[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 33 (Thursday, February 17, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 9021-9026]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-03329]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 300

[Docket No.: 220210-0044]
RIN 0648-BL14


Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Catch Sharing Plan

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS proposes to approve changes to the Pacific Halibut Catch 
Sharing Plan for the International Pacific Halibut Commission's 
regulatory Area 2A off of Washington, Oregon, and California. In 
addition, NMFS proposes to implement management measures governing the 
2022 recreational fisheries that are not implemented through the 
International Pacific Halibut Commission. These measures include the 
recreational fishery seasons, quotas, and management measures for Area 
2A. These actions are intended to conserve Pacific halibut and provide 
angler opportunity where available.

DATES: Comments on the proposed rule must be received on or before 
March 4, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2022-0003, by 
either of the following methods:
    <bullet> Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and enter NOAA-NMFS-2022-0003 in the Search box. 
Click on the ``Comment'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter 
or attach your comments.
    <bullet> Mail: Submit written comments to Barry Thom, c/o Kathryn 
Blair, West Coast Region, NMFS, 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite 1100, 
Portland, OR 97232.
    Instructions: NMFS may not consider comments if they are sent by 
any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after 
the comment period ends. All comments received are a part of the public 
record and NMFS will post them for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender is publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in

[[Page 9022]]

the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).
    Docket: 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 NMFS West 
Coast Region website at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/west-coast/sustainable-fisheries/fisheries-management-west-coast and at the 
Council's website at http://www.pcouncil.org. Other comments received 
may be accessed through Regulations.gov.
    NMFS prepared a draft Environmental Assessment for this action 
pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act. This draft can be 
viewed on NMFS' website at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/west-coast/laws-and-policies/west-coast-region-national-environmental-policy-act-documents. In order to comment on the Environmental Assessment, submit 
all public comments to Joshua Lindsay at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5a303529322f3b743633343e293b231a34353b3b743d352c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4a202539223f2b642623242e392b330a24252b2b642d253c">[email protected]</span></a>.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathryn Blair, phone: 503-231-6858, 
fax: 503-231-6893, or email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#365d57425e444f5818545a575f44765859575718515940"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f79c96839f858e99d9959b969e85b799989696d9909881">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 (Halibut Act), 16 U.S.C. 
773-773k, gives the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) responsibility 
for implementing the provisions of the Convention between Canada and 
the United States for the Preservation of the Halibut Fishery of the 
North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea (Halibut Convention), signed at 
Ottawa, Ontario, on March 2, 1953, as amended by a Protocol Amending 
the Convention (signed at Washington, DC, on March 29, 1979). The 
Halibut Act requires that the Secretary adopt regulations to carry out 
the purposes and objectives of the Halibut Convention and Halibut Act 
(16 U.S.C. 773c). Additionally, as provided in the Halibut Act, the 
Regional Fishery Management Councils having authority for the 
geographic area concerned may develop, and the Secretary of Commerce 
may implement, regulations governing harvesting privileges among U.S. 
fishermen in U.S. waters that are in addition to, and not in conflict 
with, approved International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) 
regulations (16 U.S.C. 773c(c)).
    At its annual meeting January 24-28, 2022, the IPHC recommended an 
Area 2A catch limit. This catch limit is derived from the total 
constant exploitation yield (TCEY) for Pacific halibut, which includes 
commercial discards and bycatch estimates calculated using a formula 
developed by the IPHC. As provided in the Halibut Act at 16 U.S.C. 
773b, the Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the Secretary of 
Commerce, may accept or reject, on behalf of the United States, 
regulations recommended by the IPHC in accordance with the Convention. 
Following acceptance by the Secretary of State, the annual management 
measures promulgated by the IPHC are published in the Federal Register 
to provide notice of their immediate regulatory effectiveness and to 
inform persons subject to the regulations of their restrictions and 
requirements (50 CFR 300.62). Subject to acceptance by the Secretary of 
State with concurrence by the Secretary of Commerce, this proposed rule 
contains 2022 subarea quotas based on the Area 2A catch limit as 
recommended by the IPHC.
    Since 1988, the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) has 
developed and NMFS has approved annual Catch Sharing Plans that 
allocate the IPHC regulatory Area 2A Pacific halibut catch limit 
between treaty Indian and non-Indian harvesters, and among non-Indian 
commercial and recreational (sport) fisheries. In 1995, the Council 
recommended, and NMFS approved a long-term Area 2A Catch Sharing Plan 
(60 FR 14651; March 20, 1995). NMFS has been approving adjustments to 
the Area 2A Catch Sharing Plan based on Council recommendations each 
year to address the changing needs of these fisheries. While the full 
Catch Sharing Plan is not published in the Federal Register, it is made 
available on the Council and NMFS websites.
    This rule proposes to approve the Council's recommended changes to 
the Catch Sharing Plan for IPHC regulatory Area 2A. The 2022 Catch 
Sharing Plan was developed through the Council's public process. This 
rule would implement recreational Pacific halibut fishery management 
measures for 2022, which include season opening and closing dates. 
These management measures are consistent with the recommendations made 
by the Council in the 2022 Catch Sharing Plan and are detailed below.

