[Federal Register: April 29, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 83)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 23440-23449]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29ap04-5]
[[Page 23440]]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 660
[Docket No. 031216314-3314-01; I.D. 041904C]
Fisheries Off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific;
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Annual Specifications and Management
Measures; Inseason Adjustments; Corrections
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Inseason adjustments to management measures; corrections;
request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS announces changes to the recreational fishery, and to the
commercial fishery's trawl rockfish conservation areas (RCAs) for the
Pacific Coast groundfish fishery. These actions, which are authorized
by the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP), will
allow fisheries to access more abundant groundfish stocks while
protecting overfished and depleted stocks. This action also contains
corrections and revisions to the 2004 management measures.
DATES: Effective 0001 hours (local time) April 29, 2004, until the
2005-06 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unless modified, superseded, or rescinded through a publication in the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 June
1, 2004.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by [031216314-01 and/or
0648-AR54], by any of the following methods:
[bul] E-mail: GroundfishInseason[numsign]1.nwr@noaa.gov: identified
by [031216314-01 and/or 0648-AR54] in the subject line of the message.
[bul]Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
[bul] Fax: 206-526-6736
[bul] Mail: 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: Jamie Goen (Northwest Region, NMFS),
phone: 206-526-6150; fax: 206-526-6736; and e-mail:
jamie.goen@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Electronic Access
This Federal Register document is available on the Government
Printing Office's website at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.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.
Groundfish specifications and management measures are developed by the
Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council), and are
implemented by NMFS. The specifications and management measures for the
2004 fishing year (January 1-December 31, 2004) were initially
published in the Federal Register as an emergency rule for January 1-
February 29, 2004 (69 FR 1322, January 8, 2004) and as a proposed rule
for March 1-December 31, 2004 (69 FR 1380, January 8, 2004). The
emergency rule was amended at 69 FR 4084, January 28, 2004, and the
final rule for March 1-December 31, 2004 was published in the Federal
Register on March 9, 2004 (69 FR 11064).
The following changes to current groundfish management measures
were recommended by the Pacific Council, in consultation with Pacific
Coast Treaty Indian Tribes and the states of Washington, Oregon, and
California, at its March 8-12, 2004, meeting in Tacoma, WA. Pacific
Coast groundfish landings will be monitored throughout the year, and
further adjustments to trip limits or management measures will be made
as necessary to allow achievement of, or to avoid exceeding the 2004
optimum yields (OYs).
California's Recreational Fishery for the California Rockfish, Cabezon,
Greenling Complex (RCG Complex)
California's recreational harvest exceeded California's
recreational set asides for some species in 2003, including minor
nearshore rockfish, bocaccio, canary rockfish, yelloweye rockfish, and
lingcod. In order to reduce the recreational catch of rockfish in 2004,
the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) proposed to their
California Fish and Game Commission (California Commission) at their
March 4-5, 2004 meeting to: (1) reduce the RCG Complex bag limit north
of 40[deg]10' N. lat. to match the more restrictive RCG Complex bag
limit south of 40[deg]10' N. lat., and (2) remove the shallow nearshore
rockfish sub-bag limit within the RCG Complex bag limit south of
40[deg]10' N. lat. The shallow nearshore sub-bag limit implemented in
2003 did not function as anticipated and instead resulted in an
increase in discard of nearshore rockfish, especially gopher rockfish.
Removing this sub-bag limit is, therefore, projected to reduce rockfish
mortality. The California Commission adopted these changes and CDFG
recommended to the Pacific Council at their March 7-12, 2004, meeting
that these changes also be made for Federal waters.
Based on CDFG and the California Commission's request, the Pacific
Council recommended, and NMFS is implementing, a reduction in the RCG
Complex bag limit north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. from 10 rockfish per day,
of which no more than 2 may be bocaccio, 10 cabezon per day, 10 kelp
greenling and 10 rock greenling per day to 10 RCG Complex fish per day
(not including canary rockfish, yelloweye rockfish and cowcod, which
are prohibited), of which up to 10 may be rockfish (no more than 1 of
which may be bocaccio), no more than two fish per day may be greenling
(kelp and/or other greenlings) and no more than three fish per day may
be cabezon. Also based on CDFG and the California Commission's request,
the Pacific Council recommended and NMFS is implementing removal of the
shallow nearshore rockfish 2 fish sub bag limit from the RCG Complex
bag limits south of 40[deg]10' N. lat.
California's Recreational Fishery for Lingcod Closed Nov-Dec
Based on a CDFG analysis presented at the Pacific Council's March
meeting, the Pacific Council recommended that NMFS implement the
following measures for California's recreational lingcod fishery:
Increase the minimum size limit from 24 inches (61 cm) to 30 inches (77
cm), decrease the bag limit from 2 fish to 1 fish, and prohibit
retention of lingcod off California during November and December 2004.
Prior to the March Pacific Council meeting, CDFG and NMFS jointly
developed lingcod management measures that would keep the harvest of
lingcod in the recreational fishery within CDFG's 2004 recreational
catch projection of 346.8 mt. Because lingcod harvest exceeded the ABC
in both 2002 and 2003, there was concern by NMFS
[[Page 23441]]
that the 2004 management measures, as proposed for 2004, would not keep
harvest within the 2004 catch projection for California's recreational
fishery. On February 18, 2004, CDFG sent NMFS a letter with a proposal
and supporting analysis to increase the lingcod size limit from 24
inches (61-cm) to 30 inches (77 cm) and to decrease the bag limit from
2 fish to 1 fish per day beginning April 1, 2004. The CDFG analysis was
based on the best available fisheries data at that time and showed that
California's recreational lingcod take should stay within the 346.8 mt
catch projection. Under a 30-inch (77-cm), 1 fish bag limit, the
anticipated catch was expected to be 291 mt, leaving a 55.8 mt buffer.
NMFS believed this buffer was reasonable, as it allowed up to a 13
percent hooking mortality for discarded catch. A 1998 CDFG study (Albin
& Karpov in ``Marine Fisheries Review'') estimated lingcod hooking
mortality with rod-and-reel at 4.3 percent.
At the March Pacific Council meeting, CDFG identified an error in
the base catch data used in their projections for the February 18, 2004
analysis submitted to NMFS. Previously the base catch data used an
average for 2002 and 2003 Wave 6 (November-December) catch data from
the Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistical Survey. However, Wave 6
was closed entirely in 2002 and for part of 2003, thereby
underestimating the average catch for 2002 and 2003 used for 2004 catch
projections. At the March Council meeting, catch projections were
revised using a proxy for the 2002 and 2003 Wave 6 data based on an
average of Wave 1 (January-February) and Wave 5 (September-October)
when the fishery was open. The base catch data used to recalculate the
projections at the March Council meeting (Exhibit E.4.b, Supplemental
CDFG Report) showed that a 30-inch (77-cm), 1 fish bag limit, while
remaining within the original catch projection, provided less of a
buffer (only 13 mt buffer). Therefore, CDFG proposed alternatives to
keep the 2004 recreational lingcod take below the original catch
projection and to increase the buffer. These alternatives included
prohibiting the retention of lingcod during November through December,
2004. With a closure added during November through December, the buffer
increases to 59 mt with an estimated 2004 catch of 288 mt. (NOTE: CDFG
presented the wrong table to the Pacific Council under Option 2 of
Exhibit E.4.b, Supplemental CDFG Report. The numbers projected for the
November through December closure are from a new table provided to NMFS
in an email on March 30, 2004, showing the correct analysis results and
incorporating a request from the Pacific Council to include a 5 percent
assumed discard mortality rate (the rate preliminarily recommended by
the Pacific Council's Groundfish Management Team (GMT) at the March
meeting).
