84296 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 204 / Tuesday, October 22, 2024 / Rules and Regulations 

J. Executive Order 12898: Federal 

Actions To Address Environmental 

Justice in Minority Populations and 

Low-Income Populations and Executive 

Order 14096: Revitalizing Our Nation’s 

Commitment to Environmental Justice 

for All 

Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, 

February 16, 1994) directs Federal 

agencies, to the greatest extent 

practicable and permitted by law, to 

make environmental justice part of their 

mission by identifying and addressing, 

as appropriate, disproportionately high 

and adverse human health or 

environmental effects of their programs, 

policies, and activities on communities 

with environmental justice concerns. 

The EPA believes that this action does 

not concern human health or 

environmental conditions and therefore 

cannot be evaluated with respect to 

potentially disproportionate and 

adverse effects on communities with 

environmental justice concerns. This 

action does not change the underlying 

standards that have an impact on 

human health and the environment. 

K. Congressional Review Act (CRA) 

This action is subject to the CRA, and 

the EPA will submit a rule report to 

each House of the Congress and to the 

Comptroller General of the United 

States. This action is not a ‘‘major rule’’ 

as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2). 

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 63 

Environmental protection, Air 

pollution control, Hazardous 

substances, Reporting and 

recordkeeping requirements. 

Michael S. Regan, 

Administrator. 

For the reasons stated in the 

preamble, the Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA) amends Title 40, chapter 

I, of the Code of Federal Regulations 

(CFR) as follows: 

PART 63—NATIONAL EMISSION 

STANDARDS FOR HAZARDOUS AIR 

POLLUTANTS FOR SOURCE 

CATEGORIES 

■ 1. The authority citation for part 63 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. 

Subpart HH—National Emission 

Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants 

From Oil and Natural Gas Production 

Facilities 

■ 2. Section 63.760 is amended by 

adding paragraph (i) to read as follows: 

§ 63.760 Applicability and designation of 

affected source. 

* * * * * 

(i) Emissions standards in this subpart 

apply at all times. 

§ 63.761 [Amended] 

■ 3. Section 63.761 is amended by 

removing the definition ‘‘Affirmative 

defense’’. 

§ 63.762 [Removed and Reserved] 

■ 4. Section 63.762 is removed and 

reserved. 

Subpart HHH—National Emission 

Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants 

From Natural Gas Transmission and 

Storage Facilities 

■ 5. Section 63.1270 is amended by 

adding paragraph (g) to read as follows. 

§ 63.1270 Applicability and designation of 

affected source. 

* * * * * 

(g) Emissions standards in this 

subpart apply at all times. 

§ 63.1271 [Amended] 

■ 6. Section 63.1271 is amended by 

removing the definition ‘‘Affirmative 

defense’’. 

§ 63.1272 [Removed and Reserved] 

■ 7. Section 63.1272 is removed and 

reserved. 

[FR Doc. 2024–24288 Filed 10–21–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6560–50–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

50 CFR Part 660 

[Docket No. 221206–0261] 

RIN 0648–BN32 

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. 

SUMMARY: This final rule announces 

routine inseason adjustments to 

management measures in commercial 

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 

October 22, 2024. 

ADDRESSES: Electronic Access: This rule 

is accessible via the internet 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, phone: 206–526–6187 or 

email: sean.matson@noaa.gov. 

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 September 2024 meeting, the 

Council recommended an assortment of 

modifications that included corrections 

and adjustments, to commercial fixed 

gear trip limits and incidental catch 

limits, for limited entry (LE) and open 

access (OA) fisheries for the remainder 

of 2024. Stocks and complexes with 

recommended changes included the 

other fish complex south of 40°10′ N 

lat., minor nearshore rockfish south of 

40°10′ N lat., and cabezon in California. 

Potential changes were analyzed and 

ultimately recommended after updated 

information regarding projected catch 

and attainment became available, as 

well as requests from industry. 

Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries are 

managed using harvest specifications or 

limits (e.g., overfishing limits, 


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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 204 / Tuesday, October 22, 2024 / Rules and Regulations 84297 

acceptable biological catch, annual 

catch limits and harvest guidelines) 

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 projected so as to help harvesters 

achieve but not exceed the harvest 

limits. 

Other Fish Limited Entry Trip Limit 

South of 40°10′ N Lat. (Correction) 

In the September 2024 meeting, the 

Council recommended that the trip limit 

for the ‘‘other fish’’ complex be changed 

from zero pounds (lb) per 2 months, to 

unlimited for the limited entry fixed 

gear (LEFG) fishery south of 40°10′ N 

lat. during November and December of 

2024 (table 1), to correct an inadvertent 

change made in the inseason action 

from November 2023, which became 

effective in January 2024. 