Proposed Changes to the 2021 Area 2A Catch Sharing Plan

    Each year at the Council's September meeting, members of the public 
have an opportunity to propose changes to the Catch Sharing Plan for 
consideration by the Council. At the September 2021 Council meeting, 
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Oregon Department 
of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) proposed changes to the Catch Sharing Plan. 
The Council voted to solicit public input on the changes recommended by 
WDFW and ODFW. WDFW and ODFW subsequently held public workshops on the 
proposed changes.
    At its November 2021 meeting, the Council considered the results of 
the state-sponsored workshops on the proposed changes to the Catch 
Sharing Plan, along with public input provided at the 2021 September 
and November Council meetings, and made its recommendations for 
modifications to the Catch Sharing Plan. NMFS proposes to approve all 
of the Council's recommended changes to the Catch Sharing Plan, which 
are discussed below.
    1. Section 6.8.1(c) of the Catch Sharing Plan stipulates that if 
any of the recreational fishery subareas north of Cape Falcon, Oregon 
are not projected to utilize their subarea quota by September 30, NMFS 
may take inseason action to transfer any projected unused quota to 
another Washington subarea. The Council recommended removing the 
September 30 date for taking inseason action. Removing this date would 
allow projected unused quota in one subarea to be transferred to 
another subarea for potential harvest earlier in the season (prior to 
September 30th), allowing for the potential of more open days and 
thereby provide more opportunity to anglers to achieve the quota. This 
provision is also codified at 50 CFR 300.63(c)(1)(iii), and this action 
proposes to remove the September 30 date in Federal regulations.
    2. In section 6.9 and 6.11 of the Catch Sharing Plan, the Council 
recommended adding additional text clarifying that a management 
objective for the Washington and Oregon recreational fisheries is to 
establish season structures for each subarea that maximize fishing 
opportunity and achieve but not exceed subarea quotas. However, 
flexibility through timely inseason action, such as adding additional 
fishing days or shifting allocation between subareas, may be necessary 
to achieve the overall Washington and Oregon state recreational quotas.
    3. In sections 6.9.1(d), 6.9.2(d), 6.9.3(d), and 6.10(d) of the 
Catch Sharing Plan, the Council recommended revising the season 
structure to allow the Washington and Columbia River subareas to be 
open for up to five days per week during August and September. The 
subareas will continue to be open for up to three days per week in 
April, May, and June. This change would provide more opportunity to 
achieve the

