[Federal Register: June 2, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 105)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 32680-32690]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02jn03-24]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 660
[Docket No. 021209300-3048-02 I.D. 052103A]
Fisheries off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific;
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Annual Specifications and Management
Measures; Trip Limit Adjustments
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Inseason adjustments to the trawl rockfish conservation area
boundaries; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: NMFS announces changes to the closed areas affecting the
limited entry trawl fleet and open access exempted trawl fleet, also
known as the trawl Rockfish Conservation Areas (trawl RCAs). For the
trawl ``B'' platoon, the closed areas for the cumulative limit period
beginning May 16 through June 30, 2003, will be the same for the ``A''
platoon. For the remainder of the ``B'' platoon cumulative limit
period, from July 1 through July 15, 2003, the ``B'' platoon will be
subject to the closed areas that were in place for the ``A'' platoon
through June 30, 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: Effective 0001 hours local time May 28, 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modified, superseded, or rescinded through a publication in the Federal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 action will be accepted through June 17,
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 website at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/ca/docs/aces/aces140.html.
Background information and documents are
available at the NMFS Northwest Region website at: http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/1sustfsh/gdfsh01.htm
and at the Pacific Fishery
Management Council's website 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 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), and at 68 FR 23924 (May 6, 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 April 7-11, 2003, meeting in Vancouver, WA.
The NMFS West Coast Groundfish Observer Program (Observer Program)
released observer data collected from September 2001 through August
2002 at a bycatch workshop in January 2003. At the Pacific Council's
April meeting, the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) reported
that they considered bycatch rates based on observer data in the
groundfish trawl fishery to be the best available scientific data for
use in the bycatch model. Both the SSC and the Groundfish Management
Team (GMT) supported incorporating trawl bycatch rates from the
Observer Program into the bycatch model as soon as possible. Following
the SSC and GMT recommendations, the Pacific Council decided to use the
preliminary observer-
[[Page 32681]]
based trawl bycatch rates in the bycatch model to develop inseason
adjustments to trip limits and area closures that were effective May 1,
2003, in addition, it was decided to shift the trawl RCA as soon as new
boundaries could be developed.
Based on the new Observer Program information on bycatch rates in
the trawl fishery for groundfish, the Pacific Council recommended
changes to the boundaries for the trawl RCA (the area that is closed to
fishing for groundfish with trawl gear) along with trip limit changes.
In particular, new estimates of canary rockfish bycatch in the trawl
fishery north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. and bocaccio bycatch in the trawl
fishery south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. are higher than previously
estimated. At these higher bycatch rates, the OYs for canary rockfish
and bocaccio would be reached before the end of the year. In order to
slow the rate of interception for these overfished rockfish species,
the trawl RCA is being shifted to better align with the observed
interception rates of these species. Prior to May 1, 2003, the trawl
RCA north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. was scheduled to extend between
boundaries approximating the 100 fm (183 m) and 250 fm (457 m) depth
contours. Trip limit changes and, north of 40[deg]10' N. lat., a change
in the trawl RCA were announced previously in the Federal Register (68
FR 23901, May 6, 2003) and were effective May 1, 2003. The trawl RCA
north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. was temporarily extended from the shoreline
to a boundary approximating the 250 fm (457 m) depth contour until new
boundaries could be put in place. Implementation of the new boundaries
was delayed beyond the inseason adjustments that were effective May 1,
2003, until coordinates for the new boundaries were developed and
reviewed by Federal and state management and enforcement agencies.
Trawl RCA Restrictions North of 40[deg]10' N. lat.
Because data from the Observer Program showed that canary rockfish
tend to be intercepted in trawl gear further inshore than previously
expected, the trawl RCA north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. is being shifted
with the intention of protecting canary rockfish, an overfished
species. In evaluating the observer data, the Pacific Council's GMT
recommended that the trawl RCA's eastern boundary be shifted from
approximating the 100-fm (183-m) depth contour to approximating the 50-
fm (91-m) depth contour to protect areas where canary are intercepted
in the trawl fishery. Additionally, the GMT recommended that the
western boundary be shifted from approximating the 250-fm (457-m) depth
contour to approximating the 200-fm (366-m) depth contour to allow
fishery access to more abundant deepwater groundfish stocks while still
protecting areas with high rates of canary bycatch. Thus, for the
remainder of the year, the trawl RCA north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. will
extend from approximately the 50-fm (91-m) to 200-fm (366-m) depth
contours. During November - December, the western trawl RCA boundary is
to be modified to allow petrale fishing. In the interest of time, this
new 200-fm (366-m) western boundary was not modified to allow petrale
fishing but it will be modified by a subsequent inseason action that
will be published in the Federal Register prior to November.
Trawl Restrictions South of 40[deg]10' N. lat.
The Pacific Council's GMT also recommended moving the trawl RCA
south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. to protect overfished species while
allowing fishery access to more abundant groundfish stocks. This move
entails the trawl RCA's western boundary being shifted to approximate
the 200-fm (266-m) depth contour, thus, creating a coastwide western
boundary for the trawl RCA that approximates the 200-fm (266-m) depth
contour. Between 40[deg]10' N. lat. and 34[deg]27' N. lat., the western
boundary for the trawl RCA will shift from approximating the 250-fm
(457-m) depth contour to approximating the 200-fm (366-m) depth contour
in order to allow fishery access to more abundant deepwater stocks
while protecting areas where both bocaccio and canary are intercepted.
