80_FR_82024 80 FR 81773 - Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2015-2016 Biennial Specifications and Management Measures; Inseason Adjustments

80 FR 81773 - Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2015-2016 Biennial Specifications and Management Measures; Inseason Adjustments

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 251 (December 31, 2015)

Page Range81773-81784
FR Document2015-32884

This final rule announces inseason changes to management measures in the Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries. This action, which is authorized by the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (PCGFMP), is intended to allow fisheries to access more abundant groundfish stocks while protecting overfished and depleted stocks. This document also announces a prohibition on the use of midwater trawl gear in the Shorebased Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program shoreward of the boundary line approximating the 150 fm (274 m) depth contour via automatic action, with actual notice (by phone and email) to participants, at noon local time, November 26, 2015 in order to reduce the risk of exceeding the canary rockfish annual catch limit (ACL).

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 251 (Thursday, December 31, 2015) 
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 251 (Thursday, December 31, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 81773-81784]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-32884]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 140904754-5188-02]
RIN 0648-BF63


Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; 
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2015-2016 Biennial Specifications and 
Management Measures; Inseason Adjustments

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Final rule; inseason adjustments to biennial groundfish 
management measures.

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SUMMARY: This final rule announces inseason changes to management 
measures in the Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries. This action, which 
is authorized by the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan 
(PCGFMP), is intended to allow fisheries to access more abundant 
groundfish stocks while protecting overfished and depleted stocks. This 
document also announces a prohibition on the use of midwater trawl gear 
in the Shorebased Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program shoreward of 
the boundary line approximating the 150 fm (274 m) depth contour via 
automatic action, with actual notice (by phone and email) to 
participants, at noon local time, November 26, 2015 in order to reduce 
the risk of exceeding the canary rockfish annual catch limit (ACL).

DATES: This final rule is effective January 1, 2016. The depth 
restrictions for midwater trawl gear were made through automatic 
action, and are published in the Federal Register as soon as 
practicable after they are issued. The depth restriction for vessels 
using midwater trawl gear, which was announced by actual notice (by 
phone and email) prior to implementation, is applicable from noon local 
time, November 26, 2015 through midnight local time, December 31, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gretchen Hanshew, phone: 206-526-6147, 
fax: 206-526-6736, or email: gretchen.hanshew@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Electronic Access

    This rule is accessible via the Internet at the Office of the 
Federal Register Web site at https://www.federalregister.gov. 
Background information and documents are available at the Pacific 
Fishery Management Council's Web site at http://www.pcouncil.org/. 
Copies of the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for the 
Groundfish Specifications and Management Measures for 2015-2016 and 
Biennial Periods Thereafter are available from Donald McIsaac, 
Executive Director, Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), 7700 
NE Ambassador Place, Portland, OR 97220, phone: 503-820-2280.

Background

    The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council)--in coordination 
with Pacific Coast Treaty Indian Tribes and the States of Washington, 
Oregon, and California--recommended changes to groundfish management 
measures at its November 13-19, 2015, meeting. Specifically, the 
Council recommended a revised schedule of trip limits for big skate in 
the Shorebased IFQ Program for 2016. This rule revises big skate trip 
limits consistent with the Council's November recommendations.
    Before 2015, big skate was managed as a component stock within the 
Other Fish complex. The big skate overfishing limit (OFL) estimate, 
along with the estimated OFLs for the other species in the complex, 
contributed to the OFL specified in regulation for the Other Fish 
complex. Species managed in complexes do not have OFLs specified in 
regulation. The Council recommended, and NMFS approved, the designation 
of big skate as an ecosystem component species, beginning in 2015 (80 
FR 12567, March 10, 2015). As described in the inseason action that 
implemented trip limits for big skate in 2015 (80 FR 31858, June 4, 
2015), new information available during 2015 indicated that harvest of 
big skate was much higher than anticipated and was approaching or 
exceeding the 2014 estimated OFL contribution. The Council recommended, 
and NMFS implemented, trip limits on June 1, 2015, to reduce impacts to 
big skate in the Shorebased IFQ Program. Trip limits for big skate were 
further adjusted on August 14, 2015, after review of updated fishery 
information and best available information regarding discard mortality 
of big skate (80 FR 50212, August 19, 2015). As part of the ongoing 
development of the 2017-2018 specifications, the Council is 
reconsidering whether big skate should be reclassified because the 
species may not be appropriate as an ecosystem component species.
    At its November meeting, the Council considered updated fishery 
information and further refined big skate trip limits for the second 
year of the biennial cycle. The Council's Groundfish Management Team 
(GMT) continued analysis of available fishery data to estimate and 
project catch of big skate in the Shorebased IFQ Program under 
different trip limit scenarios. The Council considered an apparent 
seasonal fluctuation in both frequency and magnitude of big skate 
landings, with higher catch in the summer and lower catch in the 
winter. The Council also considered feedback from individuals in the 
Shorebased IFQ Program regarding catch patterns and targeting 
practices.
    The Council recommended, and NMFS is implementing, the following 
big skate trip limits in the Shorebased IFQ Program, beginning January 
1, 2016: 5,000 lbs/2 months (2,268 kg/2 months) for Period 1; 25,000 
pounds/2 months (11,340 kg/2 months) for Period 2; 30,000 pounds/2 
months (13,608 kg/2 months) for Period 3; 35,000 pounds/2 months 
(15,876 kg/2 months) for Period 4; 10,000 pounds/2 months (4,536 kg/2 
months) for Period 5; and 5,000 pounds/2 months (2,268 kg/2 months) for 
Period 6. Best estimates indicate that total mortality of big skate 
through the end of 2016 under this trip limit structure would be 450 
mt, 91 mt lower than the estimated 2016 OFL of 541 mt and 44 mt lower 
than the estimated 2016 ABC of 494 mt.