[[Page 9023]]

subarea allocation by allowing the subareas to be open more days later 
in the season.
    4. In section 6.9.1(f) of the Catch Sharing Plan, the Council 
recommended additional text clarifying that if the Puget Sound subarea 
season is closed prior to September 30, and there is insufficient quota 
for an additional fishing day, then any remaining Puget Sound subarea 
quota may be transferred inseason to another Washington coastal subarea 
by NMFS via an update to the recreational halibut hotline. This 
reiterates text at 6.8.1(c). NMFS would make this and other inseason 
actions in accordance with regulations at 300.63(c).
    5. In section 6.11.1(d) of the Catch Sharing Plan, the Council 
recommended adding quota-based thresholds for setting open days in the 
Oregon Central Coast subarea's spring and summer all-depth fisheries. 
Specifically, if the Central Coast spring all-depth allocation based on 
the Catch Sharing Plan framework is greater than 100,000 pounds (45.36 
metric tons (mt)), NMFS will set season dates such that the all-depth 
fishery may be open for up to seven days per week every week starting 
with the second Thursday in May through June 30, except that NMFS may 
skip certain weeks to avoid adverse tides. After June 30, the all-depth 
fishery will be open every other week. If after the first Central Coast 
summer all-depth opening (first Thursday through Saturday in August), 
NMFS estimates that there is 60,000 pounds (27.22 mt) or more remaining 
on the Central Coast combined nearshore and all-depth quotas, NMFS may 
open the all-depth fishery for up to seven days per week beginning 
September 1. This change would increase angler opportunity by allowing 
the Central Coast fisheries to be open for more days in years with a 
higher allocation.
    6. In section 6.11.1 and 6.11.2, the Council recommended that, at 
the conclusion of the Oregon Central Coast spring all-depth season, 
IPHC, NMFS, the Council, and ODFW consult to determine whether 
increasing the bag limit to two fish is warranted, with the intent of 
achieving the subarea quota by September 30. If the bag limit change is 
made for the Central Coast subarea, it would also apply to the Southern 
Oregon subarea at the same time. This change would increase angler 
opportunity to achieve the Central Coast and Southern Oregon subareas 
allocation by increasing the bag limit earlier in the season.
    Additional discussion of these changes is included in the materials 
submitted to the Council at its September and November meetings, 
available at https://www.pcouncil.org/council-meetings/previous-meetings/. A version of the Catch Sharing Plan including these changes 
can be found at https://www.pcouncil.org/managed_fishery/pacific-halibut/.

