Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2023-2024 Biennial Specifications and Management Measures; Inseason Adjustments
| Published date | 01 April 2024 |
| Record Number | 2024-06775 |
| Citation | 89 FR 22342 |
| Court | National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration |
| Section | Rules and Regulations |
Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 63 (Monday, April 1, 2024)
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 63 (Monday, April 1, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22342-22352]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-06775]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 660
[Docket No. 221206-0261]
RIN 0648-BM97
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States;
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2023-2024 Biennial Specifications and
Management Measures; Inseason Adjustments
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule; inseason adjustments to biennial groundfish
management measures.
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SUMMARY: This final rule announces routine inseason adjustments to
management measures in commercial and recreational groundfish
fisheries. This action is intended to allow fishing vessels to access
more abundant groundfish stocks while protecting rebuilding stocks.
DATES: This final rule is effective April 1, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Electronic Access: This rule is accessible at the Office of
the Federal Register website at https://www.federalregister.gov.
Background information and documents are available at the Pacific
Fishery Management Council's website at https://www.pcouncil.org.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Sean Matson: 206-526-6187 or
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (PCGFMP) and
its implementing regulations at title 50 in the Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR), part 660, subparts C through G, regulate fishing for
over 90 species of groundfish seaward of Washington, Oregon, and
California. The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) develops
groundfish harvest specifications and management measures for 2-year
periods (biennia). NMFS published the final rule to implement harvest
specifications and management measures for the 2023-2024 biennium for
most species managed under the PCGFMP on December 16, 2022 (87 FR
77007). The management measures set at the start of the biennial
harvest specifications cycle help the various sectors of the fishery
attain, but not exceed, the catch limits for each stock. The Council,
in coordination with Pacific Coast Treaty Indian Tribes and the States
of Washington, Oregon, and California, recommends adjustments to the
management measures during the fishing year to achieve this goal.
At its March 2024 meeting, the Council recommended inseason
measures, modifying fixed gear regulations in the area south of lat.
40[deg]10' N, including within the Non-
[[Page 22343]]
Trawl Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA) boundaries, and commercial fixed
gear trip limits for certain species within the limited entry (LE) and
open access (OA) fisheries, including lingcod, the other flatfish
complex, and the minor shelf rockfish complex. The purpose of these
inseason measures is to promote the conservation of quillback rockfish
and vermillion/sunset rockfish off California, while balancing the
economic benefits of fishing opportunity. The Council also recommended
modifications to Federal regulations, concerning the portion of the
California recreational fishery that falls within Federal waters, which
include changes to season dates and depth limits, and revisions to the
sub-bag limit for vermilion/sunset rockfish south of lat. 40[deg]10' N.
The March recommendations were communicated in a letter to NMFS dated
March 20, 2024.
The recommendations were based on analysis using newly available
information on catch and attainment, and input from industry at the
March meeting. Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries are managed using
harvest specifications or limits (e.g., overfishing limits [OFL],
acceptable biological catch [ABC], annual catch limits [ACL], and
harvest guidelines [HG]) recommended biennially by the Council and
based on the best scientific information available at that time (50 CFR
660.60(b)). During development of the harvest specifications, the
Council also recommends management measures (e.g., trip limits, area
closures, and bag limits) that are meant to control catch so as not to
exceed the harvest specifications. The harvest specifications and
management measures developed for the 2023-2024 biennium used data
through the 2021 fishing year. Each of the adjustments to management
measures discussed below are based on updated fisheries information
that was unavailable when the analysis for the current harvest
specifications was completed. As new fisheries data becomes available,
adjustments to management measures are assessed and associated
mortality is projected, so as to help harvesters achieve but not exceed
the harvest limits.
Management Measures for Commercial Fixed Gear, LE and OA Fisheries
Non-Trawl RCA
At the March 2024 meeting, the Council recommended actions to
reduce fishing mortality of quillback rockfish and vermillion/sunset
rockfish, off California, through the 2024 fishing season. Quillback
rockfish off California is an overfished stock. Vermilion/sunset
rockfish is managed in a stock complex, however, fishing mortality for
the stock has exceeded the harvest specification contributions to the
complex for several years. The recommended actions would reduce fishing
mortality of these species, while further narrowing the scope of
restrictions and minimizing the economic impact to fishing communities
to the extent possible. These included a recommendation to adjust the
Non-Trawl RCA latitudinal boundaries for the area between lat.
