[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 24 (Monday, February 7, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6395-6406]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-2282]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 300

[Docket No. 050125016-5016-01; I.D. 011805C]
RIN 0648-AS61


Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Catch Sharing Plan

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

ACTION: Proposed rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS proposes to approve and implement changes to the 
International Pacific Halibut Commission's (IPHC) regulatory Area 2A 
off Washington, Oregon, and California (Area 2A) Pacific Halibut Catch 
Sharing Plan (Plan) to: allow remaining quota from Washington's south 
coast subarea to be used to accommodate incidental catch in the south 
coast nearshore fishery; allow quota projected to be unused to be 
transferred from Oregon's central coast subarea to another subarea 
south of Leadbetter Point, WA; revise the season structure for Oregon's 
all-depth spring and summer sport fisheries; provide more flexibility 
for Oregon's inseason sport fishery management (triggers for additional 
fishery openings and bag limits in the all-depth summer fishery); 
revise the public announcement process for Oregon's all-depth summer 
sport fishery; revise the Columbia River subarea quota contributions 
from Oregon/California; remove the minimum length requirement in all 
subareas south of Leadbetter Point, WA; prohibit retention of all 
groundfish, except sablefish, in Oregon's and possibly Washington's 
Columbia River fishery on all days and in the Central Coast fisheries 
on ``all-depth'' days; implement a closed area off Oregon's coast; and 
revise all coordinates from degrees minutes seconds to degrees decimal 
minutes. NMFS also proposes to revise the coordinates for the closed 
area to Oregon's central coast recreational fishery and to non-treaty 
commercial halibut fishing in Area 2A. NMFS is also proposing to 
implement the portions of the Plan and management measures that are not 
implemented through the IPHC, which includes the sport fishery 
management measures for Area 2A, the flexible inseason management 
provisions in Area 2A, fishery election in Area 2A,

[[Page 6396]]

and Area 2A non-treaty commercial fishery closed areas. These actions 
are intended to enhance the conservation of Pacific halibut, to protect 
yelloweye rockfish and other overfished groundfish species from 
incidental catch in the halibut fisheries, and to provide greater 
angler opportunity where available.

DATES: Comments on the proposed changes to the Plan and on the proposed 
domestic Area 2A halibut management measures must be received no later 
than 5 p.m., local time on March 16, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Plan, Environmental Assessment (EA)/Regulatory 
Impact Review (RIR)/Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA), 
and/or Categorical Exclusion (CE) are available from D. Robert Lohn, 
Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, 
Seattle, WA 98115-0070. Electronic copies of the Plan, including 
proposed changes for 2005, and of the draft EA/RIR/IRFA are also 
available at the NMFS Northwest Region website: http://www.nwr.noaa.gov, click on ``Pacific Halibut.''
    You may submit comments on the proposed rule for the Plan and to 
domestic Area 2A halibut management measures or supporting documents, 
identified by [011805C], by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> E-mail: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a9f9e1c8c5c0cbdcdd9b99999c87c7dedbe9c7c6c8c887cec6df"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="14445c75787d766160262424213a7a6366547a7b75753a737b62">[email protected]</span></a>. Include the I.D. number 
in the subject line of the message.
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Mail: D. Robert Lohn, Administrator, Northwest Region, 
NMFS, Attn: Jamie Goen, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115-0070.
    <bullet> Fax: 206-526-6736, Attn: Jamie Goen.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jamie Goen or Yvonne deReynier 
(Northwest Region, NMFS), phone: 206-526-6150, fax: 206-526-6736 or e-
mail: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ef858e82868ac188808a81af81808e8ec1888099"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ddb7bcb0b4b8f3bab2b8b39db3b2bcbcf3bab2ab">[email protected]</span></a> or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d7aea1b8b9b9b2f9b3b2a5b2aeb9beb2a597b9b8b6b6f9b0b8a1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b8c1ced7d6d6dd96dcddcaddc1d6d1ddcaf8d6d7d9d996dfd7ce">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Northern Pacific Halibut Act (Halibut 
Act) of 1982, at 16 U.S.C. 773c, gives the Secretary of Commerce 
(Secretary) general responsibility for implementing the provisions of 
the Halibut Convention between the United States and Canada (Halibut 
Convention). It requires the Secretary to adopt regulations as may be 
necessary to carry out the purposes and objectives of the Halibut 
Convention and the Halibut Act. Section 773c(c) of the Halibut Act 
authorizes the Regional Fishery Management Councils to develop 
regulations governing the Pacific halibut catch in their corresponding 
U.S. Convention waters that are in addition to, but not in conflict 
with, regulations of the IPHC. Each year between 1988 and 1995, the 
Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) developed a catch 
sharing plan in accordance with the Halibut Act to allocate the total 
allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific halibut between treaty Indian and non-
treaty harvesters and among non-treaty commercial and sport fisheries 
in Area 2A.
    In 1995, NMFS implemented the Pacific Council-recommended long-term 
Plan (60 FR 14651, March 20, 1995). In each of the intervening years 
between 1995 and the present, minor revisions to the Plan have been 
made to adjust for the changing needs of the fisheries. The Plan 
allocates 35 percent of the Area 2A TAC plus 25,000 lb (11.3 mt) to 
Washington treaty Indian tribes in Subarea 2A-1 and 65 percent minus 
25,000 lb (11.3 mt) to non-Indian fisheries in Area 2A. The allocation 
to non-Indian fisheries is divided into three shares, with the 
Washington sport fishery (north of the Columbia River) receiving 36.6 
percent, the Oregon/California sport fishery receiving 31.7 percent, 
and the commercial fishery receiving 31.7 percent. The commercial 
fishery is further divided into a directed commercial fishery that is 
allocated 85 percent of the commercial allocation and an incidental 
catch in the salmon troll fishery that is allocated 15 percent of the 
commercial allocation. The directed commercial fishery in Area 2A is 
confined to southern Washington (south of 46[deg]53.30' N. lat.), 
Oregon, and California. North of 46[deg]53.30' N. lat. (Pt. Chehalis), 
the Plan allows for incidental halibut retention in the primary limited 
entry longline sablefish fishery when the overall Area 2A TAC is above 
900,000 lb (408.2 mt). The Plan also divides the sport fisheries into 
seven geographic subareas, each with separate allocations, seasons, and 
bag limits.

Pacific Council Recommended Changes to the Plan and Domestic Fishing 
Regulations

    Each year, the states (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife 
(WDFW) and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW)) and tribes 
consider whether changes to the Plan are needed or desired by their 
fishery participants. Fishery managers from the states hold public 
meetings before both the September and November Pacific Council 
meetings to get public input on revisions to the Plan. At the September 
2004 Pacific Council meeting, the states recommended several changes to 
the Plan and the tribes announced that they had no proposal for 
revising the Plan in 2005. Following the meeting, the states again 
reviewed their proposals with the public and drafted their recommended 
revisions for review by the Pacific Council.
    At its November 1-5, 2004, meeting in Portland, OR, the Pacific 
Council considered the results of state-sponsored workshops on the 
proposed changes to the Plan and public comments, and made the final 
recommendations for modifications to the Plan as follows:
    (1) Allow remaining quota from Washington's south coast subarea to 
be used to accommodate incidental catch in the south coast nearshore 
fishery.
    (2) Revise the Columbia River subarea quota contributions from 
Oregon/California to equal the amount of pounds contributed by 
Washington.
    (3) Remove the minimum length requirement in all subareas south of 
Leadbetter Point, WA.
    (4) Revise the season structure for Oregon's all-depth spring and 
summer sport fisheries in Oregon's central coast subarea (Cape Falcon 
to Humbug Mountain) from 2-days to 3-days by adding Thursdays to all 
spring fishery openings after the initial fixed day openings and by 
adding Sundays to all summer fishery openings.
    (5) Provide more flexibility for Oregon's inseason sport fishery 
management by adding triggers for additional fishery openings and bag 
limits in the central coast all-depth summer fishery as follows: (a) if 
after the first scheduled open period of the summer fishery, the 
remaining central coast quota (combined all-depth and inside 40-fm (73-
m) fishery quotas) is 60,000 lbs (27.2 mt) or more, the fishery reopens 
every Friday through Sunday until October 31 or quota attainment, 
whichever is earlier; and (b) if after the third scheduled open period 
of the summer fishery, the remaining central coast quota (combined all-
depth and inside 40-fm (73-m) fishery quotas) is 30,000 lbs (13.6 mt) 
or more, the fishery reopens every Friday through Sunday until October 
31 or quota attainment, whichever is earlier, and the bag limit would 
increase to two fish per person per day.
    (6) Prohibit the retention of all groundfish, except sablefish when 
allowed by groundfish regulation, in the Columbia River fishery during 
all days and in the Central Coast fisheries during ``all-depth'' days.
    (7) Revise the public announcement process for the Oregon central 
coast all-

[[Page 6397]]

depth summer sport fishery to allow inseason changes to transfer quota 
and to change the fishery season dates based on the triggers mentioned 
above to be announced by NMFS via an update to the recreational halibut 
hotline (i.e., no Federal Register document would be required).
    (8) Allow quota projected to be unused to be transferred from 
Oregon's central coast subarea to another subarea south of Leadbetter 
Point, WA.
    (9) Implement a closed area to recreational halibut fishing off 
Oregon's central coast on a portion of Stonewall Bank to protect 
yelloweye rockfish, an overfished groundfish species. This closed area, 
called a ``yelloweye rockfish conservation area,'' would be defined by 
connecting the following coordinates in the order listed:
    (1) 44[deg]37.46 N. lat.; 124[deg]24.92 W. long.;
    (2) 44[deg]37.46 N. lat.; 124[deg]23.63 W. long.;
    (3) 44[deg]28.71 N. lat.; 124[deg]21.80 W. long.;
    (4) 44[deg]28.71 N. lat.; 124[deg]24.10 W. long.;
    (5) 44[deg]31.42 N. lat.; 124[deg]25.47 W. long.;
    (6) and connecting back to 44[deg]37.46 N. lat.; 124[deg]24.92 W. 
long.
    There is confusion over Pacific Council recommendation <greek-i>6 
(above) as to how it would apply to the Columbia River subarea, which 
is shared by Washington and Oregon. Therefore, NMFS has requested that 
the Pacific Council clarify this recommendation at the March 6-11, 
2005, Pacific Council meeting in Sacramento, CA. The Council adopted a 
recommendation for ``Sub-areas south of Leadbetter Point, Washington'' 
that stated ``No groundfish retention except sablefish allowed during 
the all-depth fishery if halibut are on-board the vessel except south 
of Humbug Mt.'' After the March meeting it became apparent that various 
Council participants were confused as to exactly where this prohibition 
would apply. Because of the introductory description (Sub-areas south 
of Leadbetter Point, Washington), some thought it applied in the entire 
Columbia River area and the Oregon Central Coast subarea. However, 
others thought this would only apply off Oregon because it was 
introduced by Oregon, it had not been discussed in Washington State 
meetings with Washington fishermen, and because one purpose was to 
allow dockside enforcement during the groundfish closure seaward of 40 
fm (73 m), which only is in place off of Oregon. NMFS has concluded the 
two possible ways to implement this provision in the Columbia River 
subarea would be to apply the groundfish retention prohibition to all 
halibut fishing in the Columbia River subarea or only to vessels that 
land in Oregon.
    Therefore, the Pacific Council will clarify its recommendation at 
the March 2005 meeting, and the public comment period on this proposed 
rule will end on March 16, 2005.

