[Federal Register: November 26, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 228)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 66352-66371]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26no03-11]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 660
[Docket No. 021209300-3048-02; I.D. 111903C]
Fisheries off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific;
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Annual Specifications and Management
Measures; Trip Limit Adjustments; Corrections
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Inseason adjustments to trip limits and rockfish conservation
areas; partial closures of recreational fisheries; corrections; request
for comments.
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SUMMARY: NMFS announces changes to commercial fisheries trip limits and
rockfish conservation areas (RCAs), as well as recreational fisheries
closures and prohibitions for the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery.
Trip limit adjustments include changes to the limited entry trawl Dover
sole, thornyhead, and sablefish (DTS) limits north of 40[deg]10' N.
lat. This action also expands the commercial trawl and non-trawl RCAs
as well as the areas closed to recreational fishing to provide more
protection for overfished continental shelf species, particularly
canary rockfish and lingcod. These changes will be effective for the
trawl ``A'' platoon, as well as the trawl ``B'' platoon, on November
21, 2003. These actions, which are authorized by the Pacific Coast
Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP), will allow fisheries access
to more abundant groundfish stocks while protecting overfished and
depleted stocks.
DATES: Changes to management measures are effective November 21, 2003,
until the 2004 annual specifications and management measures are
effective, unless modified, superseded, or rescinded through a
publication in the Federal Register. Comments on this rule will be
accepted through December 26, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments to D. Robert Lohn, Administrator, Northwest
Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115-0070; or Rod
McInnis, Acting Administrator, Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean
Blvd, Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carrie Nordeen or Jamie Goen
(Northwest Region, NMFS), phone: 206-526-6140; fax: 206-526-6736; and e-mail: carrie.nordeen@noaa.gov or jamie.goen@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
Electronic Access
This Federal Register document is available on the Government
Printing Office's Web site at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/ca/docs/aces/aces140.html.
Background information and documents are
available at the NMFS Northwest Region Web site at: http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/1sustfsh/gdfsh01.htm
and at the Pacific Fishery
Management Council's Web site at: http://www.pcouncil.org.
Background
The Pacific Coast Groundfish FMP and its implementing regulations
at 50 CFR part 660, subpart G, regulate fishing for over 80 species of
groundfish off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. Annual
groundfish specifications and management measures are initially
developed by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council),
and are implemented by NMFS. The groundfish specifications include
acceptable biological catches (ABCs) and optimum yields (OYs) for
groundfish species and species groups. The OYs are the annual harvest
targets and management measures are implemented at the start of the
season, and adjusted inseason, to allow the fishery to achieve, but not
exceed, the OYs for groundfish. The ABCs are the maximum total
mortality levels for species or species groups under sustainable
management. Should catch levels approach the ABC, total mortality of
that species or species group will be minimized in order to prevent
exceeding the ABC and overfishing that species or species group. The
specifications and management measures for the 2003 fishing year
(January 1-December 31, 2003) were initially published in the Federal
Register as an emergency rule for January 1-February 28, 2003 (68 FR
908, January 7, 2003) and as a proposed rule for March 1-December 31,
2003 (68 FR 936, January 7, 2003). The emergency rule was amended at 68
FR 4719, January 30, 2003, and the final rule for March 1-December 31,
2003 was published in the Federal Register on March 7, 2003 (68 FR
11182). The final rule has been subsequently amended at 68 FR 18166
(April 15, 2003), at 68 FR 23901 (May 6, 2003), at 68 FR 23924 (May 6,
2003), at 68 FR 32680 (June 2, 2003), at 68 FR 35575 (June 16, 2003),
at 68 FR 40187 (July 7, 2003), at 68 FR 43473 (July 23, 2003), at 68 FR
52703 (September 5, 2003), and at 68 FR 60865 (October 24, 2003).
The following changes to current groundfish management measures
were recommended by the Pacific Council, in consultation with Pacific
Coast Treaty Tribes and the States of Washington, Oregon, and
California, at its November 3-7, 2003, meeting in Del Mar, CA.
At the Pacific Council's November 3-7, 2003, meeting, the most
recent commercial and recreational catch data were reviewed by the
Pacific Council's Groundfish Management Team (GMT) in preparation for
recommending inseason adjustments to the Pacific Council. These data
included: Commercial landed catch data through the middle of October
available in the Pacific Fishery Information Network (PacFIN);
estimated discard in the commercial groundfish fisheries; recreational
catch estimates through the end of August available in the Recreational
Fishery Information Network (RecFIN); as well as estimated recreational
catch through the end of October and projected recreational catch
through the end of the year compiled by state agency personnel and GMT
members. When the GMT reviewed these data, it became apparent that the
RecFIN catch estimates for California, specifically nearshore rockfish,
canary rockfish, and lingcod, during the months of July and August were
significantly higher than the GMT had initially predicted for those
months. RecFIN catch estimates for the State of California during July
and August are as follows: shallow nearshore rockfish 88.2 mt (88,200
kg), deeper nearshore rockfish 748 mt (748,000 kg), lingcod 509 mt
(509,000 kg), and canary rockfish 14 mt (14,000 kg).