40[deg]10' N and lat. 36[deg] N (to utilize a boundary at lat.
37[deg]07' N rather than lat. 36[deg] N), so that the area between lat.
37[deg]07' N and lat. 34[deg]27' N, from 50 to 75 fathoms (fm), would
be closed to fishing, and in the area from lat. 40[deg]10' N to lat.
37[deg]07' N, the 3 nautical mile line to 75fm, would be closed to
fishing. The recommended non-trawl boundaries, as well as those under
current regulations are shown in tables 1a and 1b.
Table 1a--Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation Area Boundaries, South of LLat.
40[deg]10' N: Current Regulation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area (latitude) Depth Months
------------------------------------------------------------------------
40[deg]10' N-36[deg] N.......... Shoreward EEZ-75 January through
fm line. December.
36[deg] N-34[deg]27' N.......... 50-75 fm line..... January through
December.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 1b--Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation Area Boundaries, South of LLat.
40[deg]10' N: Council Recommended
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area (latitude) Depth Months
------------------------------------------------------------------------
40[deg]10' N-37[deg]07' N....... Shoreward EEZ-75 January through
fm line. December.
37[deg]07' N-34[deg]27' N....... 50-75 fm line..... January through
December.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trip Limits
The recommended modifications of the Non-Trawl RCA in California
necessitated corresponding changes to the latitude lines designating
area-specific LE and OA trip limits for lingcod, the other flatfish
complex, and the minor shelf rockfish complex (defined at Sec.
660.11), south of lat. 40[deg]10' N (table 2a).
For the minor shelf rockfish complex south of lat. 40[deg]10' N, in
the LE fishery; in addition to exchanging the lat. 36[deg] N boundary,
in favor of the lat. 37[deg]07' N boundary, one latitudinal stratum was
added with separate trip limits, dividing the area south of lat.
40[deg]10' N into three strata under Council recommendations, compared
with two strata under current regulations. The new management area
boundaries and corresponding trip limits for minor shelf rockfish are
shown in table 2b.
For minor shelf rockfish south of lat. 40[deg]10' N, in the OA
fishery; in addition to exchanging the lat. 36[deg] N boundary, in
favor of the lat. 37[deg]07' N boundary, one latitudinal stratum was
added with separate trip limits, dividing the area south of lat.
40[deg]10' N into three strata under Council recommendations, compared
with two strata under current regulations. The new management area
boundaries and corresponding trip limits for minor shelf rockfish are
shown in table 2b.
The Council's Groundfish Management Team (GMT) analyzed the
combination of proposed changes (Agenda Item F.8.a Supplemental GMT
Report 1, March 2024) to trip limit amounts, by area strata, for minor
shelf rockfish south of lat. 40[deg]10' N. These combinations included
a specifically designed balance of modest increases, as well as
decreases, in trip limits, together with the changes to the Non-Trawl
RCA boundaries. The GMT found in their analysis that quillback rockfish
encounters between lat. 36[deg] and 37[deg]07' N have been rare
throughout the
[[Page 22344]]
relevant time series. Only 0.7 percent of commercial quillback rockfish
landings occurred south of lat. 37[deg]07' N over the most recent 5-
year period (2019-2023), and only 3.7 percent over a much longer time
series (1992-2022). As such, the changes in trip limits south of lat.
37[deg]07' N are congruent with both maintaining adequate access by
commercial fishers to groundfish resources and the conservation needs
of quillback rockfish off California, which was recently determined to
be overfished (NMFS notified the Council of the overfished status
determination for quillback rockfish on December 14, 2023; Agenda Item
F.2, Attachment 2, March 2024), and maintaining catches of vermillion/
sunset rockfish at a sustainable level (catches have been high since
2015).
Trip limits with corresponding areas are shown in Table 2.
Recommended changes for the remaining lingcod, other flatfish complex,
and minor shelf rockfish species did not involve any new limits
themselves, only the redesignation of the latitudinal boundaries for
existing limits, in accordance with the new recommended Non-Trawl RCA
boundaries.
Table 2a--Trip Limits Under Current Regulation, and Council-Recommendations, for LE and OA Non-Trawl Fisheries,
South of Lat. 40[deg]10' N: Current Regulation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fleet Species Lat. area Limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LE............................ Lingcod.......... 40[deg]10' N- 1,600 lb (726 kg)/2 months seaward of the
36[deg] N. non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/2 months inside the
non-trawl RCA.
South of 36[deg] 1,600 lb (726 kg)/2 months.