Depth Restriction via Actual Notice in the Shorebased IFQ Program

    Subsequent to the November Council meeting, higher than anticipated 
catch of canary rockfish occurred in the Shorebased IFQ Program. NMFS 
took automatic action to impose a depth restriction for vessels using 
midwater trawl gear in the Shorebased IFQ Program, applicable at noon 
local time, November 26, 2015. This rule serves as notification of the 
November 26, 2015 automatic action.
    The Shorebased IFQ Program may be restricted or closed, as 
determined necessary by the Regional Administrator, as a result of 
projected overages within the Shorebased IFQ Program, the Mothership 
Coop Program, or the Catcher/Processor Coop Program. As of November 24, 
2015, the Shorebased IFQ Program was projected to exceed the total 
quota pounds available to the sector (2015 allocation, plus surplus 
carryover from 2014) if

[[Page 81774]]

current harvest levels continued and without management action. At 
noon, on November 26, 2015 the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) 
prohibited the use of midwater trawl gear in the Shorebased IFQ Program 
for the remainder of 2015, shoreward of the boundary line approximating 
the 150 fathom depth contour (150 fm line). This bycatch reduction 
measure was taken as an automatic action, per regulations at 50 CFR 
660.140(a)(3), to reduce potential impacts on canary rockfish, an 
overfished species subject to rebuilding requirements under the 
Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. NMFS provided 
actual notice of the closure to participants by phone and email. In 
addition, NMFS posted on the West Coast Region's internet site to 
provide notice to the affected fishers. Implementation of the 
prohibition on using midwater trawl gear (cease fishing) shoreward of 
the 150 fm line was effective 22 hours after the Public Notice, to 
allow for additional time for the public to become aware of the change 
in depth restrictions.
    The Shorebased IFQ Program has a 2015 allocation of 43.26 mt of 
canary rockfish (with surplus carryover pounds from 2014: 47.28 mt). 
Higher than anticipated catch of canary rockfish occurred in the 
Shorebased IFQ Program by vessels using midwater trawl gear, exceeding 
the 2015 Shorebased IFQ Program allocation. Midwater trawl gear has 
been responsible for an increasing proportion of the annual canary 
rockfish landings in the Shorebased IFQ Program and data from the 
Northwest Fisheries Science Center shelf-slope bottom trawl survey 
indicates that canary rockfish are distributed overwhelmingly shoreward 
of the boundary line approximating the 150 fm depth contour.
    Therefore, NMFS implemented a depth restriction for vessels using 
midwater trawl gear in the Shorebased IFQ Program to reduce the risk of 
exceeding the total amount of canary rockfish available the Shorebased 
IFQ Program, total trawl allocation, and the canary rockfish ACL, 
through the end of the year.

Technical Edits

LEFG and OA Sablefish Trip Limits

    Regulatory changes published in this rule also clarify, but do not 
revise, sablefish trip limits in the limited entry fixed gear and open 
access fisheries north of 36[deg] N. lat. The 2016 sablefish ACL is 
higher than in 2015 and the Council recommended and NMFS implemented a 
schedule of slightly higher trip limits for the second year of the 
biennial period, as described in the January 6, 2015 proposed rule (80 
FR 687) and implemented in Tables 2 North and 2 South, Subpart E and 
Tables 3 North and 3 South, Subparts F (80 FR 12567, March 10, 2015). 
Because of the format of these tables, the higher 2016 trip limits were 
published in the footnotes, anticipating that an inseason for January 
1, 2016 would incorporate movement of those trip limits from the 
footnote to the body of the table. This formatting change does not 
revise the 2016 sablefish trip limits for non-IFQ fisheries north of 
36[deg] N. lat. that were described and implemented through notice and 
comment rulemaking. Accordingly, this rule modifies Tables 2 North and 
2 South, Subpart E and Tables 3 North and 3 South, Subparts F by moving 
the schedule of 2016 trip limits, unchanged, from footnotes into the 
body of the tables.

Classification

    This final rule makes routine inseason adjustments to groundfish 
fishery management measures, based on the best available information. 
This document also serves as notice of an automatic action, based on 
the best available information. Both are consistent with the PCGFMP and 
its implementing regulations.
    This action is taken under the authority of 50 CFR 660.60(c) and 
(d), and 660.140(a)(3) and is exempt from review under Executive Order 
12866.
    The aggregate data upon which these actions are based are available 
for public inspection at the Office of the Administrator, West Coast 
Region, NMFS, during business hours.
    NMFS finds good cause to waive prior public notice and comment on 
the revisions to groundfish management measures under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) 
because notice and comment would be impracticable and contrary to the 
public interest. Also, for the same reasons, NMFS finds good cause to 
waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), 
so that the regulatory changes in this final rule may become effective 
January 1, 2016.
    New analysis regarding projected catch of big skate was presented 
to the Council at its November 2015 meeting. At that meeting, the 
Council recommended that these changes to big skate trip limits be 
implemented January 1, 2016, which is the start of the second year of 
the biennial cycle and the beginning of a cumulative limit period in 
the commercial groundfish fishery off the West Coast. These 
restrictions to the amount of landings must be implemented at the start 
of a cumulative limit period to allow fishermen in the Shorebased IFQ 
Program an opportunity to continue harvesting big skate, but at a level 
that will not exceed the new, lower trip limit that will be imposed in 
January 2016. The trip limits recommended by the Council and 
implemented by NMFS in this action are anticipated to keep catch of big 
skate below its estimated OFL, if implemented on January 1. If the 
recommended limits are not in place January 1, more restrictive 
measures may be necessary later in the year to keep catch of big skate 
below its estimated OFL. There was not sufficient time after the 
November meeting, when the new information was available, to undergo 
proposed and final rulemaking before January 1.
    The depth restrictions in the Shorebased IFQ Program implemented by 
the Regional Administrator via actual notice are intended to reduce the 
risk of exceeding the trawl allocation and the 2015 ACL of canary 
rockfish. The closed area implemented by this rule needed to be in 
effect during the remainder of the 2015 fishery to shift midwater trawl 
effort in the Shorebased IFQ Program into deeper waters where they are 
less likely to catch canary rockfish. Prior notice and opportunity for 
public comment on this depth restriction was impracticable because NMFS 
had insufficient time to provide prior notice and the opportunity for 
public comment between the time the information about catch of canary 
rockfish became available and when restrictions were determined to be 
necessary to reduce the risk of further exceeding the 2015 Shorebased 
IFQ Program allocation, and also reduce the risk of exceeding the 2015 
canary rockfish trawl allocation and the ACL. Failure to respond with a 
depth restriction in a timely manner to reduce the amount by which the 
2015 Shorebased IFQ Program allocation for canary rockfish was exceeded 
would be contrary to the public interest, as it may have required more 
restrictive measures, perhaps even closure of the fishery, if higher 
than anticipated harvest of canary rockfish continued.
    For the actions to be implemented in this final rule, affording the 
time necessary for prior notice and opportunity for public comment 
would prevent NMFS from managing fisheries using the best available 
science to prevent overfishing in accordance with the PCGFMP and 
applicable law.
    Delaying these changes would also keep management measures in place 
that are not based on the best available information. Such delay would 
impair achievement of the PCGFMP goals and objectives of managing for 
appropriate harvest levels while providing for year-

[[Page 81775]]

round fishing and marketing opportunities.
    Accordingly, for the reasons stated above, NMFS finds good cause to 
waive prior notice and comment and to waive the delay in effectiveness.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660

    Fisheries, Fishing, and Indian Fisheries.