NMFS had previously implemented the 30-inch minimum size limit (77-
cm), 21-inch (54-cm) minimum filet size limit (increased from 16-inches
(41-cm)), and the 1-fish bag limit for lingcod in the final rule (69 FR
11064, March 9, 2004). These management measures will become effective
April 1, 2004. Based on the CDFG analysis, the Pacific Council
recommended that NMFS also implement a November through December
prohibition on the retention of lingcod through this action.
Trawl RCA Revised to Close Cordell Banks
NMFS received a request from CDFG during the comment period on the
groundfish specifications and management measures proposed rule (69 FR
1380, January 8, 2004) to add a closure at Cordell Banks for both the
commercial and recreational fisheries to reduce the take of overfished
species. The Cordell Banks area has been identified in previous GMT
meetings as an area with high catch of canary and other overfished
species. The closure for the recreational fishery was implemented
through the final rule (69 FR 11064, March 9, 2004). However, for the
commercial fishery, NMFS and CDFG requested that the Pacific Council
consider whether to include the Cordell Banks in the RCA and which
species would be affected by this closure. For the fixed gear fleet,
the Cordell Banks is closed because it lies within the non-trawl RCA
boundaries for 2004. However, for the trawl fleet, the Cordell Banks is
located shoreward of the trawl RCA throughout 2004. After considering
this issue, the Pacific Council recommended that the commercial closure
should apply to both the fixed gear and trawl fleets and should be
closed to fishing for all species of Federal groundfish, similar to the
RCAs. The Pacific Council recommended and NMFS is implementing a
commercial closure of Cordell Banks by adjusting the 75-fm (137- m) and
100-fm (183-m) trawl RCA boundaries to incorporate the Cordell Banks
into the trawl RCA.
Corrections and Revisions
The following corrections and revisions are being made to the 2004
management measures.
The recreational restrictions for the Cowcod Conservation Areas
(CCAs) are corrected for waters shoreward of the 20 fm (37 m) depth
contour such that retention of rockfish in this area is limited to
minor nearshore rockfish. The CCAs are being clarified to eliminate a
discrepancy between Federal and State recreational CCA restrictions.
Federal CCA restrictions for the recreational fishery read, ``Fishing
for all groundfish, except sanddabs, will be prohibited in the CCA,
except that recreational fishing for sanddabs, RCG complex, lingcod and
California scorpionfish will be permitted shoreward of 20 fm in the
CCA.'' State CCA restrictions for the recreational fishery read,
``Recreational fishing for all groundfish, except rockfish, lingcod,
and associated species limited to cabezon, greenlings of the genus
Hexogrammos, California scorpionfish, California sheephead and ocean
whitefish, is permitted in the CCA. Recreational fishing for all
groundfish species is permitted shoreward of 20 fm in the CCA.''
Therefore, State recreational CCA restrictions are less restrictive
than Federal recreational CCA restrictions. CDFG and NMFS brought this
issue to the Pacific Council to get clarification on the Council's
original intent with respect to the CCAs. The motion on CCAs from the
November 2000 Council meeting, which first recommended the CCAs, stated
that the CCAs would be closed, ``except that the CCAs would be open to
minor nearshore rockfish, cabezon and greenlings inside 20 fm.'' CDFG
commented that minor nearshore rockfish was specified to discourage any
pressure on shelf rockfish, such as vermillion rockfish, near the 20-fm
(37-m) boundary line. Targeting on shelf rockfish might increase
incidental catch of cowcod. At the time of the motion, minor nearshore
rockfish included California scorpionfish. California scorpionfish was
separated from minor nearshore rockfish in Federal recreational
management measures beginning in 2003. In 2002, lingcod was added to
the list of species that could be retained shoreward of the 20-fm (37-
m) depth contour within the CCAs. In 2003, recreational sanddab fishing
was permitted in the CCAs and shoreward of 20-fm (37-m) in the CCAs.
Therefore, the Pacific Council recommended that both Federal and
State recreational CCA restrictions should be corrected. The Federal
recreational CCA restrictions are herein corrected to read, ``Fishing
for all groundfish, except sanddabs, will be prohibited in the CCA,
except that recreational fishing for sanddabs, minor
[[Page 23442]]
nearshore rockfish, cabezon, greenlings of the genus Hexogrammos,
lingcod and California scorpionfish will be permitted shoreward of 20-
fm (37-m) in the CCA.''
The recreational RCA language is revised to allow combined RCA and
non-RCA fishing trips. However, fishing cannot occur within the RCA
while in possession of fish that are prohibited in the RCA. If an
angler intends to fish for groundfish and other non-groundfish species
in the same fishing trip, the angler must first fish within the RCA for
non-groundfish species (except that fishing for sanddabs is permitted)
and then fish shoreward of the RCA for groundfish. For example, with
this clarification, a vessel could fish for salmon within the RCA at
the start of a trip provided no prohibited groundfish species were
onboard, then complete the trip by fishing for groundfish shoreward of
the RCA. After hearing concern and confusion from the recreational
community, the Enforcement Consultants (EC), an advisory body to the
Pacific Council, brought this issue forward at the Council's April
meeting, asking the Council to clarify its intent. The EC pointed out
that combined RCA and non-RCA fishing trips did not bring up the same
enforcement concerns that arise from combined trips for the commercial
fishery. For the commercial fishery, it is difficult to enforce
combined trips because groundfish fishing opportunity is available
shoreward and seaward of the RCA and because of lack of at-sea
enforcement capabilities. For the recreational fishery, there is not an
enforcement concern because there are more at-sea enforcement
capabilities in the nearshore where recreational fisheries occur.
Groundfish fishing is only permitted shoreward of the RCA. Therefore,
the Pacific Council recommended that NMFS clarify the recreational RCA
language to prohibit recreational anglers from fishing in the RCA while
in possession of species prohibited within the RCA.
California's recreational fishery between 40[deg]10' N. lat. and
34[deg]27' N. lat. is corrected to add a depth restriction to fishing
occurring during September 1-29, 2004. The CDFG, along with the Pacific
Council's GMT, recommended at the Pacific Council's September 2003
meeting where final 2004 management measures were recommended, that the
recreational fishery between 40[deg]10' N. lat. and 34[deg]27' N. lat.
be subject to a recreational RCA at a boundary line approximating the
30-fm (55-m) depth contour for the September through October two-month
cumulative limit period. Part of this closure was inadvertently left
out of the emergency, proposed, and final rules for the 2004
specifications and management measures. Thus, the recreational RCA
between 40[deg]10' N. lat. and 34[deg]27' N. lat. is herein corrected
to add a closure at a boundary approximating the 30-fm (55-m) depth
contour during September 1-29, 2004.
A reference to the trawl RCA boundaries is corrected in section
IV.A., paragraph (17)(c)(i) to refer to paragraph (f) rather than
paragraph (e).