N.
Minor shelf 40[deg]10' N- 6,000 lb (2,722 kg)/2 months, of which no
rockfish. 34[deg]27' N. more than 500 lb (227 kg) may be
vermilion/sunset.
South of 6,000 lb (2,722 kg)/2 months, of which no
34[deg]27' N. more than 3,000 lb (1,361 kg) may be
vermilion/sunset.
Other flatfish... 40[deg]10' N- 10,000 lb (4,536 kg)/month seaward of the
36[deg] N. non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/month inside the non-
trawl RCA.
South of 36[deg] 10,000 lb (4,536 kg)/month.
N.
OA............................ Lingcod.......... 40[deg]10' N- 700 lb (318 kg)/2 months seaward of the
36[deg] N. non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/2 months inside the
non-trawl RCA.
South of 36[deg] 700 lb (318 kg)/2 months.
N.
Minor shelf 40[deg]10' N- 3,000 lb (1,361 kg)/2 months, of which no
rockfish. 36[deg] N. more than 300 lb (136 kg) may be
vermilion/sunset.
South of 36[deg] 3,000 lb (1,361 kg)/2 months, of which no
N. more than 900 lb (408 kg) may be
vermilion/sunset.
Other flatfish... 40[deg]10' N- 5,000 lb (2,268 kg)/month seaward of the
36[deg] N. non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/month inside the non-
trawl RCA.
South of 36[deg] 5,000 lb (2,268 kg)/month.
N.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 2b--Trip Limits Under Current Regulation, and Council-Recommendations, for LE and OA Non-Trawl Fisheries,
South of Lat. 40[deg]10' N: Council Recommended
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fleet Species Area Limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LE............................ Lingcod.......... 40[deg]10' N- 1,600 lb (726 kg)/2 months seaward of the
37[deg]07' N. non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/2 months inside the
non-trawl RCA.
South of 1,600 lb (726 kg)/2 months.
37[deg]07' N.
Minor shelf 40[deg]10' N- 6,000 lb (2,722 kg)/2 months, of which no
rockfish. 37[deg]07' N. more than 500 lb (227 kg) may be
vermilion/sunset.
37[deg]07' N- 8,000 lb (3,629 kg)/2 months, of which no
34[deg]27' N. more than 500 lb (227 kg) may be
vermilion/sunset.
South of 5,000 lb (2,268 kg)/2 months, of which no
34[deg]27' N. more than 3,000 lb (1,361 kg) may be
vermilion/sunset.
Other flatfish... 40[deg]10' N- 10,000 lb (4,536 kg)/month seaward of the
37[deg]07' N. non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/month inside the non-
trawl RCA.
South of 10,000 lb (4,536 kg)/month.
37[deg]07' N.
OA............................ Lingcod.......... 40[deg]10' N- 700 lb (318 kg)/2 months seaward of the
37[deg]07' N. non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/2 months inside the
non-trawl RCA.
South of 700 lb (318 kg)/2 months.
37[deg]07' N.
Minor shelf 40[deg]10' N- 3,000 lb (1,361 kg)/2 months, of which no
rockfish. 37[deg]07' N. more than 300 lb may be vermilion/sunset.
37[deg]07' N- 4,000 lb (1,8141 kg)/2 months, of which no
34[deg]27' N. more than 300 lb may be vermilion/sunset.
South of 3,000 lb (1,814 kg)/2 months, of which no
34[deg]27' N. more than 900 lb may be vermilion/sunset.
Other flatfish... 40[deg]10' N- 5,000 lb (2,268 kg)/2 months seaward of
37[deg]07' N. the non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/2 months inside
the non-trawl RCA.
South of 5,000 lb (2,268 kg)/month.
37[deg]07' N.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific Halibut
At its March 2024 meeting, the Council also recommended new annual
trip limit ratios for the incidental catch of Pacific halibut in the
primary (tier) sablefish fishery north of Point Chehalis, Washington,
starting for the 2024 season. These measures are reviewed each season.