Between 34[deg]27' N. lat. and the U.S./Mexico border, the western
boundary for the trawl RCA will shift from either approximating the
100-fm (183-m) or 150-fm (274-m) depth contour to approximating the
200- fm (266-m) contour to better align with depths where there is a
high interception of bocaccio. Around southern California islands and
seamounts, the trawl RCA outer boundary will also shift from
approximating the 150-fm (274-m) depth contour to approximating the
200-fm (266-m) depth contour, again to protect bocaccio. Therefore, for
the remainder of May through June and from September through December,
the trawl RCA boundaries south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. will approximate
the following depth contours: (1) between 40[deg]10' N. lat. and
34[deg]27' N. lat., the trawl RCA will extend from 60-fm (110-m) to
200-fm (266-m); (2) between 34[deg]27' N. lat. and the U.S./Mexico
border, the trawl RCA will extend from 100-fm (183-m) to 200-fm (266-
m); and (3) around California islands and seamounts south of 34[deg]27'
N. lat., the trawl RCA will extend from the shoreline to 200-fm (266-
m). During November - December, the western trawl RCA boundary is to be
modified to allow petrale fishing. In the interest of time, this new
200-fm (366-m) western boundary was not modified to allow petrale
fishing but it will be modified by a subsequent inseason action that
will be published in the Federal Register prior to November 2003.
Additional measures to slow the incidental catch of bocaccio
rockfish inshore of the trawl RCA have been implemented by prohibiting
trawling inshore of 200-fm (366-m) during period 4 (July-August) from
40[deg]10' N. lat. to the U.S./Mexico border. This prohibition was
implemented through the inseason adjustments published on May 6, 2003
(68 FR 23901).
NMFS Actions
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, and at 68 FR 23925, May 6, 2003) to read as follows:
* * * * *
1. On page 11205, in section IV., under A. General Definitions and
Provisions, in the third column, paragraphs (19)(c)(ii)and(iii) are
revised to read as follows:
(ii) Between the U.S. border with Canada and 40[deg]10' N. lat.,
the location of the trawl RCA (i.e., the approximate depth contours
that generally describe the eastern and western trawl RCA boundaries)
throughout the year is provided in section IV.,(B), Table 3 (North).
The specific latitude and longitude coordinates that define the eastern
and western boundaries for the trawl RCA are provided below at
paragraph (e) of this section.
(iii) Between 40[deg]10' N. lat. and the U.S. border with Mexico,
the location of the trawl RCA (i.e., the approximate depth contours
that generally describe the eastern and western trawl RCA boundaries)
throughout the year is provided in section IV.,(B), Table 3 (South).
The specific latitude and longitude coordinates that define the eastern
and western boundaries for the trawl RCA are provided below at
paragraph (e) of this section.
* * * * *
[[Page 32682]]
2. On page 11205, in section IV., under A. General Definitions and
Provisions, in the third column, paragraphs (19)(d)(ii)and (iii) are
revised to read as follows:
(ii) Between the U.S. border with Canada and 40[deg]10' N. lat.,
the location of the non-trawl RCA (i.e., the approximate depth contours
that generally describe the eastern and western non-trawl RCA
boundaries) throughout the year is provided in section IV.,(B), Table 4
(North) for the limited entry fishery and Table 5 (North) for the open
access fishery. The specific latitude and longitude coordinates that
define the eastern and western boundaries for the non-trawl RCA are
provided below at paragraph (e) of this section.
(iii) Between 40[deg]10' N. lat. and the U.S. border with Mexico,
the location of the non-trawl RCA (i.e., the approximate depth contours
that generally describe the eastern and western non-trawl RCA
boundaries) throughout the year is provided in section IV.,(B), Table 4
(South) for the limited entry fishery and Table 5 (South) for the open
access fishery. The specific latitude and longitude coordinates that
define the eastern and western boundaries for the trawl RCA are
provided below at paragraph (e) of this section.
* * * * *
3. On page 11206, in section IV., under A. General Definitions and
Provisions, paragraph (19)(e)(ii) is revised to read as follows:
(ii) The 75-fm (137-m) depth contour used north of 40[deg]10' N.
lat. as an eastern boundary for the trawl RCA is defined by straight
lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated:
* * * * *
4. On page 11209, in section IV., under A. General Definitions and
Provisions, in the third column, paragraph (19)(e)(iv) is revised to
read as follows:
(iv) The 250-fm (457-m) depth contour used north of 38[deg]N. lat.
as a western boundary for the trawl RCA is defined by straight lines
connecting all of the following points in the order stated:
* * * * *
5. On page 11212, in section IV., under A. General Definitions and
Provisions, in the first column, paragraph (19)(e)(vi) is revised to
read as follows:
(vi) The 50-fm (91-m) depth contour used between the U.S. border
with Canada and the Swiftsure Bank as an eastern boundary for the trawl
RCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points
in the order stated:
(1) 48[deg]30.15' N. lat., 124[deg]56.12' W. long.;
(2) 48[deg]28.29' N. lat., 124[deg]56.30' W. long.;
(3) 48[deg]29.23' N. lat., 124[deg]53.63' W. long.; and
(4) 48[deg]30.31' N. lat., 124[deg]51.73' W. long.
* * * * *
6. On page 11212, in section IV., under A. General Definitions and
Provisions, paragraph (19)(e)(vii) is revised to read as follows:
(vii) The 60 fm (110 m) depth contour used between 40[deg]10' N.
