678 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

50 CFR Part 660 

[Docket No. 140904754–4999–01] 

RIN 0648–BE27 

Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; 

Fisheries Off West Coast States; 

Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 

2015–2016 Biennial Specifications and 

Management Measures; Amendment 

24 

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries 

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 

Commerce. 

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: This proposed rule would 

establish the 2015–2016 harvest 

specifications and management 

measures for groundfish taken in the 

U.S. exclusive economic zone off the 

coasts of Washington, Oregon, and 

California, consistent with the 

Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 

Conservation and Management Act 

(MSA) and the Pacific Coast Groundfish 

Fishery Management Plan (PCGFMP). 

This proposed rule would also revise 

the management measures that are 

intended to keep the total catch of each 

groundfish species or species complex 

within the harvest specifications. This 

action also includes regulations to 

implement Amendment 24 to the 

PCGFMP, which establishes default 

harvest control rules for setting harvest 

specifications after 2015–2016. 

DATES: Comments must be received no 

later than January 26, 2015. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments 

on this document, identified by NOAA– 

NMFS–2014–0138, by any of the 

following methods: 

• Electronic Submission: Submit all 

electronic public comments via the 

Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to 

www.regulations.gov/

#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2014- 

0138, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, 

complete the required fields, and enter 

or attach your comments. 

• Mail: Submit written comments to 

William W. Stelle, Jr., Regional 

Administrator, 7600 Sand Point Way 

NE., Seattle, WA 98115. 

• Fax: 206–525–4736; Attn: Sarah 

Williams. 

Instructions: Comments sent by any 

other method, to any other address or 

individual, or received after the end of 

the comment period, may not be 

considered by NMFS. All comments 

received are a part of the public record 

and will generally be posted 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 will 

be publicly accessible. NMFS will 

accept anonymous comments (enter 

‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish 

to remain anonymous). Attachments to 

electronic comments will be accepted in 

Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF 

file formats only. 

Information relevant to this proposed 

rule, which includes a draft 

environmental impact statement (EIS), a 

regulatory impact review (RIR), and an 

initial regulatory flexibility analysis 

(IRFA) are available for public review 

during business hours at the office of 

the Pacific Fishery Management Council 

(Council), at 7700 NE Ambassador 

Place, Portland, OR 97220, phone: 503– 

820–2280. Copies of additional reports 

referred to in this document may also be 

obtained from the Council. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Sarah Williams, phone: 206–526–4646, 

fax: 206–526–6736, or email: 

sarah.williams@noaa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Electronic Access 

This rule is accessible via the Internet 

at the Office of the Federal Register Web 

site at https://www.federalregister.gov. 

Background information and documents 

are available at the NMFS West Coast 

Region Web site at http://

www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/

fisheries/groundfish/index.html and at 

the Council’s Web site at http://

www.pcouncil.org. 

Executive Summary 

Purpose of the Regulatory Action 

This proposed rule would implement 

the 2015–2016 harvest specifications 

and management measures for 

groundfish species taken in the U.S. 

exclusive economic zone off the coasts 

of Washington, Oregon, and California, 

and establish default harvest control 

rules consistent with Amendment 24 to 

the PCGFMP. The purpose of the 

proposed action is to conserve and 

manage Pacific Coast groundfish fishery 

resources to prevent overfishing, to 

rebuild overfished stocks, to ensure 

conservation, to facilitate long-term 

protection of essential fish habitats 

(EFH), and to realize the full potential 

of the Nation’s fishery resources. This 

proposed action would set catch limit 

specifications for 2015–2016 consistent 

with existing or revised harvest control 

rules for all stocks, and establish 

management measures designed to keep 

catch within the appropriate limits. The 

harvest specifications are set consistent 

with the optimum yield (OY) harvest 

management framework described in 

Chapter 4 of the PCGFMP. The proposed 

rule would also implement Amendment 

24 to PCGFMP. Amendment 24 

establishes default harvest control rules 

that would be used to determine harvest 

specifications after 2015–2016. This rule 

is authorized by 16 U.S.C. 1854–55 and 

by the PCGFMP. 

Major Provisions 

This proposed rule contains two types 

of major provisions. The first are the 

harvest specifications (overfishing limits 

(OFLs), acceptable biological catches 

(ABCs), and annual catch limits (ACLs)), 

and the second are management 

measures designed to keep fishing 

mortality within the ACLs. The harvest 

specifications (OFLs, ABCs, and ACLs) 

in this rule have been developed 

through a rigorous scientific review and 

decision-making process, which is 

described in detail later in this proposed 

rule. 

In summary, the OFL is the maximum 

sustainable yield (MSY) harvest level 

and is an estimate of the catch level 

above which overfishing is occurring. 

OFLs are based on recommendations by 

the Council’s Scientific and Statistical 

Committee (SSC) as the best scientific 

information available. The ABC is an 

annual catch specification that is the 

stock or stock complex’s OFL reduced 

by an amount associated with scientific 

uncertainty. The SSC-recommended 

method for incorporating scientific 

uncertainty is referred to as the P starsigma approach and is discussed in 

detail in the proposed and final rules for 

the 2011–2012 (75 FR 67810, November 

3, 2010 and 76 FR 27508, May 11, 2011) 

and 2013–2014 (77 FR 67974, November 

12, 2012, and 78 FR 580, January 3, 

2013) biennial harvest specifications 

and management measures. The ACL is 

a harvest specification set equal to or 

below the ABC. The ACLs are decided 

in a manner to achieve OY from the 

fishery, which is the amount of fish that 

will provide the greatest overall benefit 

to the Nation, particularly with respect 

to food production and recreational 

opportunities and taking into account 

the protection of marine ecosystems. 

The ACLs are based on consideration of 

conservation objectives, socio-economic 

concerns, management uncertainty, and 

other factors. All known sources of 

fishing and scientific research catch are 

counted against the ACL. 


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This proposed rule includes ACLs for 

the seven overfished species managed 

under the PCGFMP. For the 2015–2016 

biennium only one species, cowcod, 

requires rebuilding plan changes to its 

TMAX and TTARGET rebuilding 

parameters. TMAX is the maximum 

permissible time period for rebuilding 

the stock its target biomass. TTARGET is 

the year by which the stock can be 

rebuilt as soon as possible, taking into 

account the status and biology of the 

stock, the needs of fishing communities, 

and the interaction of the stock of fish 

within the marine ecosystem. The 

changes are necessary because the 

rebuilding analyses prepared showed 

that the current TTARGET is 9 years 

longer than the new TMAX. Accordingly, 

for cowcod, the TTARGET would be 

revised from 2068 to 2020, which is the 

median time to rebuild based on the 

existing harvest control rule. The 

remaining overfished species are 

making adequate progress towards 

rebuilding or are estimated to be rebuilt 

in 2015. Therefore, this rule proposes to 

establish harvest specifications 

consistent with the existing rebuilding 

plan provisions for those species. 

This rule also proposes to implement 

Amendment 24 to the PCGFMP. 

Amendment 24 consists of three 

components: (1) Default harvest control 

rules; (2) a suite of minor changes, 

including clarification of routine 

management measures and adjustments 

to those measures, clarification to the 

harvest specifications decision making 

schedule, changes to the description of 

biennial management cycle process, 

updates to make the FMP consistent 

with SSC guidance on the FMSY proxy 

for elasmobranchs, and clarifications to 

definitions; and (3) addition of two 

rockfish species to the PCGFMP and the 

designation of ecosystem component 

(EC) species. 

In order to keep mortality of the 

species managed under the PCGFMP 

within the ACLs the Council also 

recommended management measures. 

Generally speaking, management 

measures are intended to rebuild 

overfished species, prevent ACLs from 

being exceeded, and allow for the 

harvest of healthy stocks. Management 

measures include time and area 

restrictions, gear restrictions, trip or bag 

limits, size limits, and other 

management tools. Management 

measures may vary by fishing sector 

because different fishing sectors require 

different types of management to control 

catch. Most of the management 

measures the Council recommended for 

2015–2016 were slight variations to 

existing management measures and do 

not represent a change from current 

management practices. These types of 

changes include changes to trip limits, 

bag limits, closed areas, etc. 

Additionally, several new management 

measures were recommended by the 

Council including: Changes to lingcod 

retention in previously closed 

cumulative limit periods and canary 

rockfish retention in the Oregon 

recreational fishery, along with a few 

others. 

Table of Contents 

I. Background 

A. Specification and Management Measure 

Development Process 

II. Harvest Specifications 

A. Proposed OFLs for 2015 and 2016 

1. Overfished Species OFLs 

2. Non-Overfished Species OFLs for 

Individually Managed Stocks 

3. Stock Complex OFLs 

B. Proposed ABCs for 2015 and 2016 

1. Overfished Species ABCs 

2. Non-Overfished Species ABCs for 

Individually Managed Stocks 

3. Stock Complex ABCs 

C. Proposed ACLs for 2015 and 2016 

1. Overfished Species ACLs 

2. Non-Overfished Species ACLs for 

Individually Managed Stocks 

3. Stock Complex ACLs 

D. Stock Complexes 

1. Minor Nearshore Rockfish Complex 

North and South of 40°10′ N. lat. 

2. Minor Shelf Rockfish Complex North 

and South of 40°10′ N. lat. 

3. Minor Slope Rockfish Complexes North 

and South of 40°10′ N. lat. 

4. Other Flatfish Complex 

5. Other Fish Complex 

E. Amendment 24 to the Pacific Coast 

Groundfish Fishery Management Plan 

1. Default Harvest Control Rules, 

Clarifications, and Adding Species 

2. Designation of Ecosystem Component 

Species 

F. Management Measures 

1. Management Measures and Ecosystem 

Component Species 

2. Deductions From the ACLs 

3. Biennial Fishery Allocations 

4. Modifications to the Boundaries 

Defining RCAs 

5. Sorting Requirements 

6. Limited Entry Trawl 

7. Limited Entry Fixed Gear and Open 

Access Non-Trawl Fishery Management 

Measures 

8. Recreational Fishery Management 

Measures 

9. Tribal Fishery Management Measures 

10. Housekeeping Measures 

III. Classification 

I. Background 

The Pacific Coast Groundfish fishery 

is managed under the PCGFMP. The 

PCGFMP was prepared by the Council, 

approved on July 30, 1984, and has been 

amended numerous times. Regulations 

at 50 CFR part 660, subparts C through 

G, implement the provisions of the 

PCGFMP. 

The PCGFMP requires the harvest 

specifications and management 

measures for groundfish to be set at least 

biennially. This proposed rule is based 

on the Council’s final recommendations 

that were made at its June 2014 meeting 

with updated harvest specifications for 

some stocks adopted at its November 

2014 meeting. 

A. Specification and Management 

Measure Development Process 

The process for setting the 2015–2016 

harvest specifications began in 2012 

with the preparation of stock 

assessments. A stock assessment is the 

scientific and statistical process where 

the status of a fish population or 

subpopulation (stock) is assessed in 

terms of population size, reproductive 

status, fishing mortality, and 

sustainability. In the terms of the 

PCGFMP, stock assessments generally 

provide: (1) An estimate of the current 

biomass (reproductive potential); (2) an 

FMSY or proxy (a default harvest rate for 

the fishing mortality rate that is 

expected to achieve the maximum 

sustainable yield), translated into 

exploitation rate; (3) an estimate of the 

biomass that produces the maximum 

sustainable yield (BMSY); and, (4) a 

precision estimate (e.g., confidence 

interval) for current biomass. Stock 

assessments, including data moderate 

assessments, are reviewed by the 

Council’s stock assessment review panel 

(STAR panel). The STAR panel is 

designed to review the technical merits 

of stock assessments and is responsible 

for determining if a stock assessment 

document is sufficiently complete. 

Finally, the SSC reviews the stock 

assessment and STAR panel reports and 

makes recommendations to the Council. 

In addition to full stock assessments, 

stock assessment updates that run new 

data through existing models without 

changing the model are also prepared. 

When spawning stock biomass falls 

below the minimum stock size 

threshold (MSST), a stock is declared 

overfished and a rebuilding plan must 

be developed that determines the 

strategy for rebuilding the stock to BMSY

in the shortest time possible while 

considering needs of fishing 

communities and other factors (16 

U.S.C. 1854(e)). The current MSST 

reference point for assessed flatfish 

stocks is 12.5 percent of initial biomass 

or B12.5%. For all other assessed 

groundfish stocks, the current MSST 

reference point is 25 percent of initial 

biomass or B25%. The following 

overfished groundfish stocks would be 

managed under rebuilding plans in 

2015–2016: Bocaccio south of 40°10′ N. 

lat.; canary rockfish; cowcod south of 


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40°10′ N. lat.; darkblotched rockfish; 

Pacific Ocean Perch (POP); petrale sole; 

and yelloweye rockfish. 

For overfished stocks, in addition to 

any stock assessments or stock 

assessment updates, rebuilding analyses 

may also be prepared. The rebuilding 

analysis is used to project the future 

status of the overfished resource under 

a variety of alternative harvest strategies 

and to determine the probability of 

recovering to BMSY or its proxy within 

a specified time-frame. 

The Council considered new stock 

assessments, stock assessment updates, 

a new rebuilding analysis for cowcod, 

public comment, and advice from its 

advisory bodies over the course of six 

Council meetings during development 

of its recommendations for the 2015– 

2016 harvest specifications and 

management measures. At each Council 

meeting between June 2013 and June 

2014, the Council made a series of 

decisions and recommendations that 

were in some cases refined after further 

analysis and discussion. Detailed 

information, including the supporting 

documentation the Council considered 

at each meeting is available at the 

Council’s Web site, www.pcouncil.org. 

A draft EIS identifying the preferred 

alternative for each decision point 

published on October 24, 2014 (79 FR 

63622). A preliminary version of the 

draft EIS was made available to the 

public, the Council, and the Council’s 

advisory bodies at the Council’s June 

2014 meeting. At that meeting, 

following public comment and Council 

consideration, the Council made its 

final recommendations for the 2015– 

2016 harvest specifications and 

management measures as well as 

Amendment 24 to the PCGFMP. 

Information regarding the OFLs, 

ABCs, and ACLs being proposed for 

groundfish stocks and stock complexes 

in 2015–2016 is presented below, 

followed by a discussion of the species 

assemblages and use of stock 

complexes, concluding with 

descriptions of the proposed 

management measures for commercial 

and recreational groundfish fisheries. 

II. Harvest Specifications 

The PCGFMP requires the Council to 

set harvest specifications and 

management measures for groundfish at 

least biennially. This proposed rule 

would set 2015–2016 harvest 

specifications and management 

measures for all of the 90 plus 

groundfish species or species groups 

managed under the PCGFMP, except for 

Pacific whiting. Pacific whiting harvest 

specifications are established annually 

through a separate bilateral process with 

Canada. The Council received 

notification at its November 2014 

meeting that the OFLs adopted in June 

2014 for English sole, yellowtail 

rockfish north of 40°10′ N. lat.; 

sharpchin rockfish, and rex sole were 

incorrect. The OFLs from June were 

based on maximum likelihood 

estimates, however, the SSC 

recommended that the 2015–2016 OFLs 

from the Bayesian data-moderate 

assessment be based on the median of 

the posterior distribution of the 

estimated OFLs. The SSC reviewed and 

endorsed the updated harvest 

specifications at the November 2014 

Council meeting and the Council 

recommended those changes. Therefore, 

this rule proposes the updated OFLs, 

ABCs, ACLs, and HGs for English sole, 

yellowtail rockfish north of 40°10′ N. 

lat., as well as the Minor Slope Rockfish 

north and south complexes and the 

Other Flatfish Complex coastwide 

because sharpchin rockfish contributes 

to the Minor Slope Rockfish complex 

harvest specifications and rex sole 

contributes to the harvest specifications 

for the Other Flatfish complex. 

A. Proposed OFLs for 2015 and 2016 

This section describes the proposed 

OFLs for overfished species managed 

under rebuilding plans, non-overfished 

species managed with individual 

species-specific harvest specifications, 

and species managed within stock 

complexes. The stock complex section 

below also discusses data moderate 

assessments. 

The OFL is the MSY harvest level 

associated with the current stock 

abundance and is an estimate of the 

level of total catch of a stock or stock 

complex above which overfishing is 

occurring. The OFLs for groundfish 

species with stock assessments are 

derived by applying the FMSY harvest 

rate proxy to the current estimated 

biomass. Fx% harvest rates are the rates 

of fishing mortality that will reduce the 

female spawning biomass per recruit 

(SPR) to X percent of its unfished level. 

A rate of F40% is a more aggressive 

harvest rate than F45% or F50%. 

For 2015–2016, the Council 

maintained a policy of using a default 

harvest rate as a proxy for the fishing 

mortality rate that is expected to achieve 

the maximum sustainable yield (FMSY). 

A proxy is used because there is 

insufficient information for most Pacific 

Coast groundfish stocks to estimate 

species-specific FMSY values. Taxonspecific proxy fishing mortality rates are 

used due to perceived differences in the 

productivity among different taxa of 

groundfish. A lower value is used for 

stocks with relatively high resilience to 

fishing while higher values are used for 

less resilient stocks with low 

productivity. In 2015–2016, the 

following default harvest rate proxies, 

based on the SSC’s recommendations, 

were used: F30% for flatfish, F40% for 

whiting, F50% for rockfish (including 

longspine and shortspine thornyheads), 

F50% for elasmobranchs, and F45% for 

other groundfish such as sablefish and 

lingcod. 

For the 2015–2016 biennial 

specification process, eight full stock 

assessments and four stock assessment 

updates were prepared. Full stock 

assessments, those that consider the 

appropriateness of the assessment 

model and that revise the model as 

necessary, were prepared for the 

following stocks: Darkblotched rockfish, 

petrale sole, shortspine thornyhead, 

longspine thornyhead, aurora rockfish, 

rougheye/blackspotted rockfish, Pacific 

sanddab, and cowcod. A stock 

assessment update, which runs new 

data through an existing model, was 

prepared for bocaccio. Catch reports, 

which evaluate whether recent mortality 

has remained at or below the 

appropriate limits, were also prepared 

for canary rockfish, POP, and yelloweye 

rockfish. 

Each new stock assessment includes a 

base model and two alternative models. 

The alternative models are developed 

from the base model by bracketing the 

dominant dimension of uncertainty 

(e.g., stock-recruitment steepness, 

natural mortality rate, survey 

catchability, recent year-class strength, 

weights on conflicting catch per unit 

effort series, etc.) and are intended to be 

a means of expressing uncertainty 

within the model by showing the 

contrast in management implications. 

Once a base model has been bracketed 

on either side by alternative model 

scenarios, capturing the overall degree 

of uncertainty in the assessment, a twoway decision table analysis (states-ofnature versus management action) is 

used to present the repercussions of 

uncertainty to decision makers. As 

noted above, the SSC makes 

recommendations to the Council on the 

appropriateness of using the different 

stock assessments for management 

purposes, after which the Council 

considers adoption of the stock 

assessments, use of the stock 

assessments for the development of 

rebuilding analyses, and the OFLs 

resulting from the base model runs of 

the stock assessments. 

1. Overfished Species OFLs 

This section describes the OFLs for 

overfished species managed under 

rebuilding plans in 2015–2016. 


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Bocaccio (Sebastes paucispinis) S. of 

40°10′ N. lat. 

A stock assessment update was 

prepared for bocaccio between the U.S.- 

Mexico border and Cape Blanco, OR. 

The bocaccio OFLs of 1,444 mt for 2015 

and 1,351 mt for 2016 are based on the 

FMSY harvest rate proxy of F50% as 

applied to the estimated exploitable 

biomass from the 2013 stock assessment 

update. For setting harvest 

specifications, six percent of the 

assessed biomass was estimated to occur 

north of 40°10′ N. lat. The projected 

OFLs from the assessment were adjusted 

accordingly. 

Canary Rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) 

A catch report was prepared for 

canary rockfish off Washington, Oregon, 

and California. The canary rockfish 

OFLs of 733 mt for 2015 and 729 mt for 

2016 are based on the FMSY harvest rate 

proxy of F50% as applied to the 

estimated exploitable biomass from the 

2011 rebuilding analysis. 

Cowcod (Sebastes levis) S. of 40°10′ N. 

lat. 

A full stock assessment was prepared 

for cowcod in the area south of 34°27′ 

N. lat. The cowcod OFLs of 67 mt for 

2015 and 68 mt for 2016 are based on 

the FMSY harvest rate proxy of F50% as 

applied to the estimated exploitable 

biomass from the 2013 stock assessment 

added to the revised 2011 DepletionBased Stock Reduction Analysis OFL 

estimate for the Monterey area. 

Darkblotched Rockfish (Sebastes 

crameri) 

A full stock assessment was prepared 

for darkblotched rockfish off 

Washington, Oregon, and California. 

The darkblotched rockfish OFLs of 574 

mt for 2015 and 580 mt for 2016 are 

based on the FMSY harvest rate proxy of 

F50% as applied to the estimated 

exploitable biomass from the 2013 stock 

assessment. 

Petrale Sole (Eopsetta jordani) 

A full stock assessment was prepared 

for petrale sole off Washington, Oregon, 

and California. The assessment treats 

the U.S. petrale sole resource from the 

Mexican border to the Canadian border 

as a single coastwide stock. The petrale 

sole OFLs of 2,946 mt for 2015 and 

3,044 mt for 2016 are based on the FMSY

harvest rate proxy of F30% as applied to 

the estimated exploitable biomass from 

the 2013 stock assessment. 

Pacific Ocean Perch (Sebastes alutus) 

A catch report was prepared for 

Pacific Ocean perch (POP) off 

Washington, Oregon, and California. 

The POP OFLs of 842 mt for 2015 and 

850 mt for 2016 are based on the FMSY

harvest rate proxy of F50% as applied to 

the estimated exploitable biomass from 

the 2011 rebuilding analysis. 

Yelloweye Rockfish (Sebastes 

ruberrimus) 

A catch report was prepared for 

yelloweye rockfish off Washington, 

Oregon, and California. The yelloweye 

rockfish OFLs of 52 mt for 2015 and 

2016 are based on the FMSY harvest rate 

proxy of F50% as applied to the 

estimated exploitable biomass from the 

2011 rebuilding analysis. 

2. Non-Overfished Species OFLs for 

Individually Managed Stocks 

This section describes the OFLs for 

non-overfished species managed with 

individual species-specific harvest 

specifications in 2015–2016. 

English Sole (Parophrys vetulus) 

A new data-moderate coastwide stock 

assessment was prepared for English 

sole in 2013. For a discussion of datamoderate assessments see the ‘‘Stock 

Complex OFL’’ section below. The 

English sole OFLs of 10,792 mt in 2015 

and 7,890 mt in 2016 are based on the 

FMSY harvest rate proxy of F30% applied 

to the estimated exploitable biomass 

from the 2013 data-moderate stock 

assessment. 

Longspine Thornyhead (Sebastolobus 

Altivelis) 

A new coastwide full stock 

assessment was prepared for longspine 

thornyhead. The longspine thornyhead 

OFLs of 5,007 mt in 2015 and 4,763 mt 

in 2016 are based on the FMSY harvest 

rate proxy of F50% as applied to the 

estimated exploitable biomass from the 

2013 stock assessment. 

Shortspine Thornyhead (Sebastolobus 

Alascanus) 

A new coastwide full stock 

assessment was prepared for shortspine 

thornyhead. The shortspine thornyhead 

OFLs of 3,203 mt in 2015 and 3,169 mt 

in 2016 are based on the FMSY harvest 

rate proxy of F50% as applied to the 

estimated exploitable biomass from the 

2013 stock assessment. 

Spiny Dogfish (Squalus Acanthias) 

For 2015–2016, spiny dogfish is 

proposed to be removed from the Other 

Fish complex and managed with 

species-specific harvest specifications. 

A coastwide stock assessment was 

prepared for spiny dogfish in 2011. In 

2013–2014 the spiny dogfish OFLs were 

based on the FMSY harvest rate proxy of 

F45% applied to the estimated 

exploitable biomass from the 2011 stock 

assessment and contributed to the Other 

Fish complex OFLs. The SSC has 

endorsed a new FMSY harvest rate proxy 

for elasmobranchs of F50% to better 

represent the life-history characteristics 

and reproductive biology of 

elasmobranchs. In 2015–2016 the spiny 

dogfish OFLs of 2,523 mt in 2015 and 

2,503 mt in 2016 are derived from the 

2011 assessment using an FMSY harvest 

rate proxy of F50%. 

Yellowtail Rockfish (Sebastes Flavidus) 

N. of 40°10′ N. lat. 

A full assessment of northern 

yellowtail rockfish was conducted in 

2004. In 2013, a new data moderate 

stock assessment was prepared for the 

portion of the yellowtail rockfish 

population north of 40°10′ N. lat. 

Yellowtail is managed as a single 

species with a stock-specific OFL north 

and within the Minor Slope Complex 

south of 40°10′ N. lat. The yellowtail 

rockfish north OFLs are 7,218 mt in 

2015 and 6,949 mt in 2016. These 

estimates are based on the FMSY harvest 

rate proxy of F50% as applied to the 

estimated exploitable biomass from the 

2013 data-moderate stock assessment. 

Additional information on datamoderate assessments and the OFL 

contribution of yellowtail rockfish to the 

Minor Slope Rockfish complex south of 

40°10′ N. lat. can be found below in the 

discussion of ‘‘Stock Complex OFLs.’’ 

For individually managed species that 

did not have new stock assessments or 

updates prepared, the Council 

recommended OFLs derived from 

applying the FMSY harvest rate proxy to 

the estimated exploitable biomass from 

the most recent stock assessment or 

update, the results of rudimentary stock 

assessments, or the historical landings 

data approved by the Council for use in 

setting harvest specifications. These 

stocks include: Arrowtooth flounder, 

black rockfish south, black rockfish 

north, cabezon (off California), cabezon 

(off Oregon), California scorpionfish, 

chilipepper, Dover sole, lingcod north 

and south of 42° N. lat., longnose skate 

(using the revised FMSY harvest rate 

proxy for elasmobranchs), Pacific cod, 

sablefish north and south of 36° N. lat., 

shortbelly rockfish, spiny dogfish (as 

described above), splitnose rockfish, 

starry flounder, and widow rockfish. 

Proposed OFLs for these species can be 

found in Tables 1a and 2a to Subpart C. 

3. Stock Complex OFLs 

There are currently eight stock 

complexes used to manage groundfish 

stocks pursuant to the PCGFMP. These 

stock complexes are: (1) Minor 

Nearshore Rockfish north; (2) Minor 


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Nearshore Rockfish south; (3) Minor 

Shelf Rockfish north; (4) Minor Shelf 

Rockfish south (5) Minor Slope rockfish 

north; (6) Minor Slope Rockfish south; 

(7) Other Flatfish; and (8) Other Fish. 

Stock complexes are used to manage the 

harvest of many of the unassessed 

groundfish stocks. 

The proposed OFLs for stock 

complexes are the sum of the OFL 

contributions for the component stocks, 

when known. For the 2015–2016 

biennial specification process, similar to 

2011–2012 and 2013–2014, DepletionCorrected Average Catch (DCAC), 

Depletion-Based Stock Reduction 

Analysis (DB–SRA), or other SSCendorsed methodologies were used to 

determine the OFL contributions made 

by category three species (data limited 

species). In general, OFL contribution 

estimates should not vary from year to 

year for the category three stocks; the 

OFL contributions for unassessed 

component stocks that remain in the 

eight stock complexes are the same in 

2015–2016 as in 2013–2014. 

The proposed OFLs for each complex 

can also be found in tables 1a and 2a of 

this proposed rule. In addition to OFL 

contributions derived by DCAC, DB– 

SRA, or other SSC approved estimates, 

OFL contributions for the following 

stocks were determined by applying the 

FMSY harvest rate proxy to the estimated 

exploitable biomass from the most 

recent stock assessments: Brown 

rockfish, China rockfish, copper 

rockfish, aurora rockfish, rougheye/

blackspotted rockfish, sharpchin 

rockfish, and rex sole. Pacific sanddab 

was assessed in 2013, but the OFL 

contribution will continue to be derived 

by DB–SRA in 2015–2016 because the 

SSC determined the assessment results 

were too uncertain for determining 

harvest specifications. As summarized 

below, nine of the stocks with OFL 

contributions to stock complexes had 

new or updated assessments that 

resulted in their OFL contributions 

being determined by applying the FMSY

harvest rate proxy to the estimated 

exploitable biomass. 

The following section discusses the 

OFL contributions from the data 

moderate assessments for brown 

rockfish, China rockfish, copper 

rockfish, rex sole, shapchin rockfish, 

stripetail rockfish, yellowtail rockfish, 

and the full assessments for aurora 

rockfish and blackspotted/rougheye 

rockfish. Two data-moderate assessment 

methods, XDB–SRA (Extended 

Depletion-Based Stock Reduction 

Analysis) and exSSS (Extended Simple 

Stock Synthesis), were endorsed by the 

STAR panel for use in the assessment 

cycle that is informing the 2015–2016 

harvest specifications. Results from 

data-moderate assessments are an 

improvement over data-poor approaches 

because they incorporate abundance 

indices. Due to a lack of time, the STAR 

panel was unable to review the draft 

assessments of vermillion rockfish and 

yellowtail rockfish south of Cape 

Mendocino, and was unable to make 

recommendations regarding their use for 

Council decision-making. However, the 

STAR panel was able to conclude that 

the base model was adequate for 

management of yellowtail rockfish north 

of Cape Mendocino. Overall, the SSC 

viewed the data-moderate assessment 

methods as being useful tools for 

assisting the Council’s groundfish 

management process and a substantial 

improvement over the Council’s datapoor methods. The SSC concluded that: 

(1) The assessments represent the best 

available science; (2) they should be 

accepted as valid data-moderate stock 

assessments, and; (3) they should be 

used as the basis for management 

decisions in 2015–2016. Stocks 

managed within stock complexes that 

had new data-moderate assessments or 

new full assessments for use in 2015– 

2016 are discussed below. 

Nearshore Complexes North and South 

of 40°10′ N. lat. 

Minor Nearshore Rockfish (North of 

40°10′ N. lat.) 