Language describing the non-trawl RCA is revised to allow sanddab
fishing within the RCA with the specified gear. As stated in the
limited entry fixed gear and open access trip limit tables, Table 4
(South) and Table 5 (South), fishing for sanddabs is permitted in the
non-trawl RCA when fishing with hook and line gear with no more than 12
hooks per line, using hooks no larger than ``Number 2'' hooks, which
measure 11 mm (0.44 in) point to shank, and up to 1 lb (0.45 kg) of
weight per line. However, under the general definitions and provisions,
paragraph IV.A.(17)(d), describing the non-trawl RCA, there is no
reference to an exception for fishing within the RCA for sanddabs. This
inseason action clarifies that paragraph, adding the exception to allow
fishing for sanddabs within the RCA with the appropriate gear.
The introductory paragraph describing the 30-fm (55-m) RCA boundary
in section IV. A., paragraph (17)(f)(ii)(E) is corrected to read ``30
fm'' instead of ``300 fm.''
Longitude coordinates for the 40-fm (73-m) and 50-fm (91-m) RCA
boundaries in section IV. A., paragraph (17)(f)(iii) and (iv) are
corrected to read ``W. long.'' instead of ``N. lat.''
A latitude coordinate for the 60 fm (110 m) RCA boundary around the
northern Channel Islands in section IV.A., paragraph (17)(f)(v)(A) line
(13), is corrected to read ``34[deg]02.80' N. lat.'' instead of
``34[deg]28.00' N. lat.''
Footnote 4 of the limited entry fixed gear trip limit table, Table
4 (South), is corrected to remove language stating that, ``chilipepper
rockfish is included in the trip limits for minor shelf rockfish.'' In
Table 4 (South), chilipepper rockfish has been pulled out of the minor
shelf rockfish category and given it's own trip limit in 2004. The
reference to chilipepper in footnote 4 is a remnant from past trip
limit tables and is removed.
NMFS Actions
For the reasons stated herein, NMFS concurs with the Pacific
Council's recommendations and hereby announces the following changes to
the 2004 specifications and management measures (69 FR 11064, March 9,
2004), to read as follows:
1. In section IV., under A. General Definitions and Provisions,
paragraph (17)(b) is corrected to read as follows:
* * * * *
(b) Cowcod Conservation Areas. The CCAs are two areas off the
southern California coast intended to protect cowcod. The specific
latitude and longitude coordinates of the Cowcod Conservation Areas
(CCAs) are defined at Sec. 660.304(c)(2). During January 1-December
31, commercial fishing is prohibited within the CCAs, except that
commercial fishing for rockfish and lingcod is permitted shoreward of
the 20-fm (37-m) depth contour. In general, during March 1-December 31,
recreational fishing for all groundfish, except sanddabs, is prohibited
within the CCAs. However, recreational fishing for the following
species is permitted shoreward of the 20-fm (37-m) depth contour: minor
nearshore rockfish, cabezon, kelp greenling, lingcod, California
scorpionfish, and sanddabs. (Note: California State regulations also
permit recreational fishing for all greenlings of the genus Hexogrammos
shoreward of the 20-fm (37-m) depth contour in the CCAs.) It is
unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish within the
CCAs, except for species stated in this section, when those waters are
open to fishing. Commercial fishing vessels may transit through the
Western CCA with their gear stowed and groundfish on board only in a
corridor through the Western CCA bounded on the north by the latitude
line at 33[deg]00'30'' N. lat., and bounded on the south by the
latitude line at 32[deg]59'30'' N. lat.
* * * * *
2. In section IV., under A. General Definitions and Provisions,
paragraph (17)(c)(i) is corrected to read as follows:
* * * * *
(c) Trawl (Limited Entry and Open Access Exempted Trawl Gears)
Rockfish Conservation Area.
(i) Trawl RCAs are intended to protect a complex of species, such
as overfished shelf rockfish species, and have boundaries defined by
specific latitude and longitude coordinates intended to approximate
particular depth contours, such as 75 fm (137 m), 150 fm (274 m), and
200 fm (366 m). The trawl RCA is closed coastwide to limited entry
groundfish trawl fishing, except for mid-water trawl vessels
participating in the primary whiting season. The trawl RCA is also
closed coastwide to open access exempted trawl fishing, except for pink
[[Page 23443]]
shrimp trawling. Fishing with any trawl gear is prohibited within the
trawl RCA coastwide, unless that vessel is participating in the primary
whiting season with mid-water trawl gear, trawling with midwater gear
for yellowtail or widow rockfish when that is permitted, or trawling
for pink shrimp. Coastwide, it is unlawful to take and retain, possess,
or land any species of fish taken with trawl gear within the trawl RCA,
except as permitted for vessels participating in the primary whiting
season with mid-water trawl gear or for vessels participating in the
pink shrimp trawl fishery. Throughout the year, boundaries for the
trawl RCA are provided in Table 3 of section IV.B. and in Table 5 of
section IV.C. and may be modified by NMFS inseason pursuant to the
requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). Trawl RCA
boundaries are defined by specific latitude and longitude coordinates
and are provided below at paragraph (f) of this section.
* * * * *
3. In section IV., under A. General Definitions and Provisions,
paragraph (17)(d)(i) is revised to read as follows:
* * * * *
(d) Non-Trawl (Limited Entry Fixed Gear and Open Access Non-trawl
Gears) Rockfish Conservation Area.
(i) Non-trawl RCAs are intended to protect a complex of species,
such as overfished shelf rockfish species, and have boundaries defined
by specific latitude and longitude coordinates intended to approximate
particular depth contours, such as 27 fm (49 m), 100 fm (183 m), and
150 fm (274 m). The non-trawl RCA is closed to non-trawl gear (limited
entry or open access longline and pot or trap, open access hook-and-
line, pot or trap, gillnet, set net, trammel net and spear) fishing for
groundfish, except that fishing for sanddabs is permitted within the
non-trawl RCA with the gear specified in Table 4 (South) of section
IV.B. and Table 5 (South) of section IV.C. Fishing for groundfish,
except sanddabs, with non-trawl gear is prohibited within the non-trawl
RCA. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish
(except sanddabs) taken with non-trawl gear within the non-trawl RCA.
Limited entry fixed gear and open access non-trawl gear vessels may
transit through the non-trawl RCA, with or without groundfish on board.
These restrictions do not apply to vessels fishing for species other
than groundfish with non-trawl gear, although non-trawl vessels on a
fishing trip for species other than groundfish that occurs within the
non-trawl RCA may not retain any groundfish taken on that trip. If a
vessel fishes in the non-trawl RCA, it may not participate in any
fishing on that trip that is prohibited by the restrictions that apply
within the non-trawl RCA. For example, if a vessel participates in the
salmon troll fishery within the RCA, the vessel cannot on the same trip
participate in the sablefish fishery outside of the RCA. Throughout the
year, boundaries for the non-trawl RCA are provided in Table 4 of
section IV.B. and in Table 5 of section IV.C. and may be modified by
NMFS inseason pursuant to the requirements of the APA. Non-trawl RCA
boundaries are defined by specific latitude and longitude coordinates
and are provided below at paragraph (f) of this section.
* * * * *
4. In section IV., under A. General Definitions and Provisions,
paragraph (17)(e)(i) is revised to read as follows:
* * * * *
(e) Recreational Rockfish Conservation Area.