Proposed 2022 Recreational Fishery Management Measures

    As described above, NMFS also proposes to implement recreational 
fishery management measures, including season dates for the 2022 
fishery, consistent with the Council's recommendations in the 2022 
Catch Sharing Plan. The Catch Sharing Plan includes a framework for 
setting days open for fishing by subarea; under this framework, each 
state submits final recommended season dates annually to NMFS during 
the proposed rule comment period. However, this proposed rule contains 
preliminary dates based either on the Catch Sharing Plan framework and/
or recommendations received to date. In the final rule, NMFS will 
implement dates based on public comment, including comments from Oregon 
and California after each state has concluded its public meetings 
gathering input on season dates.
    The final rule must be effective by April 7, in time for the start 
of recreational Pacific halibut fisheries. The 2022 Catch Sharing Plan 
provides the framework for the annual management measures and subarea 
allocations based on the 2022 Area 2A catch limit for Pacific halibut. 
The season dates and annual management measures in this rule were 
developed through the Council where the public had the opportunity to 
participate. In order to ensure that these management measures are 
effective in time for the start of the recreational fisheries on April 
7, NMFS will solicit public comments on this proposed rule for 15 days.
    NMFS proposes the following Area 2A recreational fishery management 
measures consistent with the Council's Catch Sharing Plan. After the 
opportunity for public comment, NMFS will publish a final rule 
approving the Catch Sharing Plan and promulgating the annual management 
measures for the Area 2A recreational fishery, as required by 
implementing regulations at 50 CFR 300.63(b)(1). If there is any 
discrepancy between the Catch Sharing Plan and Federal regulations, 
Federal regulations take precedence.
2022 Annual Recreational Management Measures
    The recreational fishing subareas, quotas, fishing dates, and daily 
bag limits are as follows, except as modified under the inseason 
actions consistent with 50 CFR 300.63(c). All recreational fishing in 
Area 2A is managed on a ``port of landing'' basis, whereby any halibut 
landed into a port counts toward the quota for the area in which that 
port is located, and the regulations governing the area of landing 
apply, regardless of the specific area of catch.
Washington Puget Sound and the U.S. Convention Waters in the Strait of 
Juan de Fuca
    The quota for the area in Puget Sound and the U.S. waters in the 
Strait of Juan de Fuca, east of a line extending from 48[deg]17.30' N 
lat., 124[deg]23.70' W long. north to 48[deg]24.10' N lat., 
124[deg]23.70' W long., is 83,210 lb (37.74 mt).
    (a) The fishing seasons are:
    (i) For the area in Puget Sound and the U.S. waters in the Strait 
of Juan de Fuca, east of a line at approximately 123[deg]49.60' W 
long., NMFS is proposing to open the fishery on April 7-9, 14-16, 21-
23, 28-30; May 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, 27-29; June 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 23-25, 
and 30. If unharvested quota remains after June 30, NMFS may take 
inseason action to reopen the fishery August 18 through September 30, 
up to five days per week, on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and 
Monday of each week, or until there is not sufficient quota for another 
full day of fishing and the area is therefore closed. Any closure will 