Proposed Changes to the Plan

    In addition to the Pacific Council's recommendations, NMFS is 
proposing to revise all coordinates in the Plan from degrees minutes 
seconds to degrees decimal minutes in order to conform with U.S. Coast 
Guard standards and the Pacific coast groundfish regulations. NMFS is 
proposing to approve the Pacific Council recommendations and to 
implement the above-described changes by making the following changes 
to the Plan:
    In section (d) of the Plan, Treaty Indian Fisheries, revise the 
first sentence of the first paragraph to read as follows:
    Except as provided above in (b)(2), 35 percent of the Area 2A TAC 
is allocated to 12 treaty Indian tribes in subarea 2A-1, which includes 
that portion of Area 2A north of Point Chehalis, WA (46[deg]53.30' N. 
lat.) and east of 125[deg]44.00' W. long.
    In section (e) of the Plan, Non-Indian Commercial Fisheries, revise 
the third sentence of paragraph (2) to read as follows:
    This fishery is confined to the area south of Subarea 2A-1 (south 
of Point Chehalis, WA; 46[deg]53.30' N. lat.).
    In section (f) of the Plan, Sport Fisheries, revise the second 
sentence of paragraph (1)(i) to read as follows:
    This subarea is defined as all U.S. waters east of the mouth of the 
Sekiu River, as defined by 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., including Puget Sound.
    In section (f) of the Plan, Sport Fisheries, revise the second 
sentence of paragraph (1)(ii) to read as follows:
    This subarea is defined as all U.S. waters west of the mouth of the 
Sekiu River, as defined above in paragraph (f)(1)(i), and north of the 
Queets River (47[deg]31.70' N. lat.).
    In section (f) of the Plan, Sport Fisheries, revise the last 
sentence of paragraph (1)(ii) to read as follows:
    A ``C-shaped'' yelloweye rockfish conservation area that is closed 
to recreational groundfish and halibut fishing is defined by the 
following coordinates in the order listed:
    (1) 48[deg]18.00' N. lat.; 125[deg]18.00' W. long.;
    (2) 48[deg]18.00' N. lat.; 124[deg]59.00' W. long.;
    (3) 48[deg]11.00' N. lat.; 124[deg]59.00' W. long.;
    (4) 48[deg]11.00' N. lat.; 125[deg]11.00' W. long.;
    (5) 48[deg]04.00' N. lat.; 125[deg]11.00' W. long.;
    (6) 48[deg]04.00' N. lat.; 124[deg]59.00' W. long.;
    (7) 48[deg]00.00' N. lat.; 124[deg]59.00' W. long.;
    (8) 48[deg]00.00' N. lat.; 125[deg]18.00' W. long.; and connecting 
back to 48[deg]18.00' N. lat.; 125[deg]18.00' W.long.
    In section (f) of the Plan, Sport Fisheries, revise paragraph 
(1)(iii) from the second sentence to the end of the paragraph to read 
as follows:
    This subarea is defined as waters south of the Queets River 
(47[deg]31.70' N. lat.) and north of Leadbetter Point (46[deg]38.17' N. 
lat.). The structuring objective for this subarea is to maximize the 
season length, while maintaining a quality fishing experience. The 
fishery will open on May 1. If May 1 falls on a Friday or Saturday, the 
fishery will open on the following Sunday. The fishery will be open 
Sunday through Thursday in all areas, except where prohibited, and the 
fishery will be open 7 days per week in the area from Queets River 
south to 47[deg]00.00' N. lat. and east of 124[deg]40.00' W. long. 
Beginning July 1, the halibut fishery will be open 7 days per week. The 
fishery will continue until September 30, or until the quota is 
achieved, whichever occurs first. Subsequent to this closure, if there 
is insufficient quota remaining to reopen the entire subarea for 
another fishing day, then any remaining quota may be used to 
accommodate incidental catch in the nearshore area from Queets River 
south to 47[deg]00.00' N. lat. and east of 124[deg]40.00' W. long. or 
be transferred inseason to another Washington coastal subarea by NMFS 
via an update to the recreational halibut hotline. The daily bag limit 
is one halibut per person, with no size limit.
    In section (f) of the Plan, Sport Fisheries, revise paragraph 
(1)(iv) regarding the Columbia River subarea to read as follows:
    This sport fishery subarea is allocated 2.0 percent of the first 
130,845 lb (59.4 mt) allocated to the Washington sport fishery, and 4.0 
percent of the Washington sport allocation between 130,845 lb (59.4 mt) 
and 224,110 lb (101.7 mt) (except as provided in section (e)(3) of this 
Plan). This subarea also is allocated from the Oregon/California sport 
allocation the number of pounds equal to the Washington contribution. 
Oregon's contribution will be 2.0 percent of the total Oregon/

[[Page 6398]]

California sport allocation. Any additional pounds needed to equal the 
number of pounds contributed to the Columbia River subarea from the 
Washington allocation will come from the Oregon Central Coast subarea 
allocation. This subarea is defined as waters south of Leadbetter 
Point, WA (46[deg]38.17' N. lat.) and north of Cape Falcon, OR 
(45[deg]46.00' N. lat.). The fishery will open on May 1, and continue 7 
days per week until the subquota is estimated to have been taken, or 
September 30, whichever is earlier. 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 via an 
update to the recreational halibut hotline. Any remaining state's quota 
would be transferred to that state. The daily bag limit is one halibut 
per person, with no size limit. [The following two options are being 
considered. Option 1: No groundfish may be retained, except sablefish 
when allowed by groundfish regulations, by anglers landing in Oregon if 
halibut are on board the vessel; or option 2: No groundfish may be 
retained, except sablefish when allowed by groundfish regulations, if 
halibut are on board the vessel.]
    In section (f) of the Plan, Sport Fisheries, revise paragraph 
(1)(v) to read as follows:
    This subarea extends from Cape Falcon (45[deg]46.00' N. lat.) to 
Humbug Mountain, OR (42[deg]40.50' N. lat.) and is allocated 95.0 
percent of the Oregon/California sport allocation minus any amount of 
pounds needed to contribute to the Oregon portion of the Columbia River 
subarea quota. The structuring objectives for this subarea are to 
provide two periods of fishing opportunity in spring and in summer in 
productive deeper water areas along the coast, principally for 
charterboat and larger private boat anglers, and to provide a period of 
fishing opportunity in the summer for nearshore waters for small boat 
anglers. Fixed season dates will be established preseason for the 
spring opening and will not be modified inseason except that the spring 
opening may be modified inseason if the combined Oregon all-depth 
spring and summer season total quotas are estimated to be achieved. 
Recent year catch rates will be used as a guideline for estimating the 
catch rate for the spring fishery each year. The number of fixed season 
days established will be based on the projected catch per day with the 
intent of not exceeding the subarea season quota. ODFW will monitor 
landings and provide a post-season estimate of catch within one week of 
the end of the fixed season. If sufficient catch remains for an 
additional day of fishing after the spring season, openings will be 
provided if possible in May - July. Potential additional open dates for 
both the spring (May - July) and summer (August - October) seasons will 
be announced preseason. If a decision is made inseason to allow fishing 
on one or more such additional days, notice of the opening will be 
announced on the NMFS hotline (206) 526-6667 or (800) 662-9825. No all-
depth halibut fishing will be allowed on the additional dates unless 
the opening date has been announced on the NMFS hotline. Any poundage 
remaining unharvested in the spring all-depth subquota will be added to 
the summer all-depth sub-quota. Any poundage that is not needed to 
extend the inside 40-fm (73-m) fishery through to October 31 will be 
added to the summer all-depth season if it can be used, and any 
poundage remaining unharvested from the summer all-depth fishery will 
be added to the inside 40-fm (73-m) fishery subquota, if it can be 
used. The daily bag limit is one halibut per person, unless otherwise 
specified, with no size limit. During days open to all-depth halibut 
fishing, no groundfish may be retained, except sablefish when allowed 
by groundfish regulations, if halibut are on board the vessel. A 
yelloweye rockfish conservation area that is closed to recreational 
halibut fishing is defined by the following coordinates in the order 
listed:
    (1) 44[deg]37.46 N. lat.; 124[deg]24.92 W. long.;
    (2) 44[deg]37.46 N. lat.; 124[deg]23.63 W. long.;
    (3) 44[deg]28.71 N. lat.; 124[deg]21.80 W. long.;
    (4) 44[deg]28.71 N. lat.; 124[deg]24.10 W. long.;
    (5) 44[deg]31.42 N. lat.; 124[deg]25.47 W. long.;
    (6) and connecting back to 44[deg]37.46 N. lat.; 124[deg]24.92 W. 
long.
    ODFW will sponsor a public workshop shortly after the IPHC annual 
meeting to develop recommendations to NMFS on the open dates for each 
season each year. The three seasons for this subarea are as follows:
    A. The first season opens on May 1, only in waters inside the 40-fm 
(73-m) curve, and continues daily until the subquota (8 percent of the 
subarea quota) is taken, or until October 31, whichever is earlier. 
Poundage that is estimated to be above the amount needed to keep this 
season open through October 31 will be transferred to the summer all-
depth fishery if it can be used. Any overage in the all-depth fisheries 
would not affect achievement of allocation set aside for the inside 40-
fm (73-m) curve fishery.
    B. The second season is an all-depth fishery with two potential 
openings. The first opening begins on the second Thursday in May (if 
the season is five more fishing days) or the second Friday in May (if 
the season is four or fewer fishing days) and is allocated 69 percent 
of the subarea quota. Fixed season dates for the first opening will be 
established preseason based on projected catch per day and number of 
days to achievement of the subquota for this season. The first opening 
will be structured for two days per week (Friday and Saturday) if the 
season is for four or fewer fishing days. The fishery will be 
structured for three days per week (Thursday through Saturday) if the 
season is for five or more fishing days. The fixed season dates will be 
established preseason and will occur in consecutive weeks starting the 
second Thursday in May (if the season is five or more fishing days) or 
second Friday in May (if the season is four or fewer fishing days), 
with exceptions to avoid adverse tidal conditions. If, following the 
``fixed'' dates, quota for this season remains unharvested, a second 
opening will be held. The fishery will be open every other week on 
Thursday through Saturday except that week(s) could be skipped to avoid 
adverse tidal conditions. The potential open Thursdays through 
Saturdays will be identified preseason. The fishery will continue until 
there is insufficient quota for an additional day of fishing or July 
31, whichever occurs first. Any remaining quota will be added to the 
summer quota. No inseason adjustments will be made to the established 
fixed season unless the combined Oregon all-depth spring and summer 
season total subquotas are estimated to be achieved.
    C. The last season is an all-depth fishery that begins on the first 
Friday in August and is allocated 23 percent of the subarea quota. The 
fishery will be structured to be open every other week on Friday 
through Sunday except that week(s) could be skipped to avoid adverse 
tidal conditions. The potential open Fridays through Sundays will be 
identified preseason. If after the first scheduled open period, the 
remaining Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain entire season quota (combined 
all-depth and inside 40-fm (73-m) quotas) is 60,000 lb (27.2 mt) or 
more, the fishery will re-open on every Friday through Sunday (versus 
every other weekend), if determined to be appropriate through joint 
consultation between IPHC, NMFS, and ODFW. Any excess quota projected