While catch rate and the weight of individual fish were above
average during this period, the principle factor contributing to the
significantly higher than predicted RecFIN catch estimates is the
exceptionally high estimates of effort (angler days) for the private
and rental boat participants in northern California (north of
34[deg]27' N. lat.). This higher than expected influx of effort is
estimated to have occurred during the first two months (July and
August) of the fishery. It may be due, in part, to a NMFS and State of
California prohibition on fishing between 40[deg]10' N. lat. and the
U.S./Mexico border for the first six months of 2003.
Combining RecFin catch estimates from California with catch
estimates from other recreational and commercial fisheries coastwide
produces total mortality estimates that exceed harvest targets for
groundfish species and/or
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species groups. Specifically, the total mortality estimate for canary
rockfish, an overfished species, through October is 52 mt (52,000 kg),
as compared to its 2003 OY of 44 mt (44,000 kg) and ABC of 272 mt
(272,000 kg); and the total mortality estimate for lingcod, another
overfished species, through October is 956.4 mt (956,400 kg), as
compared to its 2003 OY of 651 mt (651,000 kg) and ABC of 841 mt
(841,000 kg). Additionally, the California state harvest guidelines for
shallow nearshore rockfish (105 mt (105,000 kg)) and deeper nearshore
rockfish (54 mt (54,000 kg)) are also predicted to be exceeded by the
end of October.
Because of the magnitude of RecFIN catch estimates for the
California recreational groundfish fisheries during July and August and
its implications for other Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries for the
remainder of the year, the California Department of Fish and Game
(CDFG) staff thought these catch estimates warranted evaluation.
Therefore, CDFG staff explored these data by stratifying RecFIN catch
estimates by area (Area One is between 42[deg]00' N. lat. (Oregon/
California border) and 40[deg]10' N. lat. and Area Two is between
40[deg]10' N. lat. and the 34[deg]27' N. lat.) as well as applying a
historical effort estimate to replace the exceptionally high RecFIN
effort estimate for July and August 2003. The historical estimate used
was the next highest effort estimate from the July and August period
which occurred during 1985. When RecFIN catch estimates were stratified
by applying the effort and catch per unit effort (CPUE) for the two
areas, the total mortality estimates for canary rockfish (48.3 mt
(48,300 kg)) and lingcod (928.2 mt (928,200 kg)) were slightly lower
than those estimated by unadjusted RecFIN data. When the unusually high
RecFIN effort estimate for July and August was treated as an anomaly
and replaced with the historical estimate described above, the
estimated total mortality for canary rockfish was similar to the
stratified estimate (47.8 mt (47,800 kg)). However, this technique of
adjusting the RecFIN effort estimate reduced the total mortality
estimate for lingcod to 821.2 mt (821,200 kg), a harvest level that
still exceeds the lingcod OY but is about 20 mt (20,000 kg) below the
lingcod ABC.
The Pacific Council reviewed RecFIN catch estimates, data presented
by CDFG, statements on inseason adjustments prepared by the GMT and
Groundfish Advisory Panel (GAP), as well as public testimony before
recommending inseason adjustments to groundfish management measures for
the remainder of 2003. In order to keep the harvest of canary rockfish
and lingcod within levels that allow continued rebuilding, as well as
minimizing the mortality of California nearshore rockfish species, the
Pacific Council was faced with the need to recommend drastic inseason
adjustments. In an effort to continue sustainable groundfish management
while recognizing the economic importance of allowing fishery access to
more abundant groundfish stocks, the Pacific Council recommended a
series of inseason adjustments to groundfish management measures that
would provide some fishery opportunities with minimal mortality of
canary rockfish and lingcod.
Trawl Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA) Coastwide
In order to provide some year-end fishing opportunity for the trawl
fleet while protecting canary rockfish and lingcod, the trawl RCA (the
area closed to fishing for groundfish with trawl gear) is expanded in
size for the remainder of the year to extend from the shoreline to
specific latitude and longitude coordinates that approximate the 200-fm
(366-m) depth contour and are modified to allow fishing for petrale
sole. This increase in the size of the trawl RCA results in a change
from the previously scheduled eastern trawl RCA boundary. That
previously scheduled eastern trawl RCA boundary consisted of specific
latitude and longitude coordinates approximating the 50-fm (91-m) depth
contour between the U.S./Canada border and 40[deg]10' N. lat.,
coordinates approximating the 60-fm (110-m) depth contour between
40[deg]10' N. lat. and 34[deg]27' N. lat., and coordinates
approximating the 100-fm (183-m) depth contour between 34[deg]27' N.
lat. and the U.S./Mexico border. Expanding this closed area is intended
to protect canary rockfish and lingcod by prohibiting trawling over the
continental shelf, where canary rockfish and lingcod are found.