(i) Recreational RCAs are closed areas intended to protect
overfished rockfish species. Recreational RCAs may either have (1)
boundaries defined by general depth contours or (2) boundaries defined
by specific latitude and longitude coordinates intended to approximate
particular depth contours. The recreational RCA is closed to
recreational fishing for groundfish. Fishing for groundfish with
recreational gear is prohibited within the recreational RCA. It is
unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with
recreational gear within the recreational RCA. If a vessel fishes in
the recreational RCA, it may not be in possession of any species
prohibited by the restrictions that apply within the recreational RCA.
For example, if a vessel participates in the recreational salmon
fishery within the RCA, the vessel cannot be in possession of
groundfish while in the RCA. The vessel may, however, on the same trip
fish for and retain groundfish shoreward of the RCA on the return trip
to port. Throughout the year, boundaries for the recreational RCAs are
provided in the text in section IV.D. under each state (Washington,
Oregon and California) and may be modified by NMFS inseason.
Recreational RCA boundaries that are defined by specific latitude and
longitude coordinates are provided below at paragraph (f) of this
section.
* * * * *
5. In section IV., under A. General Definitions and Provisions, the
introductory text in paragraph (17)(f)(ii)(E) is corrected to read as
follows:
* * * * *
(E) The 30-fm (55-m) depth contour around Santa Catalina Island off
the State of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of
the following points in the order stated:
* * * * *
6. In section IV., under A. General Definitions and Provisions,
paragraphs (17)(f)(iii) and (17)(f)(iv) are corrected to read as
follows:
* * * * *
(iii) The 40 fm (73 m) depth contour between 46[deg]16' N. lat. and
42[deg]00' N. lat. is defined by straight lines connecting all of the
following points in the order stated:
(1) 46[deg]16.00' N. lat., 124[deg]16.10' W. long.;
(2) 46[deg]15.29' N. lat., 124[deg]15.60' W. long.;
(3) 46[deg]11.90' N. lat., 124[deg]13.59' W. long.;
(4) 46[deg]06.93' N. lat., 124[deg]10.15' W. long.;
(5) 46[deg]05.33' N. lat., 124[deg]08.30' W. long.;
(6) 45[deg]58.69' N. lat., 124[deg]05.60' W. long.;
(7) 45[deg]57.71' N. lat., 124[deg]05.82' W. long.;
(8) 45[deg]53.97' N. lat., 124[deg]05.04' W. long.;
(9) 45[deg]49.75' N. lat., 124[deg]05.14' W. long.;
(10) 45[deg]47.88' N. lat., 124[deg]05.16' W. long.;
(11) 45[deg]47.07'N. lat., 124[deg]04.21' W. long.;
(12) 45[deg]44.34'N. lat., 124[deg]05.09' W. long.;
(13) 45[deg]40.64'N. lat., 124[deg]04.90' W. long.;
(14) 45[deg]33.00'N. lat., 124[deg]04.46' W. long.;
(15) 45[deg]32.27'N. lat., 124[deg]04.74' W. long.;
(16) 45[deg]29.26'N. lat., 124[deg]04.22' W. long.;
(17) 45[deg]19.99'N. lat., 124[deg]04.62' W. long.;
(18) 45[deg]17.50'N. lat., 124[deg]04.91' W. long.;
(19) 45[deg]11.29'N. lat., 124[deg]05.19' W. long.;
(20) 45[deg]05.79'N. lat., 124[deg]05.40' W. long.;
(21) 45[deg]05.07'N. lat., 124[deg]05.93' W. long.;
(22) 45[deg]01.70'N. lat., 124[deg]06.53' W. long.;
(23) 44[deg]58.75'N. lat., 124[deg]07.14' W. long.;
(24) 44[deg]51.28'N. lat., 124[deg]10.21' W. long.;
(25) 44[deg]49.49'N. lat., 124[deg]10.89' W. long.;
[[Page 23444]]
(26) 44[deg]44.96'N. lat., 124[deg]14.39' W. long.;
(27) 44[deg]43.44'N. lat., 124[deg]14.78' W. long.;
(28) 44[deg]42.27'N. lat., 124[deg]13.81' W. long.;
(29) 44[deg]41.68'N. lat., 124[deg]15.38' W. long.;
(30) 44[deg]34.87'N. lat., 124[deg]15.80' W. long.;
(31) 44[deg]33.74'N. lat., 124[deg]14.43' W. long.;
(32) 44[deg]27.66'N. lat., 124[deg]16.99' W. long.;
(33) 44[deg]19.13'N. lat., 124[deg]19.22' W. long.;
(34) 44[deg]15.35'N. lat., 124[deg]17.37' W. long.;
(35) 44[deg]14.38'N. lat., 124[deg]17.78' W. long.;
(36) 44[deg]12.80'N. lat., 124[deg]17.18' W. long.;
(37) 44[deg]09.23'N. lat., 124[deg]15.96' W. long.;
(38) 44[deg]08.38'N. lat., 124[deg]16.80' W. long.;
(39) 44[deg]01.18'N. lat., 124[deg]15.42' W. long.;
(40) 43[deg]51.60'N. lat., 124[deg]14.68' W. long.;
(41) 43[deg]42.66'N. lat., 124[deg]15.46' W. long.;
(42) 43[deg]40.49'N. lat., 124[deg]15.74' W. long.;
(43) 43[deg]38.77'N. lat., 124[deg]15.64' W. long.;
(44) 43[deg]34.52'N. lat., 124[deg]16.73' W. long.;
(45) 43[deg]28.82'N. lat., 124[deg]19.52' W. long.;
(46) 43[deg]23.91'N. lat., 124[deg]24.28' W. long.;
(47) 43[deg]17.96'N. lat., 124[deg]28.81' W. long.;
(48) 43[deg]16.75'N. lat., 124[deg]28.42' W. long.;
(49) 43[deg]13.98'N. lat., 124[deg]31.99' W. long.;
(50) 43[deg]13.71'N. lat., 124[deg]33.25' W. long.;
(51) 43[deg]12.26'N. lat., 124[deg]34.16' W. long.;
(52) 43[deg]10.96'N. lat., 124[deg]32.34' W. long.;
(53) 43[deg]05.65'N. lat., 124[deg]31.52' W. long.;
(54) 42[deg]59.66'N. lat., 124[deg]32.58' W. long.;
(55) 42[deg]54.97'N. lat., 124[deg]36.99' W. long.;
(56) 42[deg]53.81'N. lat., 124[deg]38.58' W. long.;
(57) 42[deg]49.14'N. lat., 124[deg]39.92' W. long.;
(58) 42[deg]46.47'N. lat., 124[deg]38.65' W. long.;
(59) 42[deg]45.60'N. lat., 124[deg]39.04' W. long.;
(60) 42[deg]44.79'N. lat., 124[deg]37.96' W. long.;
(61) 42[deg]45.00'N. lat., 124[deg]36.39' W. long.;
(62) 42[deg]44.14'N. lat., 124[deg]35.16' W. long.;
(63) 42[deg]42.15'N. lat., 124[deg]32.82' W. long.;
(64) 42[deg]38.82'N. lat., 124[deg]31.09' W. long.;
(65) 42[deg]35.91'N. lat., 124[deg]31.02' W. long.;
(66) 42[deg]31.34'N. lat., 124[deg]34.84' W. long.;
(67) 42[deg]28.13'N. lat., 124[deg]34.83' W. long.;
(68) 42[deg]26.73'N. lat., 124[deg]35.58' W. long.;
(69) 42[deg]23.85'N. lat., 124[deg]34.05' W. long.;
(70) 42[deg]21.68'N. lat., 124[deg]30.64' W. long.;
(71) 42[deg]19.62'N. lat., 124[deg]29.02' W. long.;
(72) 42[deg]15.01'N. lat., 124[deg]27.72' W. long.;
(73) 42[deg]11.38'N. lat., 124[deg]25.62' W. long.;
(74) 42[deg]04.66'N. lat., 124[deg]24.39' W. long.; and
(75) 42[deg]00.00'N. lat., 124[deg]23.55' W. long.