The proposed OFL for the Minor 

Nearshore Rockfish north complex is 88 

mt in 2015 and in 2016, which is a 20 

percent reduction from the 2014 OFL of 

94 mt. The decrease is due to new datamoderate assessments for brown, China, 

and copper rockfish conducted in 2013. 

In 2015–2016, stocks composing the 

Minor Nearshore Rockfish north 

complex will remain the same as in 

2013–2014. The Minor Nearshore 

Rockfish north complex is comprised of: 

Black rockfish (Sebastes melanops), 

Black and yellow rockfish (S. 

chrysomelas), blue rockfish (S. 

mystinus), brown rockfish (S. 

auriculatus), calico rockfish (S. dalli), 

China rockfish (S. nebulosus), copper 

rockfish (S. caurinus), gopher rockfish 

(S. carnatus), grass rockfish (S. 

rastrelliger), kelp rockfish (S. 

atrovirens), olive rockfish (S. 

serranoides), quillback rockfish (S. 

maliger), and treefish (S. serriceps). 

These stocks are all unassessed with the 

exception of blue rockfish in California, 

brown rockfish, China rockfish, copper 

rockfish, and gopher rockfish in 

California. 

Minor Nearshore Rockfish (South of 

40°10′ N. lat.) 

The proposed OFL for the Minor 

Nearshore Rockfish south complex is 

1,313 mt in 2015, and is 1,291 mt in 

2016 which in 2015 is a 31 percent 

increase, and in 2016 is a 29 percent 

increase from the 2014 complex OFL of 

1,001 mt. The increase is due to new 

data-moderate assessments for brown, 

China, and copper rockfish conducted 

in 2013. In 2015–2016, stocks 

composing the Minor Nearshore 

Rockfish south complex will remain the 

same as in 2013–2014. The Minor 

Nearshore south complex is comprised 

of black and yellow rockfish (S. 

chrysomelas), China rockfish (S. 

nebulosus), gopher rockfish, (S. 

carnatus), grass rockfish (S. rastrelliger), 

kelp rockfish (S. atrovirens), black 

rockfish (S. melanops), blue rockfish (S. 

mystinus), brown rockfish (S. 

auriculatus), calico rockfish (S. dalli), 

copper rockfish (S. caurinus), olive 

rockfish (S. serranoides), quillback 

rockfish (S. maliger), and treefish (S. 

serriceps). 

Minor Nearshore Rockfish Complex 

Stocks Assessed in 2013 

New coastwide data-moderate 

assessments were performed for brown, 

China, and copper rockfish in 2013. 

Brown Rockfish 

A coastwide data-moderate stock 

assessment utilizing a XDB–SRA model 

run was prepared for brown rockfish in 

2013. The coastwide brown rockfish 

stock was estimated to be at 42 percent 

of unfished spawning biomass. The 

estimated brown rockfish OFL 

contribution to the Minor Nearshore 

Rockfish complex north is 1.9 mt in 

2015 and 2016, which is a 65.5 percent 

decrease from the 2014 contribution 

OFL of 5.5 mt. The estimated brown 

rockfish OFL contribution to the Minor 

Nearshore Rockfish complex south is 

163.8 mt in 2015 and 160.2 mt in 2016, 

which is a 20 percent decrease in 2015, 

and is a 22 percent decrease in 2016 

from the 2014 contribution OFL of 204.6 

mt. These estimates are based on the 

FMSY harvest rate proxy of F50% applied 

to the exploitable biomass from the 2013 

stock assessment. 

China Rockfish 

An area-specific, data-moderate stock 

assessment was prepared for China 

rockfish in 2013. The STAR Panel 

focused on the XDB–SRA model for 

China rockfish. The model estimated 

China rockfish north of 40°10′ N. lat. to 

be at 37 percent of unfished spawning 

biomass, which is below the 

management target, but above the 


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MSST. The China rockfish estimate 

south of 40°10′ N. lat. was estimated to 

be at 66 percent depletion of unfished 

spawning biomass, which is above 

management target. The estimated 

China rockfish OFL contribution to the 

Minor Nearshore Rockfish north 

complex is 7.2 mt in 2015 and 7.4 mt 

in 2016, which is a decrease of 26.5 

percent in 2015 and 24.5 percent in 

2016 from the 2014 OFL contribution of 

9.8 mt. The estimated China rockfish 

OFL contribution to the Minor 

Nearshore Rockfish south complex is 

55.2 mt in 2015 and 52.7 mt in 2016, 

which is a 232.5 percent increase in 

2015 and a 217.5 percent increase in 

2016 from the 2014 OFL contribution of 

16.6 mt. These estimates are based on 

the FMSY harvest rate proxy of F50%

applied to the exploitable biomass from 

the 2013 stock assessment. 

Copper Rockfish 

An area-specific, data-moderate stock 

assessment was prepared for copper 

rockfish in 2013. The STAR Panel 

focused on the XDB–SRA model for 

copper rockfish. The model estimated 

copper rockfish north of 34°27′ N. lat. to 

be at 48 percent of unfished spawning 

biomass, which is above management 

target. The copper rockfish estimate 

south of 34°27′ N. lat. was estimated to 

be 76 percent depletion of unfished 

spawning biomass, which is above 

management target. The estimated 

copper rockfish contribution OFL to the 

Minor Nearshore Rockfish north 

complex is 10.6 mt in 2015 and 10.3 mt 

in 2016, which is a 59 percent decrease 

in 2015 and a 60 percent decrease in 

2016 from the 2014 contribution OFL of 

26 mt. The estimated OFL contribution 

to the south complex is 301.1 mt in 

2015 and 284.3 mt in 2016, which is a 

112.7 percent increase in 2015 and a 

100.9 percent increase in 2016 from the 

2014 OFL contribution of 141.5 mt. 

These estimates are based on the FMSY

harvest rate proxy of F50% applied to the 

exploitable biomass from the 2013 stock 

assessment. 

Shelf Complexes North and South of 

40°10′ N. lat. 

Minor Shelf Rockfish (North of 40°10′ 

N. lat.) 

The proposed OFL for the Minor Shelf 

Rockfish north complex is 2,209 mt in 

2015, and is 2,218 mt in 2016 which is 

a negligible increase in both years from 

the 2014 complex OFL of 2,195 mt. In 

2015–2016, stocks composing the Minor 

Shelf Rockfish north complex will 

remain the same as in 2013–2014. The 

Minor Shelf Rockfish north complex is 

comprised of: Bronzespotted rockfish (S. 

gilli), bocaccio (S. paucispinis), 

chameleon rockfish (S. phillipsi), 

chilipepper (S. goodie), cowcod (S. 

levis), dusky rockfish (S. ciliates), 

dwarf-red (S. rufianus), flag rockfish (S. 

rubrivinctus), freckled rockfish (S. 

lentiginosus), greenblotched rockfish (S. 

rosenblatti), greenspotted rockfish (S. 

chlorostictus), greenstriped rockfish (S. 

elongates), halfbanded rockfish (S. 

semicinctus), harlequin rockfish (S. 

variegatus), honeycomb rockfish (S. 

umbrosus), Mexican rockfish (S. 

macdonaldi), pink rockfish (S. eos), 

pinkrose rockfish (S. simulator), pygmy 

rockfish (S. wilsoni), redstripe rockfish 

(S. proriger), rosethorn rockfish (S. 

helvomaculatus), rosy rockfish (S. 

rosaceus), silvergray rockfish (S. 

brevispinis), speckled rockfish (S. 

ovalis), squarespot rockfish (S. 

hopkinsi), starry rockfish (S. 

constellatus), stripetail rockfish (S. 

saxicola), swordspine rockfish (S. 

ensifer), tiger rockfish (S. nigrocinctus), 

and vermilion rockfish (S. miniatus). 

Minor Shelf Rockfish (South of 40°10′ 

N. lat.) 

The proposed OFL for the Minor Shelf 

Rockfish south complex is 1,917.9 mt in 

2015, and is 1,918.9 mt in 2016, which 

is a negligible increase in both years 

from the 2014 complex OFL of 1,912.9 

mt. In 2015–2016, stocks composing the 

Minor Shelf Rockfish south complex 

will remain the same as in 2013–2014. 

The Minor Shelf Rockfish south 

complex is comprised of: Bronzespotted 

rockfish (S. gilli), chameleon rockfish (S. 

phillipsi), dusky rockfish (S. ciliates), 

dwarf-red rockfish (S. rufianus), flag 

rockfish (S. rubrivinctus), freckled (S. 

lentiginosus), greenblotched rockfish (S. 

rosenblatti), greenspotted rockfish (S. 

chlorostictus), greenstriped rockfish (S. 

elongates), halfbanded rockfish (S. 

semicinctus), harlequin rockfish (S. 

variegatus), honeycomb rockfish (S. 

umbrosus), Mexican rockfish (S. 

macdonaldi), pink rockfish (S. eos), 

pinkrose rockfish (S. simulator), pygmy 

rockfish (S. wilsoni), redstripe rockfish 

(S. proriger), rosethorn rockfish (S. 

helvomaculatus), rosy rockfish (S. 

rosaceus), silvergray rockfish (S. 

brevispinis), speckled rockfish (S. 

ovalis), squarespot rockfish (S. 

hopkinsi), starry rockfish (S. 

constellatus), stripetail rockfish (S. 

saxicola), swordspine rockfish (S. 

ensifer), tiger rockfish (S. nigrocinctus), 

vermilion rockfish (S. miniatus), and 

yellowtail rockfish (S. flavidus). 

Minor Shelf Rockfish Complex Stocks 

Assessed in 2013 

A new coastwide data-moderate 

assessment was performed for stripetail 

rockfish in 2013. 

Stripetail Rockfish 

Stripetail rockfish was assessed as a 

coastwide stock. Catches of stripetail 

rockfish have been negligible since 

2000, and the stock has not been 

previously assessed. The XDB–SRA 

model was used in a sensitivity analysis 

to evaluate probable levels of stock 

status for stripetail rockfish. The STAR 

Panel noted that stripetail rockfish is 

rarely caught and appears to be in an 

essentially unfished state, as indicated 

by the trawl survey abundance 

estimates. There is little information in 

the trawl survey data to estimate 

catchability, so abundance estimates are 

extremely uncertain. However, over a 

broad range of plausible values for trawl 

survey catchability, stock depletion 

estimates were relatively consistent, 

ranging from 75 percent to 95 percent. 

The STAR Panel recommended that 

status of stripetail rockfish can be 

estimated, but that the extreme 

uncertainty in abundance estimates 

precludes using assessment results for 

setting the OFL. With these model 

limitations considered, stripetail 

rockfish (coastwide) was estimated to be 

at 77.5 percent of unfished spawning 

biomass, which is well above 

management target. The OFL 

contribution of stripetail rockfish to the 

Minor Shelf Rockfish complex OFLSs 

(north and south of 40°10′ N. lat.) was 

not able to be estimated using data 

moderate methods. Therefore, utilizing 

data-poor DB–SRA methods, the 

stripetail contribution OFL to the Minor 

Shelf Rockfish complex north is the 

same as the 2014 contribution OFL 

estimates: 40.1 mt in 2015 and 2016. 

The stripetail contribution OFL to the 

Minor Shelf Rockfish complex south is 

the same as the 2014 contribution OFL 

estimates: 23.6 mt in 2015 and 2016. 

Minor Slope Complexes North and 

South of 40°10′ N. lat. 

Minor Slope Rockfish (North of 40°10′ 

N. lat.) 

The proposed OFL for the Minor 

Slope Rockfish north complex is 1,831 

mt in 2015, and is 1,844 mt in 2016, 

which is roughly a 17 percent increase 

in 2015 and a 18 percent increase in 

2016 from the 2014 northern complex 

OFL of 1,553 mt. The increase is due to 

new full assessments for aurora and 

rougheye/blackspotted rockfish and a 

data-moderate assessment for sharpchin 

rockfish conducted in 2013. The Minor 


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Slope Rockfish north complex is 

comprised of: Aurora rockfish (Sebastes 

aurora), bank rockfish (S. rufus), 

blackgill rockfish (S. melanostomus), 

blackspotted rockfish (S. melanostictus), 

redbanded rockfish (S. babcocki), 

rougheye rockfish (S. aleutianus), 

sharpchin rockfish (S. zacentrus), 

shortraker rockfish (S. borealis), 

splitnose rockfish (S. diploproa), sunset 

rockfish (S. crocotulus) which is a 

species proposed to be added to the 

PCGFMP, and yellowmouth rockfish (S. 

reedi). 

Minor Slope Rockfish (South of 40°10′ 

N. lat.) 

The proposed OFL for the Minor 

Slope Rockfish south complex is 813 mt 

in 2015, and is 814 mt in 2016, which 

is roughly an 18 percent increase in 

2015 and 2016 from the 2014 southern 

complex OFL of 685 mt. The increase is 

due to new full assessments for aurora 

and rougheye/blackspotted rockfish and 

a data-moderate assessment for 

sharpchin rockfish conducted in 2013. 

The Minor Slope Rockfish south 

complex is comprised of: Aurora 

rockfish (Sebastes aurora), bank 

rockfish (S. rufus), blackgill rockfish (S. 

melanostomus), blackspotted rockfish 

(S. melanostictus), Pacific ocean perch 

(S. alutus), redbanded rockfish (S. 

babcocki), rougheye rockfish (S. 

aleutianus), sharpchin rockfish (S. 

zacentrus), shortraker rockfish (S. 

borealis), sunset rockfish (S. crocotulus) 

which is a species proposed to be added 

to the PCGFMP, and yellowmouth 

rockfish (S. reedi). 

Minor Slope Rockfish Complex Stocks 

Assessed in 2013 

As mentioned above, a new coastwide 

data-moderate assessment was 

performed for sharpchin rockfish, and 

new full coastwide stock assessments 

for aurora and rougheye/blackspotted 

rockfish were performed in 2013. 

Sharpchin Rockfish 

Sharpchin rockfish was assessed as a 

data-moderate coastwide stock utilizing 

exSSS in 2013. The coastwide 

sharpchin rockfish stock was estimated 

to be 89 percent of unfished spawning 

biomass, which is well above 

management target. The proposed 

sharpchin rockfish OFL contribution to 

the Minor Slope Rockfish complex 

north is 332.8 mt in 2015 and 323.2 mt 

in 2016, which is a 55 percent increase 

in 2015 and a 50 percent increase in 

2016 from the 2014 contribution OFL of 

214.5 mt. The proposed sharpchin 

rockfish OFL contribution to the Minor 

Slope Rockfish south complex OFL is 

83.2 mt in 2015 and 80.8 mt in 2016, 

which is a roughly 8 percent increase in 

2015 and a 5 percent increase in 2016 

from the 2014 contribution OFL of 76.4 

mt. These estimates are based on the 

FMSY harvest rate proxy of F50% applied 

to the exploitable biomass from the 2013 

stock assessment. 

Aurora Rockfish 

A full coastwide stock assessment was 

prepared in 2013 for aurora rockfish. 

The coastwide OFL contributions were 

apportioned north and south of 40°10′ 

N. lat. based on the average swept area 

biomass estimates from the triennial 

survey. The assessment estimated that 

the spawning stock biomass at the start 

of 2013 was 1,673 mt, which is 64 

percent of its unfished biomass. The 

proposed OFL contribution to the Minor 

Slope Rockfish north complex is 17.4 mt 

for 2015 and 17.5 mt for 2016, which is 

a 13 percent increase in 2015, and a 13.6 

percent increase in 2016 from the 2014 

northern contribution OFL of 15.4 mt. 

The proposed OFL contribution to the 

Minor Slope Rockfish south complex is 

74.3 mt for 2015 and 2016, which is a 

184.6 percent increase from the 2014 

contribution OFL of 26.1 mt. These OFL 

contributions are based on the FMSY

harvest rate proxy of F50% as applied to 

the estimated exploitable biomass from 

the 2013 stock assessment. 

Rougheye/Blackspotted Rockfish 

A full coastwide stock assessment was 

prepared in 2013 for rougheye/

blackspotted rockfish off Washington, 

Oregon, and California. The assessment 

estimated that the spawning stock 

biomass at the start of 2013 was 2,552 

mt and 47 percent of its unfished 

biomass. The proposed OFL 

contribution to the Minor Slope 

Rockfish north complex is 201.9 mt in 

2015 and 206.8 in 2016, which is an 

increase of 184 percent in 2015 and an 

increase of 191 percent in 2016 from the 

2014 contribution OFL of 71.1 mt. The 

proposed OFL contribution to the Minor 

Slope Rockfish south complex is 4.1 mt 

in 2015 and 4.2 in 2016, which is an 

increase of 925 percent in 2015, and an 

increase of 950 percent in 2016 from the 

2014 contribution OFL of 0.4 mt. These 

estimates are based on the FMSY harvest 

rate proxy of F50% as applied to the 

estimated exploitable biomass from the 

2013 stock assessment. 

Other Flatfish Complex 

The Other Flatfish complex contains 

most of the flatfish species managed in 

the PCGFMP (with the exception of 

arrowtooth flounder, Dover sole, English 

sole, petrale sole, and starry founder). 

These species include butter sole 

(Isopsetta isolepis), curlfin sole 

(Pleuronichthys decurrens), flathead 

sole (Hippoglossoides elassodon), 

Pacific sanddab (Citharichthys 

sordidus), rex sole (Glyptocephalus 

zachirus), rock sole (Lepidopsetta 

bilineata), and sand sole (Psettichthys 

melanostictus). The proposed OFL for 

the Other Flatfish complex is 11,453 mt 

in 2015 and is 9,645 mt in 2016, an 

increase of 13 percent in 2015 and a 

decrease of 4 percent in 2016 from the 

2014 OFL of 10,060 mt. 

Other Flatfish Complex Stocks Assessed 

in 2013 

A new coastwide data-moderate 

assessment was performed for rex sole, 

and a full coastwide stock assessment 

for Pacific sanddab was performed in 

2013. 

Rex Sole 

Rex sole was assessed as a coastwide 

resource in 2013. The data-moderate 

exSSS model was selected for the rex 

sole stock assessment. The STAR Panel 

concluded that the base model provides 

an adequate basis for management, but 

noted that the inability to fit the NWFSC 

survey index (as one time series) 

implies some model mis-specification. 

There is considerably more confidence 

in stock status estimates than in the 

biomass scale. With these model 

limitations considered, rex sole 

(coastwide) was estimated to be at 79 

percent of unfished spawning biomass, 

which is well above management target. 

The proposed OFL contribution to the 

other flatfish complex of 5,764 mt in 

2015 and 3,956 mt in 2016 is a 31 

percent increase in 2015 and is a 9.5 

percent decrease in 2016 from the 2014 

OFL contribution of 4,371.5 mt. 

Pacific Sanddab 

A full coastwide assessment for 

Pacific sanddab was conducted in 2013, 

although it did not result in an estimate 

of depletion as a measure of stock 

status. Therefore, utilizing data-poor 

DB–SRA methods, the Pacific sanddab 

OFL contribution to the Other Flatfish 

complex is 4,801 mt in 2015 and 2016, 

which is from the same as the 2014 OFL 

contribution. 

Other Fish Complex 

The Other Fish complex contains 

other species managed in the PCGFMP 

and changes to this complex are 

proposed for the 2015–2016 biennium. 

The Other Fish complex species are 

proposed to include cabezon 

(Scorpaenichthys marmoratus) off 

Washington, kelp greenling 

(Hexagrammos decagrammus) off 

Washington, Oregon, and California (as 

three state-specific stocks), and leopard 


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shark (Triakis semifasciata). Of these 

five stocks, only kelp greenling off 

California, cabezon off Washington, and 

leopard shark have OFL contributions to 

the Other Fish complex. Spiny dogfish, 

which were managed within the Other 

Fish complex in 2013–2014, are 

proposed for management with speciesspecific specifications in 2015–2016. 

The other species managed in the Other 

Fish complex in 2013–2014 are 

proposed for designation as EC species. 

No full or data-moderate stock 

assessments were performed for any of 

these stocks in 2013. Only Kelp 

greenling in California, cabezon in 

Washington, and leopard shark 

contribute to the Other Fish complex 

harvest specifications, while kelp 

greenling in Oregon and Washington do 

not, though they are still part of the 

Other Fish complex. The proposed OFL 

for the Other Fish complex is 286 mt, 

which is a 4,104 percent reduction from 

the 2014 OFL of 6,802 mt due to the 

proposed reorganization of the complex. 

The kelp greenling OFL contribution 

(off California) to the Other Fish 

complex is proposed to be 118.0 mt, 

which is the same as in 2014. The 

leopard shark OFL contribution to the 

Other Fish complex is proposed to be 

167.1 mt, which is the same as in 2014. 

For more information on the designation 

of ecosystem component species see the 

‘‘Amendment 24 to the Pacific Coast 

Groundfish Fishery Management Plan’’ 

section below. 

B. Proposed ABCs for 2015 and 2016 

The ABC is the stock or stock 

complex’s OFL reduced by an amount 

associated with scientific uncertainty. 

The SSC-recommended P star-Sigma 

approach determines the amount by 

which the OFL is reduced to establish 

the ABC. Under this approach, the SSC 

recommends a sigma (s) value. The s 

value is generally based on the scientific 

uncertainty in the biomass estimates 

generated from stock assessments. After 

the SSC determines the appropriate s 

value the Council chooses a P star (P*) 

based on its chosen level of risk 

aversion considering the scientific 

uncertainties. As the P* value is 

reduced, the probability of the ABC 

being greater than the ‘‘true’’ OFL 

becomes lower. In combination, the P* 

and s values determine the amount by 

which the OFL will be reduced to 

establish the SSC-endorsed ABC. 

Since 2011, the SSC has quantified 

major sources of scientific uncertainty 

in the estimate of OFL and 

recommended a s value of 0.36 for 

category one stocks, a s value of 0.72 for 

category two stocks, and a s value of 

1.44 for category three stocks. For 

category two and three stocks there is 

typically greater scientific uncertainty 

in the estimate of OFL because the stock 

assessments have less data to inform 

them. Therefore, the scientific 

uncertainty buffer is generally greater 

than that recommended for stocks with 

quantitative stock assessments. 

Assuming the same P* is applied, a 

larger s value results in a larger 

reduction from the OFL. For 2015–2016, 

the Council continued the general 

policy of using the SSC-recommended s 

values for each species category. 

However, an exception to the general s 

values assigned to each category was 

made for aurora rockfish and widow 

rockfish, as described below. 

The PCGFMP specifies that the upper 

limit of P* will be 0.45. A P* of 0.5 

equates to no additional reduction for 

scientific uncertainty beyond the sigma 

value reduction. A lower P* is more risk 

averse than a higher value, meaning that 

the probability of the ABC being greater 

than the ‘‘true’’ OFL is lower. For 2015– 

2016, the Council largely maintained 

the P* policies it established for the 

2011–2012 and 2013–2014 bienniums. 

The Council recommended using P* 

values of 0.45 for all category one 

species, except sablefish, as described 

below. Combining the category one s 

value of 0.36 the P* value of 0.45 results 

in a reduction of 4.4 percent from the 

OFL when deriving the ABC. For 

individually managed category two and 

three stocks, the Council’s general 

policy was to use a P* of 0.4, although 

the Council recommended a P* of 0.45 

for all of the stocks managed in 

complexes (except stocks in the Other 

Flatfish complex). When combined with 

the s values of 0.72 and 1.44 for 

category two and three stocks, a P* 

value of 0.40 corresponds to 16.7 

percent and 30.6 percent reductions, 

respectively. Specifically, the Council 

recommended using P* values of 0.40 

for all individually managed category 

two and three species, except cowcod, 

English sole, lingcod between 42° and 

40°10′ N. lat., and yellowtail rockfish 

40°10′ N. lat., as described below. 

Additional information about the s 

values used for different species 

categories as well as the P* ¥ s 

approach can be found in the proposed 

and final rules from the 2011–2012 

biennium (75 FR 67810, November 3, 

2010; 76 FR 27508, May 11, 2011) and 

the 2013–2014 biennium (77 FR 67974, 

November 14, 2012; 78 FR 580, January 

3, 2013). A discussion of the P* values 

used in combination with the s values 

follows. Tables 1a and 2a of this 

proposed rule present the harvest 

specifications for each stock and stock 

complex, including the proposed ABCs, 

while the footnotes to these tables 

describe how the proposed 

specifications where derived. Details 

can also be found in Chapter 2.1.2 of the 

DEIS (see Supplementary Information 

section above). 

1. Overfished Species ABCs 

Cowcod 

The Council recommended revising 

the P* values in 2015–2016 for cowcod 

south of 40°10′ N. lat. from those that 

have been used since 2011. Cowcod is 

a category 2 stock in the Conception 

Area and a category 3 stock in the 

Monterey Area and has had a P* value 

lower than or equal to 0.40 since 2011 

(0.35 in Conception an 0.40 in Monterey 

for 2011–2012 and 0.40 in both areas in 

2013–2014). A new stock assessment 

was conducted for cowcod in 2013, 

however the SSC recommended that 

cowcod remain a category 2 stock in the 

Conception Area and a category 3 stock 

in the Monterey Area. Cowcod ACLs are 

not based on the ABC, but rather on the 

rebuilding plan; therefore, the change in 

P* to 0.45 for cowcod will not impact 

the ACL or rebuilding but will reduce 

the reduction from the OFL for scientific 

uncertainty (from an 16.7 percent 

reduction to an 8.7 percent reduction in 

the Conception Area and from a 30.6 

percent reduction to a 16.6 percent 

reduction in the Monterey Area). The 

proposed cowcod ABCs are 59.9 mt and 

61.5 mt in 2015 and 2016, respectively. 

2. Non-Overfished Species ABCs for 

Individually Managed Stocks 

Several species changed categories in 

2015–2016 as a result of updated stock 

assessments or due to a new assessment 

or being assessed for the first time. The 

s value and P* for these species was 

updated accordingly when determining 

the proposed ABCs for 2015–2016, as 

described below. 

English Sole 

The species category for English sole 

was revised for 2015–2016 from a 

category one to a category two stock. 

The previous full assessment for English 

sole (2007) was a category 1 assessment. 

The SSC recommended the 2013 datamoderate assessments for English sole 

for use in management as the best 

available science, and recommended 

that it be considered a category two 

stock based on the data-moderate 

assessment; therefore, the s value of 

0.72 was used. The Council 

recommended using the same P* value 

in 2015–2016 for English sole as was 

used since 2011. Though the stock was 

downgraded from category one to 

category two for 2015–2016, the Council 

recommended a P* of 0.45 because the 


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stock is healthy (88 percent of its 

unfished biomass in 2013) and is 

underutilized (maximum annual catch 

of English sole from 2009–2012 has 

been less than 10 percent of the 

proposed 2015–2016 ABCs). A P* of 

0.45 for English sole results in an 8.7 

percent reduction from the OFL. The 

proposed 2015 and 2016 ABCs for 

English sole are 9,853 mt and 7,204 mt, 

respectively. 

Lingcod 

The Council recommended revising 

the P* values in 2015–2016 for lingcod 

between 42° and 40°10′ N. lat. from 

those that have been used since 2011. 

Lingcod was assessed in 2009 and the 

SSC recommended that lingcod north of 

42° N. lat. be considered a category one 

stock (s=0.36) and that lingcod south of 

42° N. lat. be considered a category two 

stock (s=0.72). Since 2011, the Council 

recommended P* values corresponding 

to the category for these two areas: 0.45 

north of 42° N. lat. and 0.40 south of 42° 

N. lat. Since the 2009 assessment, the 

management line for lingcod shifted 

from 42° to 40°10′ N. lat. and the harvest 

specifications were re-apportioned to 

match the new management line. For 

2015–2016, the Council’s recommended 

ABC for lingcod north of 40°10′ N. lat. 

was calculated using a P* of 0.45 and 

the ABC south of 40°10′ N. lat. was 

calculated using a P* of 0.40. Increasing 

the P* from 0.40 to 0.45 between 42° to 

40°10′ N. lat. means a smaller reduction 

from the OFL for scientific uncertainty. 

The proposed 2015 and 2016 ABCs for 

lingcod north of 40°10′ N. lat. are 2,830 

mt and 2,719 mt, respectively. The 

proposed 2015 and 2016 ABCs for 

lingcod south of 40°10′ N. lat. are 1,004 

mt and 946 mt, respectively. 

Longspine Thornyhead 

The species category for longspine 

thornyhead was revised for 2015–2016 

from a category one to a category two 

stock. The longspine thornyhead 

assessment lacks age data and cannot 

discern year class strength, therefore the 

SSC recommended longspine 

thornyhead be considered a category 

two stock, and the s value of 0.72 was 

used. The Council recommended a P* of 

0.40 for longspine thornyhead, which 

results in a 16.7 percent reduction from 

the OFL for this category two stock. The 

proposed 2015 and 2016 ABCs for 

longspine thornyhead are 4,171 mt and 

3,968 mt, respectively. 

Shortspine Thornyhead 

The species category for shortspine 

thornyhead was revised for 2015–2016 

from a category one to a category two 

stock. The shortspine thornyhead 

assessment lacks age data and cannot 

discern year class strength, therefore the 

SSC recommended shortspine 

thornyhead be considered a category 

two stock, and the s value of 0.72 was 

used. The Council recommended a P* of 

0.40 for shortspine thornyhead, which 

results in a 16.7 percent reduction from 

the OFL for this category two stock. The 

proposed 2015 and 2016 ABCs for 

shortspine thornyhead are 2,668 mt and 

2,640 mt, respectively. 

Sablefish 

The SSC recommended that sablefish 

be considered a category 1 stock and 

recommended the corresponding s of 

0.36. The Council recommended using 

P* values of 0.45 for all category one 

species, except sablefish, where the 

Council recommended continuing use 

of a more precautionary P* value of 0.40 

due to uncertainty in the 2011 

assessment. A P* of 0.40 and s of 0.36 

results in an 8.7 percent reduction from 

the OFL for this category one stock. The 

proposed 2015 and 2016 ABCs for 

sablefish, coastwide, are 7,173 mt and 

7,784 mt, respectively. 