Year-end fishery access to deepwater, slope species, specifically
petrale sole, is economically important to the limited entry trawl
groundfish fleet. According to PacFIN, the coastwide exvessel price for
petrale sole is currently averaging about one dollar per pound and last
year's exvessel revenue generated by petrale sole landed with trawl
gear was over three and a half million dollars. During winter months
(November--February), petrale sole aggregate in certain areas along the
coast to spawn. Within these ``petrale sole areas'', petrale sole can
be harvested with a lower bycatch rate than in other areas. Because
canary rockfish are typically found at depths shallower than 150-fm
(274-m), allowing the petrale sole fishery to continue as previously
scheduled is not predicted to result in additional mortality of canary
rockfish. Using NMFS West Coast Groundfish Observer data, the effects
of allowing the slope/petrale sole fishery to continue as previously
scheduled is predicted to result in about 1 mt (1,000 kg) of additional
lingcod take by the end of 2003.
In the inseason adjustment to Pacific Coast annual specifications
and management measures for October--December (68 FR 60865, October 24,
2003), NMFS announced a western trawl RCA boundary with specific
latitude and longitude coordinates approximating the 200-fm (366-m)
depth contour which was modified to allow for petrale sole fishing.
That boundary contained several errors, specifically it omitted
boundary modifications to allow for fishing in the petrale sole areas
off the states of Oregon and California. Therefore, this inseason
action corrects that 200-fm (366-m) trawl RCA boundary by modifying it
to allow for petrale fishing in areas where petrale sole aggregate.
Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA) Coastwide
In 2003, the Pacific Coast non-trawl fleet has been severely
constrained by low trip limits as well as limited nearshore fishing
opportunities. Throughout the year, the non-trawl RCA (the area closed
to fishing for groundfish with non-trawl gear) has extended from an
eastern boundary ranging between the shoreline and specific latitude
and longitude coordinates approximating the 30-fm (55-m) depth contour
out to a western boundary ranging between specific latitude and
longitude coordinates approximating the 100-fm (183-m) and 150-fm (274-
m) depth contours. These management measures were designed to limit the
incidental take of overfished groundfish species.
Much like inseason adjustments to the trawl RCA, the non-trawl RCA
is similarly expanded to prevent further mortality of canary rockfish,
lingcod, and California's nearshore rockfish species. In an effort to
protect these species while still allowing access to more abundant
deepwater groundfish stocks, the non-trawl RCA is expanded for the
remainder of the year to extend from the shoreline to specific latitude
and longitude coordinates that approximate the 200-fm (366-m) depth
contour, modified to allow fishing for petrale sole, between the U.S./
Canada border and 46[deg]16' N. lat. and from the shoreline to specific
latitude and
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longitude coordinates that approximate the 150-fm (274-m) depth contour
between 46[deg]16' N. lat. and the U.S./Mexico border. This increase in
the size of the non-trawl RCA results in a change from the previously
scheduled non-trawl RCA. The previously scheduled non-trawl RCA
boundary extended from the shoreline to specific latitude and longitude
coordinates approximating the 100-fm (183-m) depth contour between the
U.S./Canada border and 46[deg]16' N. lat., from specific latitude and
longitude coordinates approximating the 27-fm (49-m) to the 100-fm
(183-m) depth contours between the 46[deg]16' N. lat. and 40[deg]10' N.
lat., from specific latitude and longitude coordinates approximating
the 20-fm (37-m) to the 150-fm (274-m) depth contours between
40[deg]10' N. lat. and 34[deg]27' N. lat., and from the 30-fm (55-m) to
the 150-fm (274-m) depth contours between 34[deg]27' N. lat. and the
U.S./Mexico border.
The GMT predicted that allowing fishing to continue seaward of the
expanded non-trawl RCA for the remainder of the year would result in no
additional mortality of canary rockfish or California nearshore
rockfish species and only minimal additional mortality of lingcod. No
additional mortality of canary rockfish or the California nearshore
rockfish species is predicted because these species are typically found
at depths shallower than 150-fm (274-m). The GMT predicted that
additional mortality of lingcod from the remaining non-trawl fishery
would be minimal. According to NMFS shelf and slope survey data from
the summers of 1984 to the present, 1 percent of lingcod catches
occurred at depths greater than 150-fm (274-m) between the U.S./Canada
border and 40[deg]10' N. lat. and 34 percent of lingcod catches
occurred at depths greater than 150-fm (274-m) between 40[deg]10' N.
lat. and the U.S./Mexico border. Because this adjustment to the non-
trawl RCA is occurring from November 21, 2003, through December 31,
2003 the GMT has predicted that impacts on lingcod would be further
reduced because lingcod typically move into shallower waters (less than
100-fm (183-m)) to spawn during winter months.
Limited Entry DTS Trawl Limits North of 40[deg]10' N. lat
Throughout 2003, differential trip limits, or trip limits that vary
with gear type, have been in place for DTS (Dover sole, thornyheads,
sablefish) species in the area between the U.S./Canada border and
40[deg]10' N. lat. Specifically, vessels that use large footrope or
midwater trawl gear are offered higher DTS trip limits than those
vessels that use small footrope gear. Because RCA regulations specify
that small footrope and midwater trawl gear are the only limited entry
trawl gears permitted shoreward of the trawl RCA while all limited
entry trawl gears (large and small footrope, midwater) are permitted
seaward of the RCA, the intent of the differential trip limits is to
encourage fishing seaward of the trawl RCA rather than shoreward of the
trawl RCA.