    Dated: December 24, 2015.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 660 is amended 
as follows:

PART 660--FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES

0
1. The authority citation for part 660 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq., 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq., and 
16 U.S.C. 7001 et seq.

0
2. Tables 1 North and 1 South to part 660, subpart D, are revised to 
read as follows:
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

[[Page 81776]]

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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31DE15.001

0
3. Tables 2 North and 2 South to part 660, subpart E, are revised to 
read as follows:

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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31DE15.003


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0
4. Tables 3 North and 3 South to part 660, subpart F, are revised to 
read as follows:

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[FR Doc. 2015-32884 Filed 12-30-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 251 / Thursday, December 31, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 81773 Dated: December 23, 2015. 6147, fax: 206–526–6736, or email: specifications, the Council is Alan D. Risenhoover, gretchen.hanshew@noaa.gov. reconsidering whether big skate should Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: be reclassified because the species may National Marine Fisheries Service. not be appropriate as an ecosystem Electronic Access component species. [FR Doc. 2015–32826 Filed 12–30–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P This rule is accessible via the Internet At its November meeting, the Council at the Office of the Federal Register Web considered updated fishery information site at https://www.federalregister.gov. and further refined big skate trip limits DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Background information and documents for the second year of the biennial cycle. are available at the Pacific Fishery The Council’s Groundfish Management National Oceanic and Atmospheric Management Council’s Web site at Team (GMT) continued analysis of Administration http://www.pcouncil.org/. Copies of the available fishery data to estimate and final environmental impact statement project catch of big skate in the 50 CFR Part 660 (FEIS) for the Groundfish Specifications Shorebased IFQ Program under different and Management Measures for 2015– trip limit scenarios. The Council [Docket No. 140904754–5188–02] 2016 and Biennial Periods Thereafter considered an apparent seasonal RIN 0648–BF63 are available from Donald McIsaac, fluctuation in both frequency and Executive Director, Pacific Fishery magnitude of big skate landings, with Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Management Council (Council), 7700 higher catch in the summer and lower Fisheries Off West Coast States; NE Ambassador Place, Portland, OR catch in the winter. The Council also Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 97220, phone: 503–820–2280. considered feedback from individuals in 2015–2016 Biennial Specifications and the Shorebased IFQ Program regarding Management Measures; Inseason Background catch patterns and targeting practices. Adjustments The Pacific Fishery Management The Council recommended, and Council (Council)—in coordination with NMFS is implementing, the following AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Pacific Coast Treaty Indian Tribes and big skate trip limits in the Shorebased Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and the States of Washington, Oregon, and IFQ Program, beginning January 1, 2016: Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), California—recommended changes to 5,000 lbs/2 months (2,268 kg/2 months) Commerce. groundfish management measures at its for Period 1; 25,000 pounds/2 months ACTION: Final rule; inseason adjustments November 13–19, 2015, meeting. (11,340 kg/2 months) for Period 2; to biennial groundfish management Specifically, the Council recommended 30,000 pounds/2 months (13,608 kg/2 measures. a revised schedule of trip limits for big months) for Period 3; 35,000 pounds/2 SUMMARY: This final rule announces skate in the Shorebased IFQ Program for months (15,876 kg/2 months) for Period inseason changes to management 2016. This rule revises big skate trip 4; 10,000 pounds/2 months (4,536 kg/2 measures in the Pacific Coast groundfish limits consistent with the Council’s months) for Period 5; and 5,000 pounds/ fisheries. This action, which is November recommendations. 2 months (2,268 kg/2 months) for Period Before 2015, big skate was managed as 6. Best estimates indicate that total authorized by the Pacific Coast a component stock within the Other mortality of big skate through the end of Groundfish Fishery Management Plan Fish complex. The big skate overfishing 2016 under this trip limit structure (PCGFMP), is intended to allow limit (OFL) estimate, along with the fisheries to access more abundant would be 450 mt, 91 mt lower than the estimated OFLs for the other species in estimated 2016 OFL of 541 mt and 44 groundfish stocks while protecting the complex, contributed to the OFL overfished and depleted stocks. This mt lower than the estimated 2016 ABC specified in regulation for the Other of 494 mt. document also announces a prohibition Fish complex. Species managed in on the use of midwater trawl gear in the complexes do not have OFLs specified Depth Restriction via Actual Notice in Shorebased Individual Fishing Quota in regulation. The Council the Shorebased IFQ Program (IFQ) Program shoreward of the recommended, and NMFS approved, the Subsequent to the November Council boundary line approximating the 150 fm designation of big skate as an ecosystem meeting, higher than anticipated catch (274 m) depth contour via automatic component species, beginning in 2015 of canary rockfish occurred in the action, with actual notice (by phone and (80 FR 12567, March 10, 2015). As Shorebased IFQ Program. NMFS took email) to participants, at noon local described in the inseason action that automatic action to impose a depth time, November 26, 2015 in order to implemented trip limits for big skate in restriction for vessels using midwater reduce the risk of exceeding the canary 2015 (80 FR 31858, June 4, 2015), new trawl gear in the Shorebased IFQ rockfish annual catch limit (ACL). information available during 2015 Program, applicable at noon local time, DATES: This final rule is effective indicated that harvest of big skate was November 26, 2015. This rule serves as January 1, 2016. The depth restrictions much higher than anticipated and was notification of the November 26, 2015 for midwater trawl gear were made approaching or exceeding the 2014 automatic action. through automatic action, and are estimated OFL contribution. The The Shorebased IFQ Program may be published in the Federal Register as Council recommended, and NMFS restricted or closed, as determined soon as practicable after they are issued. implemented, trip limits on June 1, necessary by the Regional The depth restriction for vessels using 2015, to reduce impacts to big skate in Administrator, as a result of projected midwater trawl gear, which was the Shorebased IFQ Program. Trip limits overages within the Shorebased IFQ announced by actual notice (by phone for big skate were further adjusted on Program, the Mothership Coop Program, tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES and email) prior to implementation, is August 14, 2015, after review of updated or the Catcher/Processor Coop Program. applicable from noon local time, fishery information and best available As of November 24, 2015, the November 26, 2015 through midnight information regarding discard mortality Shorebased IFQ Program was projected local time, December 31, 2015. of big skate (80 FR 50212, August 19, to exceed the total quota pounds FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 2015). As part of the ongoing available to the sector (2015 allocation, Gretchen Hanshew, phone: 206–526– development of the 2017–2018 plus surplus carryover from 2014) if VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:05 Dec 30, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\31DER1.SGM 31DER1