Spiny Dogfish 

Spiny dogfish are proposed to be 

managed with species-specific harvest 

specifications for the first time in 2015– 

2016. The Council recommended 

revising the P* value in 2015–2016 for 

spiny dogfish from 0.30 to 0.40. For 

2013–2014 the Council recommended a 

precautionary reduction in the P* value 

greater than for other category 2 stocks 

because of uncertain catch history of the 

stock, which are largely discarded in 

west coast fisheries, and due to the 

indication in the stock assessment that 

the FMSY harvest rate proxy of F45% may 

be too aggressive; the more conservative 

P* value of 0.30 was used to calculate 

the ABC contribution of spiny dogfish to 

the other fish complex ABC (77 FR 

67974, November 14, 2012). There has 

been no new assessment or assessment 

update for 2015–2016 and spiny dogfish 

remains a healthy category two stock. 

However, since the 2011 assessment and 

decisions on the 2013–2014 harvest 

specifications, the SSC has completed a 

meta-analysis of elasmobranch FMSY

harvest rates. Given this work, the 

Council recommended a P* of 0.40 to 

reflect the improvements in 

understanding of FMSY, but did not 

recommend a P* of 0.45 as the stock is 

considered a category two stock. The P* 

of 0.40 and s of 0.72 results in a 16.7 

percent reduction from the OFL. The 

2015 and 2016 ABCs for spiny dogfish 

are 2,101 mt and 2,085 mt, respectively. 

Widow Rockfish 

As in 2013 and 2014 for widow 

rockfish, the SSC recommended a larger 

s value of 0.41 rather than the 0.36 that 

would typically be used for category one 

stocks to better represent uncertainty in 

stock-recruit steepness, which is 

considered the major source of 

uncertainty in the widow rockfish 

assessment. The Council recommended 

a P* of 0.45, resulting in a 5 percent 

reduction from the OFL for this category 

one stock. The 2015 and 2016 ABCs for 

widow rockfish are 3,929 mt and 3,790 

mt, respectively. 

Yellowtail Rockfish North of 40°10′ N. 

Lat. 

The species category for yellowtail 

rockfish north of 40°10′ N. lat. was 

revised for 2015–2016 from a category 

one to a category two stock. The 

previous full assessment for yellowtail 

rockfish (2004) was a category 1 

assessment. The SSC recommended use 

of the 2013 data-moderate assessments 

for yellowtail rockfish north of 40°10′ N. 

lat. for use in management as the best 

available science, and recommended 

that it be considered a category two 

stock based on the data-moderate 

assessments; therefore, the s value of 

0.72 was used. The Council 

recommended using the same P* value 

in 2015–2016 for yellowtail rockfish 

north of 40°10′ N. lat. as was used since 

2011. Though the stock was 

downgraded from category one to 

category two for 2015–2016, the Council 

recommended a P* of 0.45 because the 

stock is healthy (69 percent of its 

unfished biomass in 2013) and is 

underutilized (maximum annual catch 

of yellowtail rockfish from 2009–2012 

has been less than 20 percent of the 

proposed 2015–2016 ABC). A P* of 0.45 

for yellowtail rockfish north of 40°10′ N. 

lat. results in an 8.7 percent reduction 

from the OFL. The proposed 2015 and 

2016 ABCs for yellowtail rockfish north 

of 40°10′ N. lat. are 6,590 mt and 6,344 

mt, respectively. 

3. Stock Complex ABCs 

Similar to the past two biennial 

cycles, the Council applied the two-step 

s and P* approach for stocks managed 

in stock complexes. For each of the 

stock complexes, the component species 

ABC contributions were calculated and 

summed to derive the complex ABC. 

The Council’s SSC categorized and 

applied the appropriate s value for 

individual stocks managed in stock 

complexes. For all stocks managed in 

complexes, except aurora rockfish, the 

SSC-recommended sigma values are 

assigned to species category. The 


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Council recommended a P* of 0.45 for 

all of the stocks managed in complexes, 

except stocks in the Other Flatfish 

complex, as described below. 

Minor Rockfish Complexes 

For the six minor rockfish complexes, 

which are comprised of a mix of all 

three categories of stocks, the Council 

recommended a P* of 0.45. ABCs for the 

six minor rockfish complexes can be 

found in Table 1a and 2a to Subpart C. 

Minor Nearshore Rockfish Complexes 

North and South of 40°10′ N. Lat. 

For all stocks managed in the Minor 

Nearshore Rockfish complex the SSCrecommended sigma values by species 

category. Because of new stock 

assessments the species categories for 

brown rockfish, China rockfish, and 

copper rockfish were revised for 2015– 

2016 from category three stocks to 

category two stocks. Accordingly, the s 

values of 0.72 were used for those 

species. 

For the Minor Nearshore Rockfish 

complex north of 40°10′ N. lat., a 

complex ABC of 77 mt is proposed for 

each year in 2015 and 2016. The 

proposed ABC for the Minor Nearshore 

Rockfish south of 40°10′ N. lat. in 2015, 

is 1,169 mt, while in 2016 the ABC is 

proposed to be 1,148 mt. The 2015 and 

2016 complex ABCs are the summed 

contributions of the component stocks’ 

ABCs. 

Minor Shelf Rockfish Complexes North 

and South of 40°10′ N. Lat. 

For all stocks managed in the Minor 

Shelf Rockfish complex the SSCrecommended sigma values by species 

category. 

For Minor Shelf Rockfish north of 

40°10′ N. lat., the proposed 2015 ABC is 

1,944 mt, and the proposed 2016 ABC 

is 1,953 mt. For Minor Shelf Rockfish 

south of 40°10′ N. lat., the proposed 

ABC is 1,625 mt, and the proposed 2016 

ABC is 1,626 mt. As with the other stock 

complexes the 2015 and 2016 ABCs are 

the summed contributions of the 

component stocks’ ABCs. 

Minor Slope Complexes North and 

South of 40°10′ N. Lat. 

For all stocks managed in the Minor 

Slope Rockfish complex, except aurora 

rockfish, the SSC-recommended sigma 

values are assigned by species category. 

As a result of a new stock assessment 

the species category for aurora rockfish 

was revised for 2015–2016 from 

category three to category one. For 

aurora rockfish, the SSC recommended 

a larger s value of 0.39, rather than the 

0.36 that would typically be used for 

category one stocks, to better represent 

uncertainty in the estimated spawning 

biomass caused by sensitivity to the 

natural mortality rates, which are 

considered the major source of 

uncertainty in the aurora rockfish 

assessment. As a result of new stock 

assessments, the species categories for 

rougheye/blackspotted rockfish and 

sharpchin rockfish were revised for 

2015–2016 from category three stocks to 

category two stocks. Accordingly, the s 

values of 0.72 were used. 

For Minor slope rockfish north of 

40°10′ N. lat., the proposed 2015 ABC is 

1,693 mt and the proposed 2016 ABC is 

1,706 mt. For Minor slope rockfish 

south of 40°10′ N. lat., the proposed 

2015 ABC is 705 mt and the proposed 

2016 ABC is 705 mt. 

Other Flatfish Complex 

For the Other Flatfish complex, which 

is comprised mostly of category three 

stocks (rex sole is category two), a more 

precautionary P* of 0.40 was 

recommended. A s of 0.72 was used for 

rex sole and a s of 1.44 was used for all 

other stocks. The 2015 and 2016 ABCs 

for the Other Flatfish complex are 8,749 

mt and 7,243 mt, respectively. 

Other Fish Complex 

For the newly reconfigured Other Fish 

complex (as described in ‘‘Stock 

Complex OFLs’’ for the ‘‘Other Fish 

Complex’’ above and in ‘‘Stock 

Complexes’’ below), which is composed 

entirely of category three stocks, a P* 

value of 0.45 was recommended. With 

the proposed reconfiguration, the 

species that would remain in the Other 

Fish complex have more similar life 

history characteristics, depth 

distributions, and vulnerabilities to 

potential overfishing than the Other 

Fish complex as it was configured in 

2014. This reduces the risk of 

overfishing for species that remain in 

the Other Fish complex, as some of the 

stocks that were removed would have 

inflated the complex-level harvest 

specifications. While a higher P* was 

chosen than is usual for category three 

stocks, the ABC for the newly 

reconfigured complex was further 

reduced by the Council’s 

recommendation to only include the 

contributing OFL/ABC for some of the 

species for calculating the harvest 

specifications for the Other Fish 

complex. Kelp greenling in California, 

cabezon in Washington, and leopard 

shark contribute to the complex harvest 

specifications, while kelp greenling in 

Oregon and Washington do not, though 

they are still part of the Other Fish 

complex. A P* of 0.45 for these category 

three stocks results in a 16.7 percent 

reduction from the OFL. The 2015 and 

2016 ABCs for the Other Fish complex 

are 242 mt and 243 mt, respectively. 

C. Proposed ACLs for 2015 and 2016 

ACLs are specified for each stock and 

stock complex that is ‘‘in the fishery’’. 

An ACL is a harvest specification set 

equal to or below the ABC to address 

conservation objectives, socioeconomic 

concerns, management uncertainty, or 

other factors necessary to meet 

management objectives. All sources of 

fishing related mortality (tribal, 

commercial groundfish and non 

groundfish, recreational, and exempted 

fishing permits (EFPs)), including 

retained and discard mortality, plus 

research catch are counted against an 

ACL. The ACL serves as the basis for 

invoking accountability measures 

(AMs). If ACLs are exceeded more than 

one time in four years, then 

improvements to or additional AMs, for 

example catch monitoring and inseason 

adjustments to fisheries, may need to be 

implemented. 

Under the PCGFMP harvest policies, 

when a stock’s depletion level falls 

below BMSY or the proxy for BMSY, 

which is the biomass level that 

produces MSY (B25% for assessed 

flatfish, B40% for all other groundfish 

stocks), but is above the overfished level 

(MSST- B12.5% for assessed flatfish, B25%

for all other groundfish stocks), the 

stock is said to be in the ‘‘precautionary 

zone’’ or below the precautionary 

threshold. In general, when 

recommending ACLs, the Council 

follows a risk-averse policy by 

recommending an ACL that is below the 

ABC when there is a perception the 

stock is below its BMSY, or to 

accommodate management uncertainty, 

socioeconomic concerns, or other 

considerations. When a stock is below 

the precautionary threshold the harvest 

policies reduce the fishing mortality 

rate. The further the stock biomass is 

below the precautionary threshold, the 

greater the reduction in ACL relative to 

the ABC, until at B10% for a stock with 

a BMSY proxy of B40% or B5% for a stock 

with a BMSY proxy of B25%, the ACL 

would be set at zero. These policies, 

known as the 40–10 and 25–5 harvest 

control rules, respectively, are designed 

to prevent stocks from becoming 

overfished and serve as an interim 

rebuilding policy for stocks that are 

below the overfished threshold. For 

stock complexes, the ACL is set for the 

complex in its entirety and is less than 

or equal to the sum of the individual 

component ABCs. The ACL may be 

adjusted below the sum of component 

ABCs to address the factors described 

above. Under the PCGFMP, the Council 

may recommend setting the ACL at a 


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different level than what the these 

harvest control rules specify as long as 

the ACL does not exceed the ABC and 

complies with the requirements of the 

MSA. For many of the species or stock 

complexes ‘‘in the fishery’’, there is no 

new information to inform changes to 

harvest policies, or the Council did not 

identify a need for a change in policy 

from updated information. Therefore, 

for those species or stock complexes the 

Council chose to maintain the ACL 

policies from the previous biennial 

cycle. A summary table of the proposed 

ACL policies for 2015–2016 is presented 

below. The following sections discuss 

proposed ACLs for overfished species, 

healthy and precautionary zone species, 

and stock complexes. 

1. Overfished Species ACLs 

When a stock has been declared 

overfished a rebuilding plan must be 

developed and the ACLs for these stocks 

are therefore set according to the 

rebuilding plans. The following seven 

overfished groundfish stocks would be 

managed under rebuilding plans in 

2015–2016: bocaccio south of 40°10′ N. 

lat.; canary rockfish; cowcod south of 

40°10′ N. lat.; darkblotched rockfish, 

Pacific Ocean Perch (POP), petrale sole, 

and yelloweye rockfish. The proposed 

rules for the 2011–2012 (75 FR 67810), 

2013–2014 (77 FR 67974) harvest 

specifications, and management 

measures contain extensive discussions 

on the management approach used for 

overfished species, which are not 

repeated here. Further, the SAFE 

document posted on the Council’s Web 

site at http://www.pcouncil.org/

groundfish/safe-documents/ contains a 

detailed description of each overfished 

species, its status and management as 

well how rebuilding analyses are 

conducted. Finally, appendix F to the 

FMP contains the most recent 

rebuilding plan parameters as well as a 

history of each overfished species and 

can be found at http://

www.pcouncil.org/groundfish/fisherymanagement-plan/. 

The proposed SPR or harvest control 

rule for each stock managed under a 

rebuilding plan, the resulting ACLs, and 

summarized information about 

rebuilding progress are presented below. 

Detailed information is also available in 

the relevant stock assessments, stock 

assessment updates, rebuilding 

analyses, and the draft EIS for this 

action, which are all available from 

NMFS and the Pacific Fishery 

Management Council (See 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION). 

Bocaccio 

The 2011 rebuilding analysis 

indicated that bocaccio is showing 

steady progress towards a rebuilt status 

under the current rebuilding plan 

described in 50 CFR 660.40(a). This 

progress was confirmed by the 2011 

update to the rebuilding analysis and 

the 2013 update. The updated 

assessment predicted the stock would 

be rebuilt in 2015. However, the SSC 

recommended maintaining the 

rebuilding plan for the 2015–2016 

biennium until a full stock assessment 

can confirm that the stock is rebuilt. 

When an SPR harvest rate of 77.7 

percent from the current rebuilding plan 

is applied to the biomass estimate from 

the 2013 assessment update, it results in 

the proposed ACLs of 349 mt in 2015 

and 362 mt in 2016. Because rebuilding 

progress is considered adequate, and the 

2011 assessment update supports our 

fundamental understanding of the stock, 

the Council’s recommendation was to 

maintain the rebuilding plan currently 

in the FMP and 50 CFR 660.40(a) (i.e., 

no modifications to TTARGET or SPR 

harvest rate). 

Canary Rockfish 

Due to progress on rebuilding and no 

changes in our understanding of the 

biology of the stock, the SSC did not 

recommended preparing a new canary 

rockfish rebuilding analysis in 2013. A 

catch report was drafted for canary that 

showed the 2010–2012 total catches 

were below the canary rockfish ACL. 

The Council recommended maintaining 

the canary rockfish rebuilding plan. 

The Council’s recommended ACLs are 

122 mt in 2015 and 125 mt in 2016, 

which maintains the current SPR 

harvest rate of 88.7. The preferred ACLs 

are intended to provide a level of 

harvest that rebuilds quickly, yet takes 

into account the needs of fishing 

communities. Also, the proposed 

management measures and catch 

allocations are projected to result in 

canary rockfish total catch mortality less 

than the annual ACLs. Managing the 

fishery to a level that is less than the 

annual ACLs is intended to ensure total 

mortality stays below the ACL, to allow 

the stock to rebuild faster, and to reduce 

the likelihood that inseason 

management changes will be needed to 

ensure that ACLs are not exceeded. 

Because the rebuilding progress was 

considered adequate, no changes to the 

rebuilding plan are proposed. 

Cowcod 

Modifications are necessary to the 

cowcod rebuilding plan because the 

2013 rebuilding analysis showed that 

the estimated TMAX is nine years earlier 

than the current TTARGET. The Council’s 

recommendation was to maintain the 

current harvest rate but modify the 

TTARGET as well as implement an 

Annual Catch Target (ACT) below the 

ACL. A full assessment and rebuilding 

analysis was conducted for cowcod. 

Because the model used in the 

assessment (XDB–SRA) is incompatible 

with spawning potential ratios, harvest 

control rules were translated into 

exploitation rates. The 10 mt ACLs 

proposed for 2015 and 2016 are based 

on an exploitation rate (catch over age 

11+ biomass of 0.007) translated into an 

equivalent SPR harvest rate of 82.7 

percent which results in a median time 

to rebuild and proposed new TTARGET of 

2020. No other rebuilding plan 

parameter changes were recommended. 

The 4 mt ACTs proposed for 2015 and 

2016 were recommended to 

accommodate extra mortality in 

research, which is a large source of 

uncertainty for cowcod because of the 

lack of data from the core habitat areas. 

The ACL contribution for the area north 

of Point Conception was calculated by 

using the fishing mortality rate from 

south of Point Conception applied to the 

biomass estimate for north of Point 

Conception from DB–SRA. The SSC 

recommended this method over the 

previous method of simply doubling the 

ACL from south of Pt Conception to 

calculate the ACL for the entire area 

because it is more scientifically 

justified. 

Darkblotched Rockfish 

The 2013 assessment indicates that 

darkblotched rockfish is showing steady 

progress towards rebuilding under the 

current rebuilding plan (50 CFR 

660.40(d)) and is estimated to be rebuilt 

by the start of 2015. The SSC 

recommended maintaining the 

rebuilding plan for the 2015–2016 

biennium until a full assessment can be 

done in 2015 to confirm this result. 

Because the stock is estimated to be 

rebuilt in 2015 no new rebuilding 

analysis was conducted. The proposed 

ACLs of 338 mt in 2015 and 346 mt in 

2016 result from application of the SPR 

harvest rate of 64.9 percent to 

information from the 2013 stock 

assessment, and have a median time to 

rebuild of 2017, which is one year 

longer than TF=0. Because the rebuilding 

progress indicated in the 2011 

assessment and rebuilding analysis was 

considered adequate, and supports our 

fundamental understanding of the stock, 

the Council recommendation was to 

maintain the rebuilding plan currently 

in the FMP and regulation (i.e., no 


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modifications to TTARGET or SPR harvest 

rate). 

Petrale Sole 

The 2013 stock assessment and 

rebuilding analysis projected the petrale 

sole biomass to be at 22 percent of its 

unfished biomass and showing strong 

progress towards rebuilt status. The 

stock is predicted to be rebuilt by the 

start of 2014. The ACLs, derived by 

applying the 25–5 harvest control rule, 

proposed in this rule are 2,816 mt and 

2,910 mt in 2015 and 2016, respectively. 

The ACLs derived from the 25–5 harvest 

control rule are projected to rebuild the 

stock by 2014, the same year as TF=0. 

Because the rebuilding progress was 

considered adequate, and the 2013 

assessment supports our fundamental 

understanding of the stock, the Council 

recommendation was to maintain the 

rebuilding plan currently in the 

PCGFMP and at § 660.40(f) (i.e., no 

modifications to TTARGET or harvest 

control rule). 

POP 

No new rebuilding analysis was 

conducted for POP. A catch reported 

was provided in 2013 that indicated 

2010–2012 catches were below the ACL. 

The Council has recommended 

maintaining the rebuilding strategy in 

the current rebuilding plan, with an SPR 

harvest rate of 86.4 percent, resulting in 

ACLs of 158 mt in 2015 and 164 mt in 

2015. The proposed management 

measures and catch allocations for 

2015–2016 are projected to result in 

POP total catch mortality less than the 

annual ACLs. Managing the fishery to a 

level that is less than the annual ACLs 

is intended to help ensure total 

mortality stays below the ACL, to allow 

the stock to rebuild faster, and to reduce 

the likelihood that inseason 

management changes will be needed to 

keep mortality within the ACL. The 

ACL for POP has the greatest effect on 

the northern trawl fishery (both the atsea Pacific whiting sectors and the 

Shorebased IFQ Program). 

Yelloweye Rockfish 

No new rebuilding analysis was 

conducted for yelloweye rockfish. The 

2011 rebuilding analysis was used to 

inform the rebuilding projections for the 

2015–2016 biennium. The 2011 

rebuilding analysis indicated that 

yelloweye rockfish is showing steady 

progress towards rebuilt status under 

the current rebuilding plan. The 

rebuilding analysis estimates that 

yelloweye rockfish will rebuild to BMSY

seven years earlier than the TTARGET of 

2074 specified in the current rebuilding 

plan if the existing harvest control rule 

(SPR=76.0 percent) remains in place. 

The proposed ACLs of 18 mt in 2015 

and 19 mt in 2016 results from applying 

an SPR harvest rate of 76.0 percent to 

current biomass. Because rebuilding 

progress was considered adequate, and 

the 2011 assessment supports our 

fundamental understanding of the stock, 

the Council recommended maintaining 

the rebuilding plan currently in the 

PCGFMP and specified at § 660.40 (i.e., 

no modifications to TTARGET or SPR 

harvest rate). 

2. Non-Overfished Species ACLs for 

Individually Managed Stocks 

For the following individually 

managed species the Council 

maintained the ACL policy from the last 

biennium to establish the 2015–2016 

ACLs: arrowtooth flounder, black 

rockfish (WA, and OR-CA), cabezon 

(OR, CA), California scorpionfish, 

chilipepper south of 40°10′ N. lat., 

lingcod south of 40°10′ N. lat., longnose 

skate, Pacific cod, sablefish, splitnose 

south of 40°10′ N. lat., and starry 

flounder. 

The Council considered new policies 

or information relative to the ACLs for 

the following healthy and precautionary 

zone species: Dover sole, English sole, 

lingcod south of 40°10′ N. lat. 

(specifically between 42° N. lat. and 

40°10′ N. lat.), longspine thornyhead, 

shortbelly, shortspine thornyhead, spiny 

dogfish, widow rockfish, and yellowtail 

rockfish north of 40°10′ N. lat. 

Dover Sole 

A Dover sole assessment was done in 

2011, which indicated the stock was 

healthy with a 2011 spawning stock 

biomass depletion of 83.7 percent of 

unfished biomass. Rather than set the 

ACLs equal to the ABCs of 63,929 mt in 

2015 and 56,615 mt in 2016, the 

proposed 2015 and 2016 ACLs maintain 

a strategy of setting a constant catch 

level below the ABC. Two ACL 

alternatives were considered for 2015– 

2016: 25,000 mt and 50,000 mt. The 

Council recommended ACLs of 50,000 

mt for 2015 and 2016. The stock is 

projected to remain healthy while 

accommodating the current level of 

catch. Higher sablefish ACLs are 

proposed for 2015 and 2016 and, given 

that the trawl sablefish allocation can 

dictate the amount of Dover sole that 

can be accessed in the IFQ fishery, the 

Council recommended higher Dover 

sole ACLs. Additionally, the Council 

noted that most of the Dover sole catch 

is from the IFQ fishery, where stringent 

monitoring is in place to prevent 

exceeding the ACL. 

English Sole 

A new data-moderate English sole 

assessment was done in 2013, which 

indicated the stock was healthy with a 

2013 spawning stock at 88 percent of its 

unfished biomass. The Council 

recommended the ACL be set equal to 

the ABC because the stock is above its 

target biomass of B25%. The proposed 

2015 and 2016 ACLs are 9,853 mt and 

7,204 mt, respectively. Since the ACL is 

set equal to the ABC, proposed changes 

to how the English sole ABC is 

calculated, affect a change to the ACL 

policy. Proposed ABC calculations for 

English sole are describe above in ‘‘Nonoverfished species ABCs for 

individually managed stocks’’. 

Lingcod 

Lingcod are distributed coastwide 

with harvest specifications based on two 

area stock assessments that were 

conducted in 2009 for the areas north 

and south of the California-Oregon 

border at 42° N. lat. The stock 

assessments indicate west coast lingcod 

stocks are healthy with the stock 

depletion estimated for lingcod off 

Washington and Oregon to be at 62 

percent of its unfished biomass, and 

lingcod off California estimated to be at 

74 percent of its unfished biomass at the 

start of 2009. As in 2013–2014, the 

lingcod ACLs for 2015–2016 are being 

proposed for the areas north and south 

of the current 40°10′ N. lat. management 

line rather than north and south of the 

California-Oregon border (42° N. lat.), 

which is where the stock assessment 

splits the stocks. The adjusted 

specifications for lingcod were based on 

the NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science 

Center trawl survey. The swept area 

biomass estimates calculated annually 

(2003–2010) in the NMFS Northwest 

Fisheries Science Center trawl survey 

indicated that 48 percent of the lingcod 

biomass for the stock south of 42° N. lat. 

occurred between 40°10′ N. lat. and 42° 

N. lat., and the specifications were 

adjusted accordingly. Because the stock 

in both areas is above its target biomass 

of B40% the proposed 2015 and 2016 

lingcod ACLs are set equal to the ABCs 

of 2,830 mt in 2015 and 2,719 mt in 

2016 for the stock north of 40°10′ N. lat. 

and 1,004 mt in 2015 and 946 mt in 

2016 for the stock south of 40°10′ N. lat. 

Since the ACLs are set equal to the 

ABCs, proposed changes to how the 

lingcod ABCs are calculated affect a 

change to the ACL policy. Proposed 

ABC calculations for lingcod are 

describe above in ‘‘Non-overfished 

species ABCs for individually managed 

stocks’’. 


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Longspine Thornyhead 

A new, full longspine thornyhead 

assessment was done in 2013 that 

indicated the stock was healthy with a 

2013 spawning stock at 75 percent of its 

unfished biomass. The Council revised 

its ACL policy for longspine thornyhead 

and recommended the ACL be set equal 

to the ABC, but is recommending 

maintaining the Conception area 

management line at 34°27′ N. lat. 

because the stock is above its target 

biomass of B40% and because ten more 

years of survey data were used to inform 

the new 2013 assessment. 

Until 2013, the most recent stock 

assessment for longspine thornyhead 

was conducted in 2005. The ACL policy 

for longspine thornyhead in the last 

cycle took an additional precautionary 

adjustment (25 percent reduction north 

of 34°27′ N. lat. and 50 percent 

reduction south of 34°27′ N. lat.) to 

reduce the ACLs from the OFLs. This 

reduction was intended to address 

concerns that there was a limited 

amount of fishery independent data 

used to inform the 2005 assessment, 

particularly in the Conception area. For 

the 2005 assessment, the NWFSC 

combination shelf-slope survey had just 

begun in its current configuration, so 

the data from 2003–2004 were used. The 

NWFSC combination shelf-slope survey 

now has ten years of observations 

(2003–2012) incorporated into the 2013 

assessments for longspine thornyhead. 

As in previous cycles, the Council 

recommended apportioning the 

coastwide longspine thornyhead ACLs 

north and south of 34°27′ N. lat. based 

on the portion of the biomass estimated 

to occur north of Point Conception. 

Apportionment was based on the 

relative swept-area biomass estimates 

(2003–2012) from the NMFS NWFSC 

trawl survey. The Council 

recommended longspine thornyhead 

ACLs of 3,170 mt north of 34°27′ N. lat. 

and 1,001 mt south of 34°27′ N. lat. for 

2015 and 3,015 mt north of 34°27′ N. lat. 

and 952 mt south of 34°27′ N. lat. for 

2016. These ACLs are set equal to the 

ABC and then apportioned north and 

south of south of 34°27′ N. lat.; 76 

percent to the north and 24 percent to 

the south. 

Shortspine Thornyhead 

A new, full shortspine thornyhead 

assessment was done in 2013 that 

indicated the stock was healthy with a 

2013 spawning stock at 74 percent of its 

unfished biomass. The Council revised 

its ACL policy for shortspine 

thornyhead and recommended the ACL 

be set equal to the ABC, but is 

recommending maintaining the 

Conception area management line at 

34°27′ N. lat. because the stock is above 

its target biomass of B40% and because 

ten more years of survey data were used 

to inform the new 2013 assessment (see 

longspine thornyhead discussion 

above). 

Until 2013, the most recent stock 

assessment for these two stocks was 

conducted in 2005. The ACL policy for 

shortspine thornyhead in the last cycle 

took an additional precautionary 

adjustment (50 percent reduction south 

of 34°27′ N. lat.) to reduce the ACL from 

the OFL to address concerns that there 

was a limited amount of fishery 

independent data used to inform the 

2005 assessment, particularly in the 

Conception area. 

As in previous cycles, the Council 

recommended apportioning the 

coastwide ACL north and south of 

34°27′ N. lat. based on the portion of the 

biomass estimated to occur north of 

Point Conception. Apportionment was 

based on the relative swept-area 

biomass estimates (2003–2012) from the 

NMFS NWFSC trawl survey. The 

Council recommended shortspine 

thornyhead ACLs of 1,745 mt north of 

34°27′ N. lat. and 923 mt south of 34°27′ 

N. lat. for 2015 and 1,726 mt north of 

34°27′ N. lat. and 913 mt south of 34°27′ 

N. lat. for 2016. These ACLs are set 

equal to the ABC and then apportioned 

north and south of south of 34°27′ N. 

lat.; 65 percent to the north and 35 

percent to the south. 

Shortbelly 

A non-quantitative assessment was 

done in 2007 for shortbelly. Although 

the assessment does not fully satisfy the 

Council’s terms of reference for 

groundfish stock assessments, the SSC 

endorsed the assessment for 

management purposes. A full discussion 

of the 2007 assessment and its results is 

available in the proposed rule for the 

2009–2010 biennium (73 FR 80516, 

December 31, 2008). Beginning in 2009 

and continuing in 2015–2016, the 

Council recommended a constant catch 

strategy for shortbelly rockfish where 

the ACL is set well below the ABC since 

the stock is unexploited and to protect 

the stock’s importance as a forage 

species in the California current 

ecosystem. The Council considered two 

alternative ACLs for 2015–2016: The 

first alternative maintains the 2014 ACL 

of 50 mt; and the second increases the 

ACL to 500 mt. The shortbelly rockfish 

stock would be expected to increase in 

abundance under both alternative ACLs. 

Due to ACL increases for widow 

rockfish and yellowtail rockfish north of 

40°10′ N. lat., the Council recommended 

a shortbelly ACL of 500 mt to 

accommodate incidental catch when 

fishing for these co-occurring healthy 

stocks, while maintaining the large 

precautionary reduction in the ACL 

from the ABC for shortbelly. 

Spiny Dogfish 

Spiny dogfish was assessed for the 

first time in 2011. The 2011 assessment 

indicated that the spiny dogfish stock 

was healthy with an estimated 

spawning biomass at 63 percent of its 

unfished biomass. In 2013–2014 spiny 

dogfish was managed within the Other 

Fish complex and did not have speciesspecific harvest specifications; the 2011 

assessment was used to calculate the 

contribution of spiny dogfish biomass to 

the Other Fish complex and the sum of 

the contributing ABCs for stocks in the 

complex was equal to the ACL for the 

Other Fish complex. Beginning in 2015, 

the Council recommended revising the 

species composition of the Other Fish 

complex and recommended removing 

spiny dogfish from the complex to 

manage it with species-specific harvest 

specifications. The Council 

recommended setting the ACL equal to 

the ABC, as the stock is above its target 

biomass of B40%. The proposed spiny 

dogfish ACLs are 2,101 mt in 2015 and 

2,085 mt in 2016. 