lat. and 34[deg]27' N. lat. an eastern boundary for the trawl RCA is
defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the
order stated:
* * * * *
7. On page 11214, in section IV., under A. General Definitions and
Provisions, in the second column, paragraph (19)(e)(xi) is revised to
read as follows:
(xi) The 50-fm (91-m) depth contour used between the U.S. border
with Canada and 34[deg]27' N. lat. as an eastern boundary for the trawl
RCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points
in the order stated:
(1) 48[deg]22.15' N. lat., 124[deg]43.15' W. long.;
(2) 48[deg]22.15' N. lat., 124[deg]49.10' W. long.;
(3) 48[deg]20.03' N. lat., 124[deg]51.18' W. long.;
(4) 48[deg]16.61' N. lat., 124[deg]53.72' W. long.;
(5) 48[deg]14.68' N. lat., 124[deg]54.50' W. long.;
(6) 48[deg]12.02' N. lat., 124[deg]55.29' W. long.;
(7) 48[deg]03.14' N. lat., 124[deg]57.02' W. long.;
(8) 47[deg]56.05' N. lat., 124[deg]55.60' W. long.;
(9) 47[deg]52.58' N. lat., 124[deg]54.00' W. long.;
(10) 47[deg]50.18' N. lat., 124[deg]52.36' W. long.;
(11) 47[deg]45.34' N. lat., 124[deg]51.07' W. long.;
(12) 47[deg]40.96' N. lat., 124[deg]48.84' W. long.;
(13) 47[deg]34.59' N. lat., 124[deg]46.24' W. long.;
(14) 47[deg]27.86' N. lat., 124[deg]42.12' W. long.;
(15) 47[deg]22.34' N. lat., 124[deg]39.43' W. long.;
(16) 47[deg]17.66' N. lat., 124[deg]38.75' W. long.;
(17) 47[deg]06.25' N. lat., 124[deg]39.74' W. long.;
(18) 47[deg]00.43' N. lat., 124[deg]38.01' W. long.;
(19) 46[deg]52.00' N. lat., 124[deg]32.44' W. long.;
(20) 46[deg]35.41' N. lat., 124[deg]25.51' W. long.;
(21) 46[deg]25.43' N. lat., 124[deg]23.46' W. long.;
(22) 46[deg]13.71' N. lat., 124[deg]16.90' W. long.;
(23) 45[deg]50.88' N. lat., 124[deg]09.68' W. long.;
(24) 45[deg]12.99' N. lat., 124[deg]06.71' W. long.;
(25) 44[deg]52.48' N. lat., 124[deg]11.22' W. long.;
(26) 44[deg]42.41' N. lat., 124[deg]19.70' W. long.;
(27) 44[deg]38.80' N. lat., 124[deg]26.58' W. long.;
(28) 44[deg]24.99' N. lat., 124[deg]31.22' W. long.;
(29) 44[deg]18.11' N. lat., 124[deg]43.74' W. long.;
(30) 44[deg]15.23' N. lat., 124[deg]40.47' W. long.;
(31) 44[deg]18.80' N. lat., 124[deg]35.48' W. long.;
(32) 44[deg]19.62' N. lat., 124[deg]27.18' W. long.;
(33) 43[deg]56.65' N. lat., 124[deg]16.86' W. long.;
(34) 43[deg]34.95' N. lat., 124[deg]17.47' W. long.;
(35) 43[deg]12.60' N. lat., 124[deg]35.80' W. long.;
(36) 43[deg]08.96' N. lat., 124[deg]33.77' W. long.;
(37) 42[deg]59.66' N. lat., 124[deg]34.79' W. long.;
(38) 42[deg]54.29' N. lat., 124[deg]39.46' W. long.;
(39) 42[deg]46.50' N. lat., 124[deg]39.99' W. long.;
(40) 42[deg]41.00' N. lat., 124[deg]34.92' W. long.;
(41) 42[deg]36.29' N. lat., 124[deg]34.70' W. long.;
(42) 42[deg]28.36' N. lat., 124[deg]37.90' W. long.;
(43) 42[deg]25.53' N. lat., 124[deg]37.68' W. long.;
(44) 42[deg]18.64' N. lat., 124[deg]29.47' W. long.;
(45) 42[deg]12.95' N. lat., 124[deg]27.34' W. long.;
(46) 42[deg]03.04' N. lat., 124[deg]25.81' W. long.;
(47) 42[deg]00.00' N. lat., 124[deg]26.21' W. long.;
(48) 41[deg]57.60' N. lat., 124[deg]27.35' W. long.;
(49) 41[deg]52.53' N. lat., 124[deg]26.51' W. long.;
(50) 41[deg]50.17' N. lat., 124[deg]25.63' W. long.;
(51) 41[deg]46.01' N. lat., 124[deg]22.16' W. long.;
(52) 41[deg]26.50' N. lat., 124[deg]21.78' W. long.;
(53) 41[deg]15.66' N. lat., 124[deg]16.42' W. long.;
[[Page 32683]]
(54) 41[deg]05.45' N. lat., 124[deg]16.89' W. long.;
(55) 40[deg]54.55' N. lat., 124[deg]19.53' W. long.;
(56) 40[deg]42.22' N. lat., 124[deg]28.29' W. long.;
(57) 40[deg]39.68' N. lat., 124[deg]28.37' W. long.;
(58) 40[deg]36.76' N. lat., 124[deg]27.39' W. long.;
(59) 40[deg]34.44' N. lat., 124[deg]28.89' W. long.;
(60) 40[deg]32.57' N. lat., 124[deg]32.43' W. long.;
(61) 40[deg]30.95' N. lat., 124[deg]33.87' W. long.;
(62) 40[deg]28.90' N. lat., 124[deg]34.59' W. long.;
(63) 40[deg]24.36' N. lat., 124[deg]31.42' W. long.;
(64) 40[deg]22.38' N. lat., 124[deg]24.41' W. long.;
(65) 40[deg]21.21' N. lat., 124[deg]24.94' W. long.;