The Council recommended a trip limit ratio of 130 lb of dressed Pacific
halibut per 1,000 lb of
[[Page 22345]]
sablefish, plus two additional halibut for the primary fishery north of
Point Chehalis, as recommended by the Council's Groundfish Advisory
Subpanel (GAP). This trip limit is a reduction from last year when it
was 150 lb of dressed Pacific halibut per 1,000 lb of sablefish. The
GAP related during their discussion of this topic that this reduction
was likely warranted given the reduction in the overall allocation for
incidental catch in the sablefish fishery from 70,000 lbs in 2023 to
50,000 lbs in 2024 (89 FR 19275, March 18, 2024). Additionally, the GAP
noted that it expects the new trip limit to be an adequate amount to
utilize the overall allocation and prevent waste of bycatch. If
necessary, incidental trip limits could be updated later in the year,
by the Council, through inseason action.
California Recreational Groundfish Fisheries in Federal Waters
The Council recommended modifications to Federal regulations
concerning the portion of the California recreational groundfish
fishery that falls within Federal waters, consistent with California
state regulations for the fishery. The State of California recently
revised its state regulations, including changes to season dates and
depth limits for the California rockfish, cabezon, and greenling (RCG)
complex as well as for lingcod, and revising a sub-bag limit for
vermilion/sunset rockfish south of lat. 40[deg]10' N. The Council
recommended changes were presented to the Council by the California
Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) (Agenda Item F.8.a Supplemental
CDFW Report 2 March 2024) in a request for consistent action in federal
waters, discussed by the GMT, and recommended by the GAP (Agenda Item
F.8.a Supplemental GAP Report 1 March 2024). The GMT did not analyze
nor make a recommendation regarding CDFW's proposal. The federal
regulations for the California recreational groundfish fishery for RCG
and lingcod that were set at the beginning of 2023 are summarized in
Table 3, inseason actions that were taken during 2023 are not
incorporated. The Council recommended regulations for 2024 are
summarized in Table 4. Table 3 and Table 4 are summaries only. Refer to
50 CFR 660.360(c)(3)(i)(A) for a detailed description of the California
recreational groundfish fishery structure.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01AP24.003
[[Page 22346]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01AP24.004
Classification
This final rule makes routine inseason adjustments to the Pacific
Coast groundfish fishery management measures, based on the best
scientific information available, consistent with the PCGFMP and its
implementing regulations.
This action is taken under the authority of 50 CFR 660.60(c) and is
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
The aggregate data upon which these actions are based are available
for public inspection by contacting Dr. Sean Matson in NMFS West Coast
Region (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, above), or to view at the
NMFS West Coast Groundfish website: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/west-coast-groundfish.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b), NMFS finds good cause to waive prior
public notice and an opportunity for public comment on this action, as
notice and comment would be impracticable and contrary to the public
interest. These revisions are in response to new information about the
fishery, and to conservation issues that need to be addressed for the
2024 fishing year. The adjustments to management measures in this
document increase trip limits and decrease size limits for fisheries
off California to allow additional economic opportunity, while keeping
catch within allocations established by the 2023-2024 harvest
specifications. The GMT found in their analysis that the boundary
change to the Non-Trawl RCA would likely result in an increase in
lingcod, cabezon, other flatfish, minor nearshore, and minor shelf
species catch from lat. 36[deg] N to 37[deg]07' N, while minimizing
impacts to quillback rockfish, and reducing catch of vermillion/sunset
rockfish to sustainable levels, within that area. The risk of the
changes established in this final rule resulting in exceedances of the
corresponding harvest limits is low, and the risk to quillback rockfish
is minimal, particularly in areas south of lat. 37[deg]07' N. At the
same time, the changes would yield positive economic impacts to
commercial non-trawl fishermen that fish in Federal waters in that
area. This economic opportunity would not otherwise occur without the
Non-Trawl RCA boundary move and the associated trip limit changes. This
rule also makes Council recommended changes to regulations pertaining
to the California recreational groundfish fishery within federally
managed waters, in order to create consistency with current state
regulations within California jurisdiction. This is necessary to ensure
consistent management and enforcement across the state and federally
managed fisheries. No aspect of this action is controversial, and
changes of this nature were anticipated in the final rule for the 2023-
2024 harvest specifications and management measures, which published on
December 16, 2022 (87 FR 77007).
Trip limit ratios to cover incidental catch of Pacific halibut in
the fixed gear sablefish primary (tier) fishery are set annually, in
alignment with the overall allocation for incidental catch in this
fishery that is established by NMFS in mid-March of each year. Halibut
is internationally managed, with specifications that publish out of
sync with groundfish regulations, and therefore measures to account for
incidental catch in the sablefish fishery must be updated each year
through inseason action. Updating these limits in a timely fashion is a
critical conservation need in the West Coast LE sablefish primary
(tier) fishery.