[[Page 6399]]

to remain after the needs of the inside 40-fm (73-m) fishery are met 
would be transferred into the remaining all-depth quota. The inseason 
action will be announced by NMFS via an update to the recreational 
halibut hotline. If after the third scheduled open period, the 
remaining Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain entire season quota (combined 
all-depth and inside 40-fm (73-m) quotas) is 30,000 lb (13.6 mt) or 
more, the fishery will re-open on every Friday through Sunday (versus 
every other weekend), if determined to be appropriate through joint 
consultation between IPHC, NMFS, and ODFW. Under this provision, after 
the third scheduled open period, the bag limit would be two fish per 
person, with no size limit. Any excess quota projected to remain after 
the needs of the inside 40-fm (73-m) fishery are met would be 
transferred into the remaining all-depth quota. The inseason action 
will be announced by NMFS via an update to the recreational halibut 
hotline. The fishery will continue until there is insufficient quota 
for an additional day of fishing or October 31, whichever occurs first. 
Any remaining quota will be transferred to the fishery inside the 40-fm 
(73-m) curve, if needed. If inseason it is determined that the combined 
all-depth and inside 40-fm (73-m) fisheries will not harvest the entire 
quota to the subarea, quota may be transferred inseason to another 
subarea south of Leadbetter Point, WA, by NMFS via an update to the 
recreational halibut hotline.
    In section (f) of the Plan, Sport Fisheries, revise the second 
through fourth sentences in paragraph (1)(vi) to read as follows:
    This area is defined as the area south of Humbug Mountain, OR 
(42[deg]40.50' N. lat.), including California waters. The structuring 
objective for this subarea is to provide anglers the opportunity to 
fish in a continuous, fixed season that is open from May 1 through 
October 31. The daily bag limit is one halibut per person, with no size 
limit.

Proposed 2005 Sport Fishery Management Measures

    NMFS is proposing sport fishery management measures that are 
necessary to implement the Plan in 2005. The 2005 TAC for Area 2A will 
be determined by the IPHC at its annual meeting on January 18-21, 2005, 
in Victoria, B.C. Because the 2005 TAC has not yet been determined, 
these proposed sport fishery management measures use the IPHC's 
preliminary 2005 Area 2A TAC recommendation of 1,330,000 lb (603 mt), 
which is lower than the 2004 TAC of 1,480,000 lb (671 mt). The proposed 
2005 sport fishery regulations based on the preliminary 2005 Area 2A 
TAC of 1,330,000 lb (603 mt) are as follows:

Washington Inside Waters Subarea

    This subarea is defined as all U.S. waters east of the mouth of the 
Sekiu River, as defined by 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., including Puget Sound. This subarea would be allocated 64,800 
lb (29 mt) at an Area 2A TAC of 1,330,000 lb (603 mt) in accordance 
with the Plan. According to the Plan, the structuring objective for 
this subarea is to provide a stable sport fishing opportunity and to 
maximize the season length. For the 2005 fishing season, the fishery in 
this subarea would be set to meet the structuring objectives described 
in the Plan. The final determination of the season dates would be based 
on the allowable harvest level and projected 2005 catch rates after the 
2005 TAC is set by the IPHC. The daily bag limit would be one halibut 
of any size per day, per person.

Washington North Coast Subarea

    This subarea is defined as all U.S. waters west of the mouth of the 
Sekiu River and north of the Queets River (47[deg]31.70' N. lat.). This 
subarea would be allocated 115,437 lb (52 mt) at an Area 2A TAC of 
1,330,000 lb (603 mt) in accordance with the Plan. According to the 
Plan, the management objective for this subarea is to provide a quality 
recreational fishing opportunity during May and the latter part of 
June. The fishery opens on the first Tuesday between May 9 and May 15 
(May 10 in 2005), and continues 5 days per week (Tuesday through 
Saturday) until 72 percent of the quota for the subarea has been taken, 
83,115 lb (38 mt), and the season is closed by the IPHC. The fishery 
will re-open during the third week in June and continue Tuesday through 
Saturday until the overall quota for the subarea is taken and the 
season is closed by the IPHC. The daily bag limit would be one halibut 
of any size per day per person. A portion of this subarea would be 
closed to sport fishing for halibut as a yelloweye rockfish 
conservation area bounded by the following coordinates:
    (1) 48[deg]18.00' N. lat.; 125[deg]18.00' W. long.;
    (2) 48[deg]18.00' N. lat.; 124[deg]59.00' W. long.;
    (3) 48[deg]11.00' N. lat.; 124[deg]59.00' W. long.;
    (4) 48[deg]11.00' N. lat.; 125[deg]11.00' W. long.;
    (5) 48[deg]04.00' N. lat.; 125[deg]11.00' W. long.;
    (6) 48[deg]04.00' N. lat.; 124[deg]59.00' W. long.;
    (7) 48[deg]00.00' N. lat.; 124[deg]59.00' W. long.;
    (8) 48[deg]00.00' N. lat.; 125[deg]18.00' W. long.;
    (9) and connecting back to 48[deg]18.00' N. lat.; 125[deg]18.00' W. 
long.

Washington South Coast Subarea

    This subarea is defined as waters south of the Queets River 
(47[deg]31.70' N. lat.) and north of Leadbetter Point (46[deg]38.17' N. 
lat.). This subarea would be allocated 50,146 lb (23 mt)at an Area 2A 
TAC of 1,330,000 lb (603 mt) in accordance with the Plan. According to 
the Plan, the structuring objective for this subarea is to maximize the 
season length, while maintaining a quality fishing experience. The 
fishery would open on May 1 and continue five days per week (Sunday 
through Thursday) until September 30, or until the quota is achieved, 
and the fishery is closed by the IPHC, whichever occurs first. The 
fishery would be open Sunday through Thursday in all areas, except 
where prohibited, and the fishery will be open seven days per week in 
the area from the Queets River, WA south to 47[deg]00.00' N. lat. and 
east of 124[deg]40.00' W. long. Beginning July 1, the halibut fishery 
opens seven days per week in the offshore and nearshore fisheries until 
September 30, or until the quota is achieved and the fishery is closed 
by the IPHC, whichever occurs first. New for 2005, if there is 
insufficient quota to reopen the entire south coast subarea for another 
fishing day, then any remaining quota may be transferred to the 
nearshore area from the Queets River, WA south to 47[deg]00.00' N. lat. 
and east of 124[deg]40.00' W. long. to accommodate incidental catch in 
that fishery. The daily bag limit would be one halibut of any size per 
day, per person.

Columbia River Subarea

    This subarea is defined as waters south of Leadbetter Point, WA 
(46[deg]38.17' N. lat.) and north of Cape Falcon, OR (45[deg]46.00' N. 
lat.). This subarea would be allocated 13,747 lb (6 mt) at an Area 2A 
TAC of 1,330,000 lb (603 mt) in accordance with the Plan. New for 2005, 
language will be added to the Plan to increase the number of pounds 
contributed to this subarea from Oregon/California to match the number 
contributed by Washington. To reach this matching number of pounds, 
Oregon will contribute pounds from its Central Coast subarea, as 
needed, in addition to the 2 percent from the Oregon/California sport 
allocation. If

[[Page 6400]]

there is insufficient quota for another fishing day after closure of 
the subarea, any remaining state's quota would be transferred to that 
state. The fishery would open on May 1 and continue 7 days per week 
until the subarea quota is reached and the fishery is closed by the 
IPHC or September 30, whichever occurs first. Also new for 2005, the 
minimum length requirement for halibut in this subarea will be removed. 
Therefore, the daily bag limit would be one halibut of any size per 
day, per person.
    In addition, as explained in the section of this proposed rule's 
preamble on ``Pacific Council recommended changes to the Plan and 
domestic fishing regulations,'' there are two options being considered 
for groundfish retention in this subarea. Under Option 1 no groundfish 
may be retained, except sablefish when allowed by groundfish 
regulations, by anglers landing in Oregon if halibut are on board the 
vessel. Under Option 2 no groundfish may be retained, except sablefish 
when allowed by groundfish regulations, if halibut are on board the 
vessel.