be announced in accordance with Federal regulations at 50 CFR 300.63(c) 
and on the NMFS hotline at (206) 526-6667 or (800) 662-9825.
    (ii) For the area in U.S. waters in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, 
approximately between 124[deg]23.70' W long. and 123[deg]49.60' W 
long., NMFS is proposing to open the fishery on May 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 
21, 27-29; June 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 23-25, and 30. If unharvested quota 
remains after June 30, NMFS may take inseason action to reopen the 
fishery August 18 through September 30, up to five days per week, on 
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday of each week, or until 
there is not sufficient quota for another full day of fishing and the 
area is therefore closed. Any closure will be announced in accordance 
with Federal regulations at 50 CFR 300.63(c) and on the NMFS hotline at 
(206) 526-6667 or (800) 662-9825.
    (b) The daily bag limit is one halibut of any size per day per 
person.

[[Page 9024]]

Washington North Coast Subarea
    The quota for landings into ports in the area off the north 
Washington coast, west of a line at approximately 124[deg]23.70' W 
long. and north of the Queets River (47[deg]31.70' N lat.), is 133,847 
lb (60.71 mt).
    (a) The fishing seasons are:
    (i) NMFS is proposing to open the fishery on May 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 
21, 27, and 29; June 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, and 30. If 
unharvested quota remains after June 30, NMFS may take inseason action 
to reopen the fishery August 18 through September 30, up to five days 
per week, on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday of each 
week, or until there is not sufficient quota for another full day of 
fishing and the area is therefore closed. Any closure will be announced 
in accordance with Federal regulations at 50 CFR 300.63(c) and on the 
NMFS hotline at (206) 526-6667 or (800) 662-9825.
    (b) The daily bag limit is one halibut of any size per day per 
person.
    (c) Recreational fishing for groundfish and halibut is prohibited 
within the North Coast Recreational Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation 
Area (YRCA). It is unlawful for recreational fishing vessels to take 
and retain, possess, or land halibut taken with recreational gear 
within the North Coast Recreational YRCA. A vessel fishing with 
recreational gear in the North Coast Recreational YRCA may not be in 
possession of any halibut. Recreational vessels may transit through the 
North Coast Recreational YRCA with or without halibut on board. The 
North Coast Recreational YRCA is defined in groundfish regulations at 
50 CFR 660.70(b).
Washington South Coast Subarea
    The quota for landings into ports in the area between the Queets 
River, WA (47[deg]31.70' N lat.), and Leadbetter Point, WA 
(46[deg]38.17' N lat.), is 68,555 lb (31.10 mt).
    (a) This subarea is divided between the all-depth fishery (the 
Washington South coast primary fishery), and the incidental nearshore 
fishery in the area from 47[deg]31.70' N lat. south to 46[deg]58.00' N 
lat. and east of a boundary line approximating the 30-fm (55-m) depth 
contour. This area (the Washington South coast northern nearshore area) 
is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in 
the order stated as described by the following coordinates:

    (1) 47[deg]31.70' N lat, 124[deg]37.03' W long;
    (2) 47[deg]25.67' N lat, 124[deg]34.79' W long;
    (3) 47[deg]12.82' N lat, 124[deg]29.12' W long;
    (4) 46[deg]58.00' N lat, 124[deg]24.24' W long.