Delaying implementation of this rule to allow for public comment
would have negative effects on the conservation of California quillback
rockfish, which was recently determined to be overfished, as well as
the conservation of vermilion/sunset rockfish, whose catch has been
unsustainably high in recent years. Delay in implementation would also
likely reduce the economic benefits to the commercial fishing industry
and the businesses that rely on that industry, because it is unlikely
the new regulations would publish and could be
[[Page 22347]]
implemented in time to realize the projected benefits to fishing
communities and the resource. A delay in implementation could also
contribute to unnecessarily discarded and largely wasted fish; fish
which could otherwise be landed to provide food and revenue, and whose
use would assist in the responsible use of the resource. Therefore,
providing a comment period for this action could significantly limit
the economic benefits to the fishery, and would hamper the achievement
of optimum yield from the affected fisheries.
Therefore, the NMFS finds reason to waive the 30-day delay in
effectiveness pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(1) so that this final rule
may become effective upon publication in the Federal Register. The
adjustments to management measures in this document affect fisheries by
increasing opportunity and allowing greater economic benefit. These
adjustments were requested by the Council's advisory bodies, as well as
by members of industry during the Council's March 2024 meeting, and the
changes are recommended unanimously by the Council. No aspect of this
action is controversial, and changes of this nature were anticipated in
the biennial harvest specifications and management measures established
through a notice and comment rulemaking for 2023-2024 (87 FR 77007).
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660
Fisheries, Fishing, Indian fisheries.
Carrie Diane Robinson,
Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
For the reasons set out in the preamble, NMFS amends 50 CFR part
660 as follows:
PART 660--FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES
0
1. The authority citation for part 660 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq., 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq., and
16 U.S.C. 7001 et seq.
0
2. In Sec. 660.231, revise paragraph (b)(3)(iv) to read as follows:
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(3) * * *
(iv) Incidental Pacific halibut retention north of Pt. Chehalis, WA
(46[deg]53.30' N lat.). From April 1 through the closure date set by
the International Pacific Halibut Commission for Pacific halibut in all
commercial fisheries, vessels authorized to participate in the
sablefish primary fishery, licensed by the International Pacific
Halibut Commission for commercial fishing in Area 2A (waters off
Washington, Oregon, California), and fishing with longline gear north
of Pt. Chehalis, WA (46[deg]53.30' N lat.) may possess and land up to
130 lb (59 kg) dressed weight of Pacific halibut for every 1,000 lb
(454 kg) dressed weight of sablefish landed, and up to two additional
Pacific halibut in excess of the 130-lbs-per-1,000-lb limit per
landing. NMFS publishes the International Pacific Halibut Commission's
regulations setting forth annual management measures, including the
closure date for Pacific halibut in all commercial fisheries, in the
Federal Register by March 15 each year, 50 CFR 300.62. ``Dressed''
Pacific halibut in this area means halibut landed eviscerated with
their heads on. Pacific halibut taken and retained in the sablefish
primary fishery north of Pt. Chehalis may only be landed north of Pt.
Chehalis and may not be possessed or landed south of Pt. Chehalis.
* * * * *
0
3. Revise table 2 (South) to part 660, subpart E, to read as follows:
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
[[Page 22348]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01AP24.000
0
4. Revise table 3 (South) to part 660, subpart F, to read as follows:
[[Page 22349]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01AP24.001
[[Page 22350]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01AP24.002
BILLING CODE 3510-22-C
0
5. In Sec. 660.360, revise paragraphs (c)(3)(i)(A)(1) through (5),
(c)(3)(ii)(A)(1) through (5), (c)(3)(ii)(B), and (c)(3)(iii)(A)(1)
through (5) to read as follows:
Sec. 660.360 Recreational fishery--management measures.
* * * * *
(c) * * *
(3) * * *
(i) * * *
(A) * * *
(1) Between 42[deg] N lat. (California/Oregon border) and
40[deg]10' N lat. (Northern Management Area), recreational fishing for
the RCG Complex and lingcod is closed in the EEZ from January 1 through
March 31, is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast
and along islands and offshore seamounts from April 1 through April 30,
is closed in the EEZ from May 1 to September 30, is prohibited in the
EEZ shoreward of the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth
contour along the mainland coast and along islands and offshore
seamounts from October 1 through October 31, closed in the EEZ from
November 1 through November 30, and prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of
the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along
the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from
December 1 through December 31.
