat. 40[deg]10' N (table 2a).
For the minor shelf rockfish complex south of lat. 40[deg]10' N, in
the LE fishery; in addition to exchanging the lat. 36[deg] N boundary,
in favor of the lat. 37[deg]07' N boundary, one latitudinal stratum was
added with separate trip limits, dividing the area south of lat.
40[deg]10' N into three strata under Council recommendations, compared
with two strata under current regulations. The new management area
boundaries and corresponding trip limits for minor shelf rockfish are
shown in table 2b.
For minor shelf rockfish south of lat. 40[deg]10' N, in the OA
fishery; in addition to exchanging the lat. 36[deg] N boundary, in
favor of the lat. 37[deg]07' N boundary, one latitudinal stratum was
added with separate trip limits, dividing the area south of lat.
40[deg]10' N into three strata under Council recommendations, compared
with two strata under current regulations. The new management area
boundaries and corresponding trip limits for minor shelf rockfish are
shown in table 2b.
The Council's Groundfish Management Team (GMT) analyzed the
combination of proposed changes (Agenda Item F.8.a Supplemental GMT
Report 1, March 2024) to trip limit amounts, by area strata, for minor
shelf rockfish south of lat. 40[deg]10' N. These combinations included
a specifically designed balance of modest increases, as well as
decreases, in trip limits, together with the changes to the Non-Trawl
RCA boundaries. The GMT found in their analysis that quillback rockfish
encounters between lat. 36[deg] and 37[deg]07' N have been rare
throughout the
[[Page 22344]]
relevant time series. Only 0.7 percent of commercial quillback rockfish
landings occurred south of lat. 37[deg]07' N over the most recent 5-
year period (2019-2023), and only 3.7 percent over a much longer time
series (1992-2022). As such, the changes in trip limits south of lat.
37[deg]07' N are congruent with both maintaining adequate access by
commercial fishers to groundfish resources and the conservation needs
of quillback rockfish off California, which was recently determined to
be overfished (NMFS notified the Council of the overfished status
determination for quillback rockfish on December 14, 2023; Agenda Item
F.2, Attachment 2, March 2024), and maintaining catches of vermillion/
sunset rockfish at a sustainable level (catches have been high since
2015).
Trip limits with corresponding areas are shown in Table 2.
Recommended changes for the remaining lingcod, other flatfish complex,
and minor shelf rockfish species did not involve any new limits
themselves, only the redesignation of the latitudinal boundaries for
existing limits, in accordance with the new recommended Non-Trawl RCA
boundaries.
Table 2a--Trip Limits Under Current Regulation, and Council-Recommendations, for LE and OA Non-Trawl Fisheries,
South of Lat. 40[deg]10' N: Current Regulation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fleet Species Lat. area Limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LE............................ Lingcod.......... 40[deg]10' N- 1,600 lb (726 kg)/2 months seaward of the
36[deg] N. non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/2 months inside the
non-trawl RCA.
South of 36[deg] 1,600 lb (726 kg)/2 months.
N.
Minor shelf 40[deg]10' N- 6,000 lb (2,722 kg)/2 months, of which no
rockfish. 34[deg]27' N. more than 500 lb (227 kg) may be
vermilion/sunset.
South of 6,000 lb (2,722 kg)/2 months, of which no
34[deg]27' N. more than 3,000 lb (1,361 kg) may be
vermilion/sunset.
Other flatfish... 40[deg]10' N- 10,000 lb (4,536 kg)/month seaward of the
36[deg] N. non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/month inside the non-
trawl RCA.
South of 36[deg] 10,000 lb (4,536 kg)/month.
N.
OA............................ Lingcod.......... 40[deg]10' N- 700 lb (318 kg)/2 months seaward of the
36[deg] N. non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/2 months inside the
non-trawl RCA.
South of 36[deg] 700 lb (318 kg)/2 months.
N.
Minor shelf 40[deg]10' N- 3,000 lb (1,361 kg)/2 months, of which no
rockfish. 36[deg] N. more than 300 lb (136 kg) may be
vermilion/sunset.
South of 36[deg] 3,000 lb (1,361 kg)/2 months, of which no
N. more than 900 lb (408 kg) may be
vermilion/sunset.