(66) 40[deg]21.37' N. lat., 124[deg]25.58' W. long.;
(67) 40[deg]20.62' N. lat., 124[deg]26.61' W. long.;
(68) 40[deg]19.19' N. lat., 124[deg]26.14' W. long.;
(69) 40[deg]18.27' N. lat., 124[deg]24.69' W. long.;
(70) 40[deg]18.64' N. lat., 124[deg]23.67' W. long.;
(71) 40[deg]18.64' N. lat., 124[deg]22.81' W. long.;
(72) 40[deg]15.31' N. lat., 124[deg]25.28' W. long.;
(73) 40[deg]15.37' N. lat., 124[deg]26.82' W. long.;
(74) 40[deg]11.91' N. lat., 124[deg]22.68' W. long.;
(75) 40[deg]10.01' N. lat., 124[deg]19.97' W. long.;
(76) 40[deg]10.00' N. lat., 124[deg]19.97' W. long.;
(77) 40[deg]09.20' N. lat., 124[deg]15.81' W. long.;
(78) 40[deg]07.51' N. lat., 124[deg]15.29' W. long.;
(79) 40[deg]05.22' N. lat., 124[deg]10.06' W. long.;
(80) 40[deg]06.51' N. lat., 124[deg]08.01' W. long.;
(81) 40[deg]00.72' N. lat., 124[deg]08.45' W. long.;
(82) 39[deg]56.60' N. lat., 124[deg]07.12' W. long.;
(83) 39[deg]52.58' N. lat., 124[deg]03.57' W. long.;
(84) 39[deg]50.65' N. lat., 123[deg]57.98' W. long.;
(85) 39[deg]40.16' N. lat., 123[deg]52.41' W. long.;
(86) 39[deg]30.12' N. lat., 123[deg]52.92' W. long.;
(87) 39[deg]24.53' N. lat., 123[deg]55.16' W. long.;
(88) 39[deg]11.58' N. lat., 123[deg]50.93' W. long.;
(89) 38[deg]55.13' N. lat., 123[deg]51.14' W. long.;
(90) 38[deg]28.58' N. lat., 123[deg]22.84' W. long.;
(91) 38[deg]14.60' N. lat., 123[deg]09.92' W. long.;
(92) 38[deg]01.84' N. lat., 123[deg]09.75' W. long.;
(93) 37[deg]55.24' N. lat., 123[deg]08.30' W. long.;
(94) 37[deg]52.06' N. lat., 123[deg]09.19' W. long.;
(95) 37[deg]50.21' N. lat., 123[deg]14.90' W. long.;
(96) 37[deg]35.67' N. lat., 122[deg]55.43' W. long.;
(97) 37[deg]03.06' N. lat., 122[deg]24.22' W. long.;
(98) 36[deg]50.20' N. lat., 122[deg]03.58' W. long.;
(99) 36[deg]51.46' N. lat., 121[deg]57.54' W. long.;
(100) 36[deg]44.14' N. lat., 121[deg]58.10' W. long.;
(101) 36[deg]36.76' N. lat., 122[deg]01.16' W. long.;
(102) 36[deg]15.62' N. lat., 121[deg]57.13' W. long.;
(103) 36[deg]10.60' N. lat., 121[deg]43.65' W. long.;
(104) 35[deg]40.38' N. lat., 121[deg]22.59' W. long.;
(105) 35[deg]24.35' N. lat., 121[deg]02.53' W. long.;
(106) 35[deg]02.66' N. lat., 120[deg]51.63' W. long.;
(107) 34[deg]39.52' N. lat., 120[deg]48.72' W. long.;
(108) 34[deg]31.26' N. lat., 120[deg]44.12' W. long.; and
(109) 34[deg]27.00' N. lat., 120[deg]36.00' W. long.
* * * * *
8. In section IV., under A. General Definitions and Provisions,
paragraph (19)(e), section (xiii) is added to read as follows:
(xiii) The 200 fm (366 m) depth contour used between the U.S.
border with Canada and the U.S. border with Mexico as a western
boundary for the trawl RCA is defined by straight lines connecting all
of the following points in the order stated:
(1) 48[deg]14.75' N. lat., 125[deg]41.73' W. long.;
(2) 48[deg]12.85' N. lat., 125[deg]38.06' W. long.;
(3) 48[deg]11.52' N. lat., 125[deg]39.45' W. long.;
(4) 48[deg]10.14' N. lat., 125[deg]42.81' W. long.;
(5) 48[deg]08.96' N. lat., 125[deg]42.08' W. long.;
(6) 48[deg]08.33' N. lat., 125[deg]44.91' W. long.;
(7) 48[deg]07.19' N. lat., 125[deg]45.87' W. long.;
(8) 48[deg]05.66' N. lat., 125[deg]44.79' W. long.;
(9) 48[deg]05.91' N. lat., 125[deg]42.16' W. long.;
(10) 48[deg]04.11' N. lat., 125[deg]40.17' W. long.;
(11) 48[deg]04.07' N. lat., 125[deg]36.96' W. long.;
(12) 48[deg]03.05' N. lat., 125[deg]36.38' W. long.;
(13) 48[deg]01.98' N. lat., 125[deg]37.41' W. long.;
(14) 48[deg]01.46' N. lat., 125[deg]39.61' W. long.;
(15) 47[deg]57.28' N. lat., 125[deg]36.87' W. long.;
(16) 47[deg]55.11' N. lat., 125[deg]36.92' W. long.;
(17) 47[deg]54.09' N. lat., 125[deg]34.98' W. long.;
(18) 47[deg]54.50' N. lat., 125[deg]32.01' W. long.;
(19) 47[deg]56.07' N. lat., 125[deg]30.17' W. long.;
(20) 47[deg]55.65' N. lat., 125[deg]28.46' W. long.;
(21) 47[deg]57.88' N. lat., 125[deg]25.61' W. long.;
(22) 48[deg]01.63' N. lat., 125[deg]23.75' W. long.;
(23) 48[deg]02.21' N. lat., 125[deg]22.43' W. long.;
(24) 48[deg]03.60' N. lat., 125[deg]21.84' W. long.;