(iv) The 50-fm (91-m) depth contour between the U.S. border with
Canada and the Swiftsure Bank 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.;
* * * * *
7. In section IV., under A. General Definitions and Provisions,
paragraph (17)(f)(v)(A), line (13), is corrected to read as follows:
* * * * *
(13) 34[deg]02.80' N. lat., 119[deg]21.40' W. long.;
* * * * *
8. In section IV., under A. General Definitions and Provisions,
paragraph (17)(f)(vi) is revised to read as follows:
* * * * *
(vi) The 75-fm (137-m) depth contour used between the U.S. border
with Canada and the U.S. border with Mexico is defined by straight
lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated:
* * * * *
(123) 38[deg]00.00' N. lat., 123[deg]22.19' W. long.;
(124) 37[deg]57.70' N. lat., 123[deg]25.98' W. long.;
(125) 37[deg]56.73' N. lat., 123[deg]25.22' W. long.;
(126) 37[deg]55.59' N. lat., 123[deg]25.62' W. long.;
(127) 37[deg]52.79' N. lat., 123[deg]23.85' W. long.;
(128) 37[deg]49.13' N. lat., 123[deg]18.83' W. long.;
(129) 37[deg]46.01' N. lat., 123[deg]12.28' W. long.;
(130) 37[deg]36.12' N. lat., 123[deg]00.33' W. long.;
(131) 37[deg]03.52' N. lat., 122[deg]37.57' W. long.;
(132) 36[deg]59.69' N. lat., 122[deg]27.32' W. long.;
(133) 37[deg]01.41' N. lat., 122[deg]24.41' W. long.;
(134) 36[deg]58.75' N. lat., 122[deg]23.81' W. long.;
(135) 36[deg]59.17' N. lat., 122[deg]21.44' W. long.;
(136) 36[deg]57.51' N. lat., 122[deg]20.69' W. long.;
(137) 36[deg]51.46' N. lat., 122[deg]10.01' W. long.;
(138) 36[deg]48.43' N. lat., 122[deg]06.47' W. long.;
(139) 36[deg]48.66' N. lat., 122[deg]04.99' W. long.;
(140) 36[deg]47.75' N. lat., 122[deg]03.33' W. long.;
(141) 36[deg]51.23' N. lat., 121[deg]57.79' W. long.;
(142) 36[deg]49.72' N. lat., 121[deg]57.87' W. long.;
(143) 36[deg]48.84' N. lat., 121[deg]58.68' W. long.;
(144) 36[deg]47.89' N. lat., 121[deg]58.53' W. long.;
(145) 36[deg]48.66' N. lat., 121[deg]50.49' W. long.;
(146) 36[deg]45.56' N. lat., 121[deg]54.11' W. long.;
(147) 36[deg]45.30' N. lat., 121[deg]57.62' W. long.;
(148) 36[deg]38.54' N. lat., 122[deg]01.13' W. long.;
(149) 36[deg]35.76' N. lat., 122[deg]00.87' W. long.;
(150) 36[deg]32.58' N. lat., 121[deg]59.12' W. long.;
(151) 36[deg]32.95' N. lat., 121[deg]57.62' W. long.;
(152) 36[deg]31.96' N. lat., 121[deg]56.27' W. long.;
(153) 36[deg]31.74' N. lat., 121[deg]58.24' W. long.;
(154) 36[deg]30.57' N. lat., 121[deg]59.66' W. long.;
(155) 36[deg]27.80' N. lat., 121[deg]59.30' W. long.;
(156) 36[deg]26.52' N. lat., 121[deg]58.09' W. long.;
(157) 36[deg]23.65' N. lat., 121[deg]58.94' W. long.;
(158) 36[deg]20.93' N. lat., 122[deg]00.28' W. long.;
(159) 36[deg]18.23' N. lat., 122[deg]03.10' W. long.;
(160) 36[deg]14.21' N. lat., 121[deg]57.73' W. long.;
(161) 36[deg]14.68' N. lat., 121[deg]55.43' W. long.;
(162) 36[deg]10.42' N. lat., 121[deg]42.90' W. long.;
(163) 36[deg]02.55' N. lat., 121[deg]36.35' W. long.;
[[Page 23445]]
(164) 36[deg]01.04' N. lat., 121[deg]36.47' W. long.;
(165) 35[deg]58.25' N. lat., 121[deg]32.88' W. long.;
(166) 35[deg]39.35' N. lat., 121[deg]22.63' W. long.;
(167) 35[deg]24.44' N. lat., 121[deg]02.23' W. long.;
(168) 35[deg]10.84' N. lat., 120[deg]55.90' W. long.;
(169) 35[deg]04.35' N. lat., 120[deg]51.62' W. long.;
(170) 34[deg]55.25' N. lat., 120[deg]49.36' W. long.;
(171) 34[deg]47.95' N. lat., 120[deg]50.76' W. long.;
(172) 34[deg]39.27' N. lat., 120[deg]49.16' W. long.;
(173) 34[deg]31.05' N. lat., 120[deg]44.71' W. long.;
(174) 34[deg]27.00' N. lat., 120[deg]36.54' W. long.;
(175) 34[deg]22.60' N. lat., 120[deg]25.41' W. long.;
(176) 34[deg]25.45' N. lat., 120[deg]17.41' W. long.;
(177) 34[deg]22.94' N. lat., 119[deg]56.40' W. long.;
(178) 34[deg]18.37' N. lat., 119[deg]42.01' W. long.;
(179) 34[deg]11.22' N. lat., 119[deg]32.47' W. long.;
(180) 34[deg]09.58' N. lat., 119[deg]25.94' W. long.;
(181) 34[deg]03.89' N. lat., 119[deg]12.47' W. long.;
(182) 34[deg]03.57' N. lat., 119[deg]06.72' W. long.;
(183) 34[deg]04.53' N. lat., 119[deg]04.90' W. long.;
(184) 34[deg]02.84' N. lat., 119[deg]02.37' W. long.;
(185) 34[deg]01.30' N. lat., 119[deg]00.26' W. long.;
(186) 34[deg]00.22' N. lat., 119[deg]03.20' W. long.;
(187) 33[deg]59.60' N. lat., 119[deg]03.16' W. long.;
(188) 33[deg]59.46' N. lat., 119[deg]00.88' W. long.;
(189) 34[deg]00.49' N. lat., 118[deg]59.08' W. long.;
(190) 33[deg]59.07' N. lat., 118[deg]47.34' W. long.;
(191) 33[deg]58.73' N. lat., 118[deg]36.45' W. long.;
(192) 33[deg]55.24' N. lat., 118[deg]33.42' W. long.;
(193) 33[deg]53.71' N. lat., 118[deg]38.01' W. long.;
(194) 33[deg]51.22' N. lat., 118[deg]36.17' W. long.;
(195) 33[deg]49.85' N. lat., 118[deg]32.31' W. long.;
(196) 33[deg]49.61' N. lat., 118[deg]28.07' W. long.;
(197) 33[deg]49.95' N. lat., 118[deg]26.38' W. long.;
(198) 33[deg]50.36' N. lat., 118[deg]25.84' W. long.;
(199) 33[deg]49.84' N. lat., 118[deg]24.78' W. long.;
(200) 33[deg]47.53' N. lat., 118[deg]30.12' W. long.;
(201) 33[deg]44.11' N. lat., 118[deg]25.25' W. long.;
(202) 33[deg]41.77' N. lat., 118[deg]20.32' W. long.;
(203) 33[deg]38.17' N. lat., 118[deg]15.70' W. long.;
(204) 33[deg]37.48' N. lat., 118[deg]16.73' W. long.;
(205) 33[deg]36.01' N. lat., 118[deg]16.55' W. long.;