81774 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 251 / Thursday, December 31, 2015 / Rules and Regulations current harvest levels continued and the biennial period, as described in the fishermen in the Shorebased IFQ without management action. At noon, January 6, 2015 proposed rule (80 FR Program an opportunity to continue on November 26, 2015 the National 687) and implemented in Tables 2 North harvesting big skate, but at a level that Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and 2 South, Subpart E and Tables 3 will not exceed the new, lower trip limit prohibited the use of midwater trawl North and 3 South, Subparts F (80 FR that will be imposed in January 2016. gear in the Shorebased IFQ Program for 12567, March 10, 2015). Because of the The trip limits recommended by the the remainder of 2015, shoreward of the format of these tables, the higher 2016 Council and implemented by NMFS in boundary line approximating the 150 trip limits were published in the this action are anticipated to keep catch fathom depth contour (150 fm line). footnotes, anticipating that an inseason of big skate below its estimated OFL, if This bycatch reduction measure was for January 1, 2016 would incorporate implemented on January 1. If the taken as an automatic action, per movement of those trip limits from the recommended limits are not in place regulations at 50 CFR 660.140(a)(3), to footnote to the body of the table. This January 1, more restrictive measures reduce potential impacts on canary formatting change does not revise the may be necessary later in the year to rockfish, an overfished species subject 2016 sablefish trip limits for non-IFQ keep catch of big skate below its to rebuilding requirements under the fisheries north of 36° N. lat. that were estimated OFL. There was not sufficient Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation described and implemented through time after the November meeting, when and Management Act. NMFS provided notice and comment rulemaking. the new information was available, to actual notice of the closure to Accordingly, this rule modifies Tables 2 undergo proposed and final rulemaking participants by phone and email. In North and 2 South, Subpart E and before January 1. addition, NMFS posted on the West Tables 3 North and 3 South, Subparts F The depth restrictions in the Coast Region’s internet site to provide by moving the schedule of 2016 trip Shorebased IFQ Program implemented notice to the affected fishers. limits, unchanged, from footnotes into by the Regional Administrator via actual Implementation of the prohibition on the body of the tables. notice are intended to reduce the risk of using midwater trawl gear (cease exceeding the trawl allocation and the Classification 2015 ACL of canary rockfish. The closed fishing) shoreward of the 150 fm line was effective 22 hours after the Public This final rule makes routine inseason area implemented by this rule needed to Notice, to allow for additional time for adjustments to groundfish fishery be in effect during the remainder of the the public to become aware of the management measures, based on the 2015 fishery to shift midwater trawl best available information. This effort in the Shorebased IFQ Program change in depth restrictions. The Shorebased IFQ Program has a document also serves as notice of an into deeper waters where they are less 2015 allocation of 43.26 mt of canary automatic action, based on the best likely to catch canary rockfish. Prior rockfish (with surplus carryover pounds available information. Both are notice and opportunity for public from 2014: 47.28 mt). Higher than consistent with the PCGFMP and its comment on this depth restriction was anticipated catch of canary rockfish implementing regulations. impracticable because NMFS had This action is taken under the insufficient time to provide prior notice occurred in the Shorebased IFQ Program authority of 50 CFR 660.60(c) and (d), and the opportunity for public comment by vessels using midwater trawl gear, and 660.140(a)(3) and is exempt from between the time the information about exceeding the 2015 Shorebased IFQ review under Executive Order 12866. catch of canary rockfish became Program allocation. Midwater trawl gear The aggregate data upon which these has been responsible for an increasing available and when restrictions were actions are based are available for public determined to be necessary to reduce proportion of the annual canary rockfish inspection at the Office of the landings in the Shorebased IFQ Program the risk of further exceeding the 2015 Administrator, West Coast Region, Shorebased IFQ Program allocation, and and data from the Northwest Fisheries NMFS, during business hours. Science Center shelf-slope bottom trawl also reduce the risk of exceeding the NMFS finds good cause to waive prior 2015 canary rockfish trawl allocation survey indicates that canary rockfish are public notice and comment on the distributed overwhelmingly shoreward and the ACL. Failure to respond with a revisions to groundfish management depth restriction in a timely manner to of the boundary line approximating the measures under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) because reduce the amount by which the 2015 150 fm depth contour. notice and comment would be Therefore, NMFS implemented a Shorebased IFQ Program allocation for impracticable and contrary to the public canary rockfish was exceeded would be depth restriction for vessels using interest. Also, for the same reasons, midwater trawl gear in the Shorebased contrary to the public interest, as it may NMFS finds good cause to waive the 30- have required more restrictive measures, IFQ Program to reduce the risk of day delay in effectiveness pursuant to 5 exceeding the total amount of canary perhaps even closure of the fishery, if U.S.C. 553(d)(3), so that the regulatory higher than anticipated harvest of rockfish available the Shorebased IFQ changes in this final rule may become canary rockfish continued. Program, total trawl allocation, and the effective January 1, 2016. For the actions to be implemented in canary rockfish ACL, through the end of New analysis regarding projected this final rule, affording the time the year. catch of big skate was presented to the necessary for prior notice and Technical Edits Council at its November 2015 meeting. opportunity for public comment would At that meeting, the Council prevent NMFS from managing fisheries LEFG and OA Sablefish Trip Limits recommended that these changes to big using the best available science to Regulatory changes published in this skate trip limits be implemented prevent overfishing in accordance with rule also clarify, but do not revise, January 1, 2016, which is the start of the the PCGFMP and applicable law. sablefish trip limits in the limited entry second year of the biennial cycle and Delaying these changes would also tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES fixed gear and open access fisheries the beginning of a cumulative limit keep management measures in place north of 36° N. lat. The 2016 sablefish period in the commercial groundfish that are not based on the best available ACL is higher than in 2015 and the fishery off the West Coast. These information. Such delay would impair Council recommended and NMFS restrictions to the amount of landings achievement of the PCGFMP goals and implemented a schedule of slightly must be implemented at the start of a objectives of managing for appropriate higher trip limits for the second year of cumulative limit period to allow harvest levels while providing for year- VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:05 Dec 30, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\31DER1.SGM 31DER1