(25) 48[deg]03.98' N. lat., 125[deg]20.65' W. long.;
(26) 48[deg]03.26' N. lat., 125[deg]19.76' W. long.;
(27) 48[deg]01.49' N. lat., 125[deg]18.80' W. long.;
(28) 48[deg]01.03' N. lat., 125[deg]20.12' W. long.;
(29) 48[deg]00.04' N. lat., 125[deg]20.26' W. long.;
(30) 47[deg]58.10' N. lat., 125[deg]18.91' W. long.;
(31) 47[deg]58.17' N. lat., 125[deg]17.50' W. long.;
(32) 47[deg]52.28' N. lat., 125[deg]16.06' W. long.;
(33) 47[deg]51.92' N. lat., 125[deg]13.89' W. long.;
(34) 47[deg]49.20' N. lat., 125[deg]10.67' W. long.;
(35) 47[deg]48.69' N. lat., 125[deg]06.50' W. long.;
(36) 47[deg]46.54' N. lat., 125[deg]07.68' W. long.;
(37) 47[deg]47.24' N. lat., 125[deg]05.38' W. long.;
(38) 47[deg]45.95' N. lat., 125[deg]04.61' W. long.;
(39) 47[deg]44.58' N. lat., 125[deg]07.12' W. long.;
(40) 47[deg]42.24' N. lat., 125[deg]05.15' W. long.;
(41) 47[deg]38.54' N. lat., 125[deg]06.76' W. long.;
(42) 47[deg]34.86' N. lat., 125[deg]04.67' W. long.;
[[Page 32684]]
(43) 47[deg]30.75' N. lat., 124[deg]57.52' W. long.;
(44) 47[deg]28.51' N. lat., 124[deg]56.69' W. long.;
(45) 47[deg]29.15' N. lat., 124[deg]54.10' W. long.;
(46) 47[deg]28.43' N. lat., 124[deg]51.58' W. long.;
(47) 47[deg]24.13' N. lat., 124[deg]47.51' W. long.;
(48) 47[deg]18.31' N. lat., 124[deg]46.17' W. long.;
(49) 47[deg]19.57' N. lat., 124[deg]51.01' W. long.;
(50) 47[deg]18.12' N. lat., 124[deg]53.66' W. long.;
(51) 47[deg]17.59' N. lat., 124[deg]52.94' W. long.;
(52) 47[deg]17.71' N. lat., 124[deg]51.63' W. long.;
(53) 47[deg]16.90' N. lat., 124[deg]51.23' W. long.;
(54) 47[deg]16.10' N. lat., 124[deg]53.67' W. long.;
(55) 47[deg]14.24' N. lat., 124[deg]53.02' W. long.;
(56) 47[deg]12.16' N. lat., 124[deg]56.77' W. long.;
(57) 47[deg]13.35' N. lat., 124[deg]58.70' W. long.;
(58) 47[deg]09.53' N. lat., 124[deg]58.32' W. long.;
(59) 47[deg]09.54' N. lat., 124[deg]59.50' W. long.;
(60) 47[deg]05.87' N. lat., 124[deg]59.29' W. long.;
(61) 47[deg]3.65' N. lat., 124[deg]56.26' W. long.;
(62) 47[deg]00.91' N. lat., 124[deg]59.73' W. long.;
(63) 46[deg]58.74' N. lat., 124[deg]59.40' W. long.;
(64) 46[deg]58.55' N. lat., 125[deg]00.70' W. long.;
(65) 46[deg]55.57' N. lat., 125[deg]01.61' W. long.;
(66) 46[deg]55.77' N. lat., 124[deg]55.04' W. long.;
(67) 46[deg]53.16' N. lat., 124[deg]53.69' W. long.;
(68) 46[deg]52.39' N. lat., 124[deg]55.24' W. long.;
(69) 46[deg]44.88' N. lat., 124[deg]51.97' W. long.;
(70) 46[deg]33.28' N. lat., 124[deg]36.96' W. long.;
(71) 46[deg]33.20' N. lat., 124[deg]30.64' W. long.;
(72) 46[deg]27.85' N. lat., 124[deg]31.95' W. long.;
(73) 46[deg]18.16' N. lat., 124[deg]39.39' W. long.;
(74) 46[deg]16.48' N. lat., 124[deg]27.41' W. long.;
(75) 46[deg]16.73' N. lat., 124[deg]23.20' W. long.;
(76) 46[deg]14.13' N. lat., 124[deg]26.26' W. long.;
(77) 46[deg]12.81' N. lat., 124[deg]33.73' W. long.;
(78) 46[deg]12.86' N. lat., 124[deg]38.65' W. long.;
(79) 46[deg]10.81' N. lat., 124[deg]39.54' W. long.;
(80) 46[deg]09.78' N. lat., 124[deg]41.27' W. long.;
(81) 46[deg]06.44' N. lat., 124[deg]41.08' W. long.;
(82) 46[deg]03.79' N. lat., 124[deg]47.94' W. long.;
(83) 46[deg]02.31' N. lat., 124[deg]48.59' W. long.;
(84) 45[deg]59.01' N. lat., 124[deg]44.40' W. long.;
(85) 45[deg]46.91' N. lat., 124[deg]43.57' W. long.;
(86) 45[deg]44.05' N. lat., 124[deg]45.85' W. long.;
(87) 45[deg]39.96' N. lat., 124[deg]40.10' W. long.;
(88) 45[deg]38.27' N. lat., 124[deg]40.47' W. long.;
(89) 45[deg]34.80' N. lat., 124[deg]32.25' W. long.;
(90) 45[deg]13.00' N. lat., 124[deg]21.98' W. long.;
(91) 45[deg]09.59' N. lat., 124[deg]23.33' W. long.;
(92) 45[deg]11.35' N. lat., 124[deg]38.37' W. long.;
(93) 45[deg]00.22' N. lat., 124[deg]29.24' W. long.;
(94) 44[deg]55.28' N. lat., 124[deg]31.70' W. long.;
(95) 44[deg]41.42' N. lat., 124[deg]49.13' W. long.;
(96) 44[deg]21.46' N. lat., 124[deg]49.29' W. long.;
(97) 44[deg]12.43' N. lat., 124[deg]56.56' W. long.;
(98) 43[deg]58.92' N. lat., 124[deg]54.42' W. long.;
(99) 43[deg]50.76' N. lat., 124[deg]52.75' W. long.;