TABLE 1—TRIP LIMIT STRUCTURE FOR LE FG ‘‘OTHER FISH’’ COMPLEX SOUTH OF 40°10′ N LAT., IN CURRENT

REGULATION AND RECOMMENDED BY COUNCIL IN SEPTEMBER 2024 

Option January–October November–December 

Current regulation ............................................... 0 lb (0 kg)/2 months ......................................... 0 lb (0 kg)/2 months. 

Recommended ................................................... 0 lb (0 kg)/2 months ......................................... Unlimited. 

LEFG and OA Minor Nearshore Rockfish 

South of 40°10′ N Lat., and Cabezon in 

California 

The Council recommended at their 

September 2024 meeting, in agreement 

with analyses by the Council’s 

Groundfish Management Team (GMT) 

and the California Department of Fish 

and Wildlife (CDFW), discussion with 

the Groundfish Advisory Subpanel and 

enforcement consultants, to change the 

management lines on LEFG and open 

access (OA) trip limits in Federal 

regulation for cabezon in California, as 

well as shallow and deeper nearshore 

rockfish (within the minor nearshore 

rockfish south of 40°10′ N lat. complex) 

from 36° N lat. to 37°07′ N lat. (tables 

2 and 3). This was done to align trip 

limits with current non-trawl rockfish 

conservation area boundaries 

(implemented April 1, 2024), align State 

and Federal regulations, prevent 

regulatory and enforcement confusion, 

and to better serve conservation needs 

of quillback rockfish (recently 

designated as overfished), while 

minimizing corresponding constraints 

to fishery participants by utilizing more 

spatially precise management measures. 

Similar changes were recommended in 

March 2024 (implemented April 2024) 

for lingcod, shelf rockfish, and other 

flatfish, to allow more spatially precise 

management measures, for both better 

quillback conservation, and better 

concurrent access to other target 

species. CDFW has taken State action to 

move their latitude line for quillback 

related closures from 36° to 37°07′ N lat. 

for the same reasons (State/Federal 

coordination, and benefits of spatially 

precise management). 

TABLE 2—TRIP LIMIT STRUCTURE FOR LEFG AND OA MINOR NEARSHORE ROCKFISH SOUTH OF 40°10′ N LAT., IN

CURRENT REGULATION AND RECOMMENDED BY COUNCIL IN SEPTEMBER 2024 

Option Habitat Management area Trip limits 

Current regulation.Shallow nearshore .... 40°10′ N lat.–36° N lat ........

South of 36° N lat ...............

0 lb (0 kg)/2 months. 

2,000 lb (907 kg)/2 months. 

Deeper nearshore ..... 40°10′ N lat.–36° N lat ........

South of 36° N lat ...............

0 lb (0 kg)/2 months. 

2,000 lb (907 kg)/2 months, of which no more than 75 lb (34 kg) may 

be copper rockfish. 

Council recommended.Shallow nearshore .... 40°10′ N lat.–37°07′ N lat ...

South of 37°07′ N lat ..........

0 lb (0 kg)/2 months. 

2,000 lb (907 kg)/2 months. 

Deeper nearshore ..... 40°10′ N lat.–37°07′ N lat ...

South of 37°07′ N lat ..........

0 lb (0 kg)/2 months. 

2,000 lb (907 kg)/2 months, of which no more than 75 lb (34 kg) may 

be copper rockfish. 

TABLE 3—TRIP LIMIT STRUCTURE FOR LE FG AND OA CABEZON IN CALIFORNIA, SOUTH OF 40°10′ N LAT., IN CURRENT

REGULATION AND RECOMMENDED BY COUNCIL IN SEPTEMBER 2024 

Option Management area Trip limits 

Current regulation ................ 40°10′ N lat.–36° N lat ....................................................

South of 36° N lat ...........................................................

0 lb (0 kg)/2 months. 

Unlimited. 

Council recommended ......... 40°10′ N lat.–37°07′ N lat ...............................................

South of 37°07′ N lat .......................................................

0 lb (0 kg)/2 months. 

Unlimited. 