    NMFS is proposing to open the primary fishery on May 5, 8, 12, 15, 
19, 22, and 26; June 16, 19, 23, and 26, or until there is not 
sufficient quota for another full day of fishing and the area is 
therefore closed. If unharvested quota remains after June 30, NMFS may 
take inseason action to reopen the fishery August 19 and/or September 
23. Any closure will be announced on the NMFS hotline at (206) 526-6667 
or (800) 662-9825. The fishing season in the Washington South Coast 
northern nearshore area commences the Saturday subsequent to the 
closure of the primary fishery in May or June if quota remains in the 
Washington South Coast subarea allocation, and continues seven days per 
week until 68,555 lb (31.10 mt) is projected to be taken by the two 
fisheries combined and the fishery is therefore closed or on September 
30, whichever is earlier. If the fishery is closed prior to September 
30, or there is insufficient quota remaining to reopen the Washington 
South coast, northern nearshore area for another fishing day, then any 
remaining quota may be transferred in-season to another Washington 
coastal subarea by NMFS, in accordance with Federal regulations at 50 
CFR 300.63(c).
    (b) The daily bag limit is one halibut of any size per day per 
person.
    (c) Seaward of the boundary line approximating the 30-fm (55-m) 
depth contour and during days open to the primary fishery, lingcod may 
be taken, retained and possessed when allowed by groundfish regulations 
at 50 CFR 660.360(c).
    (d) Recreational fishing for groundfish and halibut is allowed 
within the South Coast Recreational YRCA and Westport Offshore 
Recreational YRCA. The South Coast Recreational YRCA is defined at 50 
CFR 660.70(e). The Westport Offshore Recreational YRCA is defined at 50 
CFR 660.70(f).
Columbia River Subarea
    The quota for landings into ports in the area between Leadbetter 
Point, WA (46[deg]38.17' N lat.), and Cape Falcon, OR (45[deg]46.00' N 
lat.), is 19,037 lb (8.64 mt).
    (a) This subarea is divided into an all-depth fishery and a 
nearshore fishery. The nearshore fishery is allocated 500 lb (0.23 mt) 
of the subarea allocation. The nearshore fishery extends from 
Leadbetter Point (46[deg]38.17' N lat., 124[deg]15.88' W long.) to the 
Columbia River (46[deg]16.00' N lat., 124[deg]15.88' W long.) by 
connecting the following coordinates in Washington: 46[deg]38.17' N 
lat., 124[deg]15.88' W long. 46[deg]16.00' N lat., 124[deg]15.88' W 
long., and connecting to the boundary line approximating the 40-fm (73-
m) depth contour in Oregon. NMFS is proposing to open the nearshore 
fishery May 9, and continue on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday each week 
until the nearshore allocation is taken, or on September 30, whichever 
is earlier. NMFS is proposing to open the all-depth fishery on May 5, 
8, 12, 15, 19, 22, and 26; June 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, and 30, or 
until there is not sufficient quota for another full day of fishing and 
the area is therefore closed. If unharvested quota remains after June 
30, NMFS may take inseason action to reopen the fishery on August 19 
and/or September 23. Any closure will be announced on the NMFS hotline 
at (206) 526-6667 or (800) 662-9825. Subsequent to this closure, if 
there is insufficient quota remaining in the Columbia River subarea for 
another fishing day, then any remaining quota may be transferred 
inseason to another Washington and/or Oregon subarea by NMFS, in 
accordance with Federal regulations at 50 CFR 300.63(c). Any remaining 
quota would be transferred to each state in proportion to the 
allocation formula in the Catch Sharing Plan.
    (b) The daily bag limit is one halibut of any size per day per 
person.
    (c) Pacific Coast groundfish may not be taken and retained, 
possessed or landed when halibut are on board the vessel, except 
sablefish, Pacific cod, flatfish species, yellowtail rockfish, widow 
rockfish, canary rockfish, redstripe rockfish, greenstriped rockfish, 
silvergray rockfish, chilipepper, bocaccio, blue/deacon rockfish, and 
lingcod caught north of the Washington-Oregon border (46[deg]16.00' N 
lat.) may be retained when allowed by Pacific Coast groundfish 
regulations at 50 CFR 660.360, during days open to the all-depth 
Pacific halibut fishery. Long-leader gear (as defined at 50 CFR 
660.351) may be used to retain groundfish during the all-depth Pacific 
halibut fishery south of the Washington-Oregon border, when allowed by 
Pacific Coast groundfish regulations at 50 CFR 660.360.
    (d) Taking, retaining, possessing, or landing halibut on groundfish 
trips is allowed in the nearshore area on days not open to all-depth 
Pacific halibut fisheries.
Oregon Central Coast Subarea
    The quota for landings into ports in the area off Oregon between 
Cape Falcon (45[deg]46.00' N lat.) and Humbug Mountain (42[deg]40.50' N 
lat.), is 269,782 lb (122.37 mt).
    (a) The fishing seasons are:
    (i) NMFS is proposing to open the nearshore fishery on May 1, seven 
days per week, in the area shoreward of a boundary line approximating 
the 40-fm