Other flatfish... 40[deg]10' N- 5,000 lb (2,268 kg)/month seaward of the
36[deg] N. non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/month inside the non-
trawl RCA.
South of 36[deg] 5,000 lb (2,268 kg)/month.
N.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 2b--Trip Limits Under Current Regulation, and Council-Recommendations, for LE and OA Non-Trawl Fisheries,
South of Lat. 40[deg]10' N: Council Recommended
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fleet Species Area Limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LE............................ Lingcod.......... 40[deg]10' N- 1,600 lb (726 kg)/2 months seaward of the
37[deg]07' N. non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/2 months inside the
non-trawl RCA.
South of 1,600 lb (726 kg)/2 months.
37[deg]07' N.
Minor shelf 40[deg]10' N- 6,000 lb (2,722 kg)/2 months, of which no
rockfish. 37[deg]07' N. more than 500 lb (227 kg) may be
vermilion/sunset.
37[deg]07' N- 8,000 lb (3,629 kg)/2 months, of which no
34[deg]27' N. more than 500 lb (227 kg) may be
vermilion/sunset.
South of 5,000 lb (2,268 kg)/2 months, of which no
34[deg]27' N. more than 3,000 lb (1,361 kg) may be
vermilion/sunset.
Other flatfish... 40[deg]10' N- 10,000 lb (4,536 kg)/month seaward of the
37[deg]07' N. non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/month inside the non-
trawl RCA.
South of 10,000 lb (4,536 kg)/month.
37[deg]07' N.
OA............................ Lingcod.......... 40[deg]10' N- 700 lb (318 kg)/2 months seaward of the
37[deg]07' N. non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/2 months inside the
non-trawl RCA.
South of 700 lb (318 kg)/2 months.
37[deg]07' N.
Minor shelf 40[deg]10' N- 3,000 lb (1,361 kg)/2 months, of which no
rockfish. 37[deg]07' N. more than 300 lb may be vermilion/sunset.
37[deg]07' N- 4,000 lb (1,8141 kg)/2 months, of which no
34[deg]27' N. more than 300 lb may be vermilion/sunset.
South of 3,000 lb (1,814 kg)/2 months, of which no
34[deg]27' N. more than 900 lb may be vermilion/sunset.
Other flatfish... 40[deg]10' N- 5,000 lb (2,268 kg)/2 months seaward of
37[deg]07' N. the non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/2 months inside
the non-trawl RCA.
South of 5,000 lb (2,268 kg)/month.
37[deg]07' N.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific Halibut
At its March 2024 meeting, the Council also recommended new annual
trip limit ratios for the incidental catch of Pacific halibut in the
primary (tier) sablefish fishery north of Point Chehalis, Washington,
starting for the 2024 season. These measures are reviewed each season.
The Council recommended a trip limit ratio of 130 lb of dressed Pacific
halibut per 1,000 lb of
[[Page 22345]]
sablefish, plus two additional halibut for the primary fishery north of
Point Chehalis, as recommended by the Council's Groundfish Advisory
Subpanel (GAP). This trip limit is a reduction from last year when it
was 150 lb of dressed Pacific halibut per 1,000 lb of sablefish. The
GAP related during their discussion of this topic that this reduction
was likely warranted given the reduction in the overall allocation for
incidental catch in the sablefish fishery from 70,000 lbs in 2023 to
50,000 lbs in 2024 (89 FR 19275, March 18, 2024). Additionally, the GAP
noted that it expects the new trip limit to be an adequate amount to
utilize the overall allocation and prevent waste of bycatch. If
necessary, incidental trip limits could be updated later in the year,
by the Council, through inseason action.