Therefore, the Council recommended 

and NMFS is implementing, by 

modifying table 2 South to part 660, 

subpart E, and table 3 South to part 660, 

subpart F, changes to the management 

lines on LEFG and OA trip limits in 

Federal regulation for cabezon in 

California, as well as shallow and 

deeper nearshore rockfish (both part of 


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84298 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 204 / Tuesday, October 22, 2024 / Rules and Regulations 

the minor nearshore rockfish south of 

40°10′ N lat. complex) from 36° N lat. 

to 37°07′ N lat. (tables 2 and 3). These 

changes will start with Period 5 

(November and December) and remain 

in place through the end of 2024 and 

beyond, unless otherwise modified. 

Retention Limits for Incidental Catch of 

Pacific Halibut North of Pt. Chehalis 

Pacific halibut is internationally 

managed by the International Pacific 

Halibut Commission and NMFS. A 

catch sharing plan is published each 

year by NMFS; the 2024 plan (89 FR 

19275, March 18, 2024) states that the 

non-treaty incidental catch in sablefish 

fishery (north of Pt. Chehalis) is 50,000 

lb (22.7 metric tons). At the September 

2024 meeting, the Council 

recommended to increase retention 

limits for the remainder of 2024, for 

incidental catch of Pacific halibut in the 

primary sablefish fishery north of Pt. 

Chehalis. This would represent an 

increase from the current limit in 

regulation of 130 lb (59 kg) of halibut 

per 1,000 lb (454 kg) of dressed sablefish 

plus two halibut, to 150 lb (68 kg) of 

halibut per 1,000 lb (454 kg) of dressed 

sablefish plus two halibut. This action 

was requested in order to help sablefish 

fishers north of Pt. Chehalis increase the 

utilization of their sablefish allocation 

without exceeding the halibut 

allocation. The GMT projected an 

inconsequential increase in already low 

attainment of the incidental halibut 

limit, from 52 to 55 percent, if the 

measure were implemented (table 4). 

TABLE 4—PROJECTED INCIDENTAL PACIFIC HALIBUT LANDINGS IN THE PRIMARY SABLEFISH FISHERY NORTH OF POINT

CHEHALIS UNDER CURRENT REGULATION AND COUNCIL RECOMMENDED INCIDENTAL TRIP LIMITS

Option Landing ratio 

Projected landings 

(net wt. lb) 

through December 7 

Allocation 

(net wt. lb) 

Attainment 

(%) 

Status Quo ........ 130 lb (59 kg) halibut per 1,000 lb sablefish landed and up to 2 

halibut in excess of limit.

25,871 (11,735 kg) ........ 50,000 lb 

(22,680 kg).

52 

Alternative 1 ...... 150 lb (68 kg) halibut per 1,000 lb sablefish landed and up to 2 

halibut in excess of limit.

27,609 (12,523 kg) ........ 55 

Therefore, the Council recommended 

and NMFS is implementing, by 

modifying regulation text in § 660.60, 

paragraph (b)(3)(iv) to read as follows: 

‘‘Incidental Pacific halibut retention 

north of Pt. Chehalis, WA (46°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°53.30′ N lat.) may possess and land 

up to 150 lb (68 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 150-lb-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.’’ 

Classification 

This final rule makes routine inseason 

adjustments to 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 view at the NMFS West Coast 

Groundfish website: https://

www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/westcoast-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. The 

adjustments to management measures in 

this document update management line 

designations on trip limits for cabezon 

in California, and minor nearshore 

rockfish south of 40°10′ N lat., and 

allow additional incidental retention of 

bycaught Pacific halibut north of Pt. 

Chehalis to allow additional economic 

opportunity while keeping catch within 

allocations established by the 2023– 

2024 harvest specifications, and the 

2024 halibut catch sharing plan, 

respectively. 

The latitude line changes on trip 

limits in the LE and OA sectors are 

necessary to enable and spatially precise 

management for adequate conservation, 

and to minimize catch of quillback 

rockfish, which was recently 

determined to be overfished (NMFS 

notified the Council of the overfished 

status determination for quillback 

rockfish on December 14, 2023), while 

allowing fishing for other species to 

continue in areas where it may 

otherwise need to be closed if the 

changes were not made. The changes 

also are necessary to enable effective 

enforcement by aligning spatial 

management for these species across 

State and Federal waters boundaries. 

Increases to retention of incidentally 

caught halibut are necessary to enable 

more effective attainment of the 

sablefish allocation without exceeding 

the halibut allocation. 

Delaying implementation to allow for 

public comment would 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 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, which could 

otherwise be landed to provide food and 

revenue, and 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. 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 204 / Tuesday, October 22, 2024 / Rules and Regulations 84299 

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 members of 

industry during the Council’s 

September 2024 meeting, and 

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. 

Dated: October 16, 2024. 

Karen H. Abrams, 

Acting Director, Office of Sustainable 

Fisheries, 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 

■ 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. 