(206) 33[deg]33.76' N. lat., 118[deg]11.37' W. long.;
(207) 33[deg]33.76' N. lat., 118[deg]07.94' W. long.;
(208) 33[deg]35.59' N. lat., 118[deg]05.05' W. long.;
(209) 33[deg]33.75' N. lat., 117[deg]59.82' W. long.;
(210) 33[deg]35.10' N. lat., 117[deg]55.68' W. long.;
(211) 33[deg]34.91' N. lat., 117[deg]53.76' W. long.;
(212) 33[deg]30.77' N. lat., 117[deg]47.56' W. long.;
(213) 33[deg]27.50' N. lat., 117[deg]44.87' W. long.;
(214) 33[deg]16.89' N. lat., 117[deg]34.37' W. long.;
(215) 33[deg]06.66' N. lat., 117[deg]21.59' W. long.;
(216) 33[deg]03.35' N. lat., 117[deg]20.92' W. long.;
(217) 33[deg]00.07' N. lat., 117[deg]19.02' W. long.;
(218) 32[deg]55.99' N. lat., 117[deg]18.60' W. long.;
(219) 32[deg]54.43' N. lat., 117[deg]16.93' W. long.;
(220) 32[deg]52.13' N. lat., 117[deg]16.55' W. long.;
(221) 32[deg]52.61' N. lat., 117[deg]19.50' W. long.;
(222) 32[deg]46.95' N. lat., 117[deg]22.81' W. long.;
(223) 32[deg]45.01' N. lat., 117[deg]22.07' W. long.;
(224) 32[deg]43.40' N. lat., 117[deg]19.80' W. long.; and
(225) 32[deg]33.74' N. lat., 117[deg]18.67' W. long.
* * * * *
9. In section IV., under A. General Definitions and Provisions,
paragraph (17)(f)(vii) is revised to read as follows:
* * * * *
(vii) The 100 fm (183 m) depth contour used between the U.S. border
with Canada and the U.S. border with Mexico is defined by straight
lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated:
* * * * *
(196) 38[deg]00.00' N. lat., 123[deg]23.08' W. long.;
(197) 37[deg]55.07' N. lat., 123[deg]26.81' W. long.;
(198) 37[deg]50.66' N. lat., 123[deg]23.06' W. long.;
(199) 37[deg]45.18' N. lat., 123[deg]11.88' W. long.;
(200) 37[deg]36.21' N. lat., 123[deg]01.20' W. long.;
(201) 37[deg]15.58' N. lat., 122[deg]48.36' W. long.;
(202) 37[deg]03.18' N. lat., 122[deg]38.15' W. long.;
(203) 37[deg]00.48' N. lat., 122[deg]33.93' W. long.;
(204) 36[deg]58.70' N. lat., 122[deg]27.22' W. long.;
(205) 37[deg]00.85' N. lat., 122[deg]24.70' W. long.;
(206) 36[deg]58.00' N. lat., 122[deg]24.14' W. long.;
(207) 36[deg]58.74' N. lat., 122[deg]21.51' W. long.;
(208) 36[deg]56.97' N. lat., 122[deg]21.32' W. long.;
(209) 36[deg]51.52' N. lat., 122[deg]10.68' W. long.;
(210) 36[deg]48.39' N. lat., 122[deg]07.60' W. long.;
(211) 36[deg]47.43' N. lat., 122[deg]03.22' W. long.;
(212) 36[deg]50.95' N. lat., 121[deg]58.03' W. long.;
(213) 36[deg]49.92' N. lat., 121[deg]58.01' W. long.;
(214) 36[deg]48.88' N. lat., 121[deg]58.90' W. long.;
(215) 36[deg]47.70' N. lat., 121[deg]58.75' W. long.;
(216) 36[deg]48.37' N. lat., 121[deg]51.14' W. long.;
(217) 36[deg]45.74' N. lat., 121[deg]54.17' W. long.;
(218) 36[deg]45.51' N. lat., 121[deg]57.72' W. long.;
(219) 36[deg]38.84' N. lat., 122[deg]01.32' W. long.;
(220) 36[deg]35.62' N. lat., 122[deg]00.98' W. long.;
(221) 36[deg]32.46' N. lat., 121[deg]59.15' W. long.;
(222) 36[deg]32.79' N. lat., 121[deg]57.67' W. long.;
(223) 36[deg]31.98' N. lat., 121[deg]56.55' W. long.;
(224) 36[deg]31.79' N. lat., 121[deg]58.40' W. long.;
(225) 36[deg]30.73' N. lat., 121[deg]59.70' W. long.;
(226) 36[deg]30.31' N. lat., 122[deg]00.22' W. long.;
(227) 36[deg]29.35' N. lat., 122[deg]00.36' W. long.;
(228) 36[deg]27.66' N. lat., 121[deg]59.80' W. long.;
(229) 36[deg]26.22' N. lat., 121[deg]58.35' W. long.;
(230) 36[deg]21.20' N. lat., 122[deg]00.72' W. long.;
(231) 36[deg]20.47' N. lat., 122[deg]02.92' W. long.;
[[Page 23446]]
(232) 36[deg]18.46' N. lat., 122[deg]04.51' W. long.;
(233) 36[deg]15.92' N. lat., 122[deg]01.33' W. long.;
(234) 36[deg]13.76' N. lat., 121[deg]57.27' W. long.;
(235) 36[deg]14.43' N. lat., 121[deg]55.43' W. long.;
(236) 36[deg]10.24' N. lat., 121[deg]43.08' W. long.;
(237) 36[deg]07.66' N. lat., 121[deg]40.91' W. long.;
(238) 36[deg]02.49' N. lat., 121[deg]36.51' W. long.;
(239) 36[deg]01.07' N. lat., 121[deg]36.82' W. long.;
(240) 35[deg]57.84' N. lat., 121[deg]33.10' W. long.;
(241) 35[deg]50.36' N. lat., 121[deg]29.32' W. long.;
(242) 35[deg]39.03' N. lat., 121[deg]22.86' W. long.;
(243) 35[deg]24.30' N. lat., 121[deg]02.56' W. long.;
(244) 35[deg]16.53' N. lat., 121[deg]00.39' W. long.;
(245) 35[deg]04.82' N. lat., 120[deg]53.96' W. long.;
(246) 34[deg]52.51' N. lat., 120[deg]51.62' W. long.;
(247) 34[deg]43.36' N. lat., 120[deg]52.12' W. long.;
(248) 34[deg]37.64' N. lat., 120[deg]49.99' W. long.;
(249) 34[deg]30.80' N. lat., 120[deg]45.02' W. long.;
(250) 34[deg]27.00' N. lat., 120[deg]39.00' W. long.;
(251) 34[deg]21.90' N. lat., 120[deg]25.25' W. long.;
(252) 34[deg]24.86' N. lat., 120[deg]16.81' W. long.;
(253) 34[deg]22.80' N. lat., 119[deg]57.06' W. long.;
(254) 34[deg]18.59' N. lat., 119[deg]44.84' W. long.;
(255) 34[deg]15.04' N. lat., 119[deg]40.34' W. long.;
(256) 34[deg]14.40' N. lat., 119[deg]45.39' W. long.;
(257) 34[deg]12.32' N. lat., 119[deg]42.41' W. long.;
(258) 34[deg]09.71' N. lat., 119[deg]28.85' W. long.;
(259) 34[deg]04.70' N. lat., 119[deg]15.38' W. long.;
(260) 34[deg]03.33' N. lat., 119[deg]12.93' W. long.;
(261) 34[deg]02.72' N. lat., 119[deg]07.01' W. long.;
(262) 34[deg]03.90' N. lat., 119[deg]04.64' W. long.;
(263) 34[deg]01.80' N. lat., 119[deg]03.23' W. long.;
(264) 33[deg]59.32' N. lat., 119[deg]03.50' W. long.;
