[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 50, Volume 9]
[Revised as of January 1, 2006]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 50CFR660.709]

[Page 210]
 
                    TITLE 50--WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES
 
                   DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (CONTINUED)
 
PART 660_FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES--Table of Contents
 
                  Subpart K_Highly Migratory Fisheries
 
Sec.  660.709  Annual specifications.

    (a) Procedure. (1) In June of each year, the HMSMT will deliver a 
preliminary SAFE report to the Council for all HMS with any necessary 
recommendations for harvest guidelines, quotas or other management 
measures to protect HMS.
    (2) In September of each year, the HMSMT will deliver a final SAFE 
report to the Council. The Council will adopt any necessary harvest 
guidelines, quotas or other management measures for public review.
    (3) In November each year, the Council will take final action on any 
necessary harvest guidelines, quotas, or other management measures and 
make its recommendations to NMFS.
    (4) The Regional Administrator will implement through rulemaking any 
necessary and appropriate harvest guidelines, quotas, or other 
management measures based on the SAFE report, recommendations from the 
Council, and the requirements contained in the FMP.
    (b) Fishing seasons for all species will begin on April 1 of each 
year at 0001 hours local time and terminate on March 31 of each year at 
2400 hours local time.
    (c) Harvest guidelines, quotas, and other management measures 
announced for a particular year will be in effect the following year 
unless changed through the public review process described in paragraph 
(a) of this section.
    (d) Irrespective of the normal review process, the Council may 
propose management action to protect HMS at any time. The Council may 
adopt a management cycle different from the one described in this 
section provided that such change is made by a majority vote of the 
Council and a 6-month notice of the change is given. NMFS will implement 
the new schedule through rulemaking.