National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration September 4, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI). This action is necessary to fully use the 2014 total allowable catch of Pacific cod allocated to catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI.

The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) sub- Working Group to review and discuss the 2014 draft Stock Assessment Update for the Main Hawaiian Islands Deep-7 Bottomfish Complex through 2013 with Projected Annual Catch Limits (ACLs) through 2016. The sub- group would also review the comments of the Center for Independent Experts (CIE) on the Biomass-Augmented Catch-Maximum Sustainable Yield (BAC-MSY) model used for developing reference points for ACL specification.

This final rule changes on-reel trawl gear stowage requirements when fishing vessels are transiting closed areas or fishing in areas with mesh size restrictions. Specifically, this action allows a vessel to use a highly visible orange or yellow mesh material as an alternative to the current requirement to use a tarp or similar canvas material. In addition, this action removes the requirement to detach the towing wires from the doors for all on-reel gear stowage and removes the requirement to detach the towing wires from the net. Finally, to help streamline the gear stowage requirements, this action also reorganizes the current gear stowage regulations. This action is being implemented under authority delegated to the NMFS Regional Administrator. This action is intended to improve safety of fishing operations while at sea.