California Recreational Groundfish Fisheries in Federal Waters
The Council recommended modifications to Federal regulations
concerning the portion of the California recreational groundfish
fishery that falls within Federal waters, consistent with California
state regulations for the fishery. The State of California recently
revised its state regulations, including changes to season dates and
depth limits for the California rockfish, cabezon, and greenling (RCG)
complex as well as for lingcod, and revising a sub-bag limit for
vermilion/sunset rockfish south of lat. 40[deg]10' N. The Council
recommended changes were presented to the Council by the California
Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) (Agenda Item F.8.a Supplemental
CDFW Report 2 March 2024) in a request for consistent action in federal
waters, discussed by the GMT, and recommended by the GAP (Agenda Item
F.8.a Supplemental GAP Report 1 March 2024). The GMT did not analyze
nor make a recommendation regarding CDFW's proposal. The federal
regulations for the California recreational groundfish fishery for RCG
and lingcod that were set at the beginning of 2023 are summarized in
Table 3, inseason actions that were taken during 2023 are not
incorporated. The Council recommended regulations for 2024 are
summarized in Table 4. Table 3 and Table 4 are summaries only. Refer to
50 CFR 660.360(c)(3)(i)(A) for a detailed description of the California
recreational groundfish fishery structure.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01AP24.003
[[Page 22346]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01AP24.004
Classification
This final rule makes routine inseason adjustments to the Pacific
Coast groundfish fishery management measures, based on the best
scientific information available, consistent with the PCGFMP and its
implementing regulations.
This action is taken under the authority of 50 CFR 660.60(c) and is
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
The aggregate data upon which these actions are based are available
for public inspection by contacting Dr. Sean Matson in NMFS West Coast
Region (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, above), or to view at the
NMFS West Coast Groundfish website: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/west-coast-groundfish.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b), NMFS finds good cause to waive prior
public notice and an opportunity for public comment on this action, as
notice and comment would be impracticable and contrary to the public
interest. These revisions are in response to new information about the
fishery, and to conservation issues that need to be addressed for the
2024 fishing year. The adjustments to management measures in this
document increase trip limits and decrease size limits for fisheries
off California to allow additional economic opportunity, while keeping
catch within allocations established by the 2023-2024 harvest
specifications. The GMT found in their analysis that the boundary
change to the Non-Trawl RCA would likely result in an increase in
lingcod, cabezon, other flatfish, minor nearshore, and minor shelf
species catch from lat. 36[deg] N to 37[deg]07' N, while minimizing
impacts to quillback rockfish, and reducing catch of vermillion/sunset
rockfish to sustainable levels, within that area. The risk of the
changes established in this final rule resulting in exceedances of the
corresponding harvest limits is low, and the risk to quillback rockfish
is minimal, particularly in areas south of lat. 37[deg]07' N. At the
same time, the changes would yield positive economic impacts to
commercial non-trawl fishermen that fish in Federal waters in that
area. This economic opportunity would not otherwise occur without the
Non-Trawl RCA boundary move and the associated trip limit changes. This
rule also makes Council recommended changes to regulations pertaining
to the California recreational groundfish fishery within federally
managed waters, in order to create consistency with current state
regulations within California jurisdiction. This is necessary to ensure
consistent management and enforcement across the state and federally
managed fisheries. No aspect of this action is controversial, and
changes of this nature were anticipated in the final rule for the 2023-
2024 harvest specifications and management measures, which published on
December 16, 2022 (87 FR 77007).
Trip limit ratios to cover incidental catch of Pacific halibut in
the fixed gear sablefish primary (tier) fishery are set annually, in
alignment with the overall allocation for incidental catch in this
fishery that is established by NMFS in mid-March of each year. Halibut
is internationally managed, with specifications that publish out of
sync with groundfish regulations, and therefore measures to account for
incidental catch in the sablefish fishery must be updated each year
through inseason action. Updating these limits in a timely fashion is a
critical conservation need in the West Coast LE sablefish primary
(tier) fishery.
Delaying implementation of this rule to allow for public comment
would have negative effects on the conservation of California quillback
rockfish, which was recently determined to be overfished, as well as
the conservation of vermilion/sunset rockfish, whose catch has been
unsustainably high in recent years. Delay in implementation would also
likely reduce the economic benefits to the commercial fishing industry
and the businesses that rely on that industry, because it is unlikely
the new regulations would publish and could be
[[Page 22347]]
implemented in time to realize the projected benefits to fishing
communities and the resource. A delay in implementation could also
contribute to unnecessarily discarded and largely wasted fish; fish
which could otherwise be landed to provide food and revenue, and whose
use would assist in the responsible use of the resource. Therefore,
providing a comment period for this action could significantly limit
the economic benefits to the fishery, and would hamper the achievement
of optimum yield from the affected fisheries.