■ 2. In § 660.231, revise paragraph 

(b)(3)(iv) to read as follows: 

* * * * * 

(b) * * * 

(3) * * * 

(iv) Incidental Pacific halibut 

retention north of Pt. Chehalis, WA 

(46°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°53.30′ N lat.) may possess and land 

up to 150 lb (68 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 150-lb-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. 

* * * * * 

■ 3. Revise table 2 (South) to part 660, 

subpart E, to read as follows: 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–P 


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ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1ER22OC24.000</GPH>

!Table 2 (South) to Part 660 Subpart E •· Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation Areas and Trip Limits for Limited Entry Fixed Gear South of 40°10' N lat h Other limits and requirem~nts annlv -- Read &&660.10 throuoh 660.399 before usino this table I i I ·', 11/1/2024 I "·-·~ JAN-FEB I MAR-APR I MAY-JUN I JUL-AUG I SEP-OCT I NOV-DEC 

Rockfish Conservation Area CRCAl 11: 

""-~ 

~J 

1 40° 1 0' N lat. - 37°07' N lat. Shoreward EEZ11 - 75 fm line11 I ~ 

50 Im line11 2 37°07' N - 75fm line11 lat. - 34 °27' N lat. -··l 3 I South of 34 °27' N lat. 100 Im line 11 - 150 Im line11 /also aoolies around islands and banks\ 1------~ 

See §§660.60 and 660.230 for additional gear, trip limit and conservation area requirements and restrictions. See §§660.70-660.74 and §§660.76-660.79 for 

conservation area descriptions and coordinates (including RCAs, YRCAs, Farallon Islands, Cordell Bank, and EFHCAs). 

LJ 4 Minor Slope rockfish21 & Darkblotched 40,000 lb/ 2 months, of which no more than 6,000 lb may be blackgill rockfish rockfish 

s Splitnose rockfish 40,000 lb/ 2 months •---

6 Sablefish 

7 40° 1 0' N lat. - 36°00' N lat. 4,500 lb/ v,eek, not to exceed 9,000 lb /2 months I 7,000 lb/v,eek, not to exceed 14,000 lb/2 months •-

, __ 8 South of 36°00' N lat. 2,500 lb/ v,eek ~ 

9 Longspine thomyhead 10,000 lb/ 2 months 

10 Shortspine thomvhead 

I 11 40° 10' N lat. - 34 °27' N lat. 2,000 lb/ 2 months I 2,500 lb/ 2 months 

12 South of 34°27' N lat. 3,000 lb/ 2 months 

13 Dover sole, arrowtooth flounder, petrale sole, 10,000 lb/ month English sole, starry flounder 

14 Other Flatfish31 I I i I I ! I I I I i 15 I 40°10' N lat. - 37°07' N lat. 10,000 lb/ month seaward of the non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/month inside the non-trawl RCA -I 

16 I South of 37°07' N lat. 10,000 lb/ month )> 

17 WhitinQ 10,000 lb/trip OJ 18 Minor Shelf Rockfish21 r- 19 I 40°10' N lat. - 37°07' N lat. 6,000 lb/ 2 months, of which no more than 500 lb may be vermilion/sunset m•- 20 I 37°07' N lat. - 34 °27' N lat. 8,000 lb /2 month period, of which no more than 500 lb may be vermilion/sunset 

21 South of 34°27' N lat. 5,000 lb/ 2 months, of which no more than 3,000 lb mav be vermilion/sunset ,--

22 Widow rockfish N~-

23 I 40°10' N lat. - 34°27' N lat. 10,000 lb/ 2 months •-- 24 South of 34°27' N lat. 8,000 lb/ 2 months -·-- 25 Chilipepper rockfish "' •· 26 I 40°10' N lat. - 34°27' N lat. 10,000 lb./ 2 months 0 •- 27 South of 34°27' N lat. 8 000 lb. / 2 months 

28 Canary rockfish 1 3,500 lb/ 2 months C -

-

~ 29 Yelloweye rockfish CLOSED :::r 30 Quillback rockfish 0 lb/ 2 months 

31 Cowcod CLOSED - 32 Bronzespotted rockfish CLOSED 

33 Bocaccio 8,000 lb/ 2 months 

34 Minor Nearshore Rockfish 

35 40°10' N lat. - 37°07' N lat. Shallow nearshore41 0 lb/ 2 months 

South of 37°07' N lat. Shallow nearshore41 

I··· 

36 2,000 lb/ 2 months ~ 

37 40°10' N lat. - 37°07' N lat. Deeper nearshore51 0 lb/ 2 months ~ 

38 South of 37°07' N lat. Deeper nearshore51 2,000 lb/ 2 months, of which no more than 75 lb may be copper rockfish -- 39 California Scorpionfish 3,500 lb/ 2 months 