Widow Rockfish 

Widow rockfish was assessed in 2011 

and indicated the spawning stock 

biomass was at 51 percent of its 

unfished biomass at the start of 2011. As 

the stock status was above the 

rebuilding threshold, beginning in 2013 

and 2014, widow rockfish was managed 

as a healthy stock. Although the base 

model is considered to be the best 

available science, there was 

considerable uncertainty regarding the 

new stock assessment’s findings. As in 

2013–2014, the Council took this into 

consideration when making the ACL 

recommendations for 2015–2016. Three 

ACL alternatives were considered for 

widow rockfish, all of which 

maintained a constant catch strategy 

where the ACL is set below the ABC: 

1,500 mt, 2,000 mt, 3,000 mt. For 2015– 

2016, the Council recommended ACLs 

of 2,000 mt to accommodate increased 

opportunity in the Shorebased IFQ 

Program and the at-sea Pacific whiting 

fisheries while keeping the spawning 

stock biomass above the target B40%

level for the next 10 years according to 

the base model. The ACL of 2,000 mt 

maintains the strategy for more 

precautionary ACLs for widow rockfish, 

compared to the general policy of 

setting the ACL equal to the ABC for 

healthy stocks (ABC of 3,929 mt in 2015 

and 3,790 mt in 2016). The Council 


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recommended a precautionary ACL 

given the uncertainty in the stock’s 

estimated biomass, relative 

productivity, and other aspects of the 

stock’s dynamics. 

Yellowtail Rockfish North of 40°10′ N. 

Lat. 

A new data-moderate yellowtail 

rockfish assessment was done in 2013 

for the portion of the stock north of 

40°10′ N. lat. The new assessment 

indicated the stock was healthy with a 

2013 spawning stock at 69 percent of its 

unfished biomass. The Council 

recommended the ACL be set equal to 

the ABC because the stock is above its 

target biomass of B40%. The proposed 

2015 and 2016 ACLs are 6,590 mt and 

6,344 mt, respectively. Since the ACL is 

set equal to the ABC, proposed changes 

to how the yellowtail rockfish north of 

40°10′ N. lat. ABC is calculated, affect 

a change to the ACL policy. Proposed 

ABC calculations for yellowtail rockfish 

north of 40°10′ N. lat. are described 

above in ‘‘Non-Overfished Species ABCs 

for Individually Managed Stocks’’. 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–P 


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3. Stock Complex ACLs 

Stocks may be grouped into 

complexes for various reasons including 

where stocks in a multispecies fishery 

cannot be targeted independent of one 

another and MSY cannot be defined on 

a stock-by-stock basis, where there is 

insufficient data to measure their stock 

status, or when it is not feasible for 

fishermen to distinguish individual 

stocks among their catch. Most 

groundfish species managed in a stock 

complex are data-poor stocks without 

full stock assessments. 

All of the ACLs for stock complexes 

are less than or equal to the summed 

ABC contributions of each component 

stock in each complex as described in 

the following paragraphs. 

Minor Nearshore Rockfish North and 

South of 40°10′ N. Lat. 

Minor Nearshore Rockfish are caught 

predominantly in the non-trawl 

fisheries (both commercial and 

recreational). Nearshore rockfish are 

primarily managed by each state. 

Annual state harvest guidelines (HGs) 

for Minor Nearshore Rockfish north of 

40°10′ N. lat. are proposed for 2015 and 

2016 and discussed in ‘‘Management 

Measures’’ below. Under the proposed 

action the Minor Nearshore Rockfish 

North ACL is a 22 percent reduction 

from the OFL. 

For Minor nearshore rockfish north of 

40°10′ N. lat., the preferred 2015 and 

2016 complex ACLs of 69 mt are set 

below the 77 mt ABCs each year. The 

ACLs are lower than the ABCs because 

the 40–10 adjustment was applied to the 

ABC contributions for blue rockfish in 

California and China rockfish. Then the 

ACLs were set equal to the 40–10 

adjusted ABCs. The 2015 and 2016 

complex ABC is the summed 

contribution of the component stocks’ 

ABCs. For Minor nearshore rockfish 

south of 40°10′ N. lat., the preferred 

2015 and 2016 complex ACLs are less 

than the ABCs for the complex. In 2015 

the Minor nearshore rockfish complex 

ABC is 1,169 mt, with an ACL of 1,114 

mt, while in 2016 the ABC is 1,148 mt 

and the ACL is 1,006 mt. The ACLs are 

lower than the ABCs because the 40–10 

adjustment was applied to the ABC 

contributions for blue rockfish north of 

34°27′ N. lat. Then the ACLs were set 

equal to the 40–10 adjusted ABCs. 

Minor Shelf Rockfish North and South 

of 40°10′ N. Lat. 

For Minor shelf rockfish north of 

40°10′ N. lat., the proposed 2015 ACL of 

1,944 mt is same as the ABC, while the 

2016 ACL of 1,952 is lower than the 

ABC of 1,953. The ACL is set equal to 

the ABC after the 40–10 adjustment was 

applied to the ABC contributions for 

greenspotted rockfish in California (the 

2015 ACL is slightly less than the 2015 

ABC but rounds to the ABC value). For 

Minor shelf rockfish south of 40°10′ N. 

lat., the proposed 2015 ACL of 1,624 mt 

is less than the ABC of 1,625 mt and the 

2016 complex ACL of 1,625 mt is less 

than the ABC of 1,626 mt. The ACLs are 

lower than the ABCs because the 40–10 

adjustment was applied to the ABC 

contributions for greenspotted rockfish. 

Then the ACLs were set equal to the 40– 

10 adjusted ABCs. 

Minor Slope Rockfish North and South 

of 40°10′ N. Lat. 

For Minor Slope Rockfish north of 

40°10′ N. lat., the proposed 2015 ACL of 

1,693 mt is set equal to the ABC and the 

2016 proposed ACL of 1,706 mt is set 

equal to the ABC, as none of the 

component stocks are in the 

precautionary zone. For Minor Slope 

Rockfish south of 40°10′ N. lat., the 

proposed 2015 ACL of 693 mt is lower 

than the ABC of 705 mt and the 2016 

ACL of 695 mt is lower than the ABC 

of 705 mt. The ACLs are lower than the 

ABCs because the 40–10 adjustment was 


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applied to the ABC contributions for 

blackgill rockfish. Then the ACLs were 

set equal to the 40–10 adjusted ABCs. 

Other Flatfish 

The proposed 2015 and 2016 ACLs of 

8,749 mt and 7,243 mt, respectively, are 

equal to the 2015 and 2016 ABCs since 

all of the assessed stocks (i.e., Pacific 

sanddabs and rex sole) were above their 

target biomass of B25%. 

Other Fish Complex 

The Other Fish complex historically 

contained non-target species that 

occurred as bycatch (not retained, 

landed, sold, or kept for personal use) 

while targeting other species. For 2015– 

2016 the Council recommended 

reorganizing this complex, removing 

several species and designating them as 

EC species, and removing spiny dogfish 

and managing it with species-specific 

harvest specifications. For a discussion 

of EC species see ‘‘Amendment 24 to the 

Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery 

Management Plan’’ section. 

The Other Fish complex is 

restructured to include the Washington, 

Oregon, and California kelp greenling 

stocks; the Washington cabezon stock; 

and leopard sharks. The proposed 2015 

and 2016 ACLs of 242 mt and 243 mt 

are set equal to the complex ABCs. 

D. Stock Complexes 

In preparation for the 2015–2016 

biennium, the Council’s Groundfish 

Management Team, with guidance from 

the Council’s SSC, performed an 

analysis to assess whether any stocks 

were potentially at risk of experiencing 

catch in excess of their contribution 

OFLs within the current stock 

complexes. Informed by the work of its 

advisory bodies, staff, and the public, 

the Council considered whether to 

recommend any changes to the current 

stock complex configurations. 

Ultimately, as discussed further below, 

the Council recommended reorganizing 

the Other Fish complex because it 

contained species of dissimilar life 

history characteristics and varying 

vulnerabilities to the fishery. For 

rougheye/blackspotted and shortraker 

rockfish, which are managed within the 

Minor Slope Rockfish complexes, the 

Council recommended implementing a 

sorting requirement to improve data 

collection rather than restructuring the 

complexes at this time. 


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1. Minor Nearshore Rockfish Complex 

North and South of 40°10′ N. lat. 

China rockfish are included in the 

Minor Nearshore Rockfish complexes 

and are an important species in the 

nearshore recreational and nearshore 

commercial fisheries. China rockfish 

(south of 40°10′ N. lat.) is a healthy 

stock. In 2015 and 2016, when 

calculating the Minor Nearshore 

Rockfish north complex harvest 

specifications, the 40–10 precautionary 

adjustment is applied to the China 

rockfish ABC contribution to determine 

the China rockfish contribution to the 

stock complex ACL. Based on the 

results of the data moderate assessment 

and concerns about the potential for 

catch to exceed China rockfish’s OFL 

contribution to the Minor Nearshore 

Rockfish north OFL, the Council 

initially considered an analysis of statespecific or regional HGs of China 

rockfish north of 40°10′ N. lat. However, 

given the constraints posed on the 

fisheries from management at the 

species level and the availability of data 

to allow a full stock assessment to 

confirm trends identified in the datamoderate assessment, the Council 

recommended keeping China rockfish 

within the Minor Nearshore Rockfish 

complex until a better understanding of 

the status of the stock can be 

determined through a full stock 

assessment (scheduled to occur in 

2015). The reduction in the 2105–2016 

Minor Nearshore Rockfish ACLs could 

result in a corresponding reduction to 

China rockfish mortality if measures 

taken to reduce catch of the complex 

level result in reduced targeting of 

China rockfish. 

2. Minor Shelf Rockfish Complex North 

and South of 40°10′ N. lat. 

No changes to the Minor Shelf 

Rockfish complexes (north and south of 

40°10′ N. lat.) are proposed in 2015– 

2016. The Council considered 

reorganization of the Minor Shelf 

Rockfish complexes, and found no 

compelling reason to reorganize these 

complexes, as the species within the 

complex are similar in life history and 

distribution, and none are currently at a 

risk of exceeding contribution OFLs 

(when combining north and south 

contributions for a given stock, per SSC 

guidance). 

3. Minor Slope Rockfish Complexes 

North and South of 40°10′ N. lat. 

The Council considered restructuring 

the Minor Slope Rockfish complexes by 

removing rougheye/blackspotted and 

shortraker rockfish and managing these 

stocks as a new rougheye/blackspotted/ 

shortraker coastwide complex. Doing so 

might help to reduce any potential risk 

of exceeding contribution OFLs in the 

future, but extensive concern was 

expressed by industry and the Council 

that restructuring the Minor Slope 

Rockfish could disrupt limited entry 

trawl and fixed gear fisheries. Realizing 

the need to reduce rougheye/

blackspotted catch, the Catcher/

Processor sector of the Pacific whiting 

fishery began to pay heightened 

attention to rougheye/blackspotted 

catches by their fleet and move away 

from areas where higher rougheye/

blackspotted bycatch was occurring in 

2013. Total catch of rougheye/

blackspotted in 2013 by the Catcher/

Processor sector was 11.2 mt, down 

significantly from the high 2011 catch of 

74.4 mt. Vessels targeting Pacific 

whiting with midwater trawl gear in the 

Mothership sector and the Shorebased 

IFQ Program may be able to enact 

similar strategies to reduce their 

impacts. Shortraker rockfish have 

exceeded their contribution OFLs in 

recent years, although the stock is on 

the southern outskirts of its 

predominant range. However, bottom 

trawl surveys have not produced 

sufficient samples of shortraker rockfish 

for a data moderate assessment, let 

alone a full stock assessment. 

Furthermore, NWFSC stock assessment 

staff are currently working to improve 

assessment methods for situations 

where the assessed area covers only a 

small portion of the stocks’ predominant 

range (i.e., shortraker rockfish). 

Industry has also conducted extensive 

outreach among the various sectors 

(including bottom trawl and fixed gear 

sectors) to inform them of the need to 

reduce rougheye/blackspotted, and 

shortraker rockfish catch within their 

sectors. Industry representatives 

provided a report detailing ongoing 

voluntary measures to reduce catch of 

these species at the June 2014 Council 

meeting. 

For 2015–2016 the Council 

recommended a sorting requirement for 

rougheye/blackspotted and shortraker 

for all commercial fisheries. The STAR 

panel recommended that the 2013 

rougheye assessment treat rougheye/

blackspotted as one stock due to 

limitations in available data sets, 

despite the fact that they are actually 

two different species. Therefore, fish of 

these stocks found off the U.S. west 

coast are assessed as a single 

‘‘rougheye’’ unit. In 2015–2016, a 

sorting requirement is proposed to be 

implemented for rougheye/blackspotted 

rockfish (treated as a single unit) and for 

shortraker rockfish (treated as a separate 

unit). NMFS anticipates that the sorting 

requirements for rougheye/blackspotted, 

and shortraker rockfish will: Reduce 

ambiguity and species-specific 

assumptions of catch; aid in annual 

mortality tracking; aid in inseason catch 

monitoring; and, improve data available 

for future stock assessments. 

Blackgill rockfish is managed within 

the Minor slope rockfish complexes. 

The 2011 assessment for the stock south 

of 40°10′ N. lat. indicated the stock was 

in the precautionary zone with 

spawning biomass depletion estimated 

to be 30 percent of its unfished biomass 

at the start of 2011. NMFS established 

2013 and 2014 HGs equal to the ACLs 

calculated for the southern blackgill 

rockfish stock after the 40–10 

adjustment was made. Species specific 

trip limits were implemented for 

commercial non-trawl fisheries, and 

current indications are that this action 

appears to have had the intended effect 

of reducing catch of blackgill rockfish. 

However, there is a limited ability in the 

current management structure to reduce 

targeting of blackgill rockfish in the IFQ 

fishery. The Council has begun 

considering removing blackgill rockfish 

from the Minor Slope Rockfish complex 

and re-evaluating the allocation 

structure for this species. 

Prior to the 2013 full assessment for 

aurora rockfish, previous biomass 

estimates were lower than the current, 

improved understanding of the stock. 

Under the previous biomass estimates, 

aurora rockfish harvests were in excess 

of the OFL contribution estimates. The 

full aurora rockfish assessment in 2013 

found the stock to be in a healthy state 

outside of the precautionary zone, with 

recent mortality below the aurora 

rockfish OFL contribution to the 

complex. 

4. Other Flatfish Complex 

The Council considered 

reorganization of the Other Flatfish 

complex, and found no compelling 

reason to reorganize this complex, as 

species within the complex are similar 

in life history, and none are currently at 

a risk of overfishing. 

5. Other Fish Complex 

The Other Fish complex historically 

contained non-target species that 

occurred as bycatch (not retained, 

landed, sold, or kept for personal use) 

while targeting other species. Spiny 

dogfish were managed within the Other 

Fish complex in 2013 and 2014. For 

2015 and 2016, spiny dogfish is 

proposed to be removed from the Other 

Fish complex and managed as a single 

coastwide management unit. Skates 

(Aleutian skate, Bering/sandpaper skate, 

roughtail/black skate, and all other 


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skates), Grenadiers (Pacific grenadier, 

giant grenadier, all other grenadiers), 

soupfin shark, spotted ratfish, and 

finescale codling, formerly managed 

within the Other Fish complex, are 

proposed for designation as Ecosystem 

Component (EC) species in 2015–2016. 

As proposed, the Other Fish complex is 

restructured to include the Washington, 

Oregon and California kelp greenling 

stocks; the Washington Cabezon stock; 

and leopard sharks. For further 

discussion regarding rationale for new 

EC designations of stocks previously 

managed within the Other Fish 

complex, see the ‘‘Amendment 24 to the 

Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery 

Management Plan’’ section below. Not 

all the stocks in the proposed complex 

contribute to the OFL calculations (See 

‘‘Other Fish Complex’’ in the ‘‘Proposed 

OFLs for 2015 and 2016’’ section for 

more discussion on the OFL 

calculation). NMFS acknowledges that 

keeping leopard sharks in the Other 

Fish complex keeps a stock in the 

proposed complex with different life 

history characteristics than the other 

stocks. However, leopard shark is 

consistently at a low risk of overfishing, 

and catch is consistently below their 

contribution OFL to the Other Fish 

complex. NMFS notes that the proposed 

definition of ‘‘Other Fish’’ at § 660.11 

removes Sebastes species not explicitly 

listed in the PCGFMP from the Other 

Fish complex and those species would 

not count towards the landings limits, 

when specified, for the Other Fish 

complex. 

E. Amendment 24 to the Pacific Coast 

Groundfish Fishery Management Plan 

Amendment 24 consists of three 

components: (1) Default harvest control 

rules; (2) a suite of minor changes, 

including clarification of routine 

management measures and adjustments 

to those measures, clarification to the 

harvest specifications decision making 

schedule, changes to the description of 

the biennial management cycle process, 

updates to make the FMP consistent 

with SSC guidance on the FMSY proxy 

for elasmobranchs, and clarifications to 

definitions; and (3) addition of two 

rockfish species to the PCGFMP and the 

designation of EC species. 

1. Default Harvest Control Rules, 

Clarifications, and Adding Species 

Over the past three years, the Council 

has been examining the harvest 

specifications and management 

measures decision-making process, and 

related analytical requirements in an 

effort to simplify these processes. 

Several biennial harvest specifications 

cycles have not met their intended 

January 1st start date and it was thought 

that efficiencies could be gained by 

adjusting Council decision making and 

the analysis undertaken each biennial 

cycle. Therefore, the Council undertook 

Amendment 24 to examine ways to 

streamline the Council decision-making 

in each biennium to implement the 

harvest specifications and management 

measures. This resulted in several 

changes being proposed to how the 

Council will address harvest 

specifications beginning in the 2017– 

2018 biennium. 

The use of default harvest control 

rules and their addition to the FMP is 

intended to simplify the Council’s 

harvest specifications process and 

acknowledge that the Council generally 

maintains the policy choices from the 

previous biennium to annual catch 

limits for the next biennium. Under 

Amendment 24, the harvest control 

rules used to determine the previous 

biennium’s harvest specifications (i.e., 

OFLs, ABCs, and ACLs), would 

automatically be applied to the best 

scientific information available to 

determine the future biennium’s harvest 

specifications. NMFS would implement 

harvest specifications based on the 

default harvest control rules unless the 

Council makes a different 

recommendation. Proposed regulations 

implementing the provisions related to 

the use of default harvest specifications 

at § 660.60(b) would not apply to 

ecosystem component species because 

they do not have OFLs, ABCs, or ACLs 

specified, or Pacific whiting because the 

harvest specifications for Pacific 

whiting are established annually 

through a bilateral treaty process with 

Canada. In addition to the use of 

defaults to simplify the harvest 

specifications process, Amendment 24 

makes changes to the description of the 

type of management measures that may 

be addressed through the biennial 

process. Clarifying that the management 

measures should be (1) management 

measures to be classified as routine the 

first time these measures are used; (2) 

adjustments to current management 

measures that are classified as routine; 

and (3) new management measures, not 

previously analyzed. This clarifies the 

focus of management measures and is 

intended to simplify the management 

measures proposed through each 

biennial cycle. 

The PCGFMP includes all species in 

the genera Sebastes, and specifically 

lists many of those species individually. 

Amendment 24 adds two Sebastes 

species to the list of PCGFMP species. 

The two species proposed to be added 

are sunset rockfish (S. crocotulus) and 

blackspotted rockfish (S. melanostictus). 

Sunset rockfish is added because best 

available scientific information 

indicates that vermillion rockfish (a 

species currently listed in the PCGFMP) 

is a stock actually made up of two 

species: Vermillion rockfish and sunset 

rockfish. Since these stocks are almost 

indistinguishable without very detailed 

examination, the 2013 draft vermillion 

rockfish stock assessment recommended 

treating them as a single stock, 

consisting of two distinct species. 

Adding sunset rockfish to the PCGFMP 

recognizes this new information. 

Blackspotted rockfish are being added to 

the PCGFMP because a sorting 

requirement is proposed for 

blackspotted/rougheye rockfish (See 

‘‘Minor Slope Rockfish’’ under the 

section ‘‘Stock Complexes’’ for more 

discussion of blackspotted/rougheye 

rockfish). 

2. Designation of Ecosystem Component 

Species 

Finally, Amendment 24 designates 

several species and species groups as 

Ecosystem Component (EC) species. The 

concept of EC species was added to the 

PCGFMP under Amendment 23, which 

revised the PCGFMP to comply with the 

revised MSA National Standard 1 

Guidelines. However, no species were 

designated as EC species at that time. 

The EC species designation is described 

in National Standard 1 Guidelines at 50 

CFR 600.310(d)(5). Generally, EC 

species should be a non-target stock, not 

be subject to overfishing or determined 

to be overfished, or approaching an 

overfished condition and not likely to 

become so in the absence of 

management measures; and not 

generally retained for sale or personal 

use. Amendment 24 proposes to 

designate the following species, which 

were already in the PCGFMP, as EC 

species: big skate, California skate, 

Pacific grenadier, soupfin shark, spotted 

ratfish, and finescale codling. 

Additionally, the following species or 

species groups are proposed to be added 

to the PCGFMP as EC species: Aleutian 

skate, Bering/sandpaper skate, 

roughtail/black skate, all other skates, 

giant grenadier, and all other grenadiers. 

EC species are not considered ‘‘in the 

fishery’’, and do not require harvest 

specifications (e.g. OFLs, ABCs and 

ACLs). 

During development of the 2015–2016 

harvest specifications and management 

measures, the Council considered 

reorganizing the eight groundfish stock 

complexes (see ‘‘Stock Complex ACL’’ 

section). The SSC recommended that 

the Council prioritize the Other Fish 

complex for reorganization and an 

analysis was completed to look at 


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potential ways of restructuring that 

complex, including consideration of 

designating some of its species as EC 

species. That analysis concluded that 

many of the species that were in the 

Other Fish complex were good 

candidates for designation as EC species 

because they have an extremely low risk 

of catch exceeding contribution OFLs. 

The revised Other Fish complex would 

be composed of shallow-water species 

often caught within three miles of shore, 

in state waters. Removing the other 

species within the Other Fish complex 

and classifying them as an EC species 

reduces the risks to the species left in 

the complex (Cabezon off Washington, 

kelp greenling and leopard shark). The 

risk of overfishing is reduced for the 

remaining stocks because some of the 

recommended EC species were 

effectively inflator stocks to the Other 

Fish complex, with relatively larger OFL 

contributions. Removing inflator stocks 

reduces the risk of mortality exceeding 

contribution OFLs for the stocks 

managed in the reorganized Other Fish 

complex. 

Species proposed for EC species 

designation are at a low risk of 

overfishing for various reasons, 

including: Best estimates of harvest are 

relatively low; best estimates of catch do 

not have an increasing trend; and 

geographic distribution of some of the 

species has only a small overlap with 

the geographic areas of the Pacific coast 

groundfish fisheries. The goal of 

designating EC species is to more 

appropriately categorize them based on 

their lack of fishing pressure, while 

acknowledging the limited interaction 

of these species with the groundfish 

fisheries and their role in the ecosystem. 

Catch of EC species will be monitored 

for increasing trends in landings, 

primarily through state landings in 

market categories. This monitoring may 

aid in identifying emerging fisheries 

that require evaluation for possible 

management or may identify potential 

conservation concerns. 

NMFS acknowledges that 

reclassification of Pacific grenadier from 

a stock ‘‘in the fishery’’ to an EC species 

is arguably inconsistent with the NS 1 

Guidelines, which state that EC species 

should not be a target stock and should 

generally not be retained. Recent Pacific 

grenadier landings average about 130 mt 

per year, and Pacific grenadier is 

landed, marketed, and possibly targeted 

in some regions, mainly in central 

California. However, despite relatively 

high amounts of catch when compared 

to catch of other proposed EC species, 

only about 10 percent of the estimated 

OFL contribution for Pacific grenadier 

was caught annually between 2009– 

2011. In addition, because the stocks 

that are currently in the PCGFMP and 

are proposed to be reclassified as EC 

species were previously managed as 

part of the Other Fish complex rather 

than as individual species, the EC 

classification results in very limited 

changes from existing management 

practices (e.g., there are no trip limits 

that appear to affect catches of Pacific 

grenadier currently). Therefore, it is 

reasonable to conclude that Pacific 

grenadier, and the other stocks proposed 

for EC classification, are not stocks in 

need of conservation and management. 

Rather than removing them from the 

PCGFMP entirely, designation as EC 

species ensures continued monitoring 

and evaluation of the stocks’ 

classifications. 

For a discussion of how existing 

fishery management measures do or do 

not apply to EC species see the 

‘‘Management Measures’’ section below. 

The Notice of Availability for the FMP 

was published on November 26, 2014 

(79 FR 70497). 

F. Management Measures 

New management measures being 

proposed for the 2015–2016 biennial 

cycle would work in combination with 

current management measures to 

control fishing. This management 

structure should ensure that the catch of 

overfished groundfish species does not 

exceed the rebuilding ACLs while 

allowing harvest of healthier groundfish 

stocks to occur to the extent possible. 

Routine management measures are used 

to modify fishing behavior during the 

fishing year. Routine management 

measures for the commercial fisheries 

include trip and cumulative landing 

limits, time/area closures, size limits, 

and gear restrictions. Routine 

management measures for the 

recreational fisheries include bag limits, 

size limits, gear restrictions, fish 

dressing requirements, and time/area 

closures. The groundfish fishery is 

managed with a variety of other 

regulatory requirements that are not 

routinely adjusted, many of which are 

not changed through this rulemaking, 

and are found at 50 CFR 660, subparts 

C through G. The regulations at 50 CFR 

660, subparts C through G, include, but 

are not limited to, long-term harvest 

allocations, recordkeeping and reporting 

requirements, monitoring requirements, 

license limitation programs, and 

essential fish habitat (EFH) protection 

measures. The routine management 

measures, specified at 50 CFR 660.60 

(c), in combination with the entire 

collection of groundfish regulations, are 

used to manage the Pacific Coast 

groundfish fishery during the biennium 

to achieve harvest guidelines, quotas, or 

allocations, that result from the harvest 

specifications identified in this 

proposed rule, while protecting 

overfished and depleted stocks. 

In addition to changes to routine 

management measures, this section 

describes biennial fishery allocations 

and set-asides, and new management 

measures proposed for 2015–2016 

including: Changes to latitude and 

longitude coordinates that define the 

boundaries of the Rockfish Conservation 

Areas (RCAs); new sorting requirements; 

and changes to canary sub bag limits in 

the Oregon recreational fisheries, among 

others. 

The management measures being 

proposed reflect the Council’s 

recommendations from its June 2014 

meeting, as transmitted to NMFS. At its 

November 2014 meeting, the Council 

recommended three changes that may 

be included in the final rule for this 

action and therefore NMFS is 

specifically seeking public comment on 

these items. 

First, the Council took final action on 

the Pacific halibut Catch Sharing Plan 

(CSP) for the 2015 halibut fisheries. 

Included in the recommendations was a 

modification to the CSP that would 

allow retention of flatfish species (other 

than halibut) in certain recreational 

fisheries when halibut are onboard. This 

change was recommended for the sport 

fishery in the Columbia River subarea 

and the Oregon Central Coast subarea. 

Because this change effects groundfish 

retention, regulations would be 

modified to add flatfish, in addition to 

sablefish and Pacific cod, to the list of 

species at 660.360(c)(2)(iii)(D) for 

Washington and at 660.360(c)(1)(i)(D)(3) 

for Oregon. 

Additionally, the Council received 

reports from the California Department 

of Fish and Wildlife regarding higher 

than expected catches of black rockfish 

and California scorpionfish and 

recommended two changes to the 2015 

California recreational regulations. First, 

the Council recommended adding a five 

fish black rockfish sub-bag limit within 

the ten fish rockfish, cabezon and 

greenling limit, which would modify 

regulations at 660.360(c)(3)(v)(A). 

Second, the Council recommended 

prohibiting the retention of California 

scorpionfish in the California 

recreational fishery from September 

through December 2015, which would 

modify regulations at 

660.360(c)(3)(ii)(B). NMFS is 

considering the Council’s 

recommendations and welcomes public 

comment on the potential changes that 

may be incorporated in the final rule. 


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1. Management Measures and 

Ecosystem Component Species 

As described above at ‘‘Amendment 

24 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish 

Fishery Management Plan’’, the Council 

recommended and NMFS is proposing 

to designate EC species in the PCGFMP. 

Proposed regulations at § 660.11 define 

the species and species groups that are 

being designated as EC species as 

‘‘Groundfish’’. By defining EC species as 

‘‘Groundfish’’, Federal regulations that 

apply to groundfish in general would 

apply to EC species. In this section, we 

discuss in more detail how the existing 

fishery management structure may, or 

may not, apply to these species and 

species groups that are not considered 

to be ‘‘in the fishery’’ but are still 

defined as a ‘‘groundfish’’ species. 

Many regulations at 50 CFR 660, 

subparts C through G, including, but not 

limited to, time/area closures, 

recordkeeping and reporting 

requirements, monitoring requirements, 

license limitation programs, and 

essential fish habitat (EFH) protection 

measures would apply to vessels taking 

and retaining any EC species or species 

groups, even if that is the only 

groundfish species on board. This is 

because they are proposed to be defined 

as a group of species within the more 

general definition of ‘‘groundfish’’. 