Oregon Central Coast Subarea

    This subarea extends from Cape Falcon (45[deg]46.00' N. lat.) to 
Humbug Mountain, OR (42[deg]40.50' N. lat.). This subarea would be 
allocated 251,264 lb (114 mt) at an Area 2A TAC of 1,330,000 lb (603 
mt) in accordance with the Plan. As mentioned in the Columbia River 
subarea, the Oregon Central Coast fishery will contribute quota pounds 
to the Columbia River subarea to allow the Oregon/California 
contribution to match the Washington contribution. Thus, for 2005, the 
Central Coast allocation will be 95 percent of the Oregon/California 
sport allocation minus the amount of pounds needed to contribute to the 
Oregon portion of the Columbia River subarea quota. The structuring 
objectives for this subarea are to provide two periods of fishing 
opportunity in spring (May-June) and in summer (August-October) in 
productive deeper water areas along the coast, principally for 
charterboat and larger private boat anglers, and to provide a period of 
fishing opportunity during the summer in nearshore waters for small 
boat anglers.
    The central coast restricted depth fishery, or ``inside 40-fm (73-
m)'' fishery, which occurs inside of a boundary line approximating the 
40-fm (73-m) depth contour, would be allocated 20,101 lb (9 mt), 
starting May 1 through October 31 (seven days per week) or until the 
allocated subquota is attained, whichever occurs first. New for 2005, 
all groundfish, except sablefish when allowed by groundfish regulation, 
may not be retained in the inside 40-fm (73-m) fishery if halibut are 
onboard the vessel during days open to all-depth fishing. Proposed 
coordinates for 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. are 
defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the 
order stated:
    (1) 45[deg]46.00' N. lat., 124[deg]04.49' W. long.;
    (2) 45[deg]44.34' N. lat., 124[deg]05.09' W. long.;
    (3) 45[deg]40.64' N. lat., 124[deg]04.90' W. long.;
    (4) 45[deg]33.00' N. lat., 124[deg]04.46' W. long.;
    (5) 45[deg]32.27' N. lat., 124[deg]04.74' W. long.;
    (6) 45[deg]29.26' N. lat., 124[deg]04.22' W. long.;
    (7) 45[deg]20.25' N. lat., 124[deg]04.67' W. long.;
    (8) 45[deg]19.99' N. lat., 124[deg]04.62' W. long.;
    (9) 45[deg]17.50' N. lat., 124[deg]04.91' W. long.;
    (10) 45[deg]11.29' N. lat., 124[deg]05.19' W. long.;
    (11) 45[deg]05.79' N. lat., 124[deg]05.40' W. long.;
    (12) 45[deg]05.07' N. lat., 124[deg]05.93' W. long.;
    (13) 45[deg]03.83' N. lat., 124[deg]06.47' W. long.;
    (14) 45[deg]01.70' N. lat., 124[deg]06.53' W. long.;
    (15) 44[deg]58.75' N. lat., 124[deg]07.14' W. long.;
    (16) 44[deg]51.28' N. lat., 124[deg]10.21' W. long.;
    (17) 44[deg]49.49' N. lat., 124[deg]10.89' W. long.;
    (18) 44[deg]44.96' N. lat., 124[deg]14.39' W. long.;
    (19) 44[deg]43.44' N. lat., 124[deg]14.78' W. long.;
    (20) 44[deg]42.27' N. lat., 124[deg]13.81' W. long.;
    (21) 44[deg]41.68' N. lat., 124[deg]15.38' W. long.;
    (22) 44[deg]34.87' N. lat., 124[deg]15.80' W. long.;
    (23) 44[deg]33.74' N. lat., 124[deg]14.43' W. long.;
    (24) 44[deg]27.66' N. lat., 124[deg]16.99' W. long.;
    (25) 44[deg]19.13' N. lat., 124[deg]19.22' W. long.;
    (26) 44[deg]15.35' N. lat., 124[deg]17.37' W. long.;
    (27) 44[deg]14.38' N. lat., 124[deg]17.78' W. long.;
    (28) 44[deg]12.80' N. lat., 124[deg]17.18' W. long.;
    (29) 44[deg]09.23' N. lat., 124[deg]15.96' W. long.;
    (30) 44[deg]08.38' N. lat., 124[deg]16.80' W. long.;
    (31) 44[deg]08.30' N. lat., 124[deg]16.75' W. long.;
    (32) 44[deg]01.18' N. lat., 124[deg]15.42' W. long.;
    (33) 43[deg]51.60' N. lat., 124[deg]14.68' W. long.;
    (34) 43[deg]42.66' N. lat., 124[deg]15.46' W. long.;
    (35) 43[deg]40.49' N. lat., 124[deg]15.74' W. long.;
    (36) 43[deg]38.77' N. lat., 124[deg]15.64' W. long.;
    (37) 43[deg]34.52' N. lat., 124[deg]16.73' W. long.;
    (38) 43[deg]28.82' N. lat., 124[deg]19.52' W. long.;
    (39) 43[deg]23.91' N. lat., 124[deg]24.28' W. long.;
    (40) 43[deg]20.83' N. lat., 124[deg]26.63' W. long.;
    (41) 43[deg]17.96' N. lat., 124[deg]28.81' W. long.;
    (42) 43[deg]16.75' N. lat., 124[deg]28.42' W. long.;
    (43) 43[deg]13.98' N. lat., 124[deg]31.99' W. long.;
    (44) 43[deg]13.71' N. lat., 124[deg]33.25' W. long.;
    (45) 43[deg]12.26' N. lat., 124[deg]34.16' W. long.;
    (46) 43[deg]10.96' N. lat., 124[deg]32.34' W. long.;
    (47) 43[deg]05.65' N. lat., 124[deg]31.52' W. long.;
    (48) 42[deg]59.66' N. lat., 124[deg]32.58' W. long.;
    (49) 42[deg]54.97' N. lat., 124[deg]36.99' W. long.;
    (50) 42[deg]53.81' N. lat., 124[deg]38.58' W. long.;
    (51) 42[deg]50.00' N. lat., 124[deg]39.68' W. long.;
    (52) 42[deg]49.14' N. lat., 124[deg]39.92' W. long.;
    (53) 42[deg]46.47' N. lat., 124[deg]38.65' W. long.;
    (54) 42[deg]45.60' N. lat., 124[deg]39.04' W. long.;
    (55) 42[deg]44.79' N. lat., 124[deg]37.96' W. long.;
    (56) 42[deg]45.00' N. lat., 124[deg]36.39' W. long.;
    (57) 42[deg]44.14' N. lat., 124[deg]35.16' W. long.;
    (58) 42[deg]42.15' N. lat., 124[deg]32.82' W. long.;
    (59) 42[deg]40.50' N. lat., 124[deg]31.98' W. long.; and
    (60) 42[deg]38.82' N. lat., 124[deg]31.09' W. long.
    If NMFS changes this boundary for recreational groundfish fishing 
by an inseason action to the Pacific Coast groundfish regulations 
during the year to protect overfished groundfish species, NMFS will 
also publish a separate inseason action in the Federal Register to 
change nearshore recreational halibut regulations for this subarea to 
mirror the

[[Page 6401]]