(2) Between 40[deg]10' N lat. and 38[deg]57.50' N lat. (Mendocino
Management Area), recreational fishing for the RCG Complex and lingcod
is closed from in the EEZ from January 1 through March 31, is
prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line approximating the
50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands
and offshore seamounts from April 1 through April 30, is closed in the
EEZ from May 1 to September 30, is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of
the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along
the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from
October 1 through October 31, closed in the EEZ from November 1 through
November 30, and prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast
and along islands and offshore seamounts from December 1 through
December 31.
(3) Between 38[deg]57.50' N lat. and 37[deg]11' N lat. (San
Francisco Management Area), recreational fishing for the RCG Complex
and lingcod is closed in the EEZ from January 1 through March 31, is
prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line approximating the
50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands
and offshore seamounts from April 1 through April 30, is closed in the
EEZ from May 1 to September 30, is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of
[[Page 22351]]
the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along
the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from
October 1 through October 31, closed in the EEZ from November 1 through
November 30, and prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast
and along islands and offshore seamounts from December 1 through
December 31. Closures around Cordell Bank (see paragraph (c)(3)(i)(C)
of this section) also apply in this area.
(4) Between 37[deg]11' N lat. and 34[deg]27' N lat. (Central
Management Area),
(i) Between 37[deg]11' N lat. and 36[deg] N lat., recreational
fishing for the RCG Complex and lingcod is closed in the EEZ from
January 1 through March 31, is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the
boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the
mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from April 1
through April 30, is closed in the EEZ from May 1 to September 30, is
prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line approximating the
50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands
and offshore seamounts from October 1 through October 31, closed in the
EEZ from November 1 through November 30, and prohibited in the EEZ
shoreward of the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth
contour along the mainland coast and along islands and offshore
seamounts from December 1 through December 31.
(ii) Between 36[deg] N lat. and 34[deg]27' N lat., recreational
fishing for the RCG Complex and lingcod is closed from January 1
through March 31, is open at all depths from April 1 through June 30;
is prohibited in the EEZ seaward of a boundary line approximating the
50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands
and offshore seamounts from July 1 through September 30, and is
prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of a boundary line approximating the 50
fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands and
offshore seamounts from October 1 through December 31.
(5) South of 34[deg]27' N lat. (Southern Management Area),
recreational fishing for the RCG Complex and lingcod is closed from
January 1 through March 31, open at all depths from April 1 through
June 30; is prohibited in the EEZ seaward of a boundary line
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast
and along islands and offshore seamounts from July 1 through September
30, and is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of a boundary line
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast
and along islands and offshore seamounts from October 1 through
December 31.
* * * * *
(ii) * * *
(A) * * *
(1) Between 42[deg] N lat. (California/Oregon border) and
40[deg]10' N lat. (Northern Management Area), recreational fishing for
the RCG Complex and lingcod is closed in the EEZ from January 1 through
March 31, is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast
and along islands and offshore seamounts from April 1 through April 30,
is closed in the EEZ from May 1 to September 30, is prohibited in the
EEZ shoreward of the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth
contour along the mainland coast and along islands and offshore
seamounts from October 1 through October 31, closed in the EEZ from
November 1 through November 30, and prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of
the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along
the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from
December 1 through December 31.
(2) Between 40[deg]10' N lat. and 38[deg]57.50' N lat. (Mendocino
Management Area), recreational fishing for the RCG Complex and lingcod
is closed from in the EEZ from January 1 through March 31, is
prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line approximating the
50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands
and offshore seamounts from April 1 through April 30, is closed in the
EEZ from May 1 to September 30, is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of
the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along
the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from
October 1 through October 31, closed in the EEZ from November 1 through
November 30, and prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast
and along islands and offshore seamounts from December 1 through
December 31.
(3) Between 38[deg]57.50' N lat. and 37[deg]11' N lat. (San
Francisco Management Area), recreational fishing for the RCG Complex
and lingcod is closed in the EEZ from January 1 through March 31, is
prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line approximating the
50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands
and offshore seamounts from April 1 through April 30, is closed in the
EEZ from May 1 to September 30, is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of
the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along
the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from
October 1 through October 31, closed in the EEZ from November 1 through
November 30, and prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast
and along islands and offshore seamounts from December 1 through
December 31. Closures around Cordell Bank (see paragraph (c)(3)(i)(C)
of this section) also apply in this area.