Since most of the species proposed to be 

designated as EC species are largely 

discarded (i.e. low levels of retention 

and landing) and are currently in the 

PCGFMP (i.e. already subject to 

groundfish regulations as part of the 

Other Fish complex), retaining the 

application of most management 

measures to EC species is not 

anticipated to impose many, if any, new 

restrictions to vessels fishing in 

groundfish fisheries. The following are 

some specific examples of general 

fishery regulations that apply to 

groundfish, and would, therefore, also 

apply to species and species groups 

proposed to be designated as EC species: 

Fishing must occur with legal gear types 

and in areas where fishing for 

groundfish with that gear type is not 

prohibited; fishing for EC species that 

occurs when the vessel is registered to 

a permit, including limited entry 

permits and exempted fishing permits, 

must be done in compliance with the 

regulations that apply to that vessel’s 

fishing activities because it is registered 

to a Federal permit; Federal regulations 

applying to groundfish, including EC 

species, would not supersede more 

restrictive state regulations; vessel must 

provide departure or cease fishing 

reports, when required to do so; vessel 

must carry an observer, when required 

to do so. 

The only instance in which 

regulations would become applicable to 

additional fishing vessels is if those 

vessels are taking and retaining species 

or species groups that are being brought 

more explicitly into the PCGFMP for the 

first time with their designation as EC 

species (e.g. all grenadiers besides 

Pacific grenadier, and all skates besides 

longnose skate, big skate and California 

skate), and those vessels that are not 

otherwise fishing groundfish species 

currently in the PCGFMP. For example, 

if a vessel wants to retain giant 

grenadier in Federal waters, it is 

required to have an active vessel 

monitoring system mobile transceiver 

until (VMS MTU) on board the vessel 

prior to departing on a fishing trip 

where groundfish would be retained. 

The requirement for a VMS MTU when 

retaining giant grenadier in Federal 

waters would not have applied to this 

vessel in 2013–2014 unless they were 

retaining other groundfish species. 

No new management measures are 

proposed specifically for EC species 

because these species are not at risk of 

overfishing. Some groundfish 

regulations apply to specific sectors, 

gear types, species, or species groups. In 

those cases where regulations do not 

generally apply to ‘groundfish’ but 

apply to specific species, gear types, 

species groups, or fisheries, it is not 

anticipated that taking and retaining EC 

species, alone, would trigger those types 

of regulations. For example, EC species 

are not required to be sorted because 

they do not meet any of the 

requirements described at § 660.12(a)(8), 

EC species do not count toward any 

cumulative or trip limit because no 

cumulative or trip limits are being 

established for EC species or species 

groups at this time. If ever a cumulative 

limit were established for EC species or 

species groups, the requirement for 

sorting of that species or species group 

would be triggered. 

At the start of the Shorebased IFQ 

Program and during development of the 

2011–2012 harvest specifications and 

management measures, NMFS added 

the ability to implement trip limits, sublimits, or aggregate limits for species in 

the Other Fish complex, some of which 

are now proposed to be designated as 

EC species, as a routine measure for the 

Shorebased IFQ Program. The proposed 

EC species designations are not 

intended to change the ability to 

routinely implement trip limits, sublimits, or aggregate limits to these EC 

species for the Shorebased IFQ Program, 

as described at § 660.60(c)(1)(i). The 

proposed EC species designations are 

not intended to require those species be 

discarded by fishing vessels 

participating in otherwise legal 

groundfish fisheries. 

As described in the ‘‘Amendment 24 

to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery 

Management Plan’’ section, no harvest 

specifications or management reference 

points are required for EC species; 

however, there is a monitoring 

requirement to determine changes in 

their status or their vulnerability to the 

fishery. If new information shows that 

an EC species’ vulnerability to 

overfishing has increased, the stock 

should be reclassified as ‘‘in the 

fishery’’ through an FMP amendment. 

As described above, catch of EC species 

would be subject to the same monitoring 

requirements as are generally applicable 

to all groundfish species or species 

groups. Those monitoring requirements 

include but are not limited to: Landing 

receipts and documentation of discards 

by observers in maximized retention 

fisheries, among other state 

requirements. 

2. Deductions From the ACLs 

Before allocations are made to 

groundfish fisheries, deductions are 

made from ACLs to set fish aside fish for 

certain types of activities. The 

deductions from the ACL are associated 

with four distinct sources of groundfish 

mortality: Harvest in Pacific Coast treaty 

Indian tribal fisheries; harvest in 

scientific research activities; harvest in 

non-groundfish fisheries; and harvest 

that occurs under exempted fishing 

permits (EFPs). These deductions from 

the ACL are described at § 660.55(b) and 

specified in the footnotes to Tables 1a 

and 2a to subpart C. 

The Council’s recommended ACL for 

cowcod in 2015–2016 is discussed 

above in ‘‘Overfished Species ACLs’’ 

section. The Council decided to set an 

ACT for cowcod in 2015–2016. An 

Annual Catch Target (ACT) is an 

accountability measure that is set below 

the annual catch limit in cases where 

there is uncertainty in inseason catch 

monitoring. The goal of using an ACT is 

to ensure against exceeding an annual 

catch limit. Since the annual catch 

target is a target and not a limit it can 

be used in lieu of harvest guidelines or 

strategically to accomplish other 

management objectives. Sector-specific 

annual catch targets can also be 

specified to accomplish management 

objectives. 

The Council acknowledged a need for 

scientific research to inform future stock 

assessments and management strategies 

for cowcod and recommended that 

groundfish fisheries be subject to a 

lower harvest target set well-below the 


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ACL. To accomplish this management 

objective, the Council recommended 

that the deductions for harvest in Pacific 

Coast treaty Indian tribal fisheries, nongroundfish fisheries, harvest that occurs 

under EFPs, and mortality from 

scientific research activities, be 

deducted from the 10 mt cowcod ACL. 

The Council then set an ACT of 4 mt for 

2015–5016 to use it in a similar way as 

the fishery harvest guideline; the ACT 

would be the amount that would be 

allocated across the groundfish 

fisheries. If additional harvest of 

cowcod occurs in scientific research 

activities, NMFS and the Council have 

the flexibility to account for that 

mortality with little risk of exceeding 

the ACL, because the ACT is set below 

the ACL. This accounting scheme also 

mitigates adverse impacts to groundfish 

fisheries if higher than expected cowcod 

catch occurs in 2015–2016 scientific 

research activities. 

3. Biennial Fishery Allocations 

Two-year trawl and nontrawl 

allocations are decided during the 

biennial process for those species 

without long-term allocations or species 

where the long-term allocation is 

suspended because the species was 

declared overfished. For all species, 

except sablefish north of 36° N. lat., 

allocations for the trawl and nontrawl 

sectors are calculated from the fishery 

harvest guideline. The fishery harvest 

guideline is the tonnage that remains 

after subtracting from the ACL harvest 

in Tribal fisheries, scientific research 

activities, non-groundfish fisheries and 

some activities conducted under 

exempted fishing permits. The two-year 

allocations and recreational harvest 

guidelines are designed to accommodate 

anticipated mortality in each sector as 

well as to accommodate variability and 

uncertainty in those estimates of 

mortality. Allocations described below 

are specified in the harvest specification 

tables appended to part 660, subpart C. 

Bocaccio 

The following are the Council’s 

recommended allocations for bocaccio 

in 2015: Limited entry trawl, 81.9 mt; 

limited entry and open access nonnearshore fixed gears, 79.1 mt; limited 

entry and open access nearshore fixed 

gear, 1.0 mt; and California recreational 

178.8 mt. The following are the 

Council’s recommended allocations for 

bocaccio in 2016: Limited entry trawl, 

85.0 mt; limited entry and open access 

non-nearshore fixed gears, 82.1 mt; 

limited entry and open access nearshore 

fixed gear, 1.0 mt; California 

recreational 185.6 mt. These allocations 

are anticipated to accommodate 

estimates of mortality of bocaccio, by 

sector, in 2015–2016 and maintain a 

similar allocation scheme as in 2014. 

Canary Rockfish 

The following are the Council’s 

recommended allocations for canary 

rockfish in 2015: Shorebased IFQ 

Program, 43.3 mt; at-sea sectors of the 

Pacific whiting fishery, 13.7 mt 

(catcher/processor 8.0 mt and 

mothership 5.7 mt); limited entry and 

open access non-nearshore fixed gears, 

3.8 mt; limited entry and open access 

nearshore fixed gear, 6.7 mt; 

Washington recreational, 3.4 mt; Oregon 

recreational 11.7 mt; and California 

recreational 24.3 mt. The following are 

the Council’s recommended allocations 

for canary rockfish in 2016: Shorebased 

IFQ Program, 44.5 mt; at-sea sectors of 

the Pacific whiting fishery, 14.0 mt 

(catcher/processor 8.2 mt and 

mothership 5.8 mt); limited entry and 

open access non-nearshore fixed gears, 

3.9 mt; limited entry and open access 

nearshore fixed gear, 6.9 mt; 

Washington recreational, 3.5 mt; Oregon 

recreational 12.0 mt; and California 

recreational 25.0 mt. These allocations 

are anticipated to accommodate 

estimates of mortality of canary 

rockfish, by sector, in 2015–2016 and 

maintain a similar allocation scheme as 

in 2014. 

Cowcod 

For 2015–2016, the Council 

recommended setting a cowcod ACT at 

4 mt and having it function in a similar 

way as the fishery harvest guideline; it 

is the amount that would be allocated 

across groundfish fisheries. The cowcod 

allocation is proposed to be 34 percent 

(1.4 mt) trawl and 66 percent (2.6 mt) 

non-trawl for 2015–2016. NMFS 

anticipates the proposed allocation 

structure will keep catch below the 

2015–2016 cowcod ACTs without 

having to make changes to fishery 

management measures and maintains 

the same allocation scheme as in 2014. 

Petrale Sole 

For petrale sole, 35 mt is allocated to 

the nontrawl fishery and the remainder 

of the fishery HG is allocated to the 

trawl fishery. This maintains the same 

allocation scheme that was in place for 

petrale sole since 2011. 

Yelloweye Rockfish 

The following are the Council’s 

recommended allocations for yelloweye 

rockfish in 2015: Limited entry trawl, 1 

mt; limited entry and open access nonnearshore fixed gears, 0.6; limited entry 

and open access nearshore fixed gear, 

1.7; Washington recreational, 2.9; 

Oregon recreational 2.6 mt; and 

California recreational 3.4 mt. The 

following are the Council’s 

recommended allocations for yelloweye 

rockfish in 2015: Limited entry trawl, 

1.1 mt; limited entry and open access 

non-nearshore fixed gears, 0.7; limited 

entry and open access nearshore fixed 

gear, 1.8; Washington recreational, 3.1; 

Oregon recreational 2.8 mt; and 

California recreational 3.7 mt. These 

allocations are anticipated to 

accommodate estimates of mortality of 

yelloweye by sector in 2015–2016 and 

maintain the same allocation scheme 

that was in place for yelloweye rockfish 

in 2014. 

Black Rockfish off Oregon and 

California 

Oregon and California will continue 

to have state-specific HGs for black 

rockfish in 2015–2016. Oregon has a 

harvest guideline equal to 58 percent of 

the fishery harvest guideline (579 mt) 

and California has a harvest guideline 

equal to 42 percent of the fishery 

harvest guideline (420 mt), and is 

apportioned based on black rockfish 

landings in each state for years leading 

up to the 2003 black rockfish 

assessment. This is the same allocation 

scheme that was in place for black 

rockfish in Oregon and California since 

2004. 

Longnose Skate 

The Council recommended a two-year 

trawl and nontrawl HG for longnose 

skate of 90 percent to the trawl fishery 

and 10 percent to the nontrawl fishery. 

The allocation percentages reflect 

historical catch of longnose skate 

between the two sectors. This maintains 

the same allocation scheme that was in 

place for longnose skate in 2014. 

Minor Nearshore Rockfish 

California will continue to have a 

state-specific harvest guideline for blue 

rockfish. The blue rockfish harvest 

guideline for the area south of 42° N. lat. 

is equivalent to: (1) The ABC 

contribution for the portion of the stock 

north of 34°27′ N. lat., reduced by the 

40–10 adjustment because the stock is 

in the precautionary zone, plus (2) the 

ABC contribution for the unassessed 

portion of the stock south of 34°27′ N. 

lat. 

Beginning in 2015, the states will be 

monitoring and managing catches of 

Minor Nearshore Rockfish north of 

40°10′ N. lat. according to newly 

established HGs. Harvest specifications 

for Minor Nearshore Rockfish north of 

40°10′ N. lat. are approximately 27 

percent lower in 2015–2016 (69 mt) 

than in 2014 (94 mt). The states intend 


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to manage catch using state-specific 

harvest guidelines: 10.5 mt for 

Washington; 48.4 mt for Oregon, and 

23.7 mt for California north of 40°10′ N. 

lat. However, instead of implementing 

state specific harvest guidelines in 

Federal regulations, the state Council 

representatives from Oregon and 

Washington committed to heightened 

inseason communication regarding 

catches of species managed in the 

complex relative to the harvest 

guidelines. Upon attainment of 75 

percent of their respective harvest 

guidelines, the states of Washington and 

Oregon would consult and decide 

whether inseason action was needed. In 

the event inseason action is needed, the 

states of Washington and Oregon would 

take action through state regulation. The 

states of Washington and Oregon can 

take inseason expeditiously, regardless 

of whether the harvest guideline is 

specified in Federal regulations. 

California will have a Federal harvest 

guideline for this complex from 42° N. 

lat. to 40°10′ N. lat. to facilitate inseason 

action if needed, and has committed to 

increased catch reporting at Council 

meetings. In California, the HG of 23.7 

mt would be specified in Federal 

regulation and apply only in the area 

between 40°10′ N. lat. and 42° N. lat. 

California, through the Council, could 

propose changes through Federal 

regulations. Under state management, 

landed component species within the 

Minor Nearshore Rockfish complex 

must be sorted to species. Because the 

states may also take inseason action 

independent of NMFS, the proposed 

action is not anticipated to result in 

exceeding the complex ACL in 2015– 

2016. 

Although the Minor Nearshore 

Rockfish North ACL attainment has 

been high in recent years, reaching 100 

percent in 2011, management measures 

have prevented the ACL from being 

exceeded. State nearshore management 

plans and policies mitigate the risk of 

overfishing. State HGs and a federal HG 

for Minor Nearshore Rockfish in the 

area between 40°10′ and 42° N. lat. 

under the proposed action will reduce 

the risk of exceeding the complex ACL. 

Minor Shelf Rockfish 

Allocations for Minor Shelf Rockfish 

are recommended by the Council each 

biennial cycle. For Minor Shelf Rockfish 

north of 40°10′ N. lat., 1,127 mt (60.2 

percent of the fishery harvest guideline) 

is allocated to the trawl fishery and 745 

mt (39.8 percent of the fishery harvest 

guideline) is allocated to the nontrawl 

fishery for 2015. For Minor Shelf 

Rockfish south of 40°10′ N. lat., 192 mt 

(12.2 percent of the fishery harvest 

guideline) is allocated to the trawl 

fishery and 1,383 mt (87.8 percent of the 

fishery harvest guideline) is allocated to 

the nontrawl fishery for 2015. For 2016, 

the same percentages are applied 

resulting in allocations of 1,132 mt to 

the trawl fishery and 748 mt to the 

nontrawl fishery north of 40°10′ N. lat. 

and 192 mt to the trawl fishery and 

1,384 mt to the nontrawl fishery south 

of 40°10′ N. lat. This maintains the same 

allocation percentages as were in place 

for the Minor Shelf Rockfish complexes 

since 2011. 

Minor Slope Rockfish 

Minor Slope Rockfish were allocated 

between the trawl and nontrawl 

fisheries in PCGFMP Amendment 21. 

This action applies those Amendment 

21 allocation percentages to the updated 

2015–2016 fishery harvest guidelines. 

Blackgill rockfish in California was 

assessed in 2011 and has continued to 

be managed within the Minor Slope 

Rockfish complex, but with a speciesspecific HG south of 40°10′ N. lat. 

beginning in 2013. For 2015–2016 the 

Council recommended a blackgill 

rockfish harvest guideline equal to the 

ABC contribution for the portion of the 

stock south of 40°10′ N. lat., reduced by 

the 40–10 adjustment because the stock 

is in the precautionary zone. South of 

40°10′ N. lat., the blackgill rockfish 

harvest guideline is 114 mt in 2015 and 

117 mt in 2016. 

4. Modifications to the Boundaries 

Defining RCAs 

RCAs are large area closures intended 

to reduce the catch of a species or 

species complex by restricting fishing 

activity at specific depths. The 

boundaries for RCAs are defined by 

straight lines connecting a series of 

latitude and longitude coordinates that 

approximate depth contours. A set of 

coordinates define lines that 

approximate various depth contours. 

These sets of coordinates, or lines, in 

and of themselves, are not gear or 

fishery specific, but are used in 

combination to define an area. That area 

may then be described with fishing 

restrictions implemented for a specific 

gear and/or fishery. 

For the 2015–2016 cycle, changes to 

refine selected coordinates are being 

proposed for: The 200 fm line, modified 

with areas to allow fishing for petrale 

sole, off Oregon; the 60 fm line off San 

Diego California, and the 50 fm line in 

the Northern Channel Islands. Changes 

to the 200 fm line, modified with areas 

to allow fishing for petrale sole, are 

intended to bring the coordinates for 

this line in the area off Heceta and 

Stonewall Bank into alignment with the 

un-modified 200 fm line in the same 

area. 

Changes to the 50 fm line in the 

Northern Channel Islands were 

requested by industry and further 

refined during development of the 

2015–2016 harvest specifications and 

management measures. The Councilrecommended changes to the 50 fm line 

in the Northern Channel Islands are 

intended to open a small amount of 

additional fishing area when this line is 

used as the seaward boundary of the 

recreational RCA (e.g. no recreational 

fishing for groundfish deeper than the 

50 fm line when fishing around the 

Northern Channel Islands) and to more 

closely approximate the 50-fm isobath 

surrounding the Northern Channel 

Islands. Changes to the 60 fm line west 

of San Diego, California were requested 

by industry to allow better access to the 

tip of a reef that lies shallower than the 

60 fm isobath. The Councilrecommended changes to the 60 fm line 

west of San Diego are intended to open 

additional fishing area when this line is 

used as the shoreward boundary of the 

non-trawl RCA (e.g. no fishing for 

groundfish with non-trawl gear deeper 

than the 60 fm line) and to more closely 

approximate the 60 fm isobath in that 

area. While the proposed changes to the 

50 fm line and the 60 fm line would 

open additional fishing area, the 

proposed changes would maintain a 

boundary line that approximates the 50- 

fm and 60 fm isobath, respectively. 

These changes would not allow an 

extension of fishing effort into deeper 

habitat where overfished groundfish 

species encounters might be higher. 

Opening additional fishing areas where 

there is little information to inform areaspecific bycatch rates poses a risk of 

increased bycatch of overfished species, 

however, it is unlikely that catch would 

be much higher because the proposed 

changes to the latitude/longitude 

coordinates that define the 50 fm line in 

the Northern Channel Islands or the 60 

fm line west of San Diego are not 

opening large areas and are not opening 

depths deeper than the 50-fm isobath or 

the 60 fm isobath, respectively. The 

proposed changes to latitude/longitude 

coordinates that define these three 

boundary lines approximating depth 

contours makes no regulatory changes to 

how, or for which fisheries, those lines 

may be used. 

5. Sorting Requirements 

In the non-whiting groundfish fishery, 

catch is sorted to species or species 

group in order to account for catch 

against the various harvest 

specifications and management 

measures that are specific to those 


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species or species groups. Except for 

vessels participating in the Pacific 

whiting fishery (see § 660.130(d)(2)(ii) 

and (d)(3)), groundfish regulations 

require that species or species groups 

with a trip limit, size limit, scientific 

sorting designation, quota, harvest 

guideline, ACT, or ACL, be sorted (see 

§ 660.12(a)(8)). Except for a new 

scientific sorting requirement for 

shortraker rockfish and rougheye/

blackspotted rockfish (described in 

‘‘Stock Complexes’’ above), the sorting 

requirements applicable to the 

groundfish fisheries are unchanged from 

2014. 

6. Limited Entry Trawl 

Limited Entry Trawl Fishery 

Management Measures 

Since the start of 2011, the limited 

entry trawl fishery has been divided 

into three distinct sectors (shoreside, 

mothership, and catcher/processor). An 

individual fishing quota (IFQ) program 

was created for the shoreside sector and 

cooperatives were created for the 

catcher/processor and mothership 

sectors. The Council recommended 

several changes to trawl management 

measures for the 2015–2016 biennium. 

In 2013–2014 spiny dogfish did not 

have species-specific harvest 

specifications and was managed within 

the Other Fish complex; at that time, the 

at-sea set-aside for Other Fish was 

specified to control catch of spiny 

dogfish in the at-sea fishery in the 

absence of species-specific harvest 

specifications. The Other Fish complex 

is proposed to be reorganized through 

this action and no longer includes spiny 

dogfish. The proposed Other Fish 

complex for 2015–2016 is comprised of 

nearshore species that are not caught by 

the at-sea sector, and so no longer 

requires a set-aside. Given the low risk 

of exceeding the spiny dogfish ACL, the 

Council did not recommend spiny 

dogfish set-asides nor did they 

recommend spiny dogfish GCAs for the 

at-sea sectors. Species being managed 

under trip limits and without trawl and 

non-trawl allocations are: Shortbelly 

rockfish, longspine thornyhead south of 

34°27′ N. lat., black rockfish 

(Washington-Oregon), California 

scorpionfish, cabezon (California only), 

spiny dogfish, and the Other Fish 

complex. 

Incidental Trip Limits for IFQ Vessels 

For vessels fishing IFQ, with either 

groundfish trawl gear or non-trawl 

gears, the following incidentally caught 

species are managed with trip limits: 

Minor nearshore rockfish north and 

south, black rockfish, cabezon (46°16′ to 

40°10′ N. lat. and south of 40°10′ N. 

lat.), spiny dogfish, shortbelly rockfish, 

Pacific whiting, and the Other Fish 

complex. No changes to trip limits in 

the IFQ fishery are proposed for the start 

of the 2015–2016 biennium; however, 

changes to trip limits are considered a 

routine measure under § 660.60(c) and 

may be implemented or adjusted, if 

determined necessary, through inseason 

action. 

RCA Configurations for Vessels Using 

Groundfish Trawl Gear 

Based on analysis of West Coast 

Groundfish Observer Data and vessel 

logbook data, the boundaries of the 

RCAs were developed to prohibit 

groundfish fishing within a range of 

depths where encounters with 

overfished species were most likely to 

occur. The lines that approximate depth 

contours are defined by latitude and 

longitude coordinates and may be used 

to define any of the depth-based area 

closures, primarily RCAs. The choice of 

which depth-based line(s) to use to 

define the RCA boundaries varies by 

season, latitude, and gear group. 

Boundaries for limited entry trawl 

vessels are different from those for the 

limited entry fixed-gear and open access 

gears. The trawl RCAs apply to vessels 

fishing with groundfish trawl gear. The 

non-trawl RCAs apply to the limited 

entry fixed-gear and open access gears 

other than non-groundfish trawl. The 

non-groundfish trawl RCAs are fisheryspecific. 

Under Amendment 20 to the 

PCGFMP, quota pounds associated with 

a limited entry trawl permit may be 

harvested with either trawl gear or legal 

fixed gear. Groundfish regulations 

specify both trawl and non-trawl RCAs. 

The type of gear employed determines 

the applicable gear-specific RCA. As 

such, vessels that harvest IFQ species 

with groundfish trawl gear would 

continue to be regulated by the trawl 

RCA requirements while vessels that 

harvest IFQ species with fixed gear 

would continue to be regulated by the 

non-trawl RCA requirements. 

For 2015–2016 the Council 

recommended the trawl RCA 

boundaries that were in place in May 

2014 be continued through the 

biennium except for a modification to 

the seaward boundary of the trawl RCA 

between 40°10′ N. lat. and 45°46′ N. lat. 

from 200 fathoms to the 200 ‘‘modified 

(with petrale cutouts)’’ year-round. 

Currently, these areas are intermittently 

open throughout the year. The goal of 

this change is to allow greater access to 

petrale. Because this area is currently 

open to the trawl fishery intermittently, 

impacts to benthic habitat associated 

with allowing year round access are 

anticipated to be minimal. As the IFQ 

fishery proceeds and if catch data 

supports reconsideration of the RCAs, 

the Council could revise the RCA 

boundaries through inseason measures. 

7. Limited Entry Fixed Gear and Open 

Access Non-Trawl Fishery Management 

Measures 

Management measures for the limited 

entry fixed gear (LEFG) and open access 

(OA) non-trawl fisheries tend to be 

similar because the majority of 

participants in both fisheries use hookand-line gear. Management measures, 

including area restrictions and trip 

limits in these non-trawl fisheries, are 

generally designed to allow harvest of 

target species while keeping catch of 

overfished species low. For 2015–2016, 

changes to management measures 

include increased sablefish trip limits 

due to the higher sablefish ACL for the 

area north of 36° N. lat., opening of 

lingcod retention in the winter months 

which have previously been closed, 

increases in lingcod trip limits, 

increases in Minor Shelf and bocaccio 

trip limits in the area south of 34°27′ N. 

lat., and a change to the shoreward 

boundary of the non-trawl RCA. The 

Council also considered the tradeoffs in 

area restrictions compared to trip limit 

restrictions for the non-trawl fishery 

that is prosecuted shoreward of the nontrawl RCA. 

Non-Trawl RCAs 

The non-trawl RCA applies to vessels 

that take, retain, possess, or land 

groundfish using non-trawl gears, unless 

they are incidental fisheries that are 

exempt from the non-trawl RCA (e.g. the 

pink shrimp non-groundfish trawl 

fishery). The seaward and shoreward 

boundaries of the non-trawl RCAs vary 

along the coast, and are divided at 

various commonly used geographic 

coordinates, defined in § 660.11, subpart 

C. In 2009, the shoreward boundary of 

the non-trawl RCA was established 

based on fishery information indicating 

that fishing in some areas in the nontrawl fishery have higher yelloweye 

rockfish bycatch than in others, and the 

RCA boundaries were adjusted to 

reduce mortality of yelloweye rockfish 

in these areas. 

The non-trawl RCA boundaries 

proposed for 2015–2016 are the same as 

those in place for the non-trawl fisheries 

in 2013–2014, except for the shoreward 

boundary of the non-trawl RCA off 

northern California. The shoreward 

boundary of the non-trawl RCA, 

between 42° N. lat. (Oregon/California 

border) and 40°10′ N. lat. (North/South 

Management line), is proposed to be 


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shifted seaward from 20 fm to 30 fm, to 

open some additional areas to fishing 

close to shore and make the shoreward 

boundary of the non-trawl RCA 

consistent along Oregon and through 

California to 40°10′ N. lat. These 

changes allow for some additional 

fishing opportunity while keeping the 

mortality of canary and yelloweye 

rockfish within their nearshore fishery 

contributions. Opening this area may 

also increase catch of Minor Nearshore 

Rockfish north complex which has a 

decreasing ACL from 2014 to 2015. 

However, the projected catch of the 

complex with the increased fishing area 

is projected to be less than the complex 

ACL. Therefore, the Council 

recommended and NMFS is proposing 

to shift the shoreward boundary of the 

non-trawl RCA, between 42° N. lat. and 

40°10 N. lat., from the line 

approximating the 20 fm (37 m) depth 

contour to the line approximating the 30 

fm (55 m) depth contour. These 

boundary lines are defined by latitude 

and longitude coordinates found at 

§ 660.71, subpart C. The change to the 

non-trawl RCA boundary in this area 

opens areas that have been closed since 

2009, and may increase fishing 

efficiency and reduce gear conflicts by 

spreading the nearshore fleet over a 

larger fishing area. Opening this area is 

anticipated to increase overall landings 

of both target and bycatch species, but 

mortality is anticipated to be below the 

allocations or harvest limits for all 

species. 

Non-Trawl Fishery Trip Limits 

Trip limits proposed for the non-trawl 

fisheries in 2015–2016 are similar to 

those that applied to these fisheries in 

since 2011. To help achieve but not 

exceed the allocations of sablefish in the 

limited entry fixed gear and open access 

fisheries, proposed trip limits for 

sablefish in these fisheries are different 

between 2015 and 2016, with slightly 

higher limits in 2016 because of the 

higher sablefish ACL. Changes are also 

proposed in the limited entry and open 

access fixed gear fisheries for lingcod, 

Minor Shelf Rockfish south of 34°27′ N. 

lat., and bocaccio south of 34°27′ N. lat. 

Proposed 2015–2016 trip limits for these 

changes are specified in Table 2 (North), 

Table 2 (South) to subpart E and in 

Table 3 (North) and Table 3 (South) to 

subpart F. 

Primary Sablefish Fishery Tier Limits 

Some limited entry fixed gear permits 

are endorsed to receive annual sablefish 

quota, or ‘‘tier limits,’’ and vessels 

registered with one, two, or up to three 

of these permits may participate in the 

primary sablefish fishery, described at 

§ 660.231. Tier limits proposed for the 

limited entry fixed gear primary 

sablefish fleet are higher than in 2013– 

2014, reflecting the higher sablefish 

harvest specifications for 2015–2016. 

The proposed tier limits are as follows: 

In 2015, Tier 1 at 41,175lb (18,676 kg), 

Tier 2 at 18,716 lb (8,489 kg), and Tier 

3 at 10,695 lb (4,851 kg). For 2016, Tier 

1 at 45,053 lb (20,435 kg), Tier 2 at 

20,479 lb (9,289 kg), and Tier 3 at 

11,702 lb (5,307 kg). These tier limits 

are found in groundfish regulations at 

§ 660.231. 

Lingcod Trip Limits and Retention in 

Periods 1, 2, and 6 

This rule proposes to allow lingcod 

retention in the limited entry and open 

access fixed gear fisheries during the 

previously closed months from 

December to April (cumulative limit 

Periods 1, 2, and 6). The original intent 

of the closure was to minimize impacts 

on lingcod when it was overfished 

because lingcod spawn from December 

to April. Lingcod has been declared 

rebuilt and removing the closure will 

allow greater access to the stock. 

For the limited entry fishery in the 

area north of 40°10′ N. lat. this rule 

proposes several changes. First, periods 

1 and 2 (January–April) and the month 

of December are proposed to be opened; 

periods 1 and 2 are proposed with a 200 

lb per 2 month limit; December is 

proposed to have a 200 lb per month 

limit. Second, the trip limit in periods 

3, 4 and 5 (May–October), is proposed 

to be increased from 800 lb per 2 

months to 1,200 lb per 2 months. 