groundfish closure. Language will also be added to the sport management 
measures for 2005 such that, in times when the all-depth halibut 
fishery is closed and halibut fishing is permitted only inshore of a 
boundary line approximating the 40-fm (73-m) depth contour, halibut 
possession and retention by vessels operating offshore of 40-fm (73-m) 
would be prohibited.
    The spring all-depth season would be allocated 173,372 lb (79 mt). 
Based on an observed catch per day trend in this fishery in recent 
years, an estimated 10,000 - 30,000 lb (5 - 14 mt) would be caught per 
day in 2005, resulting in a 5 to 17-day fixed season. In accordance 
with the Plan, the season would open on Thursday, May 12 and continue 
on Thursdays through Saturdays through the fixed dates, with exceptions 
to avoid adverse tidal conditions. The fixed dates will be set in 
spring 2005 after the IPHC sets the final Area 2A TAC and after ODFW 
holds public meetings. After the fixed date season, potential 
additional fishing days for remaining quota in 2005 are structured 
differently than in previous years. For 2005, if additional quota 
remains after the fixed season, a second opening would be held for the 
spring fishery. The second opening would be on every other week on 
Thursday through Saturday except that week(s) could be skipped to avoid 
adverse tidal conditions. For 2005, the weeks to be skipped due to 
adverse tidal conditions in either the first or second spring opener 
may include May 26 - 28, June 23 - 25 and July 21 - 23. Final 
determination of the week(s) that may be skipped due to adverse tidal 
conditions will occur after the 2005 TAC has been set by the IPHC and 
after ODFW's late January/early February public meeting. If a decision 
is made inseason by NMFS to allow fishing in the potential spring 
season, notice of an opening will be announced on the NMFS hotline, 
(206)526-6667 or (800)662-9825. No halibut fishing will be allowed on 
the reopening dates unless the date is announced on the NMFS hotline. 
The second spring season would continue until there is insufficient 
quota for an additional fishing day or until July 31, whichever occurs 
first. Also new for 2005, all groundfish, except sablefish when allowed 
by groundfish regulation, may not be retained if halibut are onboard 
the vessel during days open to all-depth fishing. In addition, a new 
yelloweye rockfish conservation area off Oregon will be closed to 
recreational halibut fishing and is defined by the following 
coordinates:
    (1) 44[deg]37.46 N. lat.; 124[deg]24.92 W. long.;
    (2) 44[deg]37.46 N. lat.; 124[deg]23.63 W. long.;
    (3) 44[deg]28.71 N. lat.; 124[deg]21.80 W. long.;
    (4) 44[deg]28.71 N. lat.; 124[deg]24.10 W. long.;
    (5) 44[deg]31.42 N. lat.; 124[deg]25.47 W. long.;
    (6) and connecting back to 44[deg]37.46 N. lat.; 124[deg]24.92 W. 
long.
    The summer all-depth fishery would be allocated 57,791 lb (26 mt), 
and would open on Friday, August 5. New for 2005, this fishery's season 
will be restructured from being open every other week on Friday and 
Saturday to every other week on Friday through Sunday, except that 
week(s) may be skipped for adverse tidal conditions. For 2005, no 
adverse tidal conditions are predicted to occur during the August 
through October period. Final determination of the week(s) that may be 
skipped due to adverse tidal conditions will occur after the 2005 TAC 
has been set by the IPHC and after ODFW's late January/early February 
public meeting. Also new for 2005, additional fishing days may be 
opened if a certain amount of quota remains after the first and third 
scheduled open periods for the summer all-depth fishery in this 
subarea. If after the first opener, greater than or equal to 60,000 lbs 
(27.2 mt) remains in the combined all-depth and inside 40-fm (73-m) 
quota, the fishery may re-open on every Friday through Sunday (versus 
every other Friday through Sunday). If after the third opener, greater 
than or equal to 30,000 lbs (13.6 mt) remains in the combined all-depth 
and inside 40-fm (73-m) quota, the fishery may re-open on every Friday 
through Sunday and the bag limit would be two fish of any size per 
person, per day. NMFS will announce on the NMFS hotline whether the 
summer all-depth fishery will be open on such additional fishing days 
and what days will comprise such opening. Any inseason adjustments will 
also be announced on the NMFS hotline. No halibut fishing will be 
allowed in the summer all-depth fishery unless the dates are announced 
on the NMFS hotline. The summer all-depth fishery would continue until 
there is insufficient quota for an additional fishing day and the 
fishery is closed by the IPHC or until October 31, whichever occurs 
first. Any remaining quota would be added to the quota for the fishery 
inside 40-fm (73-m), if needed. Also new for 2005, language will be 
added to the Plan to allow for any remaining quota that the all-depth 
and inside 40-fm (73-m) fisheries are not projected to attain in this 
subarea to be transferred inseason to another subarea south of 
Leadbetter Point, WA, via an update to the halibut hotline. For 2005, 
all groundfish, except sablefish when allowed by groundfish regulation, 
may not be retained if halibut are onboard the vessel during days open 
to all-depth fishing. In addition, a new yelloweye rockfish 
conservation area off Oregon will be closed to recreational halibut 
fishing and is defined by the following coordinates:
    (1) 44[deg]37.46 N. lat.; 124[deg]24.92 W. long.;
    (2) 44[deg]37.46 N. lat.; 124[deg]23.63 W. long.;
    (3) 44[deg]28.71 N. lat.; 124[deg] 21.80 W. long.;
    (4) 44[deg] 28.71 N. lat.; 124[deg]24.10 W. long.;
    (5) 44[deg]31.42 N. lat.; 124[deg]25.47 W. long.;
    (6) and connecting back to 44[deg]37.46 N. lat.; 124[deg]24.92 W. 
long.
    The final determination of the season dates will be based on the 
allowable harvest level, projected catch rates, and recommendations 
developed in a public workshop sponsored by ODFW in late January/early 
February after the 2005 TAC has been set by the IPHC. Also new for 
2005, the minimum length requirement for halibut in this subarea will 
be removed. Therefore, the daily bag limit would be one halibut, unless 
otherwise specified, of any size per day, per person.

Humbug Mountain, OR through California Subarea

    This area is defined as the area south of Humbug Mountain, OR 
(42[deg]40.50' N. lat.), including California waters. This subarea 
would be allocated 7,984 lb (3.6 mt) at an Area 2A TAC of 1,330,000 lb 
(603 mt) in accordance with the Plan. The proposed 2005 sport season 
for this subarea would be the same as last year, with a May 1 opening 
and continuing seven days per week, until October 31. New for 2005, the 
minimum length requirement for halibut in this subarea will be removed. 
Therefore, the daily bag limit would be one halibut of any size per 
day, per person.

Flexible Inseason Management Provisions in Area 2A

    The flexible inseason management provisions in Area 2A have not 
changed since 2004, but are republished here to provide opportunity for 
public comment. Section 25 of the annual halibut management measures 
published in the Federal Register and section (f)(5) of the Plan will 
read as follows:
    (1) The Regional Administrator, NMFS Northwest Region, after 
consultation with the Chairman of the

[[Page 6402]]

Pacific Fishery Management Council, the Commission Executive Director, 
and the Fisheries Director(s) of the affected state(s), or their 
designees, is authorized to modify regulations during the season after 
making the following determinations.
    (a) The action is necessary to allow allocation objectives to be 
met.
    (b) The action will not result in exceeding the catch limit for the 
area.
    (c) If any of the sport fishery subareas north of Cape Falcon, OR 
are not projected to utilize their respective quotas by September 30, 
NMFS may take inseason action to transfer any projected unused quota to 
another Washington sport subarea.
    (d) If any of the sport fishery subareas south of Leadbetter Point, 
WA are not projected to utilize their respective quotas by their season 
ending dates, NMFS may take inseason action to transfer any projected 
unused quota to another Oregon sport subarea.
    (2) Flexible inseason management provisions include, but are not 
limited to, the following:
    (a) Modification of sport fishing periods;
    (b) Modification of sport fishing bag limits;
    (c) Modification of sport fishing size limits;
    (d) Modification of sport fishing days per calendar week; and
    (e) Modification of subarea quotas north of Cape Falcon, OR.
    (3) Notice procedures.
    (a) Actions taken under this section will be published in the 
Federal Register.
    (b) Actual notice of inseason management actions will be provided 
by a telephone hotline administered by the Northwest Region, NMFS, at 
206-526-6667 or 800-662-9825 (May through October) and by U.S. Coast 
Guard broadcasts. These broadcasts are announced on Channel 16 VHF-FM 
and 2182 kHz at frequent intervals. The announcements designate the 
channel or frequency over which the notice to mariners will be 
immediately broadcast. Since provisions of these regulations may be 
altered by inseason actions, sport fishers should monitor either the 
telephone hotline or U.S. Coast Guard broadcasts for current 
information for the area in which they are fishing.
    (4) Effective dates.
    (a) Any action issued under this section is effective on the date 
specified in the publication or at the time that the action is filed 
for public inspection with the Office of the Federal Register, 
whichever is later.
    (b) If time allows, NMFS will invite public comment prior to the 
effective date of any inseason action filed with the Federal Register. 
If the Regional Administrator determines, for good cause, that an 
inseason action must be filed without affording a prior opportunity for 
public comment, public comments will be received for a period of 15 
days after publication of the action in the Federal Register.
    (c) Any inseason action issued under this section will remain in 
effect until the stated expiration date or until rescinded, modified, 
or superseded. However, no inseason action has any effect beyond the 
end of the calendar year in which it is issued.
    (5) Availability of data. The Regional Administrator will compile, 
in aggregate form, all data and other information relevant to the 
action being taken and will make them available for public review 
during normal office hours at the Northwest Regional Office, NMFS, 
Sustainable Fisheries Division, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA.

Fishery Election in Area 2A

    The fishery election process in Area 2A has not changed since 2004, 
except to update the reference to the sablefish regulations at 50 CFR 
660.372 in paragraph (1)(b). The management measures are republished 
here to provide opportunity for public comment. Section 26 of the 
annual halibut management measures published in the Federal Register 
will continue to read as follows:
    (1) A vessel that fishes in Area 2A may participate in only one of 
the following three fisheries in Area 2A:
    (a) The sport fishery under Section 24;
    (b) The commercial directed fishery for halibut during the fishing 
period(s) established in Section 8 and/or the incidental retention of 
halibut during the primary sablefish fishery described at 50 CFR 
660.372; or
    (c) The incidental catch fishery during the salmon troll fishery as 
authorized in Section 8.
    (2) No person shall fish for halibut in the sport fishery in Area 
2A under Section 24 from a vessel that has been used during the same 
calendar year for commercial halibut fishing in Area 2A or that has 
been issued a permit for the same calendar year for the commercial 
halibut fishery in Area 2A.
    (3) No person shall fish for halibut in the directed halibut 
fishery during the fishing periods established in Section 8 and/or 
retain halibut incidentally taken in the primary sablefish fishery in 
Area 2A from a vessel that has been used during the same calendar year 
for the incidental catch fishery during the salmon troll fishery as 
authorized in Section 8.
    (4) No person shall fish for halibut in the directed commercial 
halibut fishery and/or retain halibut incidentally taken in the primary 
sablefish fishery in Area 2A from a vessel that, during the same 
calendar year, has been used in the sport halibut fishery in Area 2A or 
that is licensed for the sport charter halibut fishery in Area 2A.
    (5) No person shall retain halibut in the salmon troll fishery in 
Area 2A as authorized under Section 8 taken on a vessel that, during 
the same calendar year, has been used in the sport halibut fishery in 
Area 2A, or that is licensed for the sport charter halibut fishery in 
Area 2A.
    (6) No person shall retain halibut in the salmon troll fishery in 
Area 2A as authorized under Section 8 taken on a vessel that, during 
the same calendar year, has been used in the directed commercial 
fishery during the fishing periods established in Section 8 and/or 
retain halibut incidentally taken in the primary sablefish fishery for 
Area 2A or that is licensed to participate in these commercial 
fisheries during the fishing periods established in Section 8 in Area 
2A.