40 Lin11cod61 f---

41 I 40°10' N lat. - 37°07' N lat. 1,600 lb/2 months seaward of the Non-Trawl RCA; 0 lb/2 months inside the non-trawl RCA 

, __ 

f-- 42 South of 37°07' N lat. 1,600 lb/ 2 months 

[J 43 Pacific cod 1,000 lb/ 2 months 

44 Spiny dogfish 200,000 lb/ 2 months I 150,000 lb/ 2 I 100,000 lb/ 2 months months 

45 Longnose skate Unlimited 

46 Other Fish71 0 lb / 2 months I Unlimited -·, 47 Cabezon in California I 

48 40°10' N lat. - 37°07' N lat. 0 lb/ 2 months -·"4 

49 South of 37°07' N lat. Unlimited --1 

50 Big Skate Unlimited 1--~ 

lf-'1~/Tc;.h=•~R=o=ck=fi=sh~C=o=ns=•~rva=tio=n~A=r=••~is~•~n=•r=••~cl=os=•=d=to~fi=1S=hi~ng~b~y2 p=•=rti=cu=l•=r~g=••=r~ty~p=•s~•=b=ou=n=d•=d~b~y~li=n•=•~sLpe=c=if=ica=ll~y=d•=fi=m=•d~b~y~l•=t=ltu=d=•---------------------+!--~ 

L__Jand -~ongitude coordina_tes s~~ out at §§_660.71-660.74. This RCA~ not d_~~ined by dept~ __ contours (with the exception_ofthe 20-fm _ _________ ______ J ' 

L.!depth contour boundary south of 42° N lat.), and the boundary lines that define the RCA may close areas that are deeper or shallower i 

~ __ 4!,han the depth ~ntour. Vessels that are subject to RCA restrictions may not fish_ in_the R(?_A, or operate in_the RCA for any purpose ______ ----~--~--~---~--------~-------·-t,-··· i 

L!other than transiting. LEFG vessels may be allowed to fish inside groundfish conservation areas using non-bottom contact hook and line only. 

• d of the regul~tions _for more information. ----------·---·-·--·--·----·--·---·-----·------····-· ... ····--·--·-------···------------··-----·--·-----··-·-----·· ___ _ 

ockfish complexes are defined at §~Q:..°!J.:_Pacific ocean perch is included in the trip limits for Minor Slope Rockfish. Blackgill rockfish have a 

T--t5pecies specific !~!e.~~~:~mit within the Minor Slope Rockfish cumulative limit. Yellowtail rockfish are included in the trip limits fo~~-~-i::_ Sh~elf~R~o=c~kfi~,s~h-~B~ro~n=ze=•~po=t=t•=d--------------+-, 

~ckfish have a species specific trip limit. 

13/ "Other Flatfish" are defined at § 660.11 and include butter sole, curlfin sole, flathead sole, Pacific sanddab, rex sole, rock sole, and sand sole. 

~L''..§.t!_allow Nearshore" are defined at § ~69.11 under "Groundfish" (7J{i)J~)(~1~)-___________________ _ 

;SI "Deeper Nearshore" are defined at§ 660.11 under "Groundfish" (7)(0(8)(2). _________ -----~---------- ________________ _ 

!51 The commerciai" mimimum s~e limit for lingcod is 22 inches (56 cm) total length South of 42°·· N lat. 

7/ "Other Fish" are defined at§ 660.11 and include kelp gr~I~l]JJ~o=ff~C=•=lit=or=n=i•=•~nd~l=•o~p=•=rd~s=h•=r~k. ______________________________ --i 

'..,.~~~~!!Y~~ pounds to kilograms, divide by 2.20462, the number of pounds in one kilogran:i_-__________________________ -----~-
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 204 / Tuesday, October 22, 2024 / Rules and Regulations 84301 

■ 4. Revise table 3 (South) to part 660, 

subpart F, to read as follows: 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1ER22OC24.001</GPH>

Table 3 (South} to Part 660, Subpart F - Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation Areas and Trip Limits for Open Access Gears South of 40°10· N lat. 