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 251 / Thursday, December 31, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 81775 round fishing and marketing Dated: December 24, 2015. PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST opportunities. Alan D. Risenhoover, COAST STATES Accordingly, for the reasons stated Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. ■ 1. The authority citation for part 660 above, NMFS finds good cause to waive continues to read as follows: prior notice and comment and to waive For the reasons set out in the Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq., 16 the delay in effectiveness. preamble, 50 CFR part 660 is amended U.S.C. 773 et seq., and 16 U.S.C. 7001 et seq. List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660 as follows: ■ 2. Tables 1 North and 1 South to part Fisheries, Fishing, and Indian 660, subpart D, are revised to read as Fisheries. follows: BILLING CODE 3510–22–P tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:05 Dec 30, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\31DER1.SGM 31DER1

81776 Federal Register/Vol. 80, No. 251 /Thursday, December 31, 2015 /Rules and Regulations Table 1 (North) to Part 660, Subpart D —— Limited Entry Trawl Rockfish Conservation Areas and Landing Allowances for non—IFQ Species and Pacific Whiting North of 40°1 0‘ N. Lat. This table describes Rockfish Conservation Areas for vessels using groundfish trawl gear. This table describes incidental landing allowances for vessels registered to a Federal limited entry trawl permit and using groundfish trawl or groundfish non—trawl gears to harvest individual fishing quota (IFQ) species. Other Limits and Requirements Apply —— Read § 660.10 — § 660.399 before using this table 01012016 JAN—FEB MAR—APR MAY—JUN JUL—AUG SEP—OCT NOV—DEC Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA)1/: shore — shore — , es a2 shore — 200 fm L shore — 200 fm es a2 1 North of 48°10° N. lat. modified" 200 line * shore — 150 fm line line modified" 200 fm line"‘ fm line"‘ 2 498°10‘ N. lat. — 45°46‘ N. lat. 100 fm line"‘ — 150 fm line"‘ 3 45°46‘ N. lat. — 40°10° N. lat. 100 fm line"‘ — modified*" 200 fm line"‘ Selective flatfish trawl gear is required shoreward of the RCA; all bottom trawl gear (large footrope, selective flatfish trawl, and small footrope trawl gear) is permitted seaward of the RCA. Large footrope and small footrope trawl gears (except for selective flatfish trawl gear) are prohibited shoreward of the RCA. Midwater trawl gear is permitted only for vessels participating in the primary whiting season. Vessels fishing groundfish trawl quota pounds with L 119 V L groundfish non—trawl gears, under gear switching provisions at §660.140, are subject to the limited entry groundfish trawl fishery landing allowances in this table, regardless of the type of fishing gear used. Vessels fishing groundfish trawl quota pounds with groundfish non—trawl gears, under gear switching provisions at § 660.140, are subject to the limited entry fixed gear non—trawl RCA, as described in Tables 2 (North) and 2 (South) to Part 660, Subpart E. See § 660.60, § 660.130, and § 660.140 for Additional Gear, Trip Limit, and Conservation Area Requirements and Restrictions. See §§ 660.70—660.74 and §§ 660.76—660.79 for Conservation Area Descriptions and Coordinates (including RCAs, YRCA, CCAs, Farallon Islands, Cordell Banks, and EFHCAs). State trip limits and seasons may be more restrictive than federal trip limits, particularly in waters off Oregon and California. Minor Nearshore Rockfish & Black 300 Ib/ month (Y j1O N) rockfish 5 Whiting*‘ 6 midwater trawl Before the primary whiting season: CLOSED. —— During the primary season: mid—water trawl permitted in the RCA. See §660.131 for season and trip limit details. —— After the primary whiting season: CLOSED. 7 large & small footrope gear Before the primary whiting season: .20,000 It.)/.trlp. —— Durlr.19 the prlma.ry season: 10,000 Ib/trip. —— After the primary whiting season: 10,000 lb/trip. 8 Cabezon*‘ 9 North of 46°16" N. lat. Unlimited 10 46°16‘ N. lat. — 40°10‘ N. lat. 50 Ib/ month 11 Shortbelly Unlimited 12 Spiny dogfish 60,000 Ib/ month . 5,000 Ib/ 2 25,000 Ib/ 2 30,000 Ib/ 2 35,000 Ib/ 2 10,000 Ib/ 2 5,000 Ib/ 2 13 Big skate months months months months months months 14 Longnose skate Unlimited 15 Other Fish * Unlimited 1/ The Rockfish Conservation Area is an area closed to fishing by particular gear types, bounded by lines specifically defined by latitude and longitude coordinates set out at §§ 660.71—660.74. This RCA is not defined by depth contours, and the boundary lines that define the RCA may close areas that are deeper or shallower than the depth contour. Vessels that are subject to the RCA restrictions may not fish in the RCA, or operate in the RCA for any purpose other than transiting. 2/ The "modified" fathom lines are modified to exclude certain petrale sole areas from the RCA. 3/ As specificed at §660.131(d), when fishing in the Eureka Area, no more than 10,000 lb of whiting may be taken and retained, possessed, or landed by a vessel that, at any time during the fishing trip, fished in the fishery management area shoreward of 100 fm contour. 4/ "Other Fish" are defined at § 660.11 and include kelp greenling, leopard shark, and cabezon in Washington To convert pounds to kilograms, divide by 2.20462, the number of pounds in one kilogram.