Area 2A Non-Treaty Commercial Fishery Closed Area

    Similar to 2003 and 2004, large closed areas will apply to 
commercial vessels operating in the directed non-treaty commercial 
fishery for halibut in Area 2A. Some coordinates for the closed areas 
have changed slightly from 2004. For 2005, section 27 of the annual 
halibut management measures will read as follows:
    Non-treaty commercial vessels operating in the directed commercial 
fishery for halibut in Area 2A are required to fish outside of a closed 
area, known as the Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA), that extends along 
the coast from the U.S./Canada border south to 40[deg]10' N. lat. 
Coordinates for the specific closed area boundaries are as follows:
    (1) Between the U.S./Canada border and 46[deg]16' N. lat., the 
eastern boundary of the RCA is the shoreline.
    (2) Between 46[deg]16' N. lat. and 40[deg]10' N. lat., the RCA is 
defined along an eastern, inshore boundary approximating 30-fm (55-m). 
Between 46[deg]16' N. lat. and 40[deg]10' N. lat., the eastern boundary 
for the RCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the 
following points in the order stated:
    (1) 46[deg]16.00' N. lat., 124[deg]13.05' W. long.;
     (2) 46[deg]07.00' N. lat., 124[deg]07.01' W. long.;
     (3) 45[deg]55.95' N. lat., 124[deg]02.23' W. long.;

[[Page 6403]]

     (4) 45[deg]54.53' N. lat., 124[deg]02.57' W. long.;
     (5) 45[deg]50.65' N. lat., 124[deg]01.62' W. long.;
     (6) 45[deg]48.20' N. lat., 124[deg]02.16' W. long.;
     (7) 45[deg]46.00' N. lat., 124[deg]01.86' W. long.;
     (8) 45[deg]43.47' N. lat., 124[deg]01.28' W. long.;
     (9) 45[deg]40.48' N. lat., 124[deg]01.03' W. long.;
     (10) 45[deg]39.04' N. lat., 124[deg]01.68' W. long.;
     (11) 45[deg]35.48' N. lat., 124[deg]01.89' W. long.;
     (12) 45[deg]29.81' N. lat., 124[deg]02.45' W. long.;
     (13) 45[deg]27.96' N. lat., 124[deg]01.89' W. long.;
     (14) 45[deg]27.22' N. lat., 124[deg]02.67' W. long.;
     (15) 45[deg]24.20' N. lat., 124[deg]02.94' W. long.;
     (16) 45[deg]20.60' N. lat., 124[deg]01.74' W. long.;
     (17) 45[deg]20.25' N. lat., 124[deg]01.85' W. long.;
     (18) 45[deg]16.44' N. lat., 124[deg]03.22' W. long.;
     (19) 45[deg]13.63' N. lat., 124[deg]02.70' W. long.;
     (20) 45[deg]11.04' N. lat., 124[deg]03.59' W. long.;
     (21) 45[deg]08.55' N. lat., 124[deg]03.47' W. long.;
     (22) 45[deg]02.82' N. lat., 124[deg]04.64' W. long.;
     (23) 45[deg]03.38' N. lat., 124[deg]04.79' W. long.;
     (24) 44[deg]58.06' N. lat., 124[deg]05.03' W. long.;
     (25) 44[deg]53.97' N. lat., 124[deg]06.92' W. long.;
     (26) 44[deg]48.89' N. lat., 124[deg]07.04' W. long.;
     (27) 44[deg]46.94' N. lat., 124[deg]08.25' W. long.;
     (28) 44[deg]42.72' N. lat., 124[deg]08.98' W. long.;
     (29) 44[deg]38.16' N. lat., 124[deg]11.48' W. long.;
     (30) 44[deg]33.38' N. lat., 124[deg]11.54' W. long.;
     (31) 44[deg]28.51' N. lat., 124[deg]12.03' W. long.;
     (32) 44[deg]27.65' N. lat., 124[deg]12.56' W. long.;
     (33) 44[deg]19.67' N. lat., 124[deg]12.37' W. long.;
     (34) 44[deg]10.79' N. lat., 124[deg]12.22' W. long.;
     (35) 44[deg]09.22' N. lat., 124[deg]12.28' W. long.;
     (36) 44[deg]08.30' N. lat., 124[deg]12.30' W. long.;
     (37) 44[deg]00.22' N. lat., 124[deg]12.80' W. long.;
     (38) 43[deg]51.56' N. lat., 124[deg]13.17' W. long.;
     (39) 43[deg]44.26' N. lat., 124[deg]14.50' W. long.;
     (40) 43[deg]33.82' N. lat., 124[deg]16.28' W. long.;
     (41) 43[deg]28.66' N. lat., 124[deg]18.72' W. long.;
     (42) 43[deg]23.12' N. lat., 124[deg]24.04' W. long.;
     (43) 43[deg]20.83' N. lat., 124[deg]25.67' W. long.;
     (44) 43[deg]20.49' N. lat., 124[deg]25.90' W. long.;
     (45) 43[deg]16.41' N. lat., 124[deg]27.52' W. long.;
     (46) 43[deg]14.23' N. lat., 124[deg]29.28' W. long.;
     (47) 43[deg]14.03' N. lat., 124[deg]28.31' W. long.;
     (48) 43[deg]11.92' N. lat., 124[deg]28.26' W. long.;
     (49) 43[deg]11.02' N. lat., 124[deg]29.11' W. long.;
     (50) 43[deg]10.13' N. lat., 124[deg]29.15' W. long.;
     (51) 43[deg]09.27' N. lat., 124[deg]31.03' W. long.;
     (52) 43[deg]07.73' N. lat., 124[deg]30.92' W. long.;
     (53) 43[deg]05.93' N. lat., 124[deg]29.64' W. long.;
     (54) 43[deg]01.59' N. lat., 124[deg]30.64' W. long.;
     (55) 42[deg]59.73' N. lat., 124[deg]31.16' W. long.;
     (56) 42[deg]53.75' N. lat., 124[deg]36.09' W. long.;
     (57) 42[deg]50.00' N. lat., 124[deg]38.39' W. long.;
     (58) 42[deg]49.37' N. lat., 124[deg]38.81' W. long.;
     (59) 42[deg]46.42' N. lat., 124[deg]37.69' W. long.;
     (60) 42[deg]46.07' N. lat., 124[deg]38.56' W. long.;
     (61) 42[deg]45.29' N. lat., 124[deg]37.95' W. long.;
     (62) 42[deg]45.61' N. lat., 124[deg]36.87' W. long.;
     (63) 42[deg]44.28' N. lat., 124[deg]33.64' W. long.;
     (64) 42[deg]42.75' N. lat., 124[deg]31.84' W. long.;
     (65) 42[deg]40.50' N. lat., 124[deg]29.67' W. long.;
     (66) 42[deg]40.04' N. lat., 124[deg]29.19' W. long.;
     (67) 42[deg]38.09' N. lat., 124[deg]28.39' W. long.;
     (68) 42[deg]36.72' N. lat., 124[deg]27.54' W. long.;
     (69) 42[deg]36.56' N. lat., 124[deg]28.40' W. long.;
     (70) 42[deg]35.76' N. lat., 124[deg]28.79' W. long.;
     (71) 42[deg]34.03' N. lat., 124[deg]29.98' W. long.;
     (72) 42[deg]34.19' N. lat., 124[deg]30.58' W. long.;
     (73) 42[deg]31.27' N. lat., 124[deg]32.24' W. long.;
     (74) 42[deg]27.07' N. lat., 124[deg]32.53' W. long.;
     (75) 42[deg]24.21' N. lat., 124[deg]31.23' W. long.;
     (76) 42[deg]20.47' N. lat., 124[deg]28.87' W. long.;
     (77) 42[deg]14.60' N. lat., 124[deg]26.80' W. long.;
     (78) 42[deg]13.67' N. lat., 124[deg]26.25' W. long.;
     (79) 42[deg]10.90' N. lat., 124[deg]24.57' W. long.;
     (80) 42[deg]07.04' N. lat., 124[deg]23.35' W. long.;
     (81) 42[deg]02.16' N. lat., 124[deg]22.59' W. long.;
     (82) 42[deg]00.00' N. lat., 124[deg]21.81' W. long.;
     (83) 41[deg]55.75' N. lat., 124[deg]20.72' W. long.;
     (84) 41[deg]50.93' N. lat., 124[deg]23.76' W. long.;
     (85) 41[deg]42.53' N. lat., 124[deg]16.47' W. long.;
     (86) 41[deg]37.20' N. lat., 124[deg]17.05' W. long.;
     (87) 41[deg]24.58' N. lat., 124[deg]10.51' W. long.;
     (88) 41[deg]20.73' N. lat., 124[deg]11.73' W. long.;
     (89) 41[deg]17.59' N. lat., 124[deg]10.66' W. long.;
     (90) 41[deg]04.54' N. lat., 124[deg]14.47' W. long.;
     (91) 40[deg]54.26' N. lat., 124[deg]13.90' W. long.;
     (92) 40[deg]40.31' N. lat., 124[deg]26.24' W. long.;
     (93) 40[deg]34.00' N. lat., 124[deg]27.39' W. long.;
     (94) 40[deg]30.00' N. lat., 124[deg]31.32' W. long.;
     (95) 40[deg]28.89' N. lat., 124[deg]32.43' W. long.;
     (96) 40[deg]24.77' N. lat., 124[deg]29.51' W. long.;
     (97) 40[deg]22.47' N. lat., 124[deg]24.12' W. long.;
     (98) 40[deg]19.73' N. lat., 124[deg]23.59' W. long.;
     (99) 40[deg]18.64' N. lat., 124[deg]21.89' W. long.;
     (100) 40[deg]17.67' N. lat., 124[deg]23.07' W. long.;
     (101) 40[deg]15.58' N. lat., 124[deg]23.61' W. long.;
     (102) 40[deg]13.42' N. lat., 124[deg]22.94' W. long.; and
     (103) 40[deg]10.00' N. lat., 124[deg]16.65' W. long.
     (3) Between the U.S./Canada border and 40[deg]10' N. lat., the RCA 
is defined along a western, offshore boundary approximating 100-fm 
(183-m). North of 40[deg]10' N. lat., the western boundary for the RCA 
is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in 
the order stated:
     (1) 48[deg]15.00' N. lat., 125[deg]41.00' W. long.;

[[Page 6404]]