As discussed earlier, this inseason action is expanding the eastern
boundary of the trawl RCA to the shoreline. Thus, there is no trawling
opportunity shoreward of the trawl RCA from November 21, 2003, through
December 31, 2003, and no need for differential trip limits. Therefore,
the Pacific Council recommended that the differential DTS trip limits
between the U.S./Canada border and 40[deg]10' N. lat. be removed for
November and December. The previously scheduled DTS trip limits
associated with the use of large footrope or midwater trawl gear (i.e.,
7,000 lb (3,175 kg) per 2 months of sablefish, 4,500 lb (2,041 kg) per
2 months of longspine thornyhead, 900 lb (408 kg) per 2 months of
shortspine thornyhead, and 30,000 lb (13,608 kg) per 2 months of Dover
sole) will be available to vessels using all limited entry trawl gear
types. This change is not expected to negatively affect continental
shelf overfished species, because those waters are protected by the
trawl RCA. Additionally, because this change does not increase overall
limits for deepwater species, NMFS does not expect this action to
increase the impact of the fishery on continental slope overfished
species.
Recreational Groundfish Fisheries Coastwide
Much like the Pacific Coast commercial fisheries, the Pacific Coast
recreational fisheries have been restricted in recent years to rebuild
overfished groundfish species. Management measures intended to reduce
the incidental take of overfished species in recreational fisheries
include such things as decreased bag limits, reduced season length, and
closed areas. An example of these restrictive management measures was
evident this year in the California recreational fishery that occurs
between 40[deg]10' N. lat. and the U.S./Mexico border. Historically,
this recreational fishery has had year-round fishing opportunities. In
an effort to keep this fishery's harvest levels within 2003 OYs for
overfished species and within California harvest guidelines for target
species, the season length for this fishery was reduced to six months
and scheduled to extend from July through December. Despite this
restricted season length, RecFIN catch estimates for California,
specifically nearshore rockfish, canary rockfish, and lingcod, during
the months of July and August were significantly higher than predicted.
As discussed previously, combining RecFIN catch estimates from
California with catch estimates from other recreational and commercial
fisheries coastwide produces total mortality estimates which exceed
harvest targets for some groundfish species and/or species groups.
Therefore, the Pacific Council recommended inseason adjustments to
recreational groundfish fisheries coastwide. From November 21, 2003,
through December 31, 2003, recreational groundfish fisheries off the
State of Washington will be prohibited seaward of the Federal/State
three mile boundary. Effective November 13, 2003, the state of
Washington took action to prohibit the retention of canary rockfish
shoreward of the three mile boundary. Because inclement weather
curtails recreational groundfish fisheries off Washington during winter
months, the additional mortality of either canary rockfish or lingcod
associated with this fishery occurring in State waters is predicted to
be near zero. Additionally, recreational fishing for lingcod off
Washington closed on October 16, 2003. Off the State of Oregon,
recreational groundfish fisheries from November 21, 2003, through
December 31, 2003, will be prohibited seaward of specific latitude and
longitude coordinates approximating the 27-fm (49-m) depth contour and
shoreward of the 27-fm (49-m) depth contour retention of canary
rockfish and lingcod will be prohibited. Similarly to Washington,
effort in Oregon's recreational groundfish fisheries during November
and December is low. Because of this low effort, Oregon Department of
Fish and Wildlife has predicted that the additional mortality
associated with this fishery would be approximately 0.11 mt (110 kg) of
canary rockfish and 0.09 mt (90 kg) of lingcod. Off the state of
California, all recreational groundfish fisheries, with the exception
of the fixed gear sanddab fishery, will be prohibited from November 21,
2003, through December 31, 2003. Because of the small hooks used in
this recreational sanddab fishery, California Department of Fish and
Game has predicted that the additional mortality of canary rockfish,
lingcod, and California nearshore rockfish species would be near zero.
[[Page 66355]]
NMFS Actions
0
For the reasons stated herein, NMFS concurs with the Pacific Council's
recommendations and hereby announces the following changes to the 2003
specifications and management measures (68 FR 11182, March 7, 2003, as
amended at 68 FR 18166, April 15, 2003, at 68 FR 23901, May 6, 2003, at
68 FR 23925, May 6, 2003, at 68 FR 32680, June 2, 2003, at 68 FR 35575,
June 16, 2003, at 68 FR 40187, July 7, 2003, at 68 FR 43473, July 23,
2003, at 68 FR 52703, September 5, 2003, and at 68 FR 60865, October
24, 2003) to read as follows:
0
1. On pages 11218-11221, in section IV., under B. Limited Entry
Fishery, at the end of paragraph (1), Table 3 (North), Table 3 (South),
Table 4 (North), and Table 4 (South) are revised to read as follows:
IV. NMFS Actions
B. Limited Entry Fishery
(1) * * *
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0
2. On pages 11224 and 11225, in section IV., under C. Trip Limits in
the Open Access Fishery, at the end of paragraph (1), Table 5 (North)
and Table 5 (South) are revised to read as follows:
IV. NMFS Actions
C. Trip Limits in the Open Access Fishery
(1) * * *
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0
3. On page 11226, in section IV., under D. Recreational Fishery, in
column 2, paragraph (1)(a) is renumbered as paragraph (1)(a)(i), a new
paragraph (1)(a) and paragraph (1)(a)(ii) are added, and
paragraph(1)(b) is revised to read as follows:
* * * * *
(1) Washington. For each person engaged in recreational fishing
seaward of Washington, the groundfish bag limit is 15 groundfish,
including rockfish and lingcod, and is open year-round (except as
specified below). The following sublimits and closed areas apply:
(a) Closed Areas.--
(i) Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area. The Yelloweye Rockfish
Conservation Area, or YRCA, is a ``C-shaped'' area which is closed to
recreational groundfish and halibut fishing. The YRCA is defined by
latitude and longitude coordinates specified at 50 CFR 660.304(d).