[[Page 9025]]

(73-m) depth contour, or until the sub-quota for the central Oregon 
nearshore fishery of 32,374 lb (14.68 mt), or any inseason revised 
quota is estimated to have been taken and the season is therefore 
closed, or on October 31, whichever is earlier. The boundary line 
approximating the 40-fm (73-m) depth contour between 45[deg]46.00' N 
lat. and 42[deg]40.50' N lat. is defined at 50 CFR 660.71(o).
    (ii) If the spring all-depth quota is greater than 100,000 lbs, 
NMFS is proposing to open the spring all-depth fishery May 12 up to 
seven days per week through June 30, then open every other week. If the 
quota is 100,000 lbs or less, NMFS is proposing to open the fishery 
either May 12 and remain open Thursday through Saturday every week, or 
May 13 and remain open Friday and Saturday every week, until July 31 or 
until there is not sufficient quota for another full day of fishing and 
the area is therefore closed. The allocation to the all-depth fishery 
is 169,963 lb (77.09 mt).
    (iii) NMFS is proposing to open the summer all-depth fishery on 
August 5-6, 18-20; September 1-3, 15-17, September 29-October 1, 13-15, 
and 27-29; or until the combined spring season and summer season quotas 
in the area between Cape Falcon and Humbug Mountain, OR, are estimated 
to have been taken and the area is therefore closed. NMFS, in 
accordance with notice procedures in Federal regulations at 50 CFR 
300.63(c)(3), will announce on the NMFS hotline (206) 526-6667 or (800) 
662-9825 in July whether the fishery will re-open for the summer season 
in August. Additional fishing days may be opened if enough quota to 
allow for additional days of fishing remains after the last day of the 
first scheduled open period. If, after this date, an amount greater 
than or equal to 60,000 lb (27.2 mt) remains in the combined nearshore, 
spring, and summer quota, NMFS may take inseason action to reopen the 
fishery every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, beginning August 4, 5, and 
6, and/or the fishery may be open up to 7 days a week beginning 
September 1, ending when there is insufficient quota remaining or 
October 31, whichever is earlier. If after the September 6 an amount 
greater than or equal to 30,000 lb (13.6 mt) remains in the combined 
nearshore, spring, and summer quota, and the fishery is not already 
open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, NMFS may take inseason action 
to re-open the fishery every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, beginning 
September 8, 9, and 10, through October 31, until there is not 
sufficient quota for another full day of fishing and the area is 
closed. At the conclusion of the spring all-depth season, NMFS may 
increase the bag limit to two fish of any size per person, per day. 
NMFS, in accordance with notice procedures at 50 CFR 300.63(c)(3), will 
announce on the NMFS hotline (206) 526-6667 or (800) 662-9825 whether 
the summer all-depth fishery will be open on such additional fishing 
days, what days the fishery will be open, and what the bag limit is.
    (b) The daily bag limit is one halibut of any size per day per 
person, unless otherwise specified through inseason action. NMFS, in 
accordance with notice procedures at 50 CFR 300.63(c)(3), will announce 
on the NMFS hotline (206) 526-6667 or (800) 662-9825 any bag limit 
changes.
    (c) During days open to all-depth halibut fishing when the 
groundfish fishery is restricted by depth, when halibut are on board 
the vessel, no groundfish, except sablefish, Pacific cod, and other 
species of flatfish (sole, flounder, sanddab), may be taken and 
retained, possessed or landed, except with long-leader gear (as defined 
at Sec.  660.351), when allowed by groundfish regulations. During days 
open to all-depth halibut fishing when the groundfish fishery is open 
to all depths, any groundfish species permitted under the groundfish 
regulations may be retained, possessed or landed if halibut are on 
board the vessel. During days only open to nearshore halibut fishing, 
flatfish species may not be taken and retained seaward of the 40-fm 
(73-m) depth contour if halibut are on board the vessel.
    (d) When the all-depth halibut fishery is closed and halibut 
fishing is permitted only shoreward of a boundary line approximating 
the 40-fm (73-m) depth contour, halibut possession and retention by 
vessels operating seaward of a boundary line approximating the 40-fm 
(73-m) depth contour is prohibited.
    (e) Recreational fishing for groundfish and halibut is prohibited 
within the Stonewall Bank YRCA. It is unlawful for recreational fishing 
vessels to take and retain, possess, or land halibut taken with 
recreational gear within the Stonewall Bank YRCA. A vessel fishing in 
the Stonewall Bank YRCA may not possess any halibut. Recreational 
vessels may transit through the Stonewall Bank YRCA with or without 
halibut on board. The Stonewall Bank YRCA is defined at 50 CFR 
660.70(g)-(i).
Southern Oregon Subarea
    The quota for landings into ports in the area south of Humbug 
Mountain, OR (42[deg] 40.50' N lat.) to the Oregon/California Border 
(42[deg]00.00' N lat.) is 8,000 lb (3.63 mt).
    (a) NMFS is proposing to open the fishery May 1, seven days per 
week, until the quota is taken or October 31, whichever is earlier.
    (b) The daily bag limit is one halibut per person with no size 
limit, unless otherwise specified through inseason action. NMFS, in 
accordance with notice procedures at 50 CFR 300.63(c)(3), will announce 
on the NMFS hotline (206) 526-6667 or (800) 662-9825 any bag limit 
changes.
    (c) During days open to the Pacific halibut fishery, when halibut 
are on board the vessel, no groundfish except sablefish, Pacific cod, 
and other species of flatfish (sole, flounder, sanddab), may be taken 
and retained, possessed or landed, except with long-leader gear (as 
defined at Sec.  660.351) when allowed by groundfish regulations at 50 
CFR 660.360.
California Coast Subarea
    The quota for landings into ports south of the Oregon/California 
Border (42[deg]00.00' N lat.) and along the California coast is 38,740 
lb (17.57 mt).
    (a) NMFS is proposing to open the fishery May 1 through November 
15, or until the subarea quota is estimated to have been taken and the 
season is therefore closed, whichever is earlier. NMFS, in accordance 
with notice procedures at Sec.  300.63(c)(3), will announce any closure 
on the NMFS hotline (206) 526-6667 or (800) 662-9825.
    (b) The daily bag limit is one halibut of any size per day per 
person.