Finally this rule proposes to increase 

the November trip limit from 400 lb a 

month of 600 lb a month. For the 

limited entry fishery in the area south 

of 40°10′ N. lat., period 1 (January– 

February) and the month of December 

are proposed to be opened; period 1 is 

proposed to have a 200 lb per 2 month 

limit; and December is proposed with a 

200 lb per month limit. For the open 

access fishery in the area north of 40°10′ 

N. lat., periods 1 and 2 (January–April) 

and the month of December are 

proposed to be open with a 100 lb per 

month limit. The trip limit in period 3, 

4, and 5 (May–October) and the month 

of November are proposed to be 

increased from 400 lb per month to 600 

lb per month. For the open access 

fishery south of 40°10′ N. lat. period 1 

and the month of December are 

proposed to be open with 100 lb per 

month limits. Trip limit increases in 

combination with newly open periods 

are anticipated to more fully utilize the 

lingcod ACL, which has not been fully 

utilized in recent years. Total mortality 

of lingcod in the area north of 42° N. lat. 

was 25 percent of the 2011 ACL, 34 

percent of the 2012 ACL, and 28 percent 

of the 2013 ACL. In the area south of 42° 

N. lat. total mortality was 13 percent of 

the 2011 ACL, 16 percent of the 2012 

ACL, and 39 percent of the 2013 ACL. 

While the lingcod ACL is decreasing 

from 2014 to 2015, the increase in catch 

is projected to remain under the 

proposed ACL. The new trip limits are 

proposed to minimize impacts to cooccurring overfished species and are 

designed to reduce discarding but not 

result in targeting. 

Minor Shelf Rockfish South of 34°27′ N. 

lat. 

Specifications for the complex are 

established for the area south of 40°10′ 

N. lat. however the changes proposed in 

this rule are only for the area south of 

34°27′ N. lat. This increase is intended 

to provide greater access to a small 

number of commercial vessels in this 

area. This rule proposes increases to trip 

limits in both the limited entry and 

open access fixed gear fisheries as a 

result of an increase in the non-trawl 

allocation from 587 mt in 2014 to 1,383 

mt in 2015. 

Bocaccio South of 34°27′ N. lat. 

This rule proposes increases to the 

bocaccio trip limits in both the limited 

entry and open access fixed gear 

fisheries resulting from an increase in 

the non-trawl harvest guideline from 

249.6 mt in 2014 to 258.8 mt in 2015. 

Most bocaccio landings in this area are 

from sablefish targeted trips. While 

increasing trip limits may increase 

impacts to bocaccio the impacts are not 

expected to delay rebuilding under the 

current rebuilding plan or come close to 

the harvest guideline. As this stock 

rebuilds encounters are likely to 

increase and increasing the trip limits 

may help to turn discards into retained 

fish, increasing landings. While the nontrawl allocation is for the area south of 

40′10° N. lat., trip limit increases are 

only for the area south of 34°27′ N. lat. 

because bocaccio is managed within the 

trip limits for the Minor Shelf Rockfish 

complex in the area from 40°10′ N. lat.– 

34°27′ N. lat. 

8. Recreational Fisheries Management 

Measures 

This section describes the recreational 

fisheries management measures 

proposed for 2015–2016. Most of the 

changes to recreational management 

measures are modification to existing 

measures. Changes to recreational 

management measures are discussed 

below for each state and include: (1) 

Modifications of recreational season 

structures in all states; (2) new 1 canary 


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rockfish sub-bag limit in Oregon; (3) 

removal of the cabezon seasonal sub-bag 

limit in Oregon, (4) modification of a 

lingcod closure area in Washington; (5) 

elimination of the lingcod retention 

prohibition in Washington; (6) 

allowance of retention of bottom fish 

during all depth recreational halibut 

seasons in Washington and Oregon; (7) 

changes in the California Southern 

Management Area seaward boundary 

line; and, (8) changes to the lingcod bag 

limit in California. 

Recreational fisheries management 

measures are designed to limit catch of 

overfished species and provide fishing 

opportunity for anglers targeting 

nearshore groundfish species. 

Overfished species that are taken in 

recreational fisheries include bocaccio, 

cowcod, canary, and yelloweye rockfish. 

Because sport fisheries are more 

concentrated in nearshore waters, the 

2015–2016 recreational fishery 

management measures are intended to 

constrain catch of nearshore species 

such as Minor Nearshore Rockfish, 

black rockfish, blue rockfish, and 

cabezon. These protections are 

particularly important for fisheries off 

California, where the majority of West 

Coast recreational fishing occurs. Depth 

restrictions and GCAs are the primary 

tools used to keep overfished species 

impacts under the prescribed harvest 

levels for the California recreational 

fishery. 

Washington, Oregon, and California 

each proposed, and the Council 

recommended, different combinations 

of seasons, bag limits, area closures, and 

size limits, to best fit the requirements 

to rebuild overfished species found in 

their regions, and the needs and 

constraints of their particular 

recreational fisheries. 

Recreational fisheries management 

measures for Washington, Oregon, and 

California in 2015–2016 are proposed to 

be similar to the recreational fishery 

management measures that were in 

place during 2013–2014. Recreational 

fisheries off Oregon, and Washington 

are limited by the need to reduce 

yelloweye rockfish impacts. Changes to 

recreational fishery management 

measures off Washington, Oregon, and 

California are in response to: Updated 

fishery and modeling information in a 

manner that allows increased harvest of 

underutilized healthy stocks while 

keeping impacts to overfished species 

within their rebuilding ACLs. The 

following sections describe the 

recreational management measures 

proposed in each state. 

Washington 

Off Washington, recreational fishing 

for groundfish and Pacific halibut, as 

proposed, will continue to be prohibited 

inside the North Coast Recreational 

YRCA, a C-shaped closed area off the 

northern Washington coast, the South 

Coast Recreational YRCA, and the 

Westport Offshore YRCA. Coordinates 

for YRCAs are defined at § 660.70. 

Similar to 2014, this proposed rule 

includes the Washington State lingcod 

recreational fishing closure area off 

Washington Marine Areas 1 and 2, a 

portion of which are closed to lingcod 

fishing, except on days that the Pacific 

halibut fishery is open. However, for 

2015–2016, refinement of the southern 

boundary of this lingcod area closure is 

shifted three miles north (from 46°25′ N. 

lat. to 46°28′ N. lat.) to continue reduced 

encounters with co-occurring yelloweye 

rockfish and canary rockfish (compared 

to before the lingcod closure area was 

enacted in December 2011, 76 FR 

79122). The aggregate groundfish bag 

limits off Washington will continue to 

be 12 fish. The rockfish and lingcod 

sub-limits will remain the same as in 

2013–2014: 10 rockfish sub-limit with 

no retention of canary or yelloweye 

rockfish; two lingcod sub-limit, with the 

lingcod minimum size of 22 inches (56 

cm); cabezon sub-limits and size limits. 

As in 2013–2014, the Washington 

recreational fishery for groundfish is 

open year-round with seasonal depth 

restrictions for specific groundfish 

species. The RCA for recreational 

fishing off Washington is proposed to be 

the same as in 2014 with the following 

exceptions: In Marine Areas 3 and 4, 

where overfished species interactions 

are prevalent, the dates of the seasonal 

depth closure (closed deeper than 20 

fm) are slightly shorter to reduce 

overfished species impacts; in Marine 

Area 2, the seasonal depth restriction for 

lingcod retention is removed, allowing 

lingcod to be retained in all depths yearround, except within the lingcod area 

closure. 

Changes to the restrictions on 

groundfish retention during the Pacific 

halibut season are proposed for 2015– 

2016, including modifications to the 

groundfish retention rules during the 

Pacific halibut openings, due to changes 

in the Council’s 2014 Area 2A Pacific 

halibut Catch Sharing Plan. Proposed 

changes to allowance of retention of 

bottom fish during all depth recreational 

Pacific halibut seasons in Washington 

are as follows. Starting from Leadbetter 

point in Washington Marine Area 1, 

when the nearshore incidental halibut 

fishery is open, taking, retaining, 

possessing or landing incidental Pacific 

halibut on groundfish trips will be 

allowed only in the nearshore area on 

days not open to all-depth Pacific 

halibut fisheries in the area shoreward 

of the boundary line approximating the 

30 fm (55 m) depth contour extending 

from Leadbetter Point, WA to the 

Washington-Oregon border and from 

there, connecting to the boundary line 

approximating the 40 fm (73 m) depth 

contour in Oregon. The nearshore 

incidental halibut fishery would be 

open Monday through Wednesday 

following the opening of the early 

season all-depth fishery, until the 

nearshore Pacific halibut allocation is 

taken. 

Oregon 

Oregon recreational fisheries would 

operate under the same season 

structures and GCAs as 2013–2014. 

Aggregate bag limits and size limits in 

Oregon recreational fisheries remain the 

same as in 2013–2014: Three lingcod 

per day, with a minimum size of 22 

inches (56 cm); 25 flatfish per day, 

excluding Pacific halibut; and a marine 

fish aggregate bag limit of 10 fish per 

day, where cabezon have a minimum 

size of 16 inches (41 cm) and kelp 

greenling have a minimum size of 10 

inches (25 cm). However, the marine 

fish bag limit is modified for 2015–2016 

to add a one fish sub-bag limit for 

canary rockfish and remove the one fish 

sub-bag limit for cabezon. Also, similar 

to the changes described above for 

Washington recreational fisheries, 

changes to the restrictions on 

groundfish retention during the Pacific 

halibut season are proposed for 2015– 

2016. Details of these changes to canary 

and cabezon sub-bag limits and Pacific 

halibut retention regulations are 

described below. 

Canary Rockfish Sub-Bag Limit 

In recreational fisheries, due to its 

overfished status, canary rockfish 

retention has been prohibited to prevent 

non-trawl harvest guidelines from being 

exceeded. During development of the 

2015–2016 harvest specifications and 

management measures, the Council 

considered allowing limited retention of 

canary rockfish in recreational fisheries 

to gather additional information on 

abundance in rocky reef habitats, gather 

additional biological information to 

inform population structure and 

recruitment events, improve species 

identification and catch estimates, and 

reduce regulatory discards of 

incidentally caught canary rockfish. 

Initially, the Council considered 

allowing limited retention of canary 

rockfish in recreational fisheries off 

Washington, Oregon, and California, but 


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ultimately recommended instituting a 

sub-bag limit for canary rockfish only in 

the Oregon recreational fishery to aid in 

the data used for future canary rockfish 

stock assessments. 

The 2009 canary rockfish assessment 

indicated that additional information on 

the relationship between canary 

rockfish distribution and habitat 

features could provide more precise 

estimates of abundance from existing 

survey data. Recreational fishery catch 

rates could be used to provide an index 

of relative abundance (catch per unit 

effort; CPUE) of canary rockfish in rocky 

reef habitat. Additionally, since 

recreational fishery gears catch smaller 

and younger canary rockfish than 

trawls, biological data from the 

recreational fishery could be used to 

better detect recruitment events. Canary 

rockfish retention may reduce confusion 

of canary rockfish with other rockfish 

species that have a similar appearance, 

such as vermillion rockfish. More 

accurate discard information reported 

by recreational fishing participants may 

improve canary rockfish (and other 

commonly confused species) discard 

mortality estimates. 

Allowing retention of canary rockfish 

is intended to turn canary rockfish that 

would otherwise be encountered and 

discarded into landed catch to help 

inform abundance and recruitment for 

canary rockfish. This will improve the 

accuracy of canary rockfish removal 

estimates because landed catch can be 

verified by dockside creel with a higher 

level of accuracy than angler reported 

discard information. This may reduce 

uncertainty in discard mortality 

estimates from angler reported data, 

potentially allowing for a recreational 

index of abundance to be incorporated 

into future canary rockfish assessments. 

The Council considered the risk that 

allowing canary rockfish retention may 

increase total mortality of canary 

rockfish in the Oregon recreational 

fishery. Limiting the recreational canary 

rockfish sub-bag limit in Oregon to one 

per angler per day, is intended to 

provide minimal incentive for anglers to 

target them. Allowing retention of those 

canary rockfish that are incidentally 

encountered could also aid anglers in 

filling their bag limit for marine fish 

with less time on the water. Even if total 

mortality estimates of canary rockfish in 

the Oregon recreational fishery were to 

increase, it is extremely unlikely that 

the canary rockfish rebuilding ACL 

would be exceeded when harvest in the 

Oregon recreational fishery is combined 

with mortality of canary rockfish in 

other fisheries, because the Oregon 

recreational fishery currently only 

obtains a fraction of their harvest 

guideline (e.g., 29 percent of the Oregon 

recreational harvest guideline in 2013). 

Therefore, the Council recommended 

and NMFS is proposing adding a onefish sub-bag limit for canary rockfish 

within the 10 marine fish aggregate limit 

for 2015–2016. 

Cabezon Sub-Bag Limit 

The seasonal one fish sub-bag limit 

for cabezon which was in place in 

2013–2014 is proposed to be removed 

during 2015–2016 to allow ODFW 

increased flexibility for initiating 

inseason changes. Cabezon mortality 

will be limited via state regulations, 

which may be more restrictive than 

Federal regulations. 

Pacific Halibut Retention 

As explained above (See 

‘‘Washington’’ under ‘‘Recreational 

Fisheries Management Measures’’), 

changes to the restrictions on 

groundfish retention during the Pacific 

halibut season are proposed for 2015– 

2016, including modifications to the 

groundfish retention rules during the 

Pacific halibut openings, due to changes 

to the Councils 2014 Area 2A Pacific 

halibut Catch Sharing Plan. Taking, 

retaining, possessing or landing 

incidental halibut on groundfish trips 

will be allowed only in the Columbia 

River nearshore area on days not open 

to all-depth Pacific halibut fisheries in 

the area shoreward of the boundary line 

approximating the 30 fm (55 m) depth 

contour extending from Leadbetter 

Point, WA to the Washington-Oregon 

border and from there, connecting to the 

boundary line approximating the 40 fm 

(73 m) depth contour in Oregon. The 

nearshore incidental halibut fishery 

would be open Monday through 

Wednesday following the opening of the 

early season all-depth fishery, until the 

nearshore Pacific halibut allocation is 

taken. 

California 

For 2015–2016, recreational fisheries 

off California will continue to be 

managed as five separate areas, to 

reduce complexity while retaining 

flexibility in minimizing impacts on 

overfished stocks. Season and area 

closures differ between California 

regions to better prevent incidental 

catch of overfished species according to 

where those species occur and where 

fishing effort is greatest, while providing 

as much fishing opportunity as possible. 

California recreational fisheries would 

operate under the same GCAs as 2013– 

2014, with the following exceptions: 

due to lower yelloweye rockfish 

encounter rates in recent years, the 

dates of allowable fishing opportunities 

within the seasonal RCA closures 

described in § 660.350(c)(3)(i)(A) would 

be extended to a moderate extent in the 

Mendocino, San Francisco, and Central 

Management Areas to allow for 

increased recreational opportunity and 

to provide more stable season structures 

between biennial specification cycles. In 

addition, the RCA boundary in the 

Southern Management Area would be 

modified from the boundary line 

approximating the 50 fm (91 m) contour 

to the boundary line approximating the 

60 fm (110 m) contour. The change in 

the depth restriction will allow greater 

recreational anglers access to deeper 

depths in the Southern Management 

area, and inseason action will continue 

to be available to the Council if 

overfished species impacts begin to 

track higher than anticipated. Although 

bocaccio and cowcod encounters have 

increased in recent years, making it 

more difficult to model projected 

mortality, the mortality of cowcod and 

bocaccio in the Southern Management 

Area are projected to be far below the 

respective harvest guidelines. 

Submersible surveys at the northern end 

of the Southern California Bight indicate 

that juvenile cowcod are most common 

from 49 fm (90 m) to 82 fm (150 m), and 

adults were most common at depths of 

66 fm (121 m) to 115 fm (210 m). 

Therefore, although some increase in 

overfished species impacts may occur, 

these impacts are still projected to stay 

well within their respective harvest 

guidelines and ACLs. The boundaries 

and season lengths for the recreational 

RCA in the Northern Management Area 

are unchanged from 2013–2014 to keep 

catch of Minor Nearshore Rockfish 

complex species within the harvest 

guideline for this management area. 

The bag limits and hook limits for the 

Rockfish-Cabezon-Greenling (RCG) 

Complex, the Other Flatfish complex, 

and California scorpionfish remain the 

same as in 2013–2014. For lingcod, the 

hook limits and size limits remain the 

same as in 2013–2014, but the lingcod 

bag limit is increased from two fish to 

three fish to more fully utilize the nontrawl lingcod allocation, which has been 

far below the non-trawl allocation south 

of 42° N. lat. When combined with 

projected mortality in other non-trawl 

fisheries, is not expected to exceed the 

lingcod non-trawl allocation or ACL 

south of 42° N. lat. If anglers spend 

more time on the water fishing for an 

additional lingcod, the number of 

encounters with overfished species may 

increase. While some increase in 

overfished species mortality can be 

expected, sufficient buffer is available to 

accommodate the increased impacts (if 


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realized) without exceeding the 

respective recreational HGs or the nontrawl allocation for cowcod or other 

overfished species. 

Finally, a minor change is proposed to 

the California recreational regulations at 

§ 660.350(c)(3)(v)(A)(4) to make 

references to the ‘‘Southern 

Management Area’’ consistent. 

9. Tribal Fisheries Management 

Measures 

Tribes implement management 

measures for tribal fisheries both 

separately and cooperatively with those 

management measures that are 

described in the Federal regulations. 

The tribes may adjust their tribal fishery 

management measures, inseason, to stay 

within the overall harvest targets and 

estimated impacts to overfished species. 

Trip limits are the primary management 

measure that the tribes specify in 

Federal regulations at § 660.50, subpart 

C. 

Continued from previous cycles, the 

tribes proposed trip limit management 

in tribal fisheries during 2015–2016 for 

several species including: spiny dogfish; 

several rockfish species and species 

groups, including thornyheads; and 

flatfish species and species groups. For 

spiny dogfish, tribal fisheries in 2015– 

2016 will continue to be restricted to a 

cumulative limit of ‘‘60,000 lbs (27,216 

kg) per two month period;’’ the same 

trip limit that is in place for vessels 

fishing in the Shorebased IFQ Program. 

For rockfish species, tribal regulations 

will continue to require the 2015–2016 

tribal fisheries to fully retain all 

overfished rockfish species and 

marketable non-overfished rockfish 

species. No changes to trip and 

cumulative limits are proposed for the 

Tribal fisheries from those that were in 

place in 2014. The tribes will continue 

to develop management measures, 

including depth, area, and time 

restrictions, in the directed tribal Pacific 

halibut fishery in order to minimize 

incidental catch of yelloweye rockfish. 

Tribal fishing regulations, as 

recommended by the tribes and the 

Council, and adopted by NMFS, are in 

Federal regulations at § 660.50, subpart 

C. 

10. Housekeeping Measures 

Several non-substantive revisions are 

made to regulations to improve 

consistency, remove unnecessary 

redundancies, remove subpart 

references, group similar regulations, 

and to add clarifying cross-references. 

At § 660.11, paragraph (2)(v) of the 

definition for ‘‘North-South 

management area’’ is revised to change 

the name of the 46°16′ N. lat. commonly 

used geographic coordinate from 

‘‘Washington/Oregon border’’ to 

‘‘Columbia River.’’ This revision 

resolves an inconsistency with 

Washington state regulations that define 

the Washington/Oregon border at 46°15′ 

N. lat. For consistency, this change was 

also made at § 660.360 (c)(1)(i)(D)(3). 

The revision does not change how or 

why the geographic coordinate of 46°16′ 

N. lat. is used, fishing locations, etc. In 

the same section, the definition of the 

‘‘Office of Law Enforcement’’ and 

‘‘Regional Administrator’’ are updated 

to reflect recent changes to the 

organizational structure of NMFS. 

The term ‘‘DTS complex’’ is proposed 

to be removed in the three places that 

it occurs in Part 660, Subparts C through 

G. Before the groundfish bottom trawl 

fishery was rationalized in 2011, fishery 

managers sometimes referred to the 

group of species Dover sole, shortspine 

and longspine thornyheads and 

sablefish as the ‘‘DTS complex’’ because 

they were often caught together. In 

recent years the term has fallen out of 

use as a functional management unit, 

and became irrelevant once all four of 

these species transitioned to IFQ species 

in 2011. As described above, the 

Council and NMFS are making changes 

to stock complexes and this change 

removes antiquated regulations that are 

no longer relevant. Therefore, NMFS is 

proposing to remove the definition of 

‘‘DTS complex’’ at § 660.11, and 

references to the DTS complex where 

they are used as non-substantive 

regulatory examples at § 660.130 

(e)(4)(iv), and § 660.330 (d)(13)(iii). 

These non-substantive changes do not 

change how all other regulations in Part 

660, Subparts C through G apply to 

Dover sole, shortspine thornyhead, 

longspine thornyhead, or sablefish. 

Several housekeeping changes are 

proposed to Table 1 North, 2 North and 

South, and 3 North and South. A 

footnote is proposed to be added to 

Table 1, clarifying trip limits for the 

Pacific whiting fishery in the Eureka 

area. This regulation has been in place 

since 2011 at § 660.131(d), the proposed 

footnote allows the public to have one 

location in Table 1 for all of the trip 

limits that affect the Pacific whiting 

fishery. This non-substantive addition 

makes no changes to trip limits that 

currently apply to the Pacific whiting 

fishery, and is being made to improve 

consistency and transparency in the 

regulations. 

The changes proposed for Tables 2 

and 3 North and South are to clarify 

how the combined flatfish trip limits are 

applied for the limited entry and open 

access fisheries. The format for how the 

flatfish species listed is proposed to be 

revised to combine all the species listed 

(dover sole, arrowtooth flounder, petrale 

sole, English sole, starry flounder, Other 

flatfish). This change is necessary to 

more accurately reflect that this limit is 

for all the species combined, not for 

each species individually. Formatting 

showing each species in its own row 

even though they are subject to a 

combined trip limit has been in place 

since 2002. No changes are proposed to 

how the limit is applied; this change 

simply makes the limit clearer and 

makes the listing of species included 

under the combined trip limit consistent 

with other combined species trip limits 

in this table. 

As described above in ‘‘Modifications 

to the Boundaries Defining RCAs,’’ 

several sections of the groundfish 

regulations are composed of long lists of 

latitude and longitude coordinates that 

are used to define RCAs. In addition to 

the modifications described above for 

§ 660.72 and § 660.74, NMFS is 

proposing to revise one point on the 

boundary line approximating the 100 fm 

(183-m) contour at § 660.73(a)(123). 

NMFS has discovered that this point on 

the 100 fm line is farther westward than 

the modified 200 line. Therefore, the 

paragraph is re-designated so that the 

100 fm line is eastward of the modified 

200 fm line by a distance of 

approximately 420 meters. The new 

point is proposed to remove the crossover and to give adequate width to the 

closed area between the 100 fm line and 

the modified 200 fm line for improved 

enforceability, given the level of error 

allowed in type-approved vessel 

monitoring systems. This will reduce 

confusion that may be caused and 

improve enforceability of the 100 fm 

line designation that is currently in the 

CFR for paragraph (a)(123). 

III. Classification 

At this time, NMFS has made a 

preliminary determination that the 

2015–2016 groundfish harvest 

specifications and management 

measures in this proposed rule are 

consistent with PCGFMP, the MSA, and 

other applicable law. In making its final 

determination, NMFS will take into 

account the complete record, including 

the data, views, and comments received 

during the comment period. 

A DEIS was prepared for the 2015– 

2016 groundfish harvest specifications 

and management measures. The DEIS 

includes socio-economic information 

that was used to prepare the RIR and 

IRFA. The Environmental Protection 

Agency published a notice of 

availability for the draft EIS on October 

24, 2014 (79 FR 63622). A copy of the 


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DEIS is available online at http://

www.pcouncil.org/. 

The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), 

5 U.S.C. 603 et seq., requires 

government agencies to assess the 

effects that regulatory alternatives 

would have on small entities, including 

small businesses, and to determine ways 

to minimize those effects. When an 

agency proposes regulations, the RFA 

requires the agency to prepare and make 

available for public comment an Initial 

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) 

that describes the impact on small 

businesses, non-profit enterprises, local 

governments, and other small entities. 

The IRFA is to aid the agency in 

considering all reasonable regulatory 

alternatives that would minimize the 

economic impact on affected small 

entities. After the public comment 

period, the agency prepares a Final 

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) 

that takes into consideration any new 

information or public comments. A 

summary of the IRFA is provided below. 

The reasons why action by the agency 

is being considered, the objectives and 

legal basis for this rule are described 

above. 

As described above, this rule concerns 

the following major areas: Amend the 

PCGFMP to Describe Default Harvest 

Control Rules and Management 

Measures Considered during the 

Biennial Decision Cycle (Amendment 

24): The major effects of using default 

harvest control rules is to make the 

process more efficient, possibly reduce 

administrative costs, and to aid business 

planning by minimizing potential 

disruption to the industry. Reorganizing 

the Other Fish and Minor Slope 

Rockfish Complexes and Designating 

Ecosystem Component Species: 

Changing the composition of the Minor 

Slope Rockfish and Other Fish 

complexes, creating a new stock 

complex for some component species of 

the Minor Slope Rockfish complexes, 

removing stocks from the Other Fish 

complex for single stock management or 

designation as EC species, and 

designating species not already in the 

PCGFMP as EC species. The major 

effects of the proposed alternative 

concern potential sorting requirements 

and the potential need for some vessels 

to carry VMS. The goal of reorganization 

of the complexes is to prevent 

overfishing. The slope rockfish 

complexes contain species with 

different relative vulnerabilities to 

overfishing, including two stocks with 

catches that have been in excess of OFL 

contributions—rougheye/blackspotted 

rockfish and shortraker rockfish. There 

are concerns about the data, particularly 

as it is very difficult to visually 

distinguish between the rougheye and 

blackspotted species in the field. A new 

sorting requirement to reduce the catch 

of shortraker and rougheye/blackspotted 

rockfish by all commercial sectors is 

proposed in this rule to prevent 

overfishing. Council deliberations 

focused on concerns with fishing 

mortality on rougheye/blackspotted 

rockfish; a new stock assessment (Hicks, 

et al. 2013) indicates that spawning 

biomass declined relatively steeply in 

the 1980s and 1990s while cumulative 

coastwide catch since 2008 has 

exceeded the rougheye/blackspotted 

OFL contribution to the Minor Slope 

Rockfish complexes. Concerns about 

associated costs of sorting were raised 

by the Council’s Groundfish Advisory 

Panel and Groundfish Management 

Team. NMFS anticipates that these 

sorting requirements will reduce the 

ambiguity and species-specific 

assumptions of catch, aid in annual 

mortality tracking, aid in inseason catch 

monitoring, and improve data available 

for future stock assessments. However, 

it is not clear if these sorting 

requirements, when added to the 

numerous numbers of species already 

sorted by state port samplers, 

processors, and fishing vessel crew, will 

add significant costs to the state 

agencies and industry. NMFS believes 

that there will be minimal impacts to 

the states and industry because we are 

adding a small number of species to the 

requirements. Therefore, NMFS is 

specifically requesting comments on 

whether the conservation benefits of 

these sorting requirements outweigh the 

costs. 

To analyze the effects of designating 

EC species, NMFS reviewed 2013 and 

available 2014 data through September 

2014 to assess whether there would be 

vessels affected by the designation of EC 

species. These would be vessels that 

landed proposed EC species and did not 

at any point participate in a fishery that 

requires VMS. Data for 2014 is 

incomplete, fish ticket data is about 90 

percent complete through June, and less 

so for the following months. It is noted 

that the landings amounts of these 

species are uncertain as they may be 

landed in unspecified market categories 

and estimates based on compositional 

sampling of these landings. The chief 

effect on these vessels would be the 

need to carry a VMS MTU. For the new 

EC species, there were no reported 

landings of Alaska skate, Aleutian skate, 

black/roughtail skate, or giant grenadier. 

Data on ‘‘unspecified’’ grenadiers, 

‘‘other’’ skates, and ‘‘unspecified’’ skates 

were also reviewed. All of the 

unspecified grenadier landings were 

associated with vessels that at some 

time of the year, participated in the 

limited entry fishery, where VMS is 

required. These vessels did not harvest 

groundfish but harvested ‘‘unspecified’’ 

skates, or because their groundfish 

landings were so small and that these 

landings could be made up of mostly 

‘‘other’’ skates. Within these vessels 

there are six California registered 

vessels. These vessels were not U.S. 

Coast Guard documented. These same 

vessels typically also have very low 

total ex vessel revenues. Being state 

registered, not having a federal limited 

entry permit, not being U.S. Coast Guard 

documented, and having low revenues 

are all characteristics of vessels that 

typically do not fish beyond three miles 

and thus would not need to carry VMS. 

As a check on this analysis, NMFS also 

reviewed 2011 and 2012 data and 

expanded the analysis to other species. 

Based on these analyses, NMFS 

estimates there are about 10–20 vessels 

that potentially could be affected, 

largely vessels that fish for Highly 

Migratory Species (HMS). To land EC 

groundfish species, these vessels will 

have to acquire VMS MTUs. Until June 

30, 2015, they can be reimbursed for up 

to $3,100 for the purchase, installation, 

and activation of a NOAA typeapproved VMS MTU. Should vessels 

wish to avoid carrying VMS, these 

vessels will need to discard and not 

land EC groundfish species. For affected 

HMS vessels, NMFS has published two 

proposed rules concerning vessel 

monitoring requirements in the HMS 

fisheries. These vessels may have to 

obtain VMS MTUs if they participate in 

the the Drift Gillnet Fishery (79 FR 

54950) or they target any fish of the 

genus Thunnus or of the species 

Euthynnus (Katsuwonus) pelamis 

(skipjack tuna) (79 FR 7152). 