(ii) Federal waters (3-200 nautical miles). Recreational groundfish
fishing is prohibited in Federal waters, from 3 to 200 nautical miles
offshore from November 21, 2003, through December 31, 2003.
(b) Rockfish. In areas seaward of Washington that are open to
recreational groundfish fishing, there is a 10 rockfish per day bag
limit. Taking and retaining yelloweye rockfish and canary rockfish is
prohibited.
* * * * *
0
4. On page 11226, in section IV., under D. Recreational Fishery, in
column 2, paragraph (2) is revised to read as follows:
* * * * *
(2) Oregon. The bag limits for each person engaged in recreational
fishing seaward of Oregon is 10 marine fish per day, which excludes
salmon, tuna, surfperch, sanddab, lingcod, and baitfish, but which
includes rockfish and other groundfish. The minimum size limit for
cabezon retained in the recreational fishery is 15 in (38 cm). Within
the 10 marine fish bag limit, no more than 1 may be yelloweye rockfish
and taking and retaining canary rockfish and lingcod is prohibited.
From November 21, 2003, through December 31, 2003, recreational
groundfish fishing is prohibited seaward of specific latitude and
longitude coordinates approximating the 27-fm (49-m) depth contour off
Oregon. Coordinates for specific latitude and longitude coordinates
approximating the 27-fm (49-m) depth contour are listed in section
IV.A.(19)(e)(i). When the all-depth recreational fisheries for Pacific
halibut (Hippoglossus stenolopis) are open, the first Pacific halibut
taken of 32 in (81 cm) or greater in length may be retained. During the
all-depth recreational fisheries for Pacific halibut, vessels with
halibut on board may not take and retain, possess or land yelloweye
rockfish or canary rockfish.
* * * * *
0
5. On pages 11226 and 11227, in section IV., under D. Recreational
Fishery, paragraphs (3)(a), (3)(a)(i), (3)(a)(ii), (3)(b)(ii) through
(iv) are revised to read as follows:
* * * * *
(3) California. Seaward of California (north and south of
40[deg]10' N. lat.), California law provides that, in times and areas
when the recreational fishery is open, there is a 20-fish bag limit for
all species of finfish, within which no more than 10 fish of any one
species may be taken or possessed by any one person. Retention of
cowcod is prohibited in California's recreational fishery all year in
all areas. Retention of all federally managed groundfish species,
except sanddabs, is prohibited in the recreational fishery seaward of
California November 21, 2003, through December 31, 2003.
(a) North of 40[deg]10' N. lat. In times and areas when the
recreational fishery is open and for each person engaged in
recreational fishing seaward of California north of 40[deg]10' N. lat.,
the following seasons, bag limits, and size limits apply:
(i) RCG Complex. The California rockfish, cabezon, greenling
complex (RCG Complex), as defined in State regulations (Section 1.91,
Title 14, California Code of Regulations), includes all rockfish, kelp
greenling, rock greenling, and cabezon. This category does not include
California scorpionfish, also known as ``sculpin.'' Recreational
fishing for the RCG Complex is prohibited.
(ii) Lingcod. Recreational fishing for lingcod is prohibited.
* * * * *
(b) South of 40[deg]10' N. lat. In times and areas when the
recreational fishery is open and for each person engaged in
recreational fishing seaward of California south of 40[deg]10' N. lat.,
the following seasons, bag limits, size limits and closed areas apply:
(ii) RCG Complex. The California rockfish, cabezon, greenling
complex (RCG Complex), as defined in State regulations (Section 1.91,
Title 14, California Code of Regulations), includes all rockfish, kelp
greenling, rock greenling, and cabezon. This category does not include
California scorpionfish, also known as ``sculpin.'' Recreational
fishing for the RCG Complex is prohibited.
(iii) California scorpionfish. California scorpionfish only occur
south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. Recreational fishing for the California
scorpionfish is prohibited.
(iv) Lingcod. Recreational fishing for lingcod is prohibited.
* * * * *
Additionally, there is a correction to the western trawl RCA
boundary with specific latitude and longitude coordinates approximating
the 200-fm (366-m) depth contour (modified to allow fishing for petrale
sole) that was announced in an inseason action on October 24, 2003 (68
FR 60865).