(100) 43[deg]47.22' N. lat., 124[deg]45.70' W. long.;
(101) 43[deg]43.11' N. lat., 124[deg]39.85' W. long.;
(102) 43[deg]20.19' N. lat., 124[deg]43.28' W. long.;
(103) 43[deg]13.29' N. lat., 124[deg]47.09' W. long.;
(104) 43[deg]13.17' N. lat., 124[deg]52.77' W. long.;
(105) 43[deg]05.65' N. lat., 124[deg]52.96' W. long.;
(106) 43[deg]00.03' N. lat., 124[deg]53.71' W. long.;
(107) 42[deg]53.90' N. lat., 124[deg]54.49' W. long.;
(108) 42[deg]49.50' N. lat., 124[deg]53.15' W. long.;
(109) 42[deg]47.50' N. lat., 124[deg]50.28' W. long.;
(110) 42[deg]46.21' N. lat., 124[deg]44.55' W. long.;
(111) 42[deg]41.30' N. lat., 124[deg]44.38' W. long.;
(112) 42[deg]38.83' N. lat., 124[deg]43.02' W. long.;
(113) 42[deg]31.92' N. lat., 124[deg]46.17' W. long.;
(114) 42[deg]32.11' N. lat., 124[deg]43.49' W. long.;
(115) 42[deg]31.03' N. lat., 124[deg]43.75' W. long.;
(116) 42[deg]28.42' N. lat., 124[deg]49.08' W. long.;
(117) 42[deg]20.36' N. lat., 124[deg]42.43' W. long.;
(118) 42[deg]15.35' N. lat., 124[deg]38.86' W. long.;
(119) 42[deg]09.59' N. lat., 124[deg]38.13' W. long.;
(120) 42[deg]04.56' N. lat., 124[deg]38.86' W. long.;
(121) 42[deg]04.45' N. lat., 124[deg]36.72' W. long.;
(122) 41[deg]59.98' N. lat., 124[deg]36.70' W. long.;
(123) 41[deg]47.85' N. lat., 124[deg]30.41' W. long.;
(124) 41[deg]43.34' N. lat., 124[deg]29.89' W. long.;
(125) 41[deg]23.47' N. lat., 124[deg]30.29' W. long.;
(126) 41[deg]21.30' N. lat., 124[deg]29.36' W. long.;
(127) 41[deg]13.53' N. lat., 124[deg]24.41' W. long.;
(128) 41[deg]06.72' N. lat., 124[deg]23.3' W. long.;
(129) 40[deg]54.67' N. lat., 124[deg]28.13' W. long.;
(130) 40[deg]49.02' N. lat., 124[deg]28.52' W. long.;
(131) 40[deg]40.45' N. lat., 124[deg]32.74' W. long.;
(132) 40[deg]34.17' N. lat., 124[deg]42.77' W. long.;
(133) 40[deg]24.99' N. lat., 124[deg]36.37' W. long.;
(134) 40[deg]22.23' N. lat., 124[deg]31.78' W. long.;
(135) 40[deg]16.95' N. lat., 124[deg]31.93' W. long.;
(136) 40[deg]17.59' N. lat., 124[deg]45.23' W. long.;
(137) 40[deg]13.41' N. lat., 124[deg]33.44' W. long.;
(138) 40[deg]06.39' N. lat., 124[deg]19.49' W. long.;
(139) 40[deg]02.35' N. lat., 124[deg]16.57' W. long.;
(140) 40[deg]0.64' N. lat., 124[deg]10.37' W. long.;
(141) 39[deg]58.28' N. lat., 124[deg]13.51' W. long.;
(142) 39[deg]56.60' N. lat., 124[deg]12.02' W. long.;
(143) 39[deg]55.20' N. lat., 124[deg]07.96' W. long.;
(144) 39[deg]52.55' N. lat., 124[deg]09.40' W. long.;
(145) 39[deg]42.68' N. lat., 124[deg]02.52' W. long.;
(146) 39[deg]35.96' N. lat., 123[deg]59.49' W. long.;
(147) 39[deg]34.62' N. lat., 123[deg]59.59' W. long.;
[[Page 32685]]
(148) 39[deg]33.78' N. lat., 123[deg]56.82' W. long.;
(149) 39[deg]33.02' N. lat., 123[deg]57.07' W. long.;
(150) 39[deg]32.21' N. lat., 123[deg]59.13' W. long.;
(151) 39[deg]7.85' N. lat., 123[deg]59.07' W. long.;
(152) 39[deg]00.90' N. lat., 123[deg]57.88' W. long.;
(153) 38[deg]59.95' N. lat., 123[deg]56.99' W. long.;
(154) 38[deg]56.82' N. lat., 123[deg]57.74' W. long.;
(155) 38[deg]56.40' N. lat., 123[deg]59.41' W. long.;
(156) 38[deg]50.23' N. lat., 123[deg]55.48' W. long.;
(157) 38[deg]46.77' N. lat., 123[deg]51.49' W. long.;
(158) 38[deg]45.28' N. lat., 123[deg]51.56' W. long.;
(159) 38[deg]42.76' N. lat., 123[deg]49.76' W. long.;
(160) 38[deg]41.54' N. lat., 123[deg]47.76' W. long.;
(161) 38[deg]40.98' N. lat., 123[deg]48.07' W. long.;
(162) 38[deg]38.03' N. lat., 123[deg]45.78' W. long.;
(163) 38[deg]37.20' N. lat., 123[deg]44.01' W. long.;
(164) 38[deg]33.44' N. lat., 123[deg]41.75' W. long.;
(165) 38[deg]29.45' N. lat., 123[deg]38.42' W. long.;
(166) 38[deg]27.89' N. lat., 123[deg]38.38' W. long.;
(167) 38[deg]23.68' N. lat., 123[deg]35.40' W. long.;
(168) 38[deg]19.63' N. lat., 123[deg]33.98' W. long.;
(169) 38[deg]16.23' N. lat., 123[deg]31.83' W. long.;
(170) 38[deg]14.79' N. lat., 123[deg]29.91' W. long.;
(171) 38[deg]14.12' N. lat., 123[deg]26.29' W. long.;
(172) 38[deg]10.85' N. lat., 123[deg]25.77' W. long.;
(173) 38[deg]13.15' N. lat., 123[deg]28.18' W. long.;