Other limits and reauirements anntu Read RRRRn 10 throuah 660 399 before usina 1his 1able 1111/2024 

JAN-FEB I MAR-APR I MAY..JUN I JUL-AUG I SEP-OCT I NOV-DEC 

Rocldlsh Conservation Area IRCA\11: I I I I I I I I I I I 

1 40°1(Y N lat - 37"0I' N lat. Shoreward EEZ11 - 75 fm 1ine ,, 

2 37°07' N lat - 34°27' N lat. 50 fin Jine11 - 75 fm line11 

3 !South of 34°27' N la1. 1MffnfinA1/ ~~-Ewn,linA-1/ /,,,1,. ... ,...,Ji~ ,,........,,,..r1 ;.,.1,,.,.~ nn.rl ..,.,.,.1,.,..\ 

See §§660.60 and &60.230 for additional gear, trip limit and conservation area requirements and restrictions. See §§6&0.7CMi60.74 and §§660.7tk&ti0.79 for 

conservation area descriptions and coordinates (including RCAs, YRCAs, FaraUon Island$, Cordel1 Bank, and EFHCAs}. 

4 Minor Slope Rocldish2' & Darl<blolched rocklish 10,000 lb/ 2 monllls, of which no mom 1han 2,500 lb may be blackgiR rockfish 

5 Smrmose rocldish 200Ib/monlh 

6 Sablellsh 

7 140·10' Nial. -36·00 N lat. 3,000 lb/ week, not to exceed 6,000 lb/ 2 months I 3,500 lb/ week, not to exceed 7,000 lb/ 2 months 

8 I South of 36°00 N lat. 2 000 lb/ week not to exceed 6 000 lb/ 2 months 

9 Shortntne thornvheads 

10 I 40°1!Y N la1. - 34°27' N lat. 50lb/ month 

11 longspjne thomyheads 

12 I 40°1<Y N la1. - 34°27' N la1. 501b/ month 

13 Shortpine thomyheads and longspine 

thomvheads 

14 I South of 34'2r N 1a1. 100 lb/ day, no mom than 1,000 lb/ 2 months 

15 Dover sole, arrowtooth ffounder, petrate sole, 5,000 lb/ month English sole, starry flounder"' 

-I 16 other Aaffish31 l> 17 I 40° 1<Y N la1. - 37°07' N lat. 5,0001b/ month seaward of the Non-Trawl RCA; 0 lb/month inside the Non-Trawl RCA 

18 I South of 37°07' N lat. 5000lblmonlll m 19 Whiting 300lblmonth r- 20 Minor Shelf Rocldlsh~ m 21 I 40°1!Y N la1. - 37°07' N lat. 3 000 lb/ 2 months of which no more than 300 lb mav be vermilion/sunset 

E I 37°07' N lat. - 34°27' N la1. 4 000 lb/ 2 month of which no more than 300 lb m= be vermilion/sunset w 23 I South of 34°27' N la1. 3,000 lb/ 2 months, of which no mom lllan 000 lb may be vermilion/sunset 

24 Widow rockfish 

25 I 40° 1(Y N lat. - 34°27' N la1. 6,000 lb/ 2 months - 26 I Soulll of 34°27' N la1. 4,000 lb/ 2 months UI 

27 Chilipepper rocklish 0 

28 I 40°10' N lat. - 34°27' N lat. 6 000 lb/ 2 months C 

29 I South of 34°27' N lat. 4 000 lb/ 2 months .... 30 cana,y rocklish 1,500 lb/ 2 months :::,-

31 Yelloweye rocklish CLOSED r32 Cowcod Ct.OSED 

33 Bronzespotted rockfish Ct.OSED 

34 Qutllback rocklish Olb/ 2monllls 

35 Bocaccio 6,000lbl 2monlhs 

36 lllnor Nearshore Rockfish 

37 40"1<Y N lat. - 37°0r N la1. Shallow nearshom" Olb/2months 

38 Soulll of 37°07' N la1. Shallow nearshom" 2,000 lb/ 2 months 

39 40"1!Y N la1. - 37°07' N lat. Oeeoer nearshom51 Olb/2months 

40 South of 37°07" N lat Deeper nearshore51 2,000 lb/ 2 months, of which no more than 75 lb may be copper rockfish 

41 California Seo ruionfish 3 500 lb/ 2 months 

42 Unacoc:161 

43 I 40°10' N lat -37°07' N lat. 700 lb / monlll seaward of Ille non-trawl RCA; O lb/ month inside the non-lrawl RCA 

44 South of 37°07' N la1. 7001b/monlll 

45 Pacific cod 1,000 lb/ 2 months 

46 Spiny dogfish 200,000 lb/ 2 months I 150,000 lb/ 2 I 100,000 lb/ 2 months months 

47 Longnose skate Unlimited 

48 Big skate Unlimited 

49 other F18h71 Unlimited 

50 Cabezon in California 

51 I 40°1!Y N lat. - 37°07' N lat. Olb/monlh 

52 I Soulll of 37°07' N la1. Unlimited 
84302 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 204 / Tuesday, October 22, 2024 / Rules and Regulations 