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 251 / Thursday, December 31, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 81777 ■ 3. Tables 2 North and 2 South to part follows: 660, subpart E, are revised to read as tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES ER31DE15.001</GPH> VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:05 Dec 30, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\31DER1.SGM 31DER1

81778 Federal Register/Vol. 80, No. 251 /Thursday, December 31, 2015 /Rules and Regulations Table 2 (North) to Part 660, Subpart E —— Non—Trawl Rockfish Conservation Areas and Trip Limits for Limited Entry Fixed Gear North of 40°10° N. lat. Other limits and requirements apply —— Read §§660.10 through 660.399 before using this table 1012016 JAN—FEB MAR—APR MAY—JUN JUL—AUG SEP—OCT NOVDEC Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA)": 1 North of 4616‘ N. lat. shoreline — 100 fm line"‘ 2 46716‘ N. lat. — 4200‘ N. lat. 30 fm line"‘ — 100 fm line"‘ 3 4200‘ N. lat. — 4010‘ N. lat. 30 fm line"‘ — 100 fm line"‘ See §§660.60 and 660.230 for additional gear, trip limit and conservation area requirements and restrictions. See §§660.70—660.74 and §§660.76—660.79 for conservation area descriptions and coordinates (including RCAs, YRCAs, CCAs, Farallon Islands, Cordell Banks, and EFHCAs). State trip limits and seasons may be more restrictive than Federal trip limits or seasons, particularly in waters off Oregon and California. Minor Slope Rockfish*‘ & 4,000 Ib/ 2 th * Darkblotched rockfish ‘ mons 5 Pacific ocean perch 1,800 Ib/ 2 months 6 Sablefish 1,275 Ibmweek, not to exceed 3,375 lb/ 2 months 7 Longspine thornyhead 10,000 Ib/ 2 months _I 8 Shortspine thornyhead 2,000 Ib/ 2 months 2,500 Ib/ 2 months > o OJ 10 Dover sole, arrowtooth flounder, 5,000 tb/ month 11 petrale sole, English sole, starry South of 4}2° N. Igt., when fishing for "other flatfish," vessels usiryg hook—and—line ggar with no m(?re than 12 TT 12 flounder. Other Flatfish® hooks per line, using hooks no larger than "Number 2" hooks, which measure 0.44 in (11 mm) point to shank, m 13 f and up to two 1 Ib (0.45 kg) weights per line, are not subject to the RCAs. 14 15 Whiting 10,000 Ib/ trip yC} Minor Shelf Rockfish*‘, Shortbelly, ‘ ‘ 200 Ib/ C Widow & Yellowtail rockfish mon th oim, 17 Canary rockfish CLOSED Z 18 Yelloweye rockfish CLOSED O 19 Minor Nearshore Rockfish & Black m rockfish c—p mad 20 North of 42 00‘ N. lat. 5,000 Ib/ 2 months, no more than 1,200 lb of which may be species other than black rockfish or blue rockfish* | 24 4200 N. lat 4010 N iat| 8500 W 2 months, of which no more than 1,200 lb of which may be mfr’g?fia'fil122%87:)“; V‘?’L}’ZE";:]‘a”°be . Jat. — . (at. species other than black rockfish . * Y species other than black rockfish 22 Lingcod" 200 Ib/2 months 1,200 Ib/ 2 months 600 Ib/ 200 Ib/ month month 23 Pacific cod 1,000 Ib/ 2 months 24 Spiny dogfish 200,000 Ib/ 2 months 150,000 tb/ 2 100,000 Ib/ 2 months months 25 Longnose skate Unlimited _ 167 & 26 Other Fish" & Cabezon in Oregon Unlimited and California 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. 2/ Bocaccio, chilipepper and cowcod are included in the trip limits for Minor Shelf Rockfish and splitnose rockfish is included in the trip limits for Minor Slope Rockfish. 3/ "Other flatfish" are defined at § 660.11 and include butter sole, curlfin sole, flathead sole, Pacific sanddab, rex sole, rock sole, and sand sole. 4/ For black rockfish north of Cape Alava (48°09.50‘ N. lat.), and between Destruction Is. (47°40° N. lat.) and Leadbetter Pnt. (46°38.17‘ N. lat.), there is an additional limit of 100 Ib or 30 percent by weight of all fish on board, whichever is greater, per vessel, per fishing trip. 5/ The minimum size limit for lingcod is 22 inches (56 cm) total length North of 42 N. lat. and 24 inches (61 cm) total length South of 42 N. lat. 6/ "Other Fish" are defined at § 660.11 and include kelp greenling, leopard shark, and cabez on in Washington. To convert pounds to kilograms, divide by 2.20462, the number of pounds in one kilogram.