(4) Between 37[deg]11' N lat. and 34[deg]27' N lat. (Central
Management Area),
(i) Between 37[deg]11' N lat. and 36[deg] N lat., recreational
fishing for the RCG Complex and lingcod is closed in the EEZ from
January 1 through March 31, is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the
boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the
mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from April 1
through April 30, is closed in the EEZ from May 1 to September 30, is
prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line approximating the
50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands
and offshore seamounts from October 1 through October 31, closed in the
EEZ from November 1 through November 30, and prohibited in the EEZ
shoreward of the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth
contour along the mainland coast and along islands and offshore
seamounts from December 1 through December 31.
(ii) Between 36[deg] N lat. and 34[deg]27' N lat., recreational
fishing for the RCG Complex and lingcod is closed from January 1
through March 31, is open at all depths from April 1 through June 30;
is prohibited in the EEZ seaward of a boundary line approximating the
50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands
and offshore seamounts from July 1 through September 30, and is
prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of a boundary line approximating the 50
fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands and
offshore seamounts from October 1 through December 31.
(5) South of 34[deg]27' N lat. (Southern Management Area),
recreational fishing for the RCG Complex and lingcod is closed from
January 1 through March 31, open at all depths from April 1 through
June 30; is prohibited in the EEZ seaward of a boundary line
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast
and along islands and offshore seamounts
[[Page 22352]]
from July 1 through September 30, and is prohibited in the EEZ
shoreward of a boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth
contour along the mainland coast and along islands and offshore
seamounts from October 1 through December 31.
(B) Bag limits, hook limits. 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 the RCG complex. The bag limit
is 10 RCG Complex fish per day coastwide, with a sub-bag limit of 4
fish for vermilion rockfish between 42[deg] N lat. and 40[deg]10 N
lat., a sub-bag limit of 2 fish for vermilion/sunset rockfish south of
40[deg]10 N lat., and 1 fish for copper rockfish. These sub-bag limits
count towards the bag limit for the RCG Complex and are not in addition
to that limit. Retention of yelloweye rockfish, bronzespotted rockfish,
quillback rockfish, and cowcod is prohibited. Multi-day limits are
authorized by a valid permit issued by California and must not exceed
the daily limit multiplied by the value of days in the fishing trip.
* * * * *
(iii) * * *
(A) * * *
(1) Between 42[deg] N lat. (California/Oregon border) and
40[deg]10' N lat. (Northern Management Area), recreational fishing for
lingcod in the EEZ is open from April 1 through April 30, October 1
through October 31, and December 1 through December 31 (i.e.,
recreational fishing for lingcod in the EEZ is closed from January 1
through March 31, May 1 through September 30, and November 1 through
November 30).
(2) Between 40[deg]10' N lat. and 38[deg]57.50' N lat. (Mendocino
Management Area), recreational fishing for lingcod in the EEZ is open
from April 1 through April 30, October 1 through October 31, and
December 1 through December 31 (i.e., recreational fishing for lingcod
in the EEZ is closed from January 1 through March 31, May 1 through
September 30, and November 1 through November 30).
(3) Between 38[deg]57.50' N lat. and 37[deg]11' N lat. (San
Francisco Management Area), recreational fishing for lingcod in the EEZ
is open from April 1 through April 30, October 1 through October 31,
and December 1 through December 31 (i.e., recreational fishing for
lingcod in the EEZ is closed from January 1 through March 31, May 1
through September 30, and November 1 through November 30).
(4) Between 37[deg]11' N lat. and 34[deg]27' N lat. (Central
Management Area),
(i) Between 37[deg]11' N lat. and 36[deg] N lat., recreational
fishing for lingcod in the EEZ is open from April 1 through April 30,
October 1 through October 31, and December 1 through December 31 (i.e.,
recreational fishing for lingcod is closed in the EEZ from January 1
through March 31, May 1 through September 30, and November 1 through
November 30).
(ii) Between 36[deg] N lat. and 34[deg]27' N lat., recreational
fishing for lingcod in the EEZ is open from April 1 through December 31
(i.e., recreational fishing for the lingcod in the EEZ is closed from
January 1 through March 31).
(5) South of 34[deg]27' N lat. (Southern Management Area),
recreational fishing for lingcod in the EEZ is open from April 1
through December 31 (i.e., recreational fishing for lingcod in the EEZ
is closed from January 1 through March 31).
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2024-06775 Filed 3-29-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