[FR Doc. 2024–24400 Filed 10–21–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–C 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

50 CFR Part 660 

[RTID 0648–XE360] 

Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; 

Fisheries Off West Coast States; 

Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2024 

Tribal Fishery Allocations for Pacific 

Whiting; Reapportionment Between 

Tribal and Non-Tribal Sectors 

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries 

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 

Commerce. 

ACTION: Inseason reapportionment of 

tribal Pacific whiting allocation. 

SUMMARY: This document announces the 

reapportionment of 45,000 metric tons 

of Pacific whiting from the tribal 

allocation to the non-tribal commercial 

fishery sectors via automatic action on 

September 26, 2024. This 

reapportionment is to allow full 

utilization of the Pacific whiting 

resource. 

DATES: The reapportionment of Pacific 

whiting went into effect at 4:30 p.m. 

(16:30) local time, September 26, 2024, 

and is effective through December 31, 

2024. Comments will be accepted 

through November 6, 2024. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, 

identified by NOAA–NMFS–2024–0120 

by the following method: 

Electronic Submission: Submit all 

electronic public comments via the 

Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to 

https://www.regulations.gov and enter 

NOAA–NMFS–2024–0120 in the Search 

box. Click on the ‘‘Comment’’ icon, 

complete the required fields, and enter 

or attach your comments. 

Instructions: Comments sent by any 

other method to any other address or 

individual, or received after the end of 

the comment period, may not be 

considered by NMFS. All comments 

received are a part of the public record. 

All personal identifying information 

(e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential 

business information, or otherwise 

sensitive information submitted 

voluntarily by the sender will be 

publicly accessible. NMFS will accept 

anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in 

the required fields if you wish to remain 

anonymous). Attachments to electronic 

comments will be accepted in Microsoft 

Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats 

only. 

Electronic Access 

This notice is accessible online at the 

Office of the Federal Register’s website 

at https://www.federalregister.gov. 

Background information and documents 


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Table J (Soul/I} Continued 

other timils and reauirements annlv Read &<RM 10 throuoh 660 399 before usioo this table tt/112024 

JAN-FEB I MAR-APR I MAY UN I JUL-AUG I SEP-OCT I NOV-DEC 

Rocldlsh Conservation Area (RCA}fl: 

1 40°10' N lat - 36°00' N lat. Shoreward EEZ11 - 75 fm line 11 

2 36°00' N lat. - 34°27' N lat. 50 fm tine11 - 75 fin line11 

3 South of 34°27' N lat 1flfl frn jjn,:,i,11 - 1~ fin finP-11 tak,n. <>nnli~ amunrl ;c,1.,n,4., Rnrl h.,:,,nl,-ce'\ 

See §§660.60 and &60.230 for additional gear, trip limit and conservation area requirements and restrictions. See §§660.70-660.74 and §§660.76-660.79 for 

conservation area descriptions and coordinates (including RCAs, YRCAs, Fandlon Islands, Cordell Bank, and EFHCAs}. 

59 SALMON 1ROLL .. (~IJject to RCAs when "!.!~!!'!!!!!J-~!(~~'!!:~ .. '!.(.fl!!!.'!!!~!!t~,.-~~-~--'E.~.X~Jlowta,J rockfish, as elf!.~-~!~~} ...................................................................................................... 

Salmon !rollers may retain and land up to 1 lb of yellowlail rocklish for every 2 lb of Chinook salmon landed, wtth a 

cumulatilielimtt of 200 lb/month, bolh within and outside of the RCA This timtt is within the 4,000 lb per 2 month timtt for 

60 South of 40°11Y N lat. minor shelf rockftsh between 40"10" and 34°27" N lat., and not in addition to that limit. All groundf!Sh species are 

subject to the open access limits, seasons, size limits and RCA restrictions listed in the table above, unless otherwise 

stated here. 