Classification

    Regulations governing the U.S. fisheries for Pacific halibut are 
developed by the IPHC, the Pacific Fishery Management Council, the 
North Pacific Fishery Management Council, the Secretary of State and 
the Secretary of Commerce. Additionally, as provided in the Halibut 
Act, the Regional Fishery Management Councils having authority for the 
geographic area concerned may develop, and the Secretary of Commerce 
may implement, regulations governing harvesting privileges among U.S. 
fishermen in U.S. waters that are in addition to, and not in conflict 
with, approved IPHC regulations (16 U.S.C. 773c(c)). The proposed 
action is consistent with the Council's authority to allocate halibut 
catches among fishery participants in the waters in and off Washington, 
Oregon, and California.
    This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.

[[Page 9026]]

    The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce 
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration that this proposed rule, if adopted, would not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, 
for the following reasons:
    For Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) purposes only, NMFS has 
established a small business size standard for businesses, including 
their affiliates. Previous analyses determined that charterboats are 
small businesses (see 77 FR 5477 (February 3, 2012) and 76 FR 2876 
(January 18, 2011)). Charter fishing operations are classified under 
NAICS code 487210, with a corresponding Small Business Association size 
standard of $7.5 million in annual receipts. No commercial fishing 
entities are directly affected by this rule.
    This rule would revise the recreational Pacific halibut fishery 
management measures, including season dates and catch limits. This 
proposed rule would open the recreational fishery with 2022 season 
dates and subarea quotas impacting charter boats, anglers, and 
businesses relying on recreational fishing across all of Area 2A. 
Therefore, this rule may affect some charterboat operations in Area 2A. 
These changes were uncontroversial throughout the Council's public 
process, and overall participation in the recreational fisheries is not 
expected to change. There are no large entities involved in the halibut 
fisheries off of the West Coast. Since this action will only impact 
recreational charter vessels, which are small entities, none of these 
changes will have a disproportionately negative effect on small 
entities versus large entities.
    In 2021, the IPHC issued 93 licenses to the charterboat fleet for 
Area 2A. Recent information on charterboat activity is not available, 
but prior analysis indicated that 60 percent of the IPHC charterboat 
license holders (around 56 vessels) participate in the Pacific halibut 
recreational fishery and may be affected by these regulations as those 
vessels operate in Area 2A. Private vessels used for recreational 
fishing are not businesses and are therefore not included in the RFA 
analysis.
    The major effect of halibut management on small entities will be 
from the catch limit decisions made by the IPHC, a decision independent 
from this proposed action. This proposed action would implement 
management measures including season dates and quotas for the 
recreational fishery, and approves minor changes to the Catch Sharing 
Plan to provide increased recreational opportunities under the quotas 
that result from the Area 2A catch limit. The proposed changes to the 
Catch Sharing Plan are considered minor, with minimal economic effects. 
Profitability is largely based on the catch limit decision made by the 
IPHC, with subarea quotas determined based on the Catch Sharing Plan 
framework and the allocation formulae recommended by the Council. 
Therefore, the proposed rule is unlikely to affect the profitability of 
the recreational fishery.
    For the reasons described above, the proposed action, if adopted, 
will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities. As a result, an initial regulatory flexibility analysis 
is not required and none has been prepared.
    This proposed rule contains no information collection requirements 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 300

    Administrative practice and procedure, Antarctica, Canada, Exports, 
Fish, Fisheries, Fishing, Imports, Indians, Labeling, Marine resources, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Russian Federation, 
Transportation, Treaties, Wildlife.

    Dated: February 10, 2022.
Samuel D. Rauch, III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 300, subpart 
E, is proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 300--INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES REGULATIONS

Subpart E--Pacific Halibut Fisheries

0
1. The authority citation for part 300, subpart E, continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773-773k.

0
2. In Sec.  300.63, revise paragraph (c)(1)(iii) to read as follows:


Sec.  300.63  Catch sharing plan and domestic management measures in 
Area 2A.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (iii) If any of the recreational fishery subareas north of Cape 
Falcon, Oregon are not projected to utilize their respective quotas, 
NMFS may take inseason action to transfer any projected unused quota to 
another Washington recreational subarea.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2022-03329 Filed 2-16-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P


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