1. On pages 60867-60870, in section IV., under A. General
Definitions, paragraph (19)(e)(xviii) is revised to read as follows:
(xviii) * * *
* * * * *
(72) 46[deg]15.99' N. lat., 124[deg]24.88' W. long.;
(73) 46[deg]14.22' N. lat., 124[deg]26.28' W. long.;
(74) 46[deg]11.53' N. lat., 124[deg]39.58' W. long.;
(75) 46[deg]08.77' N. lat., 124[deg]41.71' W. long.;
(76) 46[deg]05.86' N. lat., 124[deg]42.27' W. long.;
(77) 46[deg]03.85' N. lat., 124[deg]48.20' W. long.;
(78) 46[deg]02.34' N. lat., 124[deg]48.51' W. long.;
(79) 45[deg]58.99' N. lat., 124[deg]44.42' W. long.;
(80) 45[deg]49.74' N. lat., 124[deg]43.69' W. long.;
(81) 45[deg]49.68' N. lat., 124[deg]42.37' W. long.;
(82) 45[deg]40.83' N. lat., 124[deg]40.90' W. long.;
(83) 45[deg]34.88' N. lat., 124[deg]32.58' W. long.;
(84) 45[deg]13.04' N. lat., 124[deg]21.92' W. long.;
(85) 45[deg]00.17' N. lat., 124[deg]29.28' W. long.;
(86) 44[deg]50.99' N. lat., 124[deg]35.40' W. long.;
(87) 44[deg]46.87' N. lat., 124[deg]38.20' W. long.;
(88) 44[deg]48.25' N. lat., 124[deg]40.62' W. long.;
(89) 44[deg]41.34' N. lat., 124[deg]49.20' W. long.;
(90) 44[deg]23.30' N. lat., 124[deg]50.17' W. long.;
(91) 44[deg]13.19' N. lat., 124[deg]58.66' W. long.;
(92) 43[deg]57.37' N. lat., 124[deg]58.71' W. long.;
(93) 43[deg]52.32' N. lat., 124[deg]49.43' W. long.;
(94) 43[deg]51.35' N. lat., 124[deg]37.94' W. long.;
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(95) 43[deg]49.73' N. lat., 124[deg]40.26' W. long.;
(96) 43[deg]39.06' N. lat., 124[deg]38.55' W. long.;
(97) 43[deg]28.85' N. lat., 124[deg]39.99' W. long.;
(98) 43[deg]20.22' N. lat., 124[deg]43.05' W. long.;
(99) 43[deg]13.29' N. lat., 124[deg]47.00' W. long.;
(100) 43[deg]10.64' N. lat., 124[deg]49.95' W. long.;
(101) 43[deg]04.26' N. lat., 124[deg]53.05' W. long.;
(102) 42[deg]53.93' N. lat., 124[deg]54.60' W. long.;
(103) 42[deg]47.57' N. lat., 124[deg]48.12' W. long.;
(104) 42[deg]46.19' N. lat., 124[deg]44.52' W. long.;
(105) 42[deg]41.75' N. lat., 124[deg]44.69' W. long.;
(106) 42[deg]38.81' N. lat., 124[deg]43.09' W. long.;
(107) 42[deg]31.83' N. lat., 124[deg]46.23' W. long.;
(108) 42[deg]32.08' N. lat., 124[deg]43.58' W. long.;
(109) 42[deg]30.96' N. lat., 124[deg]43.84' W. long.;
(110) 42[deg]28.41' N. lat., 124[deg]49.17' W. long.;
(111) 42[deg]24.80' N. lat., 124[deg]45.93' W. long.;
(112) 42[deg]19.71' N. lat., 124[deg]41.60' W. long.;
(113) 42[deg]15.12' N. lat., 124[deg]38.34' W. long.;
(114) 42[deg]12.35' N. lat., 124[deg]38.09' W. long.;
(115) 42[deg]04.38' N. lat., 124[deg]36.83' W. long.;
(116) 41[deg]59.98' N. lat., 124[deg]36.80' W. long.;
(117) 41[deg]47.79' N. lat., 124[deg]29.48' W. long.;
(118) 41[deg]21.01' N. lat., 124[deg]29.01' W. long.;
(119) 41[deg]13.50' N. lat., 124[deg]24.40' W. long.;
(120) 41[deg]11.00' N. lat., 124[deg]22.99' W. long.;
(121) 41[deg]06.69' N. lat., 124[deg]23.30' W. long.;
(122) 40[deg]54.73' N. lat., 124[deg]28.15' W. long.;
(123) 40[deg]53.95' N. lat., 124[deg]26.04' W. long.;
(124) 40[deg]49.96' N. lat., 124[deg]26.04' W. long.;
(125) 40[deg]44.49' N. lat., 124[deg]30.81' W. long.;
(126) 40[deg]40.58' N. lat., 124[deg]32.06' W. long.;
(127) 40[deg]36.09' N. lat., 124[deg]40.11' W. long.;
(128) 40[deg]34.19' N. lat., 124[deg]41.20' W. long.;
(129) 40[deg]32.93' N. lat., 124[deg]41.86' W. long.;
(130) 40[deg]31.28' N. lat., 124[deg]40.98' W. long.;
(131) 40[deg]29.68' N. lat., 124[deg]38.06' W. long.;
(132) 40[deg]25.01' N. lat., 124[deg]36.36' W. long.;
(133) 40[deg]22.28' N. lat., 124[deg]31.83' W. long.;
(134) 40[deg]16.96' N. lat., 124[deg]31.91' W. long.;
(135) 40[deg]17.59' N. lat., 124[deg]45.28' W. long.;
(136) 40[deg]13.23' N. lat., 124[deg]32.40' W. long.;
(137) 40[deg]10.14' N. lat., 124[deg]24.55' W. long.;
(138) 40[deg]06.45' N. lat., 124[deg]19.24' W. long.;
(139) 40[deg]07.08' N. lat., 124[deg]17.80' W. long.;
(140) 40[deg]05.55' N. lat., 124[deg]18.11' W. long.;
(141) 40[deg]04.74' N. lat., 124[deg]18.11' W. long.;