(265) 33[deg]59.00' N. lat., 118[deg]59.55' W. long.;
(266) 33[deg]59.51' N. lat., 118[deg]57.25' W. long.;
(267) 33[deg]58.82' N. lat., 118[deg]52.47' W. long.;
(268) 33[deg]58.54' N. lat., 118[deg]41.86' W. long.;
(269) 33[deg]55.07' N. lat., 118[deg]34.25' W. long.;
(270) 33[deg]54.28' N. lat., 118[deg]38.68' W. long.;
(271) 33[deg]51.00' N. lat., 118[deg]36.66' W. long.;
(272) 33[deg]39.77' N. lat., 118[deg]18.41' W. long.;
(273) 33[deg]35.50' N. lat., 118[deg]16.85' W. long.;
(274) 33[deg]32.68' N. lat., 118[deg]09.82' W. long.;
(275) 33[deg]34.09' N. lat., 117[deg]54.06' W. long.;
(276) 33[deg]31.60' N. lat., 117[deg]49.28' W. long.;
(277) 33[deg]16.07' N. lat., 117[deg]34.74' W. long.;
(278) 33[deg]07.06' N. lat., 117[deg]22.71' W. long.;
(279) 32[deg]59.28' N. lat., 117[deg]19.69' W. long.;
(280) 32[deg]55.36' N. lat., 117[deg]19.54' W. long.;
(281) 32[deg]53.35' N. lat., 117[deg]17.05' W. long.;
(282) 32[deg]53.34' N. lat., 117[deg]19.13' W. long.;
(283) 32[deg]46.39' N. lat., 117[deg]23.45' W. long.;
(284) 32[deg]42.79' N. lat., 117[deg]21.16' W. long.; and
(285) 32[deg]34.22' N. lat., 117[deg]21.20' W. long.
* * * * *
10. In section IV., under B. Limited Entry Fishery, footnote 4 in
Table 4 (South) is corrected to read as follows:
* * * * *
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
[[Page 23447]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR29AP04.004
[[Page 23448]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR29AP04.005
BILLING CODE 3510-22-C
11. In section IV., under D. Recreational Fishery, paragraph
(3)(b)(i)(A) is corrected to read as follows:
* * * * *
(A) Cowcod Conservation Areas. Coordinates defining the boundaries
of the Cowcod Conservation Areas (CCAs) are described in Federal
regulations at 50 CFR 660.304(c). Recreational fishing for all
groundfish is prohibited within the CCAs, except that fishing for
sanddabs is permitted subject to the provisions in paragraph
IV.D.(3)(b)(v). However, recreational fishing for the following species
is permitted shoreward of the 20 fm (37 m) depth contour within the
CCAs from March 1 through December 31, subject to the bag limits in
this section: minor nearshore rockfish, cabezon, kelp greenling,
lingcod, California scorpionfish, and sanddabs. (Note: California State
regulations also permit recreational fishing for all greenlings of the
genus Hexogrammas shoreward of the 20-fm (37-m) depth contour in the
CCAs.)
* * * * *
12. In section IV., under D. Recreational Fishery, paragraph
(3)(b)(i)(B) is revised and paragraph (3)(b)(i)(B)(1) is corrected to
read as follows:
* * * * *
(B) Recreational Rockfish Conservation Areas. The recreational
Rockfish Conservation Areas, or recreational RCAs, are areas that are
closed to recreational fishing for groundfish. See also paragraph
IV.A.(17)(e).
(1) Between 40[deg]10' N. lat. and 34[deg]27' N. lat., recreational
fishing for all groundfish, except sanddabs, is prohibited seaward of a
boundary line approximating the 30-fm (55-m) depth contour along the
mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts during January
1 through February 29 and September 1 through December 31; is
prohibited seaward of the 20-fm (37-m) depth contour during May 1
through August 31; and is closed entirely during March 1 through April
30 (i.e., prohibited seaward of the shoreline). Coordinates for the
boundary line approximating the 30-fm (55-m) depth contour are listed
in section IV.A.(17)(f). Under State law, recreational fishing for
rockfish, lingcod, and associated species limited to cabezon,
greenlings of the genus Hexagrammos, California scorpionfish,
California sheephead, and ocean whitefish are prohibited between the
shoreline and the 10-fm (18-m) depth contour around the Farallon
Islands. For a definition of the Farallon Islands, see paragraph
IV.A.(17)(f). Recreational fishing for certain groundfish species is
also prohibited in waters of the Cordell Banks, located at 38[deg]02'
N. lat. and 123[deg]25' W. long., and within a 5 nautical mile radius
around this point. This portion of the Cordell Banks is closed to
fishing for rockfish, lingcod, cabezon, kelp greenlings and California
scorpionfish. (Note: California State regulations also prohibit the
retention of other greenlings of the genus Hexagrammos, California
sheephead and ocean whitefish.) For a definition of Cordell Banks, see
paragraph IV.A.(17)(f).
* * * * *
13. In section IV., under D. Recreational Fishery, paragraph
(3)(a)(i)(B) is revised to read as follows:
* * * * *
(B) Bag limits, boat limits, hook limits. North of 40[deg]10' N.
lat., in times and areas when the recreational season for the RCG
Complex is open, there is a limit of two hooks and one line when
fishing for rockfish.
(1) From January 1 through April 30, the bag limit is 10 rockfish
per day, of which no more than two may be bocaccio. The following daily
bag limits also apply: no more than 10 cabezon per day and no more than
10 kelp greenling and 10 rock greenling per day. Multi-day limits are
authorized by a valid permit issued by California and must not exceed
the daily limit multiplied by the number of days in the fishing trip.