Therefore, the NMFS finds reason to waive the 30-day delay in
effectiveness pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(1) so that this final rule
may become effective upon publication in the Federal Register. The
adjustments to management measures in this document affect fisheries by
increasing opportunity and allowing greater economic benefit. These
adjustments were requested by the Council's advisory bodies, as well as
by members of industry during the Council's March 2024 meeting, and the
changes are recommended unanimously by the Council. No aspect of this
action is controversial, and changes of this nature were anticipated in
the biennial harvest specifications and management measures established
through a notice and comment rulemaking for 2023-2024 (87 FR 77007).
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660
Fisheries, Fishing, Indian fisheries.
Carrie Diane Robinson,
Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
For the reasons set out in the preamble, NMFS amends 50 CFR part
660 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. 660.231, revise paragraph (b)(3)(iv) to read as follows:
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(3) * * *
(iv) Incidental Pacific halibut retention north of Pt. Chehalis, WA
(46[deg]53.30' N lat.). From April 1 through the closure date set by
the International Pacific Halibut Commission for Pacific halibut in all
commercial fisheries, vessels authorized to participate in the
sablefish primary fishery, licensed by the International Pacific
Halibut Commission for commercial fishing in Area 2A (waters off
Washington, Oregon, California), and fishing with longline gear north
of Pt. Chehalis, WA (46[deg]53.30' N lat.) may possess and land up to
130 lb (59 kg) dressed weight of Pacific halibut for every 1,000 lb
(454 kg) dressed weight of sablefish landed, and up to two additional
Pacific halibut in excess of the 130-lbs-per-1,000-lb limit per
landing. NMFS publishes the International Pacific Halibut Commission's
regulations setting forth annual management measures, including the
closure date for Pacific halibut in all commercial fisheries, in the
Federal Register by March 15 each year, 50 CFR 300.62. ``Dressed''
Pacific halibut in this area means halibut landed eviscerated with
their heads on. Pacific halibut taken and retained in the sablefish
primary fishery north of Pt. Chehalis may only be landed north of Pt.
Chehalis and may not be possessed or landed south of Pt. Chehalis.
* * * * *
0
3. Revise table 2 (South) to part 660, subpart E, to read as follows:
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[[Page 22348]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01AP24.000
0
4. Revise table 3 (South) to part 660, subpart F, to read as follows:
[[Page 22349]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01AP24.001
[[Page 22350]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01AP24.002
BILLING CODE 3510-22-C
0
5. In Sec. 660.360, revise paragraphs (c)(3)(i)(A)(1) through (5),
(c)(3)(ii)(A)(1) through (5), (c)(3)(ii)(B), and (c)(3)(iii)(A)(1)
through (5) to read as follows:
Sec. 660.360 Recreational fishery--management measures.
* * * * *
(c) * * *
(3) * * *
(i) * * *
(A) * * *
(1) Between 42[deg] N lat. (California/Oregon border) and
40[deg]10' N lat. (Northern Management Area), recreational fishing for
the RCG Complex and lingcod is closed in the EEZ from January 1 through
March 31, is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast
and along islands and offshore seamounts from April 1 through April 30,
is closed in the EEZ from May 1 to September 30, is prohibited in the
EEZ shoreward of the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth
contour along the mainland coast and along islands and offshore
seamounts from October 1 through October 31, closed in the EEZ from
November 1 through November 30, and prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of
the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along
the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from
December 1 through December 31.
(2) Between 40[deg]10' N lat. and 38[deg]57.50' N lat. (Mendocino
Management Area), recreational fishing for the RCG Complex and lingcod
is closed from in the EEZ from January 1 through March 31, is
prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line approximating the
50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands
and offshore seamounts from April 1 through April 30, is closed in the
EEZ from May 1 to September 30, is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of
the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along
the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from
October 1 through October 31, closed in the EEZ from November 1 through
November 30, and prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast
and along islands and offshore seamounts from December 1 through
December 31.