Federal Register/Vol. 80, No. 251 /Thursday, December 31, 2015 /Rules and Regulations 81779 Table 2 (South) to Part 660, Subpart E —— Non—Trawl Rockfish Conservation Areas and Trip Limits for Limited Entry Fixed Gear South of 4010‘ N. lat. Other limits and requirements apply —— Read §§660.10 through 660.399 before using this table 1012016 JAN—FEB MAR—APR MAY—JUN JUL—AUG SEP—OCT NOVWDEC Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA)": 1 4010‘ N. lat. — 3427‘ N. lat. 30 fm line‘ — 150 fm line"‘ 2 South of 3427‘ N. lat. 60 fm line"‘ — 150 fm line"‘ (also applies around islands) See §§660.60 and 660.230 for additional gear, trip limit and conservation area requirements and restrictions. See §§660.70—660.74 and §§660.76—660.79 for conservation area descriptions and coordinates (including RCAs, YRCAs, CCAs, Farallon Islands, Cordell Banks, and EFHCAs). State trip limits and seasons may be more restrictive than Federal trip limits or seasons, particularly in waters off Oregon and California. Minor Slope rockfish*‘ & 40,000 Ib/ 2 months, of which no more than 1,375 lb 40,000 Ib/ 2 months, of which no more than 1,600 lb 3 Darkblotched rockfish may be blackgill rockfish may be blackgill rockfish 4 Splitnose rockfish 40,000 Ib/ 2 months 119 V L 5 Sablefish 6 4010‘ N. lat. — 3600‘ N. lat. 1,275 Ibmweek, not to exceed 3,375 Ib/ 2 months 7 South of 3600‘ N. lat. 2,000 Ib/ week 8 Longspine thornyhead 10,000 Ib/ 2 months 9 Shortspine thornyhead 10 4010‘ N. lat. — 34°27‘ N. lat. 2,000 Ib/ 2 months 2,500 Ib/ 2 months 11 South of 3427‘ N. lat. 3,000 Ib/ 2 months 12 e 13 Dover sole, arrowtooth flounder, s 5,000 Ib/ month 14 petrale sole, English sole, starry South of 42. N. lat., when fishing for "other flatfish," vesselg using hook—and-li.ne gear with np more than 12 hooks 15 flounder, Other Flatfish®‘ per line, using hooks no larger than "Number 2" hooks, which measure 0.44 in (11 mm) point to shank, and up to (y j n oS ) 16 U ‘ I two 1 Ib (0.45 kg) weights per line, are not subject to the RCAs. 17 18 Whiting 10,000 Ib/ trip 19 Minor Shelf Rockfish*‘, Shortbelly, Widow rockfish (including Bocaccio and Chilipepper between 4010‘ — 3427" N. lat.) baa bno—, Minor shelf rockfish, shortbelly, widow rockfish, bocaccio & chilipepper: 2,500 Ib/ 2 months, of which no more 20 40 10‘ N. lat. — 34 27" N. lat. than 500 Ib may be any species other than chilipepper. 21 South outh 0of 3427‘ N. . lat lat. 4,000 Ib/ 2 months CLOSED 4,000 > Ib/ 2 months 22 Chilipepper 23 4010‘ N. lat. — 34°27‘ N. lat.| Chilipepper included under minor shelf rockfish, shortbelly, widow rockfish and bocaccio limits — — See above 24 South of 3427‘ N. lat. 2,000 Ib/ 2 months, this opportunity only available seaward of the non—trawl RCA 25 Canary rockfish CLOSED 26 Yelloweye rockfish CLOSED 27 Cowcod CLOSED 28 Bronzespotted rockfish CLOSED 29 Bocaccio 30 4010‘ N. lat. — 3427‘ N. lat. Bocaccio included under Minor shelf rockfish, shortbelly, widow rockfish & chilipepper limits —— See above 31 South of 3427‘ N. lat.] 750 Ib/ 2 months CLOSED 750 Ib/ 2 months

81780 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 251 / Thursday, December 31, 2015 / Rules and Regulations ■ 4. Tables 3 North and 3 South to part follows: 660, subpart F, are revised to read as tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES ER31DE15.004</GPH> VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:05 Dec 30, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\31DER1.SGM 31DER1

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 251 / Thursday, December 31, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 81781 Table 3 (North) to Part 660, Subpart F -- Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation Areas and Trip Limits for Open Access Gears North of 40"10' N. lat. Jother lim its and requirements apply-- Read §§660.1 0 through 660.399 before using this table 01012016 JAN-FEB I MAR-APR I MAY-JUN I JUL-AUG I SEP-OCT I NOV-DEC Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA) 11 : I I I I I I I I I I I 1 North of 46"16' N. lat. shoreline -100fm line" 2 46.16' N. lat.- 42"00' N. lat. 301m line 11 -100fm line11 3 42"00' N. lat. - 40"10' N. lat. 301m line 11 -100fm line11 See §§660.60, 660.330 and 660.333 for additional gear, trip linit and conservation area requirements and restrictions. See §§660.70-660.74 and §§660.76- 660.79 for conservation area descriptions and coordinates (including RCAs, YRCAs, CCAs, Farallon Islands, Cordell Banks, and EFHCAs). State trip limits and seasons may be more restrictiw than Federal trip limits or seasons, particular1y in waters off Oregon and California. Minor Slope Rockfish" & 4 Per trip, no more than 25% of weight of the sablefish landed Darkblotched rockfish 5 Pacific ocean perch 100 lbl month 6 Sablefish 300 lb/ day, or 1 landing per week of up to 1,000 lb, not to exceed 2,000 lb/2 months -1 )> 7 Shortpine thornyheads and CLOSED m longspine thornyheads r 8 9 3,000 lb/ month, no more than 300 lb of which may be species other than Pacific sanddabs. m ---w- Dover sole, arrowtooth flounder, petrale sole, English sole, starry ____11_ flounder, Other Flatfish" South of 42' N. lat., when fishing for "other flatfish,'' vessels using hook-and-line gear with no more than 12 hooks per line, using hooks no larger than "Number 2" hooks, which measure 0.44 in (11 mm) point to shank, and up to two 1 lb w - 12 (0.45 kg) weights per line are not subject to the RCAs. 13 14 Whiting 300 lbl month 15 Minor Shelf Rockfish", Shortbelly, 200 lbl month z -- Widow & Yellowtail rockfish 0 16 Canary rockfish CLOSED 17 Yelloweye rockfish CLOSED ""' 18 Minor Nearshore Rockfish & :::r Black rockfish 19 North of 42"00' N. lat. 5,000 lb/2 months, no more than 1,200 lb of which may be species other than black rockfish . . 8,500 lb/2 months, ofwh1ch no more than 1,200 lb ofwh1ch may be spec1es . IB,OOO than , lb/2 months, of which no more lb of which may be species 20 42"00' N. lat.- 40.10' N. lat. 1 200 other than black rockfish other than black rockfish 1100 lb/ 21 Lingcod" 100 lbl month I 600 lbl month month 22 Pacific cod 1,000 lb/2 months 150,000 lb/2 Spiny dogfish 200,000 lb/2 months 100,000 lb/2 months 23 Longnose skate I months I Unlimited 24 Other Fish" & Cabazon in Oregon 25 Unlimited and California tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES ER31DE15.005</GPH> VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:05 Dec 30, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4725 E:\FR\FM\31DER1.SGM 31DER1