(2) From May 1 through December 31, the bag limit is 10-RCG Complex
fish per day (not including canary rockfish, yelloweye rockfish and
cowcod, which are prohibited), of which up to 10 may be rockfish, no
more than two of which may be bocaccio. Also within the 10-RCG Complex
fish per day limit, no more than two fish per day may be greenling
(kelp and/or other greenlings) and no more than 3 fish per day may be
cabezon. Multi-day limits are authorized by a valid permit issued by
California and must not exceed the daily limit multiplied by the number
of days in the fishing trip.
* * * * *
14. In section IV., under D. Recreational Fishery, paragraph
(3)(a)(ii) is revised to read as follows:
* * * * *
(ii) Lingcod.
(A) Seasons. North of 40[deg]10' N. lat., recreational fishing for
lingcod is open from January 1 through October 31.
(B) Bag limits, boat limits, hook limits. North of 40[deg]10' N.
lat., in times and areas when the recreational season for lingcod is
open, there is a limit of two hooks and one line when fishing for
lingcod. The bag limit is 2 lingcod per day from January 1 through
March 31 and 1 lingcod per day from April 1 through October 31. Multi-
day limits are authorized by a valid permit issued by California and
must not exceed the daily limit multiplied by the number of days in the
fishing trip.
(C) Size limits. Lingcod may be no smaller than 24 in (61 cm) total
length from January 1 through March 31 and no smaller than 30 in (77
cm) total length from April 1 through October 31.
(D) Dressing/Filleting. Lingcod fillets may be no smaller than 16
in (41 cm) in length from January 1 through March 31 and no smaller
than 21 in (54 cm) from April 1 through October 31 in length.
* * * * *
[[Page 23449]]
15. In section IV., under D. Recreational Fishery, paragraph
(3)(b)(ii)(B) is revised to read as follows:
* * * * *
(B) Bag limits, boat limits, hook limits. South of 40[deg]10' N.
lat., in times and areas when the recreational season for the RCG
Complex is open, there is a limit of two hooks and one line when
fishing for rockfish.
(1) From January 1 through April 30 when the season for the RCG
complex is open, the bag limit is 10-RCG Complex fish per day (not
including canary rockfish, yelloweye rockfish and cowcod, which are
prohibited), of which up to 10 may be rockfish, no more than 1 of which
may be bocaccio and no more than 2 of which may be shallow nearshore
rockfish. (Note: The shallow nearshore rockfish group off California
are composed of kelp, grass, black-and-yellow, China, and gopher
rockfishes.) Also within the 10-RCG Complex fish per day limit, no more
than 2 fish per day may be greenling (kelp and/or other greenlings) and
no more than 3 fish per day may be cabezon. Lingcod, California
scorpionfish and sanddabs taken in recreational fisheries off
California do not count toward the 10 RCG Complex fish per day bag
limit. Multi-day limits are authorized by a valid permit issued by
California and must not exceed the daily limit multiplied by the number
of days in the fishing trip.
(2) From May 1 through December 31, the bag limit is 10-RCG Complex
fish per day (not including canary rockfish, yelloweye rockfish and
cowcod, which are prohibited), of which up to 10 may be rockfish, no
more than 1 of which may be bocaccio. Also within the 10-RCG Complex
fish per day limit, no more than 2 fish per day may be greenling (kelp
and/or other greenlings) and no more than 3 fish per day may be
cabezon. Lingcod, California scorpionfish and sanddabs taken in
recreational fisheries off California do not count toward the 10 RCG
Complex fish per day bag limit. Multi-day limits are authorized by a
valid permit issued by California and must not exceed the daily limit
multiplied by the number of days in the fishing trip.
* * * * *
16. In section IV., under D. Recreational Fishery, paragraph
(3)(b)(iv) is corrected to read as follows:
* * * * *
(iv) Lingcod.
(A) Seasons. Between 40[deg]10' N. lat. and 34[deg]27' N. lat.,
recreational fishing for lingcod is open from January 1 through
February 29 and from May 1 through October 31 (i.e., it's closed from
March 1 through April 30 and from November 1 through December 31).
South of 34[deg]27' N. lat., recreational fishing for lingcod is open
from March 1 through October 31 (i.e., it's closed from January 1
through February 29 and from November 1 through December 31). When
recreational fishing for lingcod is open, it is permitted only
shoreward of the recreational RCA, as described in paragraph
IV.D.(3)(b)(i)(B) above.
(B) Bag limits, boat limits, hook limits. South of 40[deg]10' N.
lat., in times and areas when the recreational season for lingcod is
open, there is a limit of two hooks and one line when fishing for
lingcod. The bag limit is two lingcod per day from January 1 through
March 31 and one lingcod per day from April 1 through October 31.
Lingcod do not count against the 10-RCG Complex fish per day limit.
Multi-day limits are authorized by a valid permit issued by California
and must not exceed the daily limit multiplied by the number of days in
the fishing trip.
(C) Size limits. In times and areas when the recreational season
for lingcod is open, lingcod may be no smaller than 24 in (61 cm) total
length from January 1 through March 31 and no smaller than 30 in (77
cm) total length from April 1 through October 31.
(D) Dressing/Filleting. In times and areas when the recreational
season for lingcod is open, lingcod fillets may be no smaller than 16
in (41 cm) in length from January 1 through March 31 and no smaller
than 21 in (54 cm) from April 1 through October 31 in length.
* * * * *
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, NOAA, 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)(3)(B),
because providing prior notice and opportunity for comment would be
impracticable, unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. The
data upon which these recommendations were based was provided to the
Pacific Council and the Pacific Council made its recommendations at its
March 7-12, 2004, meeting in Tacoma, WA. There was not sufficient time
after that meeting to draft this notice and undergo proposed and final
rulemaking before these actions need to be in effect as explained
below. For the actions to be implemented in this notice, prior notice
and opportunity for comment would be impracticable because affording
prior notice and opportunity for public comment would take too long,
thus impeding the Agency's function of managing fisheries to approach
without exceeding the OYs for federally managed species. The
adjustments to management measures in this document include changes to
California's recreational fishery and changes to the commercial trawl
RCA off California. Changes to California's recreational fishery
management measures must be implemented in a timely manner to protect
overfished groundfish species, such as lingcod and canary rockfish, and
to keep the harvest of other groundfish species, such as minor
nearshore rockfish, within the harvest levels projected to be taken off
the State of California in 2004. Changes to California's recreational
RCG complex bag limits must be in effect by May 1, 2004, to keep
harvest within the levels projected and to conform Federal and State
recreational regulations. Changes to California's commercial trawl RCA
are intended to reduce the take of overfished groundfish species by
closing Cordell Banks, an area of high catch of canary rockfish and
other overfished species, to commercial fishing in an effort to keep
groundfish take within the OYs set for the year. Delaying these changes
to management measures could lead to early closures of the fishery.
This would contradict one of the Pacific Coast Groundfish FMP
objectives of providing for year-round harvest opportunities or
extending fishing opportunities as long as practicable during the
fishing year.
For these reasons, good cause also exists to waive the 30 day delay
in effectiveness requirement under 5 U.S.C. 553 (d)(3).
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: April 22, 2004.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 04-9649 Filed 4-28-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S