(174) 38[deg]12.28' N. lat., 123[deg]29.81' W. long.;
(175) 38[deg]10.19' N. lat., 123[deg]29.04' W. long.;
(176) 38[deg]07.94' N. lat., 123[deg]28.45' W. long.;
(177) 38[deg]06.51' N. lat., 123[deg]30.89' W. long.;
(178) 38[deg]04.21' N. lat., 123[deg]31.96' W. long.;
(179) 38[deg]02.07' N. lat., 123[deg]31.3' W. long.;
(180) 38[deg]00.00' N. lat., 123[deg]29.55' W. long.;
(181) 37[deg]58.13' N. lat., 123[deg]27.21' W. long.;
(182) 37[deg]55.01' N. lat., 123[deg]27.46' W. long.;
(183) 37[deg]51.40' N. lat., 123[deg]25.18' W. long.;
(184) 37[deg]43.97' N. lat., 123[deg]11.49' W. long.;
(185) 37[deg]36.00' N. lat., 123[deg]02.25' W. long.;
(186) 37[deg]13.65' N. lat., 122[deg]54.18' W. long.;
(187) 37[deg]00.66' N. lat., 122[deg]37.84' W. long.;
(188) 36[deg]57.40' N. lat., 122[deg]28.25' W. long.;
(189) 36[deg]59.25' N. lat., 122[deg]25.54' W. long.;
(190) 36[deg]56.88' N. lat., 122[deg]25.42' W. long.;
(191) 36[deg]57.40' N. lat., 122[deg]22.62' W. long.;
(192) 36[deg]55.43' N. lat., 122[deg]22.43' W. long.;
(193) 36[deg]52.29' N. lat., 122[deg]13.18' W. long.;
(194) 36[deg]47.12' N. lat., 122[deg]07.56' W. long.;
(195) 36[deg]47.10' N. lat., 122[deg]02.11' W. long.;
(196) 36[deg]43.76' N. lat., 121[deg]59.11' W. long.;
(197) 36[deg]38.85' N. lat., 122[deg]02.20' W. long.;
(198) 36[deg]23.41' N. lat., 122[deg]00.11' W. long.;
(199) 36[deg]19.68' N. lat., 122[deg]06.93' W. long.;
(200) 36[deg]14.75' N. lat., 122[deg]01.51' W. long.;
(201) 36[deg]09.74' N. lat., 121[deg]45.00' W. long.;
(202) 36[deg]06.67' N. lat., 121[deg]41.06' W. long.;
(203) 35[deg]57.07' N. lat., 121[deg]34.32' W. long.;
(204) 35[deg]52.31' N. lat., 121[deg]32.45' W. long.;
(205) 35[deg]51.21' N. lat., 121[deg]30.91' W. long.;
(206) 35[deg]46.32' N. lat., 121[deg]30.30' W. long.;
(207) 35[deg]33.74' N. lat., 121[deg]20.10' W. long.;
(208) 35[deg]31.37' N. lat., 121[deg]15.23' W. long.;
(209) 35[deg]23.32' N. lat., 121[deg]11.44' W. long.;
(210) 35[deg]15.28' N. lat., 121[deg]04.45' W. long.;
(211) 35[deg]07.08' N. lat., 121[deg]00.3' W. long.;
(212) 34[deg]57.46' N. lat., 120[deg]58.23' W. long.;
(213) 34[deg]44.25' N. lat., 120[deg]58.29' W. long.;
(214) 34[deg]32.30' N. lat., 120[deg]50.22' W. long.;
(215) 34[deg]19.08' N. lat., 120[deg]31.21' W. long.;
(216) 34[deg]17.72' N. lat., 120[deg]19.26' W. long.;
(217) 34[deg]22.45' N. lat., 120[deg]12.81' W. long.;
(218) 34[deg]21.36' N. lat., 119[deg]54.88' W. long.;
(219) 34[deg]09.95' N. lat., 119[deg]46.18' W. long.;
(220) 34[deg]09.08' N. lat., 119[deg]57.53' W. long.;
(221) 34[deg]07.53' N. lat., 120[deg]06.35' W. long.;
(222) 34[deg]10.54' N. lat., 120[deg]19.07' W. long.;
(223) 34[deg]14.68' N. lat., 120[deg]29.48' W. long.;
(224) 34[deg]09.51' N. lat., 120[deg]38.32' W. long.;
(225) 34[deg]03.06' N. lat., 120[deg]35.54' W. long.;
(226) 33[deg]56.39' N. lat., 120[deg]28.47' W. long.;
(227) 33[deg]50.25' N. lat., 120[deg]09.43' W. long.;
(228) 33[deg]37.96' N. lat., 120[deg]00.08' W. long.;
(229) 33[deg]34.52' N. lat., 119[deg]51.84' W. long.;
(230) 33[deg]35.51' N. lat., 119[deg]48.49' W. long.;
(231) 33[deg]42.76' N. lat., 119[deg]47.77' W. long.;
(232) 33[deg]53.62' N. lat., 119[deg]53.28' W. long.;
(233) 33[deg]57.61' N. lat., 119[deg]31.26' W. long.;
(234) 33[deg]56.34' N. lat., 119[deg]26.4' W. long.;
(235) 33[deg]57.79' N. lat., 119[deg]26.85' W. long.;
(236) 33[deg]58.88' N. lat., 119[deg]20.06' W. long.;
(237) 34[deg]02.65' N. lat., 119[deg]15.11' W. long.;
(238) 33[deg]59.02' N. lat., 119[deg]02.99' W. long.;
(239) 33[deg]57.61' N. lat., 118[deg]42.07' W. long.;
(240) 33[deg]50.76' N. lat., 118[deg]37.98' W. long.;
(241) 33[deg]38.41' N. lat., 118[deg]17.03' W. long.;
(242) 33[deg]37.14' N. lat., 118[deg]18.39' W. long.;
(243) 33[deg]35.51' N. lat., 118[deg]18.03' W. long.;
(244) 33[deg]30.68' N. lat., 118[deg]10.35' W. long.;
(245) 33[deg]32.49' N. lat., 117[deg]51.85' W. long.;
(246) 32[deg]58.87' N. lat., 117[deg]20.36' W. long.; and
(247) 32[deg]35.53' N. lat., 117[deg]29.67' W. long.