81782 Federal Register/Vol. 80, No. 251 /Thursday, December 31, 2015 /Rules and Regulations Table 3 (North). Continued JAN—FEB MAR—APR MAY—JUN JUL—AUG SEP—OCT NOV—DEC 119 V L 26 SALMON TROLL (subject to RCAs when retaining all species of groundfish, except for yellontail rockfish and lingcod, as described below) Salmon trollers may retain and land up to 1 Ib of yellowtail rockfish for every 2 Ibs of salmon landed, with a cumulative limit of 200 Ib/month, both within and outside of the RCA. This limit is within the 200 lb per month combined limit for minor shelf rockfish, widow rockfish and yellowtail rockfish, and not in addition to that limit. Salmon trollers may retain and land up to 1 lingcod per 15 Chinook 27 North per trip, plus 1 lingcod per trip, up to a trip limit of 10 lingcod, on a trip where any fishing occurs within the RCA. This limit only applies during times when lingcod retention is allowed, and is not "CLOSED." This limit is within the per month limit for lingcod $ described in the table above, 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. pju09 (yj1 o j ) 28 PINK SHRIMP NON—GROUNDFISH TRAWL (not subject to RCAs) Effective April 1 — October 31: Groundfish: 500 Ib/day, multiplied by the number of days of the trip, not to exceed 1,500 Ib/trip. The following sublimits also apply and are counted toward the overall 500 Ib/day and 1,500 lb/trip groundfish limits: lingcod 300 Ib/month (minimum 24 inch size limit); sablefish 2,000 Ib/month; canary, thornyheads and yelloweye rockfish are PROHIBITED. All 29 North other groundfish species taken are managed under the overall 500 Ib/day and 1,500 lb/trip groundfish limits. Landings of these species count toward the per day and per trip groundfish limits and do not have species—specific limits. The amount of groundfish landed may not exceed the amount of pink shrimp landed. 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. 2/ Bocaccio, chilipepper and cowcod rockfishes are included in the trip limits for Minor Shelf Rockfish. Splitnose rockfish is included in the trip limits for minor slope rockfish. 3/ "Other flatfish" are defined at § 660.11 and include butter sole, curifin sole, flathead sole, Pacific sanddab, rex sole, rock sole, and sand sole. 4/ For black rockfish north of Cape Alava (48°09.50° N. lat.), and between Destruction Is. (47°40° N. lat.) and Leadbetter Pnt. (46°38.17‘ N. lat.), there is an additional limit of 100 lbs or 30 percent by weight of all fish on board, whichever is greater, per vessel, per fishing trip. 5/ The minimum size limit for lingcod is 22 inches (56 cm) total length North of 42° N. lat. and 24 inches (61 cm) total length South of 42° N. lat. 6/ "Other fish" are defined at § 660.11 and include kelp greenling, leopard shark, and cabezon in Washington. To convert pounds to kilograms, divide by 2.20462, the number of pounds in one kilogram.

Federal Register/Vol. 80, No. 251 /Thursday, December 31, 2015 /Rules and Regulations 81783 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 §§660.10 through 660.399 before using this table 01012016 JAN—FEB MAR—APR MAY—JUN JUL—AUG SEP—OCT NOV—DEC Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA)": 1 40°10‘ N. lat. — 34°27" N. lat. 30 fm line"‘ — 150 fm line" 2 South of 34°27‘ N. lat. 60 fm line"" — 150 fm line"‘ (also applies around islands) See §§660.60 and 660.230 for additional gear, trip limit and conservation area requirements and restrictions. See §§660.70—660.74 and §§660.76—660.79 for conservation area descriptions and coordinates (including RCAs, YRCAs, CCAs, Farallon Islands, Cordell Banks, and EFHCAs). State trip limits and seasons may be more restrictive than Federal trip limits or seasons, particularly in waters off Oregon and California. Minor Slope Rockfish*‘ & 10,000 Ib/ 2 months, of which no more than 475 Ib may be 10,000 lb/ 2 months, of which no more than 550 lb may be 119 V L 3 Darkblotched rockfish blackgill rockfish blackgill rockfish 4 Splitnose rockfish 200 Ib/ month 5 Sablefish 6 4010‘ N. lat. — 3600‘ N. lat. 300 Ib/ day, or 1 landing per week of up to 1,000 Ib, not to exceed 2,000 lb/ 2 months 7 South of 3600‘ N. lat. 300 Ib/ day, or 1 landing per week of up to 1,600 Ib, not to exceed 3,200 lb/ 2 months g Shortpine thornyheads and longspine thornyheads 9 4010‘ N. lat. — 3427‘ N. lat. CLOSED $ 10 South of 3427‘ N. lat. 50 Ib/ day, no more than 1,000 lb/ 2 months ;; 3,000 Ib/ month, no more than 300 lb of which may be species other than Pacific sanddabs. (y j n os) e Dover sole, arrowtooth flounder, 74 petrale sole, English sole, starry South of 42° N. lat., when fishing for "other flatfish," vessels using hook—and—line gear with no more than 12 hooks per flounder, Other Flatfish®‘ line, using hooks no larger than "Number 2" hooks, which measure 0.44 in (11 mm) point to shank, and up to two 1 lb 15 . . . 16 (0.45 kg) weights per line are not subject to the RCAs. 17 Whiting 300 Ib/ month jg Minor Shelf Rockfish*‘, Shortbelly, Widow rockfish and Chilipepper 19 4010‘ N. lat. — 3427‘ N. lat.| 300 Ib/ 2 months 200 Ib/ 2 months 300 Ib/ 2 months o CLOSED 20 South of 34 27‘ N. lat.| 1500 lb/ 2 months 1500 Ib/ 2 months 21 Canary rockfish CLOSED 22 Yelloweye rockfish CLOSED 23 Cowecod CLOSED 24 Bronzespotted rockfish CLOSED 25 Bocaccio 26 4010‘ N. lat. — 3427‘ N. lat.| 200 Ib/ 2 months cLosEDp 100 Ib/ 2 months 200 Ib/ 2 months 27 South of 3427‘ N. lat.| 250 Ib/ 2 months 250 Ib/ 2 months

81784 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 251 / Thursday, December 31, 2015 / Rules and Regulations [FR Doc. 2015–32884 Filed 12–30–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES ER31DE15.008</GPH> VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:05 Dec 30, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\31DER1.SGM 31DER1


Document Created: 2015-12-31 02:14:48
Document Modified: 2015-12-31 02:14:48
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rule; inseason adjustments to biennial groundfish management measures.
DatesThis final rule is effective January 1, 2016. The depth restrictions for midwater trawl gear were made through automatic action, and are published in the Federal Register as soon as practicable after they are issued. The depth restriction for vessels using midwater trawl gear, which was announced by actual notice (by phone and email) prior to implementation, is applicable from noon local time, November 26, 2015 through midnight local time, December 31, 2015.
ContactGretchen Hanshew, phone: 206-526-6147, fax: 206-526-6736, or email: [email protected]
FR Citation80 FR 81773 
RIN Number0648-BF63
CFR AssociatedFisheries; Fishing and Indian Fisheries
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