(3) Between 38[deg]57.50' N lat. and 37[deg]11' N lat. (San
Francisco Management Area), recreational fishing for the RCG Complex
and lingcod is closed in the EEZ from January 1 through March 31, is
prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line approximating the
50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands
and offshore seamounts from April 1 through April 30, is closed in the
EEZ from May 1 to September 30, is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of
[[Page 22351]]
the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along
the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from
October 1 through October 31, closed in the EEZ from November 1 through
November 30, and prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast
and along islands and offshore seamounts from December 1 through
December 31. Closures around Cordell Bank (see paragraph (c)(3)(i)(C)
of this section) also apply in this area.
(4) Between 37[deg]11' N lat. and 34[deg]27' N lat. (Central
Management Area),
(i) Between 37[deg]11' N lat. and 36[deg] N lat., recreational
fishing for the RCG Complex and lingcod is closed in the EEZ from
January 1 through March 31, is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the
boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the
mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from April 1
through April 30, is closed in the EEZ from May 1 to September 30, is
prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line approximating the
50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands
and offshore seamounts from October 1 through October 31, closed in the
EEZ from November 1 through November 30, and prohibited in the EEZ
shoreward of the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth
contour along the mainland coast and along islands and offshore
seamounts from December 1 through December 31.
(ii) Between 36[deg] N lat. and 34[deg]27' N lat., recreational
fishing for the RCG Complex and lingcod is closed from January 1
through March 31, is open at all depths from April 1 through June 30;
is prohibited in the EEZ seaward of a boundary line approximating the
50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands
and offshore seamounts from July 1 through September 30, and is
prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of a boundary line approximating the 50
fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands and
offshore seamounts from October 1 through December 31.
(5) South of 34[deg]27' N lat. (Southern Management Area),
recreational fishing for the RCG Complex and lingcod is closed from
January 1 through March 31, open at all depths from April 1 through
June 30; is prohibited in the EEZ seaward of a boundary line
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast
and along islands and offshore seamounts from July 1 through September
30, and is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of a boundary line
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast
and along islands and offshore seamounts from October 1 through
December 31.
* * * * *
(ii) * * *
(A) * * *
(1) Between 42[deg] N lat. (California/Oregon border) and
40[deg]10' N lat. (Northern Management Area), recreational fishing for
the RCG Complex and lingcod is closed in the EEZ from January 1 through
March 31, is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast
and along islands and offshore seamounts from April 1 through April 30,
is closed in the EEZ from May 1 to September 30, is prohibited in the
EEZ shoreward of the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth
contour along the mainland coast and along islands and offshore
seamounts from October 1 through October 31, closed in the EEZ from
November 1 through November 30, and prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of
the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along
the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from
December 1 through December 31.
(2) Between 40[deg]10' N lat. and 38[deg]57.50' N lat. (Mendocino
Management Area), recreational fishing for the RCG Complex and lingcod
is closed from in the EEZ from January 1 through March 31, is
prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line approximating the
50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands
and offshore seamounts from April 1 through April 30, is closed in the
EEZ from May 1 to September 30, is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of
the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along
the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from
October 1 through October 31, closed in the EEZ from November 1 through
November 30, and prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast
and along islands and offshore seamounts from December 1 through
December 31.
(3) Between 38[deg]57.50' N lat. and 37[deg]11' N lat. (San
Francisco Management Area), recreational fishing for the RCG Complex
and lingcod is closed in the EEZ from January 1 through March 31, is
prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line approximating the
50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands
and offshore seamounts from April 1 through April 30, is closed in the
EEZ from May 1 to September 30, is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of
the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along
the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from
October 1 through October 31, closed in the EEZ from November 1 through
November 30, and prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast
and along islands and offshore seamounts from December 1 through
December 31. Closures around Cordell Bank (see paragraph (c)(3)(i)(C)
of this section) also apply in this area.
(4) Between 37[deg]11' N lat. and 34[deg]27' N lat. (Central
Management Area),
(i) Between 37[deg]11' N lat. and 36[deg] N lat., recreational
fishing for the RCG Complex and lingcod is closed in the EEZ from
January 1 through March 31, is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the
boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the
mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from April 1
through April 30, is closed in the EEZ from May 1 to September 30, is
prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line approximating the
50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands
and offshore seamounts from October 1 through October 31, closed in the
EEZ from November 1 through November 30, and prohibited in the EEZ
shoreward of the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth
contour along the mainland coast and along islands and offshore
seamounts from December 1 through December 31.