Harvest Specifications and Management 

Measures for the 2015–2016 Biennial 

Period 

Economic Effects 

Chapter 4 of the DEIS assesses the 

biological and socio-economic impacts 

of the alternatives. Chapter 4 also 

discusses the effects of the alternatives 

upon Essential Fish Habitat, the 

California Coastal Current Ecosystem, 

and protected species. Socio-economic 

effects were assessed by fishery, 

including shorebased IFQ, nonnearshore fixed gear, Pacific whiting, 

nearshore fixed gear, recreational 

fisheries, tribal fisheries, buyers and 

processors, and fishing communities. 

Effects on non-market/non-use values, 

vessel safety, and community social 

welfare were briefly summarized. 


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This analysis draws upon the major 

economic indicators used in Chapter 4 

of the DEIS to assess the impacts of the 

alternatives: Ex-vessel revenues, 

recreational trips, net accounting 

revenue (an indicator of profits), and 

personal income. Personal income 

impact captures earnings received by 

harvesters, processors, local input 

suppliers, and some retail businesses in 

the communities. Personal income 

impact results are also used to project 

the average change in employment and 

overall unemployment rates in each 

community under the alternatives. 

Four major alternatives were 

evaluated. They differ in terms of P*, 

and the ACLs associated with Dover 

sole, widow rockfish, and shortbelly 

rockfish. Most of the proposed ABCs are 

calculated using the sigma-P* process. 

The primary difference between the 

ABC under each alternatives is the use 

of different P* values to derive the ABC. 

Alternative 1 ABCs are based on a P* 

value of 0.45, Alternative 2 ABCs are 

based on a P* value of 0.25. The 

preferred alternative ABCs are based on 

a P* value of 0.45 with the exception of 

arrowtooth flounder, lingcod, longspine 

thornyhead, sablefish, shortspine 

thornyhead, spiny dogfish, starry 

flounder and Other Flatfish, which were 

based on a P* of 0.40. This is in contrast 

to no action where ABCs were based on 

a P* of 0.45 with the exception of 

arrowtooth, longspine thornyhead, 

sablefish, starry flounder, Other Flatfish, 

and Other Fish which were based on a 

P* of 0.40, and spiny dogfish with a P* 

of 0.30. The ACLs for Dover sole change 

from 25,000 under no action to 50,000 

mt under the preferred alternative; 

widow rockfish from 1,500 mt under the 

no action alternative to 2,000 mt under 

the preferred alternative, and shortbelly 

rockfish from 50 mt under the no action 

alternative to 500 mt under the 

preferred alternative. 

No Action-P* Varied Among Species, 

Dover Sole (25,000 mt), Widow Rockfish 

(1,500 mt), and Shortbelly Rockfish (50 

mt) 

The no action harvest specifications 

are those that were in place in 2014. 

When setting harvest specifications the 

Council generally proposes the same 

harvest control rules applied during the 

previous biennial period. Harvest 

control rules are the various rules and 

definitions used by the Council to 

establish ABCs and ACLs. For example, 

the ABC harvest control rule most 

consistently used by the Council is the 

application of P* and sigma values to an 

estimate of the overfishing level for a 

stock; the ‘‘40–10’’ and ‘‘25–5’’ 

precautionary adjustments are 

considered ACL harvest control rules. 

Default harvest control rules are not 

currently described in the PCGFMP. 

Under no action, total shoreside exvessel revenues from groundfish 

landings of $82.3 million are projected 

in 2014. This total includes the 

following projections for the shoreside 

groundfish sectors: Whiting trawl $22.5 

million; non-whiting trawl and nontrawl IFQ $28.9 million; limited entry 

fixed gear $11.8 million; nearshore open 

access $3.5 million; non-nearshore open 

access $4.9 million; tribal groundfish 

(including shoreside tribal whiting) 

$10.7 million; and incidental open 

access $0.1 million. In addition, $31.5 

million ex-vessel revenue equivalent 

from at-sea non-tribal whiting 

(combined Motherships and Catcher 

Processors), and $9.1 million ex-vessel 

revenue equivalent from at-sea tribal 

whiting (Mothership) fisheries are 

projected under no action. These same 

amounts for the tribal and non-tribal atsea whiting fisheries are also projected 

under all the action alternatives. There 

is no projected change from no action 

for groundfish landings by the 

incidental open access and at-sea 

whiting sectors under the action 

alternatives. Therefore, discussion of 

results for these sectors is omitted from 

the summary of impacts, below. Also, 

note that a small amount of revenue 

projected from groundfish landings by 

EFP and miscellaneous fisheries has 

been omitted from the tables and the 

relevant discussion of impacts. 

Total shoreside directed groundfish 

net accounting revenues (‘‘profits’’) for 

participating groundfish sectors are 

estimated to be $19.7 million under no 

action. Sectors with greatest estimated 

net revenues under no action are 

whiting ($10 million), non-whiting 

trawl ($6.7 million), and limited entry 

fixed gear ($1.8 million). Projected 

angler effort levels under the no action 

alternative are derived from estimates 

developed independently by each state. 

No action for Washington’s recreational 

fishery is based on total bottomfish plus 

Pacific halibut marine-area angler boat 

trips taken in 2012. For Oregon’s 

fishery, the annual average of marine 

area bottomfish plus Pacific halibut 

angler boat trips recorded during 2010 

to 2012 is used to quantify no action. 

California’s angler effort level under no 

action is based on average annual 

bottomfish boat trips recorded during 

2011–2012. Under no action, 835,500 

groundfish and Pacific halibut trips are 

projected coastwide. 62 percent of these 

are charter boat trips with the remainder 

taken on private boats. The breakdown 

by state is: Washington 33,600 trips 

(18,100 charter + 15,500 private), 

Oregon 90,200 trips (38,500 charter + 

51,600 private), and California 711,800 

(465,100 charter + 246,600 private). 

Preferred Alternative: P* Value of 0.45 

for Most Species. Dover Sole (50,000 

mt), Widow Rockfish (2,000 mt), and 

Shortbelly Rockfish (500 mt) 

The ACLs for most species are 

determined based on the ACLs being set 

equal to the ABCs with a P* value of 

0.45. The ACLs for arrowtooth, lingcod 

south of 40°10 N. lat., longspine 

thornyhead north and south of 34°27′ N. 

lat., sablefish north and south of 36° N. 

lat., shortspine thornyhead north and 

south of 34°27′ N. lat., spiny dogfish, 

and starry flounder would be 

determined based on the ACLs being set 

equal to the ABCs with a P* value of 

0.40. As described above for Alternative 

1, ACLs may be set below the ABC, in 

which case the P* value does not 

necessarily determine the ACL. The 

impacts of adjusting and implementing 

new management measures (described 

in Section 2.1.2 of the DEIS) in response 

to the harvest specifications under 

preferred alternative are presented by 

fishery in Section 4.2 of the DEIS. 

The preferred alternative changes the 

ACLs for Dover sole, widow rockfish, 

and shortbelly rockfish; from the no 

action constant catch strategies of 

25,000 mt, 1,500 mt, and 50 mt 

respectively for the three species to 

50,000 mt, 2,000 mt, and 500 mt 

respectively. An additional ACL 

alternative of 3,000 mt for widow 

rockfish is analyzed in Chapter 4. The 

status quo Minor Slope Rockfish 

complexes north and south of 40°10′ N. 

lat. are preferred; however, unlike status 

quo, a new management measure in the 

form of a sorting requirement would be 

specified for rougheye and blackspotted 

rockfish. An alternative structure for the 

Minor Slope Rockfish complexes where 

rougheye/blackspotted and shortraker 

rockfish are removed from the current 

complexes and managed in a new 

coastwide complex is analyzed in this 

EIS within Chapter 4.1.5. The preferred 

alternative for the Other Fish complex 

also differs from No Action. Spiny 

dogfish is removed from the status quo 

Other Fish complex and managed with 

stock-specific harvest specifications. All 

the skates and Pacific grenadier 

currently managed under the Other Fish 

complex, along with all other endemic 

skates (other than longnose skate) and 

grenadiers are designated as EC species. 

Additionally, spotted ratfish, soupfin 

shark, and finescale codling are 

designated as EC species under the 

preferred alternative. The remaining 

stocks managed under the preferred 


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Other Fish complex are the California, 

Oregon, and Washington stocks of kelp 

greenling; the Washington stock of 

cabezon; and leopard shark. 

The preferred alternative includes 

additional items resulting from actions 

taken at the June 2014 Council meeting 

including (1) increases in tribal set 

asides for English sole, Pacific cod, 

widow rockfish and yellowtail rockfish; 

(2) change in yelloweye rockfish 

allocations between non-nearshore and 

nearshore, addressed through RCA 

adjustments; (3) elimination of the 

winter spawning closure for lingcod 

north of 40°10′ N. lat. (reduction in 

length of closure time in California); (4) 

change in Minor Slope Rockfish trip 

limits for the non-nearshore sector; (5) 

the adopted harvest guideline (HG) and 

management scheme for Minor 

Nearshore Rockfish north of 40°10′ N. 

lat.; and (6) some adjustments and 

changes to RCA lines. 

Total shoreside sectors’ ex-vessel 

revenue under the preferred alternative 

is projected to be the highest among the 

action alternatives. Compared with no 

action, total shoreside ex-vessel revenue 

under the preferred alternative is 

projected to increase by $16 million (20 

percent) in 2015. Projected revenues are 

higher than under no action for every 

shorebased groundfish sector. The 

greatest absolute and percentage 

increase in revenue is projected for the 

IFQ sector: $12.8 million (45 percent) in 

2015. Total shoreside directed 

groundfish net accounting revenues 

(‘‘profits’’) for participating groundfish 

sectors are projected to be $8.8 million 

higher under the preferred alternative 

than under no action. The sector with 

greatest estimated absolute change in 

net revenues over no action is nonwhiting trawl, which increases by $6.7 

million (100 percent). The largest 

increase in percentage terms is open 

access nearshore, which increases by 

$0.5 million (132 percent). 

Under the preferred alternative, an 

increase of 11,600 angler trips is 

projected from no action coastwide. All 

of the increase occurs in California. 

Trips increase by 1,600 (20 percent) in 

the Mendocino region, 5,600 (11 

percent) in the San Francisco region and 

4,400 (4 percent) in the Central region. 

No change from no action is projected 

for California’s Northern and Southern 

management areas or for recreational 

fisheries in Washington and Oregon. 

Alternative 1—Use a P* Value of 0.45. 

Dover Sole (25,000 mt), Widow Rockfish 

(1,500 mt), and Shortbelly Rockfish (50 

mt) 

Where applicable, ABCs are 

determined based on a P* value of 0.45, 

and the ACL is set equal to the ABC. 

The rightmost column in Table 2–4 

shows the ACL Harvest Control Rule 

(HCR) for each stock under Alternative 

1. For several stocks, the ACL is set 

below the ABC and so the P* value does 

not necessarily determine the ACL. 

Instances where the ACL is below the 

ACL include specification of a fixed or 

constant catch level, precautionary 

adjustments using the 40–10 and 25–5 

rules, and the use of the harvest rate 

specified in a rebuilding plan. The 

impacts of adjusting and implementing 

new management measures (described 

in Section 2.1.2) in response to the 

harvest specifications under Alternative 

1 are presented by fishery in Section 

4.2. The no action ACLs of 25,000 mt 

and 1,500 mt for Dover sole and widow 

rockfish respectively are analyzed under 

Alternative 1. The Minor Slope Rockfish 

and Other Fish complexes under 

Alternative 1 are structured the same as 

under the preferred alternative. Under 

this alternative projected revenues are 

higher than no action for every 

shorebased groundfish sector. The 

greatest absolute increase in revenue is 

projected for the IFQ sector: $4.9 

million (17 percent) in 2015. The 

greatest percentage increase in revenue 

is projected for the nearshore open 

access sector: $0.8 million (24 percent) 

in 2015. Total shoreside directed 

groundfish net accounting revenues 

(‘‘profits’’) for participating groundfish 

sectors are projected to be $4.1 million 

higher under the Alternative than under 

no action. The sector with greatest 

estimated absolute change in net 

revenues over no action is non-whiting 

trawl, which increases by $2 million (29 

percent). The largest increase in 

percentage terms is open access 

nearshore, which increases by $0.5 

million (132 percent). 

Alternative 2—Use a P* Value of 0.25. 

Dover Sole (25,000 mt), Widow Rockfish 

(1,500 mt), and Shortbelly Rockfish (50 

mt) 

Where applicable, ACLs are 

determined based on the ACLs being set 

equal to the ABCs with a P* value of 

0.25. As described above for alternative 

1, ACLs may be set below the ABC, in 

which case the P* value does not 

necessarily determine the ACL. 

Instances where the ACL is below the 

ABC include specification of a fixed or 

constant catch level, precautionary 

adjustments using the 40–10 and 25–5 

rules, and the use of the harvest rate 

specified in a rebuilding plan. The 

impacts of adjusting and implementing 

new management measures (described 

in Section 2.1.2) in response to the 

harvest specifications under alternative 

2 are presented by fishery in Section 

4.2. The no action ACLs of 25,000 mt 

and 1,500 mt for Dover sole and widow 

rockfish respectively are analyzed under 

Alternative 2. The Minor Slope Rockfish 

and Other Fish complexes under 

alternative 2 are structured the same as 

under the preferred alternative, but the 

ACLs are based on setting the 

contribution ABCs of component stocks. 

Total aggregated shoreside sectors’ exvessel revenue under alternative 2 is 

projected to be the lowest among the 

action alternatives. Compared with no 

action, under alternative 2 total 

shoreside ex-vessel revenue is projected 

to decrease by $0.4 million (–1 percent) 

in 2015, and increase by $1.8 million (2 

percent) in 2016. Projected revenue 

changes from no action under 

alternative 2 across groundfish sectors 

are mixed. The greatest absolute 

increase in revenue for 2015 is projected 

for the nearshore open access sector at 

$0.5 million (13 percent). In 2016, the 

largest increases are projected for the 

nearshore open access sector at $0.5 

million (13 percent) and limited entry 

fixed gear sector at $0.5 million (4 

percent). The greatest absolute decrease 

in revenue for 2015 is projected for the 

limited entry fixed gear sector at –$0.6 

million (–5 percent) in 2015, and the 

non-whiting IFQ sector at -$0.1 million 

(–0.2 percent) in 2016. The largest 

percentage increase in both 2015 and 

2016 is projected for the nearshore open 

access sector at 13 percent ($0.5 

million). The largest percentage 

decreases are for the non-nearshore 

open access sector in 2015 at –5 percent 

(–$0.3 million), and the non-whiting 

IFQ sector at –0.2 percent (–$0.1 

million) in 2016. 

Total shoreside directed groundfish 

net accounting revenues (‘‘profits’’) for 

participating groundfish sectors are 

projected to be $0.1 million lower under 

the alternative in 2015 than under no 

action. The sector with greatest 

estimated absolute decline in net 

revenues over no action is non-whiting 

trawl, which decreases by $0.3 million 

(–4 percent). The sector with greatest 

estimated increase in net revenues over 

no action in both absolute and 

percentage terms is open access 

nearshore, which increases by $0.3 

million (70 percent). The sector with the 

largest decrease in percentage terms is 

open access non-nearshore, which 

decreases by $0.1 million (–23 percent). 

Under the preferred alternative 

coastwide non-whiting ex-vessel 

revenue is projected to increase by $16 

million in 2015 compared to no action 

2014 ACLs and management measures. 

This represents a $19.3 million increase 

from annual average inflation-adjusted 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS3
708 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules 

ex-vessel revenue from 2003–2012. 

Recreational angler trips are expected to 

increase between 167,000 and 3.9 

million marine angler trips depending 

on the management option chosen 

under the preferred alternative. 

Coastwide combined commercial plus 

recreational fishery income impacts 

under the preferred alternative are 

projected to increase over no action by 

$27.3 million (11 percent) under 

California recreational option 1 and by 

$26.3 million (10 percent) under 

California recreational option 2, but 

decrease by $49.2 million (–19 percent) 

under California recreational option 3. 

The main differences between California 

options concern season lengths in the 

five recreational management areas (See 

Table 4–152 in the DEIS). Generally 

speaking, option 1 has greater season 

lengths than no action, extending all 

five areas to 10 month seasons. Option 

2, slightly reduces these seasons, while 

option 3 reduces seasons to for all five 

areas to 3 month periods. 

In summary, for commercial fisheries, 

alternatives were compared using exvessel revenues and net accounting 

revenues (‘‘profits’’). In comparison to 

the no action alternative, the preferred 

alternative increases ex-vessel revenues 

by $16 million and net accounting 

revenues by $9 million. Alternative 1 

increases ex-vessels revenues by $5 

million and net accounting revenues by 

$4 million. Alternative 2 leads to a 

negligible decrease in ex-vessel 

revenues and net accounting benefits. 

For recreational fisheries, under the 

preferred alternative, a coastwide 

increase of 11,600 angler trips is 

projected compared to the no action 

alternative. All of the increase occurs in 

California. Trips increase by 1,600 (20 

percent) in the Mendocino region, 5,600 

(11 percent) in the San Francisco region 

and 4,400 (4 percent) in the Central 

region. No change from no action is 

projected for California’s Northern and 

Southern management areas or for 

recreational fisheries in Washington and 

Oregon. For Alternatives 1 and 2, three 

California recreational sub-options were 

analyzed. Generally speaking, option 1 

has greater season lengths. The season 

length for Mendocino, San Francisco, 

and Central regions are increased to 10 

month seasons. Option 2, slightly 

reduces these seasons, while option 3 

reduces seasons for all five areas to 3 

month periods. Of these options, only 

alternative 1 combined with option 1 or 

option 2 led to higher levels of 

recreational trips than the preferred 

alternative. Under alternative 1, an 

increase of 25,800 angler trips is 

projected from no action coastwide. All 

of the increase occurs in California. 

Trips increase by 4,400 (22 percent) in 

the Northern region, 3,700 (47 percent) 

in the Mendocino region, 8,900 (18 

percent) in the San Francisco region and 

8,800 (8 percent) in the Central region. 

No change from no action is projected 

for California’s Southern region or for 

recreational fisheries in Washington and 

Oregon. Alternative 1 when combined 

with option 2 leads to a projected an 

increase of 16,700 angler trips is 

projected in comparison to no action, all 

in California. Trips increase by 2,700 

(13 percent) in the Northern region, 

2,900 (37 percent) in the Mendocino 

region, 6,700 (13 percent) in the San 

Francisco region and 4,400 (4 percent) 

in the Central region. No change from 

no action is projected for California’s 

Southern region or for recreational 

fisheries in Washington and Oregon. For 

both alternatives 1 and 2, option 3 led 

to a loss in about 400 trips compared to 

no action. 

Although the general intent is to 

provide increased recreational 

opportunities where possible, there are 

concerns about ensuring that 

recreational catch of overfished species 

remain within appropriate limits. The 

preferred alternative reflects a season 

structure that prioritizes increasing 

season lengths when possible, but 

maintains a precautionary approach, 

while, in particular, recognizing the 

constraints imposed from preventing the 

overfishing of canary and minor 

nearshore rockfish. Compared to the 

2014 season structure, the proposal for 

2015–2016 season structure would 

provide a modest increase in season 

length in the Mendocino management 

area (2 months), the San Francisco 

management area (6 weeks) and the 

Central management area (one month), 

while the Southern management area 

would maintain its season length but 

allow for an increase in allowable 

fishing depth to 60 fathoms. The 

Northern area would remain at statusquo seasons and depths. 

The economic impact (commercial 

and recreational income and jobs) of the 

preferred alternative is about 11 percent 

higher than that of the no action 

alternative. The preferred alternative 

leads to $286 million in coastal income 

and 5,700 jobs. Alternative 1 and option 

1, leads to a 7 percent increase in 

economic impact compared to no action 

and alternative 2 and option 1 leads to 

no change in economic impact from no 

action. All community groups show an 

increase in income and jobs. Most 

communities, under the preferred 

alternative are projected to have a 

double-digit increase in income and 

jobs. 

To determine the number of small 

entities potentially affected by this rule, 

NMFS reviewed analyses of fish ticket 

data and limited entry permit data, the 

DEIS associated with this rulemaking, 

which includes information on 

charterboat, tribal, and open access 

fleets, and available cost-earnings data 

developed by the NMFS Northwest 

Fisheries Science Center, responses 

associated with the permitting process 

for the trawl rationalization program 

where applicants were asked if they 

considered themselves a small business 

based on SBA definitions. This rule will 

regulate businesses that harvest 

groundfish. 

NMFS makes the following 

conclusions based primarily on analyses 

associated with fish ticket data, limited 

entry permit data, previous analysis of 

the charterboat and tribal fleets, NMFS 

expertise, and the DEIS associated with 

this rule making. As part of the 

permitting process for Trawl 

rationalization program or to participate 

in non- trawl limited entry permit 

fisheries, applicants were asked if they 

considered themselves a small business. 

NMFS reviewed the ownership and 

affiliation relationships of quota share 

permit holders, vessel account holders, 

catcher processor permits, mothership 

processing, and first receiver/shore 

processor permits. Based on this review, 

there are an estimated 102 unique small 

businesses and 21 large businesses that 

participate in this Trawl Rationalization 

Program. In the non-trawl limited entry 

program, there are 222 small businesses. 

Open access vessels are not federally 

permitted so counts based on landings 

can provide an estimate of the affected. 

The DEIS analysis for the 2013–2014 

Pacific Groundfish Specifications and 

Management Measures contained the 

following assessment which are deemed 

reasonable estimates for this rule, as 

these fisheries have not changed 

significantly in recent years. In 2011, 

682 directed open access vessels fished 

while 284 incidental open access 

vessels fished for a total of 966 vessels. 

Over the 2005–2010 period, 1,583 

different directed open access vessels 

fished and 837 different incidental open 

access vessels fished for a total of 2,420 

different vessels. According to the DEIS, 

over the 2008–2010 period, 447 to 470 

charterboats participated in the 

groundfish fishery. The four tribal fleets 

sum to a total of 54 longline vessels, 5 

whiting trawlers, and 5 non-whiting 

trawlers, for a grand total of 64 vessels. 

Available information on average 

revenue per vessel suggests that all the 

entities in these groups can be 

considered small. 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS3
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules 709 

The above analysis suggests that there 

are approximately 1,400 small entities 

involved in the fishery. The economic 

impact (commercial and recreational 

income and jobs) of the preferred 

alternative is about 11 percent higher 

than that of the no action alternative. 

Therefore, NMFS believes this rule will 

have a positive impact on both small 

and large entities. Through the 

rulemaking process associated with this 

action, we are requesting comments on 

this conclusion. 

There are no Federal reporting and 

recordkeeping requirements associated 

with this action. There are no relevant 

Federal rules that may duplicate, 

overlap, or conflict with this action. 

NMFS issued Biological Opinions 

under the Endangered Species Act 

(ESA) on August 10, 1990, November 

26, 1991, August 28, 1992, September 

27, 1993, May 14, 1996, and December 

15, 1999 pertaining to the effects of the 

PCGFMP fisheries on Chinook salmon 

(Puget Sound, Snake River spring/

summer, Snake River fall, upper 

Columbia River spring, lower Columbia 

River, upper Willamette River, 

Sacramento River winter, Central Valley 

spring, California coastal), coho salmon 

(Central California coastal, southern 

Oregon/northern California coastal), 

chum salmon (Hood Canal summer, 

Columbia River), sockeye salmon (Snake 

River, Ozette Lake), and steelhead 

(upper, middle and lower Columbia 

River, Snake River Basin, upper 

Willamette River, central California 

coast, California Central Valley, south/

central California, northern California, 

southern California). These biological 

opinions have concluded that 

implementation of the PCGFMP is not 

expected to jeopardize the continued 

existence of any endangered or 

threatened species under the 

jurisdiction of NMFS, or result in the 

destruction or adverse modification of 

critical habitat. 

NMFS issued a Supplemental 

Biological Opinion on March 11, 2006 

concluding that neither the higher 

observed bycatch of Chinook in the 

2005 whiting fishery nor new data 

regarding salmon bycatch in the 

groundfish bottom trawl fishery 

required a reconsideration of its prior 

‘‘no jeopardy’’ conclusion. NMFS also 

reaffirmed its prior determination that 

implementation of the PCGFMP is not 

likely to jeopardize the continued 

existence of any of the affected ESUs. 

Lower Columbia River coho (70 FR 

37160, June 28, 2005) and Oregon 

Coastal coho (73 FR 7816, February 11, 

2008) were recently relisted as 

threatened under the ESA. The 1999 

biological opinion concluded that the 

bycatch of salmonids in the Pacific 

whiting fishery were almost entirely 

Chinook salmon, with little or no 

bycatch of coho, chum, sockeye, and 

steelhead. 

NMFS has reinitiated section 7 

consultation on the PCGFMP with 

respect to its effects on listed salmonids. 

In the event the consultation identifies 

either reasonable and prudent 

alternatives to address jeopardy 

concerns or reasonable and prudent 

measures to minimize incidental take, 

NMFS would exercise necessary 

authorities in coordination to the extent 

possible with the Council to put such 

additional alternatives or measures into 

place. After reviewing the available 

information, NMFS has concluded that, 

consistent with sections 7(a)(2) and 7(d) 

of the ESA, this action will not 

jeopardize any listed species, would not 

adversely modify any designated critical 

habitat, and will not result in any 

irreversible or irretrievable commitment 

of resources that would have the effect 

of foreclosing the formulation or 

implementation of any reasonable and 

prudent alternative measures. 

On December 7, 2012, NMFS 

completed a biological opinion 

concluding that the groundfish fishery 

is not likely to jeopardize non-salmonid 

marine species including listed 

eulachon, green sturgeon, humpback 

whales, Steller sea lions, and 

leatherback sea turtles. The opinion also 

concludes that the fishery is not likely 

to adversely modify critical habitat for 

green sturgeon and leatherback sea 

turtles. An analysis included in the 

same document as the opinion 

concludes that the fishery is not likely 

to adversely affect green sea turtles, 

olive ridley sea turtles, loggerhead sea 

turtles, sei whales, North Pacific right 

whales, blue whales, fin whales, sperm 

whales, Southern Resident killer 

whales, Guadalupe fur seals, or the 

critical habitat for Steller sea lions. 

On November 21, 2012, the U.S. Fish 

and Wildlife Service (FWS) issued a 

biological opinion concluding that the 

groundfish fishery will not jeopardize 

the continued existence of the shorttailed albatross. The (FWS) also 

concurred that the fishery is not likely 

to adversely affect the marbled murrelet, 

California least tern, southern sea otter, 

bull trout, nor bull trout critical habitat. 

This proposed rule would not alter 

the effects on marine mammals over 

what has already been considered for 

the fishery. West Coast pot fisheries for 

sablefish are considered Category II 

fisheries under the MMPA’s List of 

Fisheries, indicating occasional 

interactions. All other West Coast 

groundfish fisheries, including the trawl 

fishery, are considered Category III 

fisheries under the MMPA, indicating a 

remote likelihood of or no known 

serious injuries or mortalities to marine 

mammals. On February 27, 2012, NMFS 

published notice that the incidental 

taking of Steller sea lions in the West 

Coast groundfish fisheries is addressed 

in NMFS’ December 29, 2010 Negligible 

Impact Determination (NID) and this 

fishery has been added to the list of 

fisheries authorized to take Steller sea 

lions (77 FR 11493, February 27, 2012). 

On September 4, 2013, based on its 

negligible impact determination dated 

August 28, 2013, NMFS issued a permit 

for a period of three years to authorize 

the incidental taking of humpback 

whales by the sablefish pot fishery (78 

FR 54553, September 4, 2013). 

Pursuant to Executive Order 13175, 

this proposed rule was developed after 

meaningful consultation and 

collaboration with tribal officials from 

the area covered by the PCGFMP. Under 

the Magnuson-Stevens Act at 16 U.S.C. 

1852(b)(5), one of the voting members of 

the Pacific Council must be a 

representative of an Indian tribe with 

federally recognized fishing rights from 

the area of the Council’s jurisdiction. In 

addition, regulations implementing the 

PCGFMP establish a procedure by 

which the tribes with treaty fishing 

rights in the area covered by the 

PCGFMP request new allocations or 

regulations specific to the tribes, in 

writing, before the first of the two 

meetings at which the Council considers 

groundfish management measures. The 

regulations at 50 CFR 660.324(d) further 

state ‘‘the Secretary will develop tribal 

allocations and regulations under this 

paragraph in consultation with the 

affected tribe(s) and, insofar as possible, 

with tribal consensus’’. The tribal 

management measures in this proposed 

rule have been developed following 

these procedures. The tribal 

representative on the Council made a 

motion to adopt the non-whiting tribal 

management measures, which was 

passed by the Council. Those 

management measures, which were 

developed and proposed by the tribes, 

are included in this proposed rule. 

This proposed rule has been 

determined to be not significant for 

purposes of Executive Order 12866. 

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660 

Fisheries, Fishing, Indian Fisheries. 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS3
710 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules 

Dated: December 18, 2014. 

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 660 is proposed 

to be amended as follows: 

PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST 

COAST STATES 

■ 1. The authority citation for part 660 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. and 16 

U.S.C. 773 et seq. 

■ 2. In § 660.11 revise the definitions in 

alphabetical order for ‘‘Groundfish’’ 

paragraphs (1), (2), (5), introductory (7), 

introductory (7)(i), and paragraphs 

(7)(ii), (7)(iii), (9) and (10), ‘‘North-South 

management area’’ definition paragraph 

(2)(v), and the definitions for ‘‘Office of 

Law Enforcement’’, ‘‘Regional 

Administrator’’, and ‘‘Sustainable 

Fisheries Division’’ to read as follows: 

§ 660.11 General definitions. 

* * * * * 

Groundfish means species in the 

PCGFMP, specifically: 

(1) Sharks: Leopard shark, Triakis 

semifasciata; soupfin shark, 

Galeorhinus zyopterus; spiny dogfish, 

Squalus suckleyi. 

(2) Skates: ‘‘Skates’’ in the PCGFMP 

include all genera and species in the 

family Arhynchobatidae that occur off 

Washington, Oregon, and California, 

including but not limited to Aleutian 

skate, Bathyraja aleutica; Bering/

sandpaper skate, B. interrupta; big skate, 

Raja binoculata; California skate, R. 

inornata; longnose skate, R. rhina; 

roughtail/black skate, B. trachura. 