(142) 40[deg]02.35' N. lat., 124[deg]16.53' W. long.;
(143) 40[deg]01.13' N. lat., 124[deg]12.98' W. long.;
(144) 40[deg]01.55' N. lat., 124[deg]09.80' W. long.;
(145) 39[deg]58.54' N. lat., 124[deg]12.43' W. long.;
(146) 39[deg]55.72' N. lat., 124[deg]07.44' W. long.;
(147) 39[deg]42.64' N. lat., 124[deg]02.52' W. long.;
(148) 39[deg]35.96' N. lat., 123[deg]59.47' W. long.;
(149) 39[deg]34.61' N. lat., 123[deg]59.58' W. long.;
(150) 39[deg]34.79' N. lat., 123[deg]58.47' W. long.;
(151) 39[deg]33.79' N. lat., 123[deg]56.77' W. long.;
(152) 39[deg]33.03' N. lat., 123[deg]57.06' W. long.;
(153) 39[deg]32.20' N. lat., 123[deg]59.12' W. long.;
(154) 39[deg]07.81' N. lat., 123[deg]59.06' W. long.;
(155) 39[deg]03.06' N. lat., 123[deg]57.77' W. long.;
(156) 38[deg]52.26' N. lat., 123[deg]56.18' W. long.;
(157) 38[deg]50.21' N. lat., 123[deg]55.48' W. long.;
(158) 38[deg]46.81' N. lat., 123[deg]51.49' W. long.;
(159) 38[deg]45.28' N. lat., 123[deg]51.55' W. long.;
(160) 38[deg]42.76' N. lat., 123[deg]49.73' W. long.;
(161) 38[deg]41.53' N. lat., 123[deg]47.80' W. long.;
(162) 38[deg]41.41' N. lat., 123[deg]46.74' W. long.;
(163) 38[deg]38.01' N. lat., 123[deg]45.74' W. long.;
(164) 38[deg]37.19' N. lat., 123[deg]43.98' W. long.;
(165) 38[deg]35.26' N. lat., 123[deg]41.99' W. long.;
(166) 38[deg]33.38' N. lat., 123[deg]41.76' W. long.;
(167) 38[deg]19.95' N. lat., 123[deg]32.90' W. long.;
(168) 38[deg]14.38' N. lat., 123[deg]25.51' W. long.;
(169) 38[deg]09.39' N. lat., 123[deg]24.39' W. long.;
(170) 38[deg]10.09' N. lat., 123[deg]27.21' W. long.;
(171) 38[deg]03.76' N. lat., 123[deg]31.90' W. long.;
(172) 38[deg]02.06' N. lat., 123[deg]31.26' W. long.;
(173) 38[deg]00.01' N. lat., 123[deg]29.56' W. long.;
(174) 37[deg]58.07' N. lat., 123[deg]27.21' W. long.;
(175) 37[deg]55.02' N. lat., 123[deg]27.44' W. long.;
(176) 37[deg]51.39' N. lat., 123[deg]25.22' W. long.;
(177) 37[deg]43.94' N. lat., 123[deg]11.49' W. long.;
(178) 37[deg]35.96' N. lat., 123[deg]02.23' W. long.;
(179) 37[deg]23.48' N. lat., 122[deg]57.76' W. long.;
(180) 37[deg]23.23' N. lat., 122[deg]53.78' W. long.;
(181) 37[deg]13.97' N. lat., 122[deg]49.91' W. long.;
(182) 37[deg]09.98' N. lat., 122[deg]45.61' W. long.;
(183) 37[deg]07.38' N. lat., 122[deg]46.38' W. long.;
(184) 37[deg]00.64' N. lat., 122[deg]37.70' W. long.;
(185) 36[deg]57.40' N. lat., 122[deg]28.36' W. long.;
(186) 36[deg]59.21' N. lat., 122[deg]25.64' W. long.;
(187) 36[deg]56.90' N. lat., 122[deg]25.42' W. long.;
(188) 36[deg]57.43' N. lat., 122[deg]22.55' W. long.;
(189) 36[deg]55.43' N. lat., 122[deg]22.43' W. long.;
(190) 36[deg]52.27' N. lat., 122[deg]13.16' W. long.;
(191) 36[deg]47.10' N. lat., 122[deg]07.53' W. long.;
(192) 36[deg]47.10' N. lat., 122[deg]02.08' W. long.;
(193) 36[deg]43.76' N. lat., 121[deg]59.15' W. long.;
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(210) 35[deg]23.29' N. lat., 121[deg]11.41' W. long.;
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(216) 34[deg]32.33' N. lat., 120[deg]50.23' W. long.;
(217) 34[deg]27.00' N. lat., 120[deg]42.55' W. long.;
(218) 34[deg]17.72' N. lat., 120[deg]19.26' W. long.;
(219) 34[deg]22.45' N. lat., 120[deg]12.81' W. long.;
(220) 34[deg]21.36' N. lat., 119[deg]54.88' W. long.;
(221) 34[deg]09.95' N. lat., 119[deg]46.18' W. long.;
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(225) 34[deg]14.68' N. lat., 120[deg]29.48' W. long.;
(226) 34[deg]09.51' N. lat., 120[deg]38.32' W. long.;
(227) 34[deg]03.06' N. lat., 120[deg]35.54' W. long.;
(228) 33[deg]56.39' N. lat., 120[deg]28.47' W. long.;
(229) 33[deg]50.25' N. lat., 120[deg]09.43' W. long.;
(230) 33[deg]37.96' N. lat., 120[deg]00.08' W. long.;
(231) 33[deg]34.52' N. lat., 119[deg]51.84' W. long.;
(232) 33[deg]35.51' N. lat., 119[deg]48.49' W. long.;
(233) 33[deg]42.76' N. lat., 119[deg]47.77' W. long.;
(234) 33[deg]53.62' N. lat., 119[deg]53.28' W. long.;
(235) 33[deg]57.61' N. lat., 119[deg]31.26' W. long.;