(ii) Between 36[deg] N lat. and 34[deg]27' N lat., recreational
fishing for the RCG Complex and lingcod is closed from January 1
through March 31, is open at all depths from April 1 through June 30;
is prohibited in the EEZ seaward of a boundary line approximating the
50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands
and offshore seamounts from July 1 through September 30, and is
prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of a boundary line approximating the 50
fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands and
offshore seamounts from October 1 through December 31.
(5) South of 34[deg]27' N lat. (Southern Management Area),
recreational fishing for the RCG Complex and lingcod is closed from
January 1 through March 31, open at all depths from April 1 through
June 30; is prohibited in the EEZ seaward of a boundary line
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast
and along islands and offshore seamounts
[[Page 22352]]
from July 1 through September 30, and is prohibited in the EEZ
shoreward of a boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth
contour along the mainland coast and along islands and offshore
seamounts from October 1 through December 31.
(B) Bag limits, hook limits. In times and areas when the
recreational season for the RCG Complex is open, there is a limit of
two hooks and one line when fishing for the RCG complex. The bag limit
is 10 RCG Complex fish per day coastwide, with a sub-bag limit of 4
fish for vermilion rockfish between 42[deg] N lat. and 40[deg]10 N
lat., a sub-bag limit of 2 fish for vermilion/sunset rockfish south of
40[deg]10 N lat., and 1 fish for copper rockfish. These sub-bag limits
count towards the bag limit for the RCG Complex and are not in addition
to that limit. Retention of yelloweye rockfish, bronzespotted rockfish,
quillback rockfish, and cowcod is prohibited. Multi-day limits are
authorized by a valid permit issued by California and must not exceed
the daily limit multiplied by the value of days in the fishing trip.
* * * * *
(iii) * * *
(A) * * *
(1) Between 42[deg] N lat. (California/Oregon border) and
40[deg]10' N lat. (Northern Management Area), recreational fishing for
lingcod in the EEZ is open from April 1 through April 30, October 1
through October 31, and December 1 through December 31 (i.e.,
recreational fishing for lingcod in the EEZ is closed from January 1
through March 31, May 1 through September 30, and November 1 through
November 30).
(2) Between 40[deg]10' N lat. and 38[deg]57.50' N lat. (Mendocino
Management Area), recreational fishing for lingcod in the EEZ is open
from April 1 through April 30, October 1 through October 31, and
December 1 through December 31 (i.e., recreational fishing for lingcod
in the EEZ is closed from January 1 through March 31, May 1 through
September 30, and November 1 through November 30).
(3) Between 38[deg]57.50' N lat. and 37[deg]11' N lat. (San
Francisco Management Area), recreational fishing for lingcod in the EEZ
is open from April 1 through April 30, October 1 through October 31,
and December 1 through December 31 (i.e., recreational fishing for
lingcod in the EEZ is closed from January 1 through March 31, May 1
through September 30, and November 1 through November 30).
(4) Between 37[deg]11' N lat. and 34[deg]27' N lat. (Central
Management Area),
(i) Between 37[deg]11' N lat. and 36[deg] N lat., recreational
fishing for lingcod in the EEZ is open from April 1 through April 30,
October 1 through October 31, and December 1 through December 31 (i.e.,
recreational fishing for lingcod is closed in the EEZ from January 1
through March 31, May 1 through September 30, and November 1 through
November 30).
(ii) Between 36[deg] N lat. and 34[deg]27' N lat., recreational
fishing for lingcod in the EEZ is open from April 1 through December 31
(i.e., recreational fishing for the lingcod in the EEZ is closed from
January 1 through March 31).
(5) South of 34[deg]27' N lat. (Southern Management Area),
recreational fishing for lingcod in the EEZ is open from April 1
through December 31 (i.e., recreational fishing for lingcod in the EEZ
is closed from January 1 through March 31).
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2024-06775 Filed 3-29-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