01 RIDGEBACK PRAWN AND, SOUTH OF 38°57.50' N lat., CA HALIBUT AND SEA CUCUMBER NON--GROUNDASH TRAWL .. " _____ 

62 NON--GROUNDASH TRAWL Rocldlsh Conservation Area (RCA} for CA Halibut, Sea Cucumber & Ridgebacl[ Prawn: 

100 fm line 11 -

I 100 fm line 11 - 150 fm fine 11 I 

100 fmline v - 63 40°10' N lat. - 38°00' N lat. 200fmline 11 200fmfine 11 

64 38°00' N lat. - 34°27' N lat. 100 fm line 11 - 150 fm line 11 

65 South of 34°27' N lat. 100 fm line 11 - 150 fm line 11 

Groundfish: 300 lb/trip. Species-specific limits described in the table above also apply and are counted toward the 300 

I> groundfish per trip limit. The amount of grnundf1Sh landed may not exceed the amount of the target species landed, 

except tllal the amount of spiny dogfish landed may exceed the amount of target species landed. Spiny dogfish are 

fimited by the 300 lb/trip overaU groundfish timit. The daily trip limits for sablelish coastwide and thomyheads south of 

66 pt Conception and the overall groundfish 0 pertrip" limrt may not be multiplied by the number of days of the trip. 

Vessels participating in the Galifomia hatibut f1Shery south of 38°57.50' N lat. are - lo (I) land up to 100 lb/day of 

groundfish without the ratio requirement, provided that at least one Galilomia hafibut is landed and (2) land up to 3,000 

lb/month of flattish, no more than 300 lb of which may be species other than Pacific sanddabs, sand sole, starry 

flounder, rock sole, curtfin sole, or California scorpionfish (California scorpionfish is also subiect to the trip limits and 

closures in 1ine 29). 

67 PINK SHRIMP NON--GROUNDASH TRAWL GEAR (not subject lo RCAsJ 

Effective April 1 - October 31: Groundfish: 500 lb/day, multiplied by the number of days of the trip, no1 to exceed 1,500 

lb/trip. 1he folowing subfimits 8'so apply and are counted toward the rnieral 500 lb/ day and 1,500 lb/ trip groundfish 

timils: lingcod 300 lb/ month (minimum 24 inch size limtt); sablefish 2,000 lb/ month; canary rockflSh, thomyheads and 

69 South yeloweye rockfish are PROHIBITED. AR other groundfish species taken am managed under the overall 500 lb/day and 

1,500 lb/ trip groundf,sh limits. Landings of al groundflSh species count toward the per day, per trip or other speciesspecific subtimils described here and the species-specific timits described in the table above do not apply. The amount 

of groundf,sh landed may not exceed the amount of pink shrimp landed. 

1/ Tile Rockffsh Conservation Area iS an area closed to f1Shlng by particular-gear types, bounded by Hnes specffically defined by latitude 

and longitude coordinates set out at§§ 660.71-660.74. This RCA is not defined by depth contoms (with the exception of the 20-fm 

depth contour boundary south of 42° N fat}., arid the boundary lines tllat define the RCA may close areas tllat are deeper or shallower 

than the depth contour. Vessels that are subject to RCA restrictions may not fish in the RCA, or operate in tfle RCA for any purpose 

othertllan transiting. Open access vessels may be allowed to fish inside groundflSh conservation areas using hook and Hne only. 

See§ 660.330 (d) of the regulations for more infonnatlon. 

2/ Minar Shelf and Slope Rotknsh complexes are defined at§ 660.11. Pacific ocean perch is included in the trip limits tor minor s!Ope rockfiSll. Blackgut rockffSll have 

a species spec me trip sUb-limlt Wittlin the mmorslOpe rockf!Sh c1m1u1attve llmlts. Yelk>Wtall r-ockfiStl IS inCIUde<f In tire trtp Hmlts tor mlnOrstlelf rockflSh. Bronzespotte<I rockfiSfl 

have a species specmc trip llmlL 

3/""0ttlerflaffish" are define<! at§ 660.11 aoo lnelll<fe butter SOie, curmn sole. flatheact SOie, Pacific sancklab. rex SOie, rock sole. and saoo sore 

41 "Shallow Nea1Sl1ore" are defined at§ 660.11 under "GroundftSh" (7)(l)(B)(f )-

51 "Deeper Nearshore" are defined at§ 660.11 under "Groundfish" (7)(i)(B)(2 ). 

61 The commercial mimimum size Hrnit for lingcod is 22 inches (fiS cm) South of 42" N lat. 

7/ "0ttlerfrsh" are defiiled at§ 660.11 and includes kelp greenling off califomia and leopaftl shart. 

81 Open access vessels may be allowed to ftsh inside groundfish conservation areas using hook and line only. See§ 660.330 (d} of the regulations for more .informatton. 

To convert pounds to kilograms, divide by 2.20482, the number of pounds in one kilogram. 

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