     (2) 48[deg]14.00' N. lat., 125[deg]36.00' W. long.;
     (3) 48[deg]09.50' N. lat., 125[deg]40.50' W. long.;
     (4) 48[deg]08.00' N. lat., 125[deg]38.00' W. long.;
     (5) 48[deg]05.00' N. lat., 125[deg]37.25' W. long.;
     (6) 48[deg]02.60' N. lat., 125[deg]34.70' W. long.;
     (7) 47[deg]59.00' N. lat., 125[deg]34.00' W. long.;
     (8) 47[deg]57.26' N. lat., 125[deg]29.82' W. long.;
     (9) 47[deg]59.87' N. lat., 125[deg]25.81' W. long.;
     (10) 48[deg]01.80' N. lat., 125[deg]24.53' W. long.;
     (11) 48[deg]02.08' N. lat., 125[deg]22.98' W. long.;
     (12) 48[deg]02.97' N. lat., 125[deg]22.89' W. long.;
     (13) 48[deg]04.47' N. lat., 125[deg]21.75' W. long.;
     (14) 48[deg]06.11' N. lat., 125[deg]19.33' W. long.;
     (15) 48[deg]07.95' N. lat., 125[deg]18.55' W. long.;
     (16) 48[deg]09.00' N. lat., 125[deg]18.00' W. long.;
     (17) 48[deg]11.31' N. lat., 125[deg]17.55' W. long.;
     (18) 48[deg]14.60' N. lat., 125[deg]13.46' W. long.;
     (19) 48[deg]16.67' N. lat., 125[deg]14.34' W. long.;
     (20) 48[deg]18.73' N. lat., 125[deg]14.41' W. long.;
     (21) 48[deg]19.67' N. lat., 125[deg]13.70' W. long.;
     (22) 48[deg]19.70' N. lat., 125[deg]11.13' W. long.;
     (23) 48[deg]22.95' N. lat., 125[deg]10.79' W. long.;
     (24) 48[deg]21.61' N. lat., 125[deg]02.54' W. long.;
     (25) 48[deg]23.00' N. lat., 124[deg]49.34' W. long.;
     (26) 48[deg]17.00' N. lat., 124[deg]56.50' W. long.;
     (27) 48[deg]06.00' N. lat., 125[deg]00.00' W. long.;
     (28) 48[deg]04.62' N. lat., 125[deg]01.73' W. long.;
     (29) 48[deg]04.84' N. lat., 125[deg]04.03' W. long.;
     (30) 48[deg]06.41' N. lat., 125[deg]06.51' W. long.;
     (31) 48[deg]06.00' N. lat., 125[deg]08.00' W. long.;
     (32) 48[deg]07.08' N. lat., 125[deg]09.34' W. long.;
     (33) 48[deg]07.28' N. lat., 125[deg]11.14' W. long.;
     (34) 48[deg]03.45' N. lat., 125[deg]16.66' W. long.;
     (35) 47[deg]59.50' N. lat., 125[deg]18.88' W. long.;
     (36) 47[deg]58.68' N. lat., 125[deg]16.19' W. long.;
     (37) 47[deg]56.62' N. lat., 125[deg]13.50' W. long.;
     (38) 47[deg]53.71' N. lat., 125[deg]11.96' W. long.;
     (39) 47[deg]51.70' N. lat., 125[deg]09.38' W. long.;
     (40) 47[deg]49.95' N. lat., 125[deg]06.07' W. long.;
     (41) 47[deg]49.00' N. lat., 125[deg]03.00' W. long.;
     (42) 47[deg]46.95' N. lat., 125[deg]04.00' W. long.;
     (43) 47[deg]46.58' N. lat., 125[deg]03.15' W. long.;
     (44) 47[deg]44.07' N. lat., 125[deg]04.28' W. long.;
     (45) 47[deg]43.32' N. lat., 125[deg]04.41' W. long.;
     (46) 47[deg]40.95' N. lat., 125[deg]04.14' W. long.;
     (47) 47[deg]39.58' N. lat., 125[deg]04.97' W. long.;
     (48) 47[deg]36.23' N. lat., 125[deg]02.77' W. long.;
     (49) 47[deg]34.28' N. lat., 124[deg]58.66' W. long.;
     (50) 47[deg]32.17' N. lat., 124[deg]57.77' W. long.;
     (51) 47[deg]30.27' N. lat., 124[deg]56.16' W. long.;
     (52) 47[deg]30.60' N. lat., 124[deg]54.80' W. long.;
     (53) 47[deg]29.26' N. lat., 124[deg]52.21' W. long.;
     (54) 47[deg]28.21' N. lat., 124[deg]50.65' W. long.;
     (55) 47[deg]27.38' N. lat., 124[deg]49.34' W. long.;
     (56) 47[deg]25.61' N. lat., 124[deg]48.26' W. long.;
     (57) 47[deg]23.54' N. lat., 124[deg]46.42' W. long.;
     (58) 47[deg]20.64' N. lat., 124[deg]45.91' W. long.;
     (59) 47[deg]17.99' N. lat., 124[deg]45.59' W. long.;
     (60) 47[deg]18.20' N. lat., 124[deg]49.12' W. long.;
     (61) 47[deg]15.01' N. lat., 124[deg]51.09' W. long.;
     (62) 47[deg]12.61' N. lat., 124[deg]54.89' W. long.;
     (63) 47[deg]08.22' N. lat., 124[deg]56.53' W. long.;
     (64) 47[deg]08.50' N. lat., 124[deg]57.74' W. long.;
     (65) 47[deg]01.92' N. lat., 124[deg]54.95' W. long.;
     (66) 47[deg]01.14' N. lat., 124[deg]59.35' W. long.;
     (67) 46[deg]58.48' N. lat., 124[deg]57.81' W. long.;
     (68) 46[deg]56.79' N. lat., 124[deg]56.03' W. long.;
     (69) 46[deg]58.01' N. lat., 124[deg]55.09' W. long.;
     (70) 46[deg]55.07' N. lat., 124[deg]54.14' W. long.;
     (71) 46[deg]59.60' N. lat., 124[deg]49.79' W. long.;
     (72) 46[deg]58.72' N. lat., 124[deg]48.78' W. long.;
     (73) 46[deg]54.45' N. lat., 124[deg]48.36' W. long.;
     (74) 46[deg]53.99' N. lat., 124[deg]49.95' W. long.;
     (75) 46[deg]54.38' N. lat., 124[deg]52.73' W. long.;
     (76) 46[deg]52.38' N. lat., 124[deg]52.02' W. long.;
     (77) 46[deg]48.93' N. lat., 124[deg]49.17' W. long.;
     (78) 46[deg]41.50' N. lat., 124[deg]43.00' W. long.;
     (79) 46[deg]34.50' N. lat., 124[deg]28.50' W. long.;
     (80) 46[deg]29.00' N. lat., 124[deg]30.00' W. long.;
     (81) 46[deg]20.00' N. lat., 124[deg]36.50' W. long.;
     (82) 46[deg]18.00' N. lat., 124[deg]38.00' W. long.;
     (83) 46[deg]17.52' N. lat., 124[deg]35.35' W. long.;
     (84) 46[deg]17.00' N. lat., 124[deg]22.50' W. long.;
     (85) 46[deg]16.00' N. lat., 124[deg]20.62' W. long.;
     (86) 46[deg]13.52' N. lat., 124[deg]25.49' W. long.;
     (87) 46[deg]12.17' N. lat., 124[deg]30.75' W. long.;
     (88) 46[deg]10.63' N. lat., 124[deg]37.95' W. long.;
     (89) 46[deg]09.29' N. lat., 124[deg]39.01' W. long.;
     (90) 46[deg]02.40' N. lat., 124[deg]40.37' W. long.;
     (91) 45[deg]56.45' N. lat., 124[deg]38.00' W. long.;
     (92) 45[deg]51.92' N. lat., 124[deg]38.49' W. long.;
     (93) 45[deg]47.19' N. lat., 124[deg]35.58' W. long.;
     (94) 45[deg]46.41' N. lat., 124[deg]32.36' W. long.;
     (95) 45[deg]46.00' N. lat., 124[deg]32.10' W. long.;
     (96) 45[deg]41.75' N. lat., 124[deg]28.12' W. long.;
     (97) 45[deg]36.96' N. lat., 124[deg]24.48' W. long.;
     (98) 45[deg]31.84' N. lat., 124[deg]22.04' W. long.;
     (99) 45[deg]27.10' N. lat., 124[deg]21.74' W. long.;
     (100) 45[deg]20.25' N. lat., 124[deg]18.54' W. long.;
     (101) 45[deg]18.14' N. lat., 124[deg]17.59' W. long.;
     (102) 45[deg]11.08' N. lat., 124[deg]16.97' W. long.;
     (103) 45[deg]04.38' N. lat., 124[deg]18.36' W. long.;
     (104) 45[deg]03.83' N. lat., 124[deg]18.60' W. long.;
     (105) 44[deg]58.05' N. lat., 124[deg]21.58' W. long.;
     (106) 44[deg]47.67' N. lat., 124[deg]31.41' W. long.;

[[Page 6405]]