(236) 33[deg]56.34' N. lat., 119[deg]26.04' W. long.;
(237) 33[deg]57.79' N. lat., 119[deg]26.85' W. long.;
(238) 33[deg]58.88' N. lat., 119[deg]20.06' W. long.;
(239) 34[deg]02.65' N. lat., 119[deg]15.11' W. long.;
(240) 33[deg]59.02' N. lat., 119[deg]02.99' W. long.;
(241) 33[deg]57.61' N. lat., 118[deg]42.07' W. long.;
(242) 33[deg]50.76' N. lat., 118[deg]37.98' W. long.;
(243) 33[deg]38.41' N. lat., 118[deg]17.03' W. long.;
(244) 33[deg]37.14' N. lat., 118[deg]18.39' W. long.;
(245) 33[deg]35.51' N. lat., 118[deg]18.03' W. long.;
(246) 33[deg]30.68' N. lat., 118[deg]10.35' W. long.;
(247) 33[deg]32.49' N. lat., 117[deg]51.85' W. long.;
(248) 32[deg]58.87' N. lat., 117[deg]20.36' W. long.; and
(249) 32[deg]35.53' N. lat., 117[deg]29.67' W. long.
* * * * *
Classification
These actions are authorized by the Pacific Coast groundfish FMP
and its implementing regulations, and are based on the most recent data
available. The aggregate data upon which these actions are based are
available for public inspection at the Office of the Administrator,
Northwest Region, NMFS, (see ADDRESSES) during business hours.
The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries (AA), NMFS, finds good
cause to waive the requirement to provide prior notice and opportunity
for public comment on this action pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B),
because providing prior notice and opportunity for comment would be
impracticable. It would be impracticable because affording prior notice
and opportunity for public comment would impede the Agency's function
of managing fisheries to protect overfished groundfish species while
allowing the harvest of more abundant groundfish species. Based on the
best available science, it is predicted that harvest levels in the
Pacific Coast groundfish fishery exceeded the ABC for lingcod and the
OY for canary rockfish, both overfished groundfish species, during
October. The inseason adjustments in this document primarily include
increases to closed areas, or RCAs, and prohibitions in recreational
groundfish fisheries to minimize the total mortality of canary rockfish
and lingcod and allow for the continued rebuilding of those overfished
stocks. These inseason adjustments must be implemented in a timely
manner to reduce the magnitude of overfishing on lingcod and the amount
by which the canary rockfish OY is exceeded. Additionally, this
inseason action contains a correction to the western boundary of the
trawl RCA and non-differential trip limits for DTS species. This
correction to the trawl RCA and adjusted DTS trip limits allow fishers
to access groundfish allocations without exceeding the OY for those
species and with minimal effects on overfished or depleted stocks.
Delaying these adjustments could prevent the industry from obtaining
the intended economic benefits associated with these adjustments. The
Pacific Coast commercial groundfish fishery is managed by trip limits
and area closures, most of which are based on a 2-month cumulative
period (January-February, March-April, May-June, July-August,
September-October, November-December). Because the last 2-month
cumulative period began on November 1, 2003, these actions should be
implemented as soon as possible to protect overfished groundfish
species and allow access to more abundant groundfish stocks. The
affected public had the opportunity to comment on these actions at the
November 3-7, 2003, Pacific Council meeting in Del Mar, CA. For these
reasons, good cause also exists to waive the 30-day delay in
effectiveness requirement of 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).
These actions are taken under the authority of 50 CFR 300.63(a)(3)
and 660.323(b)(1), and are exempt from review under Executive Order
12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: November 21, 2003.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-29584 Filed 11-21-03; 4:50 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P