* * * * * 

(5) Grenadiers: ‘‘Grenadiers’’ in the 

PCGFMP include all genera and species 

in the family Macrouridae that occur off 

Washington, Oregon, and California, 

including but not limited to Giant 

grenadier, Albatrossia pectoralis; Pacific 

grenadier, Coryphaenoides acrolepis. 

* * * * * 

(7) Rockfish: ‘‘Rockfish’’ in the 

PCGFMP include all genera and species 

of the family Scorpaenidae that occur 

off Washington, Oregon, and California, 

even if not listed below, including 

longspine thornyhead, Sebastolobus 

altivelis, and shortspine thornyhead, S. 

alascanus. Where species below are 

listed both in a geographic category 

(nearshore, shelf, slope) and as an areaspecific listing (north or south of 40°10′ 

N. lat.) those species are managed 

within a ‘‘minor’’ rockfish complex in 

that area-specific listing. 

(i) Nearshore rockfish includes black 

rockfish, Sebastes melanops and the 

following nearshore rockfish species 

managed in ‘‘minor rockfish’’ 

complexes: 

* * * * * 

(ii) Shelf rockfish includes bocaccio, 

Sebastes paucispinis; canary rockfish, S. 

pinniger; chilipepper, S. goodei; 

cowcod, S. levis; shortbelly rockfish, S. 

jordani; widow rockfish, S. entomelas; 

yelloweye rockfish, S. ruberrimus; 

yellowtail rockfish, S. flavidus and the 

following shelf rockfish species 

managed in ‘‘minor rockfish’’ 

complexes: 

(A) Shelf Rockfish North of 40°10′ N. 

lat.: Bronzespotted rockfish, S. gilli; 

bocaccio, S. paucispinis; chameleon 

rockfish, S. phillipsi; chilipepper, S. 

goodei; cowcod, S. levis; dusky rockfish, 

S. ciliatus; dwarf-red rockfish, S. 

rufianus; flag rockfish, S. rubrivinctus; 

freckled rockfish, S. lentiginosus; 

greenblotched rockfish, S. rosenblatti; 

greenspotted rockfish, S. chlorostictus; 

greenstriped rockfish, S. elongatus; 

halfbanded rockfish, S. semicinctus; 

harlequin rockfish, S. variegatus; 

honeycomb rockfish, S. umbrosus; 

Mexican rockfish, S. macdonaldi; pink 

rockfish, S. eos; pinkrose rockfish, S. 

simulator; pygmy rockfish, S. wilsoni; 

redstripe rockfish, S. proriger; rosethorn 

rockfish, S. helvomaculatus; rosy 

rockfish, S. rosaceus; silvergray 

rockfish, S. brevispinis; speckled 

rockfish, S. ovalis; squarespot rockfish, 

S. hopkinsi; starry rockfish, S. 

constellatus; stripetail rockfish, S. 

saxicola; sunset rockfish, S. crocotulus; 

swordspine rockfish, S. ensifer; tiger 

rockfish, S. nigrocinctus; vermilion 

rockfish, S. miniatus. 

(B) Shelf Rockfish South of 40°10′ N. 

lat.: Bronzespotted rockfish, S. gilli; 

chameleon rockfish, S. phillipsi; dusky 

rockfish, S. ciliatus; dwarf-red rockfish, 

S. rufianus; flag rockfish, S. 

rubrivinctus; freckled rockfish, S. 

lentiginosus; greenblotched rockfish, S. 

rosenblatti; greenspotted rockfish, S. 

chlorostictus; greenstriped rockfish, S. 

elongatus; halfbanded rockfish, S. 

semicinctus; harlequin rockfish, S. 

variegatus; honeycomb rockfish, S. 

umbrosus; Mexican rockfish, S. 

macdonaldi; pink rockfish, S. eos; 

pinkrose rockfish, S. simulator; pygmy 

rockfish, S. wilsoni; redstripe rockfish, 

S. proriger; rosethorn rockfish, S. 

helvomaculatus; rosy rockfish, S. 

rosaceus; silvergray rockfish, S. 

brevispinis; speckled rockfish, S. ovalis; 

squarespot rockfish, S. hopkinsi; starry 

rockfish, S. constellatus; stripetail 

rockfish, S. saxicola; sunset rockfish, S. 

crocotulus; swordspine rockfish, S. 

ensifer; tiger rockfish, S. nigrocinctus; 

vermilion rockfish, S. miniatus; 

yellowtail rockfish, S. flavidus. 

(iii) Slope rockfish includes 

darkblotched rockfish, S. crameri; 

Pacific ocean perch, S. alutus; splitnose 

rockfish, S. diploproa; and the following 

slope rockfish species managed in 

‘‘minor rockfish’’ complexes: 

(A) Slope Rockfish North of 40°10′ N. 

lat.: Aurora rockfish, Sebastes aurora; 

bank rockfish, S. rufus; blackgill 

rockfish, S. melanostomus; blackspotted 

rockfish, S. melanostictus; redbanded 

rockfish, S. babcocki; rougheye rockfish, 

S. aleutianus; sharpchin rockfish, S. 

zacentrus; shortraker rockfish, S. 

borealis; splitnose rockfish, S. 

diploproa; yellowmouth rockfish, S. 

reedi. 

(B) Slope Rockfish South of 40°10′ N. 

lat.: Aurora rockfish, Sebastes aurora; 

bank rockfish, S. rufus; blackgill 

rockfish, S. melanostomus; blackspotted 

rockfish, S. melanostictus; Pacific ocean 

perch, S. alutus; redbanded rockfish, S. 

babcocki; rougheye rockfish, S. 

aleutianus; sharpchin rockfish, S. 

zacentrus; shortraker rockfish, S. 

borealis; yellowmouth rockfish, S. reedi. 

* * * * * 

(9) ‘‘Other fish’’: kelp greenling 

(Hexagrammos decagrammus), leopard 

shark (Trakis semifasciata), and cabezon 

(Scorpaenichthys marmoratus) in 

waters off Washington. 

(10) ‘‘Ecosystem component species’’ 

means species that are included in the 

PCGFMP but are not ‘‘in the fishery’’ 

and therefore not actively managed and 

do not require harvest specifications. 

Ecosystem component species are not 

targeted in any fishery, not generally 

retained for sale or personal use, and are 

not determined to be subject to 

overfishing, approaching an overfished 

condition, or overfished, nor are they 

likely to become subject to overfishing 

or overfished in the absence of 

conservation and management 

measures. Ecosystem component 

species include: All skates listed here in 

paragraph (2), except longnose skate; all 

grenadiers listed here in paragraph (5); 

soupfin shark; ratfish; and finescale 

codling. 

* * * * * 

North-South management area 

(2) * * * 

(v) Columbia River—46°16.00′ N. lat. 

* * * * * 

Office of Law Enforcement or OLE 

refers to the National Marine Fisheries 

Service, Office of Law Enforcement, 

Western Division. 

* * * * * 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS3
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules 711 

Regional Administrator means the 

Administrator, West Coast Region, 

NMFS. 

* * * * * 

Sustainable Fisheries Division or SFD 

means the Assistant Regional 

Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries 

Division, West Coast Regional Office, 

NMFS, or a designee. 

* * * * * 

■ 3. In § 660.40, paragraph (c) is revised 

to read as follows: 

§ 660.40 Overfished species rebuilding 

plans. 

* * * * * 

(c) Cowcod. Cowcod was declared 

overfished in 2000. The target year for 

rebuilding the cowcod stock south of 

40°10′ N. lat. to BMSY is 2020. The 

harvest control rule to be used to 

rebuild the cowcod stock is an annual 

SPR harvest rate of 82.7 percent. 

* * * * * 

■ 4. In § 660.50, revise paragraphs 

(f)(2)(ii), (f)(5), and (7) and add 

paragraph (f)(8) to read as follows: 

§ 660.50 Pacific Coast treaty Indian 

fisheries. 

* * * * * 

(f) * * * 

(2) * * * 

(ii) The Tribal allocation is 479 mt in 

2015 and 524 mt in 2016 per year. This 

allocation is, for each year, 10 percent 

of the Monterey through Vancouver area 

(North of 36° N. lat.) ACL. The Tribal 

allocation is reduced by 1.6 percent for 

estimated discard mortality. 

* * * * * 

(5) Pacific cod. There is a tribal 

harvest guideline of 500 mt of Pacific 

cod per year. The tribes will manage 

their fisheries to stay within this harvest 

guideline. 

* * * * * 

(7) Yellowtail rockfish. Yellowtail 

rockfish taken in the directed tribal midwater trawl fisheries are subject to a 

catch limit of 1,000 mt for the entire 

fleet, per year. 

(8) Spiny dogfish. Spiny dogfish taken 

in the treaty fisheries are subject to an 

overall expected total spiny dogfish 

catch of 275 mt per year. 

* * * * * 

■ 5. In § 660.60, add paragraphs (b)(i) 

and (ii) and revise paragraph (c)(1)(i) to 

read as follows: 

§ 660.60 Specifications and management 

measures. 

* * * * * 

(b) * * * 

(i) Except for Pacific whiting, every 

biennium, NMFS will implement OFLs, 

ABCs, and ACLs, if applicable, for each 

species or species group based on the 

harvest controls used in the previous 

biennium (referred to as default harvest 

control rules) applied to the best 

available scientific information. The 

default harvest control rules for each 

species or species group are listed in 

Appendix F to the PCGFMP and the 

biennial SAFE document. NMFS may 

implement OFLs, ABCs, and ACLs, if 

applicable, that vary from the default 

harvest control rules based on a Council 

recommendation. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

* * * * * 

(c) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(i) Trip landing and frequency limits, 

size limits, all gear. Trip landing and 

frequency limits have been designated 

as routine for the following species or 

species groups: widow rockfish, canary 

rockfish, yellowtail rockfish, Pacific 

ocean perch, yelloweye rockfish, black 

rockfish, blue rockfish, splitnose 

rockfish, blackgill rockfish in the area 

south of 40°10′ N. lat., chilipepper, 

bocaccio, cowcod, minor nearshore 

rockfish or shallow and deeper minor 

nearshore rockfish, shelf or minor shelf 

rockfish, and minor slope rockfish; 

Dover sole, sablefish, shortspine 

thornyheads, and longspine 

thornyheads; petrale sole, rex sole, 

arrowtooth flounder, Pacific sanddabs, 

and the other flatfish complex, which is 

composed of those species plus any 

other flatfish species listed at § 660.11; 

Pacific whiting; lingcod; Pacific cod; 

spiny dogfish; longnose skate; cabezon 

in Oregon and California and ‘‘other 

fish’’ as a complex described at § 660.11. 

In addition to the species and species 

groups listed above, sub-limits or 

aggregate limits may be specified, 

specific to the Shorebased IFQ Program, 

for the following species: big skate, 

California skate, California scorpionfish, 

leopard shark, soupfin shark, finescale 

codling, Pacific rattail (grenadier), 

ratfish, kelp greenling, shortbelly, and 

cabezon in Washington. Size limits have 

been designated as routine for sablefish 

and lingcod. Trip landing and frequency 

limits and size limits for species with 

those limits designated as routine may 

be imposed or adjusted on a biennial or 

more frequent basis for the purpose of 

keeping landings within the harvest 

levels announced by NMFS, and for the 

other purposes given in paragraphs 

(c)(1)(i)(A) and (B) of this section. 

* * * * * 

■ 6. In § 660.72: 

■ a. Redesignate paragraphs (f)(199) 

through (f)(211) as paragraphs (f)(200) 

through (f)(212); 

■ b. Revise paragraph (c) and newly 

redesignated paragraph (f)(207); 

■ c. Add paragraph (f)(199) to read as 

follows: 

§ 660.72 Latitude/longitude coordinates 

defining the 50 fm (91 m) through 75 fm (137 

m) depth contours. 

* * * * * 

(c) * * * 

(1) 34°08.40′ N. lat., 120°33.78′ W. 

long.; 

(2) 34°07.80′ N. lat., 120°30.99′ W. 

long.; 

(3) 34°08.42′ N. lat., 120°27.92′ W. 

long.; 

(4) 34°09.31′ N. lat., 120°27.81′ W. 

long.; 

(5) 34°05.85′ N. lat., 120°17.13′ W. 

long.; 

(6) 34°05.73′ N. lat., 120°05.93′ W. 

long.; 

(7) 34°06.14′ N. lat., 120°04.86′ W. 

long.; 

(8) 34°05.70′ N. lat., 120°03.17′ W. 

long.; 

(9) 34°05.67′ N. lat., 119°58.98′ W. 

long.; 

(10) 34°06.34′ N. lat., 119°56.78′ W. 

long.; 

(11) 34°05.57′ N. lat., 119°51.35′ W. 

long.; 

(12) 34°07.08′ N. lat., 119°52.43′ W. 

long.; 

(13) 34°04.49′ N. lat., 119°35.55′ W. 

long.; 

(14) 34°04.73′ N. lat., 119°32.77′ W. 

long.; 

(15) 34°02.02′ N. lat., 119°19.18′ W. 

long.; 

(16) 34°01.03′ N. lat., 119°19.50′ W. 

long.; 

(17) 33°59.45′ N. lat., 119°22.38′ W. 

long.; 

(18) 33°58.68′ N. lat., 119°32.36′ W. 

long.; 

(19) 33°56.43′ N. lat., 119°41.13′ W. 

long.; 

(20) 33°56.04′ N. lat., 119°48.20′ W. 

long.; 

(21) 33°57.32′ N. lat., 119°51.96′ W. 

long.; 

(22) 33°59.32′ N. lat., 119°55.59′ W. 

long.; 

(23) 33°57.52′ N. lat., 119°55.19′ W. 

long.; 

(24) 33°56.26′ N. lat., 119°54.29′ W. 

long.; 

(25) 33°54.30′ N. lat., 119°54.83′ W. 

long.; 

(26) 33°50.97′ N. lat., 119°57.03′ W. 

long.; 

(27) 33°50.25′ N. lat., 120°00.00′ W. 

long.; 

(28) 33°50.03′ N. lat., 120°03.00′ W. 

long.; 

(29) 33°51.06′ N. lat., 120°03.73′ W. 

long.; 

(30) 33°54.49′ N. lat., 120°12.85′ W. 

long.; 


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712 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules 

(31) 33°58.90′ N. lat., 120°20.15′ W. 

long.; 

(32) 34°00.71′ N. lat., 120°28.21′ W. 

long.; 

(33) 34°02.20′ N. lat., 120°30.37′ W. 

long.; 

(34) 34°03.60′ N. lat., 120°30.60′ W. 

long.; 

(35) 34°06.96′ N. lat., 120°34.22′ W. 

long.; 

(36) 34°08.01′ N. lat., 120°35.24′ W. 

long.; and 

(37) 34°08.40′ N. lat., 120°33.78′ W. 

long. 

* * * * * 

(f) * * * 

(199) 32°56.00′ N. lat., 117°19.16′ W. 

long.; 

* * * * * 

(207) 32°44.89′ N. lat., 117°21.89′ W. 

long.; 

* * * * * 

■ 7. In § 660.73, paragraph (a)(123) is 

revised to read as follows: 

§ 660.73 Latitude/longitude coordinates 

defining the 100 fm (183 m) through 150 fm 

(274 m) depth contours. 

* * * * * 

(a) * * * 

(123) 43° 56.07′ N. lat., 124° 55.41′ W. 

long.; 

* * * * * 

■ 8. In § 660.74: 

■ a. Remove paragraphs (l)(80) through 

(l)(82); 

■ b. Redesignate paragraphs (l)(83) 

through (l)(245) as (l)(87) through 

(l)(249); 

■ c. Add paragraphs (l)(80) through 

(l)(86) to read as follows: 

§ 660.74 Latitude/longitude coordinates 

defining the 180 fm (329 m) through 250 fm 

(457 m) depth contours. 

* * * * * 

(l) * * * 

(80) 44°48.25′ N. lat., 124°40.61′ W. 

long.; 

(81) 44°42.24′ N. lat., 124°48.05′ W. 

long.; 

(82) 44°41.35′ N. lat., 124°48.03′ W. 

long.; 

(83) 44°40.27′ N. lat., 124°49.11′ W. 

long.; 

(84) 44°38.52′ N. lat., 124°49.11′ W. 

long.; 

(85) 44°21.73′ N. lat., 124°49.82′ W. 

long.; 

(86) 44°17.57′ N. lat., 124°55.04′ W. 

long.; 

* * * * * 

■ 9. Tables 1a through 1d, Subpart C are 

revised to read as follows: 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS3
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a/ Annual catch limits (ACLs), 

annual catch targets (ACTs) and harvest 

guidelines (HGs) are specified as total 

catch values. 

b/ Fishery harvest guidelines means 

the harvest guideline or quota after 

subtracting Pacific Coast treaty Indian 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS3EP06JA15.057</GPH>

Table la. to Part 660, Subpart C- 2015, Specifications ofOFL, ABC, ACL, ACT and Fishery 

Harvest Guidelines (Weights in Metric Tons). 

Fishery 

OFL ABC ACLa/ HGb/ 

BOCACCIO S. of 40°10' N. lat. c/ 1,444 1,380 349 341 

CANARY ROCKFISH d/ 733 701 122 107 

COWCOD S. of40°10' N. lat. e/ 67 60 10 8 

DARKBLOTCHED ROCKFISH fl 574 549 338 317 

PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH g/ 842 805 158 143 

PETRALE SOLE h/ 2,946 2,816 2,816 2,579 

YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH il 52 43 I8 12 

Arrowtooth flounder j/ 6,599 5,497 5,497 3,410 

Black rockfish (OR-CA) k/ 1,176 1,124 1,000 999 

Black rockfish (WA) 11 421 402 402 388 

Cabezon (CA) m/ 161 154 154 154 

Cabezon (OR) n/ 49 47 47 47 

California scorpionfish ol 119 114 114 112 

Chilipepper S. of 40°1 0' N. lat. p/ 1,703 1,628 1,628 1,604 

Dover sole q/ 66,871 63,929 50,000 48,406 

English sole r/ 10,792 9,853 9,853 9,640 

Lingcod N. of 40°10' N. lat. s/ 3,010 2,830 2,830 2,552 

Lingcod S. of 40°10' N. lat. tl 1,205 1,004 1,004 995 

Longnose skate ul 2,449 2,341 2,000 1,927 

Longs pine thornyhead ( coastwide) v/ 5,007 4,171 NA NA 

Longs pine thornyhead N. of 34°27' N. lat. NA NA 3,170 3,124 

Longspine thornyhead S. of 34°27' N. lat. NA NA 1,001 998 

Pacific Cod w/ 3,200 2,221 1,600 1,091 

Pacific whiting x/ xl xl xl xl 

Sablefish ( coastwide) 7,857 7,173 NA NA 

See Table 

Sablefish N. of36° N. lat. y/ NA NA 4,793 lc 

Sablefish S. of 36° N. lat. zl NA NA 1,719 1,714 

Shortbelly a a/ 6,950 5,789 500 498 

Shorts pine thorny head ( coastwide) bb/ 3,203 2,668 NA NA 

Shorts pine thornyhead N. of 34°27' N. lat. NA NA 1,745 1,686 

Shorts pine thornyhead S. of 34°27' N. lat. NA NA 923 881 

Spiny dogfish eel 2,523 2,101 2,101 1,763 

Splitnose S. of 40° 10' N. lat. dd/ 1,794 1,715 1,715 1,705 

Starry f1ounder eel 1,841 1,534 1,534 1,524 

Widow rockfish ffl 4,137 3,929 2,000 1,880 

YellowtaiiN. of40°10' N. lat. gg/ 7,218 6,590 6,590 5,560 

Minor Nearshore Rockfish N. of 40°10' N. lat. hh/ 88 77 69 69 

Minor Shelf Rockfish N. of 40°1 0' N. lat. iii 2,209 1,944 1,944 1,872 

Minor Slope Rockfish N. of 40°10' N. lat. .iii 1,831 1,693 1,693 1,629 

Minor Nearshore Rockfish S. of 40°10' N. lat. kk/ 1,313 1,169 1,114 1,110 

Minor She If Rockfish S. of 40°1 0' N. lat. Ill 1,918 1,625 1,624 1,575 

Minor Slope Rockfish S. of 40°10' N. lat. mm/ 813 705 693 673 

Other Flatfish nn! 11,453 8,749 8,749 8,545 

Other Fish oo/ 291 242 242 242 
714 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules 

tribes allocations and projected catch, 

projected research catch, deductions for 

fishing mortality in non-groundfish 

fisheries, and deductions for EFPs from 

the ACL or ACT. 

c/ Bocaccio. A bocaccio stock 

assessment update was conducted in 

2013 for the bocaccio stock between the 

U.S.-Mexico border and Cape Blanco. 

The stock is managed with stockspecific harvest specifications south of 

40°10′ N. lat. and within the Minor 

Shelf Rockfish complex north of 40°10 

N. lat. A historical catch distribution of 

approximately 6 percent was used to 

apportion the assessed stock to the area 

north of 40°10′ N. lat. The bocaccio 

stock was estimated to be at 31.4 

percent of its unfished biomass in 2013. 

The OFL of 1,444 mt is projected in the 

2013 stock assessment using an FMSY

proxy of F50%. The ABC of 1,380 mt is 

a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL 

(s=0.36/P*=0.45) as it’s a category 1 

stock. The 349 mt ACL is based on the 

current rebuilding plan with a target 

year to rebuild of 2022 and an SPR 

harvest rate of 77.7 percent. 8.3 mt is 

deducted from the ACL to accommodate 

the incidental open access fishery (0.7 

mt), EFP catch (3.0 mt) and research 

catch (4.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG 

of 340.7 mt. The California recreational 

fishery has an HG of 178.8 mt. 

d/ Canary rockfish. A canary rockfish 

stock assessment update was conducted 

in 2011 and the stock was estimated to 

be at 23.2 percent of its unfished 

biomass coastwide in 2011. The 

coastwide OFL of 733 mt is projected in 

the 2011 rebuilding analysis using an 

FMSY proxy of F50%. The ABC of 701 mt 

is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL 

(s=0.36/P*=0.45) as it’s a category 1 

stock. The ACL of 122 mt is based on 

the current rebuilding plan with a target 

year to rebuild of 2030 and an SPR 

harvest rate of 88.7 percent. 15.2 mt is 

deducted from the ACL to accommodate 

the Tribal fishery (7.7 mt), the 

incidental open access fishery (2 mt), 

EFP catch (1.0 mt) and research catch 

(4.5 mt) resulting in a fishery HG of 

106.8 mt. Recreational HGs are: 3.4 mt 

(Washington); 11.7 mt (Oregon); and 

24.3 mt (California). 

e/ Cowcod. A stock assessment for 

the Conception Area was conducted in 

2013 and the stock was estimated to be 

at 33.9 percent of its unfished biomass 

in 2013. The Conception Area OFL of 

55.0 mt is projected in the 2013 

rebuilding analysis using an FMSY proxy 

of F50%. The OFL contribution of 11.6 

mt for the unassessed portion of the 

stock in the Monterey area is based on 

depletion-based stock reduction 

analysis. The OFLs for the Monterey 

and Conception areas were summed to 

derive the south of 40°10′ N. lat. OFL of 

66.6 mt. The ABC for the area south of 

40°10′ N. lat. is 59.9 mt. The assessed 

portion of the stock in the Conception 

Area is considered category 2, with a 

Conception area contribution to the 

ABC of 50.2 mt, which is an 8.7 percent 

reduction from the Conception area OFL 

(s=0.72/P*=0.45). The unassessed 

portion of the stock in the Monterey 

area is considered a category 3 stock, 

with a contribution to the ABC of 9.7 

mt, which is a 16.6 percent reduction 

from the Monterey area OFL (s=1.44/ 

P*=0.45). A single ACL of 10.0 mt is 

being set for both areas combined. The 

ACL of 10.0 mt is based on the 

rebuilding plan with a target year to 

rebuild of 2020 and an SPR harvest rate 

of 82.7 percent, which is equivalent to 

an exploitation rate (catch over age 11+ 

biomass) of 0.007. 2.0 mt is deducted 

from the ACL to accommodate EFP 

fishing (less than 0.02 mt) and research 

activity (2.0 mt), resulting in a fishery 

HG of 8.0 mt. Any additional mortality 

in research activities will be deducted 

from the ACL. A single ACT of 4.0 mt 

is being set for both areas combined. 

f/ Darkblotched rockfish. A 2013 

stock assessment estimated the stock to 

be at 36 percent of its unfished biomass 

in 2013. The OFL of 574 mt is projected 

in the 2013 stock assessment using an 

FMSY proxy of F50%. The ABC of 549 mt 

is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL 

(s=0.36/P*=0.45) as it’s a category 1 

stock. The ACL of 338 mt is based on 

the current rebuilding plan with a target 

year to rebuild of 2025 and an SPR 

harvest rate of 64.9 percent. 20.8 mt is 

deducted from the ACL to accommodate 

the Tribal fishery (0.2 mt), the 

incidental open access fishery (18.4 mt), 

EFP catch (0.1 mt) and research catch 

(2.1 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 

317.2 mt. 

g/ Pacific Ocean Perch. A POP stock 

assessment was conducted in 2011 and 

the stock was estimated to be at 19.1 

percent of its unfished biomass in 2011. 

The OFL of 842 mt for the area north of 

40°10′ N. lat. is projected in the 2011 

rebuilding analysis using an F50% FMSY

proxy. The ABC of 805 mt is a 4.4 

percent reduction from the OFL 

(s=0.36/P*=0.45) as it’s a category 1 

stock. The ACL of 158 mt is based on 

the current rebuilding plan with a target 

year to rebuild of 2051 and an SPR 

harvest rate of 86.4 percent. 15 mt is 

deducted from the ACL to accommodate 

the Tribal fishery (9.2 mt), the 

incidental open access fishery (0.6 mt), 

and research catch (5.2 mt), resulting in 

a fishery HG of 143.0 mt. 

h/ Petrale sole. A 2013 stock 

assessment estimated the stock to be at 

22.3 percent of its unfished biomass in 

2013. The OFL of 2,946 mt is projected 

in the 2013 assessment using an F30%

FMSY proxy. The ABC of 2,816 mt is a 

4.4 percent reduction from the OFL 

(s=0.36/P*=0.45) as it’s a category 1 

stock. The ACL is based on the 25–5 

harvest control rule specified in the 

current rebuilding plan; since the stock 

is projected to be rebuilt at the start of 

2014, the ACL is set equal to the ABC. 

236.6 mt is deducted from the ACL to 

accommodate the Tribal fishery (220 

mt), the incidental open access fishery 

(2.4 mt), and research catch (14.2 mt), 

resulting in a fishery HG of 2,579.4 mt. 

i/ Yelloweye rockfish. A stock 

assessment update was conducted in 

2011. The stock was estimated to be at 

21.4 percent of its unfished biomass in 

2011. The 52 mt coastwide OFL was 

projected in the 2011 rebuilding 

analysis using an FMSY proxy of F50%. 

The ABC of 43 mt is a 16.7 percent 

reduction from the OFL (s=0.72/ 

P*=0.40) as it’s a category 2 stock. The 

18 mt ACL is based on the current 

rebuilding plan with a target year to 

rebuild of 2074 and an SPR harvest rate 

of 76.0 percent. 5.8 mt is deducted from 

the ACL to accommodate the Tribal 

fishery (2.3 mt), the incidental open 

access fishery (0.2 mt), EFP catch (0.03 

mt) and research catch (3.3 mt) resulting 

in a fishery HG of 12.2 mt. Recreational 

HGs are: 2.9 mt (Washington); 2.6 mt 

(Oregon); and 3.4 mt (California). 

j/ Arrowtooth flounder. The 

arrowtooth flounder stock was last 

assessed in 2007 and was estimated to 

be at 79 percent of its unfished biomass 

in 2007. The OFL of 6,599 mt is derived 

from the 2007 assessment using an F30%

FMSY proxy. The ABC of 5,497 mt is a 

16.7 percent reduction from the OFL 

(s=0.72/P*=0.40) as it’s a category 2 

stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC 

because the stock is above its target 

biomass of B25%. 2,087 mt is deducted 

from the ACL to accommodate the 

Tribal fishery (2,041 mt), the incidental 

open access fishery (30 mt), and 

research catch (16.4 mt), resulting in a 

fishery HG of 3,410 mt. 

k/ Black rockfish south (Oregon and 

California). A stock assessment was 

conducted for black rockfish south of 

45°46′ N. lat. (Cape Falcon, Oregon) to 

Central California (i.e., the southernmost extent of black rockfish, Love et al. 

2002) in 2007. The biomass in the south 

was estimated to be at 70 percent of its 

unfished biomass in 2007. The OFL 

from the assessed area is derived from 

the 2007 assessment using an FMSY

harvest rate proxy of F50% plus 3 

percent of the OFL from the stock 

assessment conducted for black rockfish 

north of 45°46′ N. lat., to cover the 

portion of the stock occurring off 


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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules 715 

Oregon north of Cape Falcon (the 3% 

adjustment is based on historical catch 

distribution). The resulting OFL for the 

area south of 46°16′ N. lat. is 1,176 mt. 

The ABC of 1,124 mt is a 4.4 percent 

reduction from the OFL (s=0.36/ 

P*=0.45) as it’s a category 1 stock. The 

2015 ACL is 1,000 mt, which maintains 

the constant catch strategy designed to 

keep the stock above its target biomass 

of B40%. 1 mt is deducted from the ACL 

to accommodate EFP catch, resulting in 

a fishery HG of 999 mt. The black 

rockfish ACL, in the area south of 46°16′ 

N. lat. (Columbia River), is subdivided 

with separate HGs for waters off Oregon 

(579 mt/58 percent) and for waters off 

California (420 mt/42 percent). 

l/ Black rockfish north (Washington). 

A stock assessment was conducted for 

black rockfish north of 45°46′ N. lat. 

(Cape Falcon, Oregon) in 2007. The 

biomass in the north was estimated to 

be at 53 percent of its unfished biomass 

in 2007. The OFL from the assessed area 

is derived from the 2007 assessment 

using an FMSY harvest rate proxy of 

F50%