     (107) 44[deg]44.55' N. lat., 124[deg]33.58' W. long.;
     (108) 44[deg]39.88' N. lat., 124[deg]35.01' W. long.;
     (109) 44[deg]32.90' N. lat., 124[deg]36.81' W. long.;
     (110) 44[deg]30.33' N. lat., 124[deg]38.56' W. long.;
     (111) 44[deg]30.04' N. lat., 124[deg]42.31' W. long.;
     (112) 44[deg]26.84' N. lat., 124[deg]44.91' W. long.;
     (113) 44[deg]17.99' N. lat., 124[deg]51.03' W. long.;
     (114) 44[deg]13.68' N. lat., 124[deg]56.38' W. long.;
     (115) 44[deg]08.30' N. lat., 124[deg]55.99' W. long.;
     (116) 43[deg]56.67' N. lat., 124[deg]55.45' W. long.;
     (117) 43[deg]56.47' N. lat., 124[deg]34.61' W. long.;
     (118) 43[deg]42.73' N. lat., 124[deg]32.41' W. long.;
     (119) 43[deg]30.93' N. lat., 124[deg]34.43' W. long.;
     (120) 43[deg]20.83' N. lat., 124[deg]39.39' W. long.;
     (121) 43[deg]17.45' N. lat., 124[deg]41.16' W. long.;
     (122) 43[deg]07.04' N. lat., 124[deg]41.25' W. long.;
     (123) 43[deg]03.45' N. lat., 124[deg]44.36' W. long.;
     (124) 43[deg]03.90' N. lat., 124[deg]50.81' W. long.;
     (125) 42[deg]55.70' N. lat., 124[deg]52.79' W. long.;
     (126) 42[deg]54.12' N. lat., 124[deg]47.36' W. long.;
     (127) 42[deg]50.00' N. lat., 124[deg]45.33' W. long.;
     (128) 42[deg]44.00' N. lat., 124[deg]42.38' W. long.;
     (129) 42[deg]40.50' N. lat., 124[deg]41.71' W. long.;
     (130) 42[deg]38.23' N. lat., 124[deg]41.25' W. long.;
     (131) 42[deg]33.03' N. lat., 124[deg]42.38' W. long.;
     (132) 42[deg]31.89' N. lat., 124[deg]42.04' W. long.;
     (133) 42[deg]30.09' N. lat., 124[deg]42.67' W. long.;
     (134) 42[deg]28.28' N. lat., 124[deg]47.08' W. long.;
     (135) 42[deg]25.22' N. lat., 124[deg]43.51' W. long.;
     (136) 42[deg]19.23' N. lat., 124[deg]37.92' W. long.;
     (137) 42[deg]16.29' N. lat., 124[deg]36.11' W. long.;
     (138) 42[deg]13.67' N. lat., 124[deg]35.81' W. long.;
     (139) 42[deg]05.66' N. lat., 124[deg]34.92' W. long.;
     (140) 42[deg]00.00' N. lat., 124[deg]35.27' W. long.;
     (141) 41[deg]47.04' N. lat., 124[deg]27.64' W. long.;
     (142) 41[deg]32.92' N. lat., 124[deg]28.79' W. long.;
     (143) 41[deg]24.17' N. lat., 124[deg]28.46' W. long.;
     (144) 41[deg]10.12' N. lat., 124[deg]20.50' W. long.;
     (145) 40[deg]51.41' N. lat., 124[deg]24.38' W. long.;
     (146) 40[deg]43.71' N. lat., 124[deg]29.89' W. long.;
     (147) 40[deg]40.14' N. lat., 124[deg]30.90' W. long.;
     (148) 40[deg]37.35' N. lat., 124[deg]29.05' W. long.;
     (149) 40[deg]34.76' N. lat., 124[deg]29.82' W. long.;
     (150) 40[deg]36.78' N. lat., 124[deg]37.06' W. long.;
     (151) 40[deg]32.44' N. lat., 124[deg]39.58' W. long.;
     (152) 40[deg]30.00' N. lat., 124[deg]38.13' W. long.;
     (153) 40[deg]24.82' N. lat., 124[deg]35.12' W. long.;
     (154) 40[deg]23.30' N. lat., 124[deg]31.60' W. long.;
     (155) 40[deg]23.52' N. lat., 124[deg]28.78' W. long.;
     (156) 40[deg]22.43' N. lat., 124[deg]25.00' W. long.;
     (157) 40[deg]21.72' N. lat., 124[deg]24.94' W. long.;
     (158) 40[deg]21.87' N. lat., 124[deg]27.96' W. long.;
     (159) 40[deg]21.40' N. lat., 124[deg]28.74' W. long.;
     (160) 40[deg]19.68' N. lat., 124[deg]28.49' W. long.;
     (161) 40[deg]17.73' N. lat., 124[deg]25.43' W. long.;
     (162) 40[deg]18.37' N. lat., 124[deg]23.35' W. long.;
     (163) 40[deg]15.75' N. lat., 124[deg]26.05' W. long.;
     (164) 40[deg]16.75' N. lat., 124[deg]33.71' W. long.;
     (165) 40[deg]16.29' N. lat., 124[deg]34.36' W. long.; and
     (166) 40[deg]10.00' N. lat., 124[deg]21.12' W. long.;
    NMFS requests public comments on the Pacific Council's recommended 
modifications to the Plan and the proposed domestic fishing 
regulations. The Area 2A TAC will be set by the IPHC at its annual 
meeting on January 18-21, 2005, in Victoria, B.C. NMFS requests 
comments on the proposed changes to the Plan and domestic fishing 
regulations after the annual meeting but before 5pm local time on March 
16, 2005, so that the public will have the opportunity to consider the 
final Area 2A TAC before submitting comments on the proposed changes. 
The States of Washington and Oregon will conduct public workshops 
shortly after the IPHC meeting to obtain input on the sport season 
dates. After the Area 2A TAC is known and after NMFS reviews public 
comments and comments from the states, NMFS will issue a final rule for 
the Area 2A Pacific halibut fisheries concurrent with the IPHC 
regulations for the 2005 Pacific halibut fisheries.

Classification

    NMFS has prepared an EA/RIR/IRFA and a CE on the proposed changes 
to the Plan and annual domestic Area 2A halibut management measures. 
Copies of these documents are available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES).
    NMFS prepared an IRFA that describes the economic impact this 
proposed rule, if adopted, would have on small entities. A description 
of the action, why it is being considered, and the legal basis for this 
action are contained at the beginning of this section in the preamble 
and in the SUMMARY section of the preamble. The IRFA is available from 
NMFS (see ADDRESSES). A summary of the IRFA follows:
    A fish-harvesting business is considered a ``small'' business by 
the Small Business Administration (SBA) if it has annual receipts not 
in excess of $3.5 million. For related fish-processing businesses, a 
small business is one that employs 500 or fewer persons. For marinas 
and charter/party boats, a small business is one with annual receipts 
not in excess of $6.0 million. All of the businesses that would be 
affected by this action are considered small businesses under SBA 
guidance.
    The proposed changes to the Plan, which allocates the catch of 
Pacific halibut among users in Washington, Oregon and California, 
would: (1) allow remaining quota from Washington's south coast subarea 
to be used to accommodate incidental catch in the south coast nearshore 
fishery; (2) allow quota projected to be unused to be transferred from 
the Oregon's central coast subarea to another subarea south of 
Leadbetter Point, WA; (3) revise the season structure for Oregon's all-
depth spring and summer sport fisheries; (4) provide more flexibility 
for Oregon's inseason sport fishery management (triggers for additional 
fishery openings and bag limits in the all-depth summer fishery); (5) 
revise the public announcement process for the Oregon all-depth summer 
sport fishery; (6) revise the Columbia River subarea quota 
contributions from Oregon/California; (7) remove the minimum length 
requirement in all subareas south of Leadbetter Point, WA; (8) prohibit 
retention of all groundfish, except sablefish, in the Columbia River 
fishery during all days and in the Central Coast

[[Page 6406]]

fisheries during ``all-depth'' days; (9) implement a closed area off 
Oregon's coast; and (10) revise all coordinates from degrees minutes 
seconds to degrees decimal minutes. These proposed changes to the Plan 
for each issue are intended to increase protection for overfished 
groundfish within the recreational halibut fisheries and to allow 
Oregon anglers easier access to their halibut quota. The flexible 
inseason management provisions, the fishery election process, and the 
domestic management measures in Area 2A have essentially not changed 
since 2004, but are included in the proposed rule to provide 
opportunity for public notice and comment.
    These changes to the Plan and annual domestic Area 2A halibut 
management measures are authorized under the Pacific Halibut Act and 
implementing regulations at 50 CFR 300.60-65.
    The proposed changes to the Plan will affect charter fishing 
operations that operate off Oregon. The IPHC issued 138 licenses to the 
charterboat fleet in 2004, approximately 52 of which were issued to 
Oregon charterboat operators. Specific data on the economics of halibut 
charter operations is unavailable. However, in January 2004 the Pacific 
States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) reported that there were 
about 150 charterboat vessels operating in waters off Oregon in 2000. 
Compared with the 52 IPHC charter licenses issued to Oregon addresses 
in 2004, this estimate suggests that approximately 35-percent of the 
Oregon charterboat fleet participates in the halibut fishery. The PSMFC 
has developed preliminary estimates of the annual revenues earned by 
this fleet and they vary by size class of the vessels and home state. 
In 2000, small Oregon charterboat vessels had an average annual revenue 
of about $7,000, an average length of 23.4 feet (7.2 meters), and 
typically carried six passengers. In 2000, medium Oregon charterboat 
vessels had an average annual revenue of $85,000, an average length of 
41.4 feet and typically carried 19 to 20 passengers. These data confirm 
that Oregon charterboat vessels qualify as small entities under the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    The proposed changes to the Plan are not expected to result in any 
significant economic impacts for small entities. The proposed sport 
management measures for 2005 implement the Plan by managing the 
recreational fishery to meet the differing fishery needs of the various 
areas along the coast according to the Plan's objectives. The EA/RIR/
IRFA for this action reviewed alternatives including no action, 
adopting a closed area on Stonewall Bank, prohibiting groundfish 
retention in the Columbia River and Oregon's Central coast areas, and 
removing the minimum length requirement. The preferred alternatives 
were to adopt both a closed area on Stonewall Bank and prohibit 
groundfish retention in the Columbia River and Oregon's Central coast 
areas as well as removing the minimum length requirement. There were no 
alternatives that could have similarly improved angler enjoyment of and 
participation in the fisheries while simultaneously protecting halibut 
and co-occurring groundfish species from overharvest. These changes do 
not include any reporting or recordkeeping requirements. These changes 
will also not duplicate, overlap or conflict with other laws or 
regulations.
    This action has been determined to be not significant for purposes 
of Executive Order 12866.
    Pursuant to Executive Order 13175, the Secretary of Commerce 
recognizes the sovereign status and co-manager role of Indian tribes 
over shared Federal and tribal fishery resources. At section 302(b)(5), 
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act reserves a 
seat on the Pacific Council for a representative of an Indian tribe 
with federally recognized fishing rights from California, Oregon, 
Washington, or Idaho.
    The U.S. government formally recognizes that the 12 Washington 
Tribes have treaty rights to fish for Pacific halibut. In general 
terms, the quantification of those rights is 50 percent of the 
harvestable surplus of Pacific halibut available in the tribes' usual 
and accustomed (U and A) fishing areas (described at 50 CFR 300.64). 
Each of the treaty tribes has the discretion to administer their 
fisheries and to establish their own policies to achieve program 
objectives. Accordingly, tribal allocations and regulations, including 
the proposed changes to the Plan, have been developed in consultation 
with the affected tribe(s) and, insofar as possible, with tribal 
consensus.

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

    Dated: February 1, 2005.
John Oliver,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Operations, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05-2282 Filed 2-4-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S


</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>