* * * * *
9. In section IV., under A. General Definitions and Provisions,
paragraph (19)(e), section (xiv) is added to read as follows:
(xiv) The 200 fm (366 m) depth contour used around islands/
seamounts off the state of California is defined by
[[Page 32686]]
straight lines around each island/seamount connecting all of the
following points in the order stated:
San Nicholas Island
(1) 33[deg]33.55' N. lat., 119[deg]46.40' W. long.;
(2) 33[deg]13.88' N. lat., 119[deg]13.86' W. long.;
(3) 33[deg]11.39' N. lat., 119[deg]16.95' W. long.;
(4) 33[deg]10.59' N. lat., 119[deg]28.53' W. long.;
(5) 33[deg]12.19' N. lat., 119[deg]53.99' W. long.;
(6) 33[deg]33.25' N. lat., 119[deg]53.35' W. long.; and
(7) 33[deg]33.55' N. lat., 119[deg]46.40' W. long.
Santa Catalina Island
(1) 33[deg]32.06' N. lat., 118[deg]44.52' W. long.;
(2) 33[deg]31.36' N. lat., 118[deg]35.28' W. long.;
(3) 33[deg]30.10' N. lat., 118[deg]30.82' W. long.;
(4) 33[deg]27.91' N. lat., 118[deg]26.83' W. long.;
(5) 33[deg]26.27' N. lat., 118[deg]21.35' W. long.;
(6) 33[deg]21.34' N. lat., 118[deg]15.24' W. long.;
(7) 33[deg]13.66' N. lat., 118[deg]08.98' W. long.;
(8) 33[deg]17.15' N. lat., 118[deg]28.35' W. long.;
(9) 33[deg]20.94' N. lat., 118[deg]34.34' W. long.;
(10) 33[deg]23.32' N. lat., 118[deg]32.60' W. long.;
(11) 33[deg]28.68' N. lat., 118[deg]44.93' W. long.; and
(12) 33[deg]32.06' N. lat., 118[deg]44.52' W. long.
San Clemente Island
(1) 33[deg]05.89' N. lat., 118[deg]39.45' W. long.;
(2) 33[deg]02.68' N. lat., 118[deg]33.14' W. long.;
(3) 32[deg]57.32' N. lat., 118[deg]29.12' W. long.;
(4) 32[deg]47.51' N. lat., 118[deg]17.88' W. long.;
(5) 32[deg]41.22' N. lat., 118[deg]23.78' W. long.;
(6) 32[deg]46.83' N. lat., 118[deg]32.10' W. long.;
(7) 33[deg]01.61' N. lat., 118[deg]40.64' W. long.; and
(8) 33[deg]5.89' N. lat., 118[deg]39.45' W. long.
Santa Barbara Island
(1) 33[deg]47.03' N. lat., 119[deg]13.65' W. long.;
(2) 33[deg]35.80' N. lat., 118[deg]57.48' W. long.;
(3) 33[deg]28.80' N. lat., 118[deg]57.48' W. long.;
(4) 33[deg]20.36' N. lat., 118[deg]59.96' W. long.;
(5) 33[deg]22.11' N. lat., 119[deg]08.50' W. long.;
(6) 33[deg]32.41' N. lat., 119[deg]13.96' W. long.;
(7) 33[deg]44.35' N. lat., 119[deg]16.84' W. long.; and
(8) 33[deg]47.03' N. lat., 119[deg]13.65' W. long.
Orange County Seamount
(1) 33[deg]25.91' N. lat., 117[deg]59.44' W. long.;
(2) 33[deg]23.37' N. lat., 117[deg]56.97' W. long.;
(3) 33[deg]22.82' N. lat., 117[deg]59.50' W. long.;
(4) 33[deg]25.24' N. lat., 118[deg]01.68' W. long.; and
(5) 33[deg]25.91' N. lat., 117[deg]59.44' W. long.
Mira's San Diego Rise
(1) 32[deg]50.30' N. lat., 117[deg]50.18' W. long.;
(2) 32[deg]44.01' N. lat., 117[deg]44.46' W. long.;
(3) 32[deg]41.34' N. lat., 117[deg]45.86' W. long.;
(4) 32[deg]45.45' N. lat., 117[deg]50.09' W. long.;
(5) 32[deg]50.10' N. lat., 117[deg]50.76' W. long.; and
(6) 32[deg]50.30' N. lat., 117[deg]50.18' W. long.
* * * * *
10. On pages 11218-11219, in section IV., under B. Limited Entry
Fishery, at the end of paragraph (1), Table 3 (North) and Table 3
(South) are revised to read as follows:
IV. NMFS Actions
B. Limited Entry Fishery
(1) * * *
* * * * *
[[Page 32687]]
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[[Page 32688]]
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11. On page 11225, in section IV., under C. Trip Limits in the Open
Access Fishery, at the end of paragraph (1), Table 5 (South) is revised
to read as follows:
IV. NMFS Actions
C. Trip Limits in the Open Access Fishery
(1) * * *
[[Page 32689]]
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[[Page 32690]]
* * * * *
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 it would delay the
implementation of the new trawl RCA boundaries along the West Coast to
better align with the interception of certain overfished species,
specifically canary rockfish and bocaccio. Implementation of the new
trawl RCA boundaries will allow opportunity to harvest healthy
groundfish stocks in areas where overfished species are less likely to
occur. The West Coast groundfish fleet has endured cutbacks in harvest
limits and areas fished over the last few years. Delaying
implementation of the new trawl RCA boundaries would result in
continued closure of large areas north of 40[deg]10' N. lat., with
adverse economic effects on the trawl fleet. In addition, the affected
public had the opportunity to comment on these actions at the April 7-
11, 2003, Pacific Council meeting. For these reasons, good cause also
exists to waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness requirement of 5
U.S.C. 553 (d)(3). In addition, most provisions being implemented
relieve restrictions and for that reason are not subject to a 30-day
delay in effectiveness under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(1).
These actions are taken under the authority of 50 CFR
660.323(b)(1), and are exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: May 27, 2003.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-13704 Filed 5-28-03; 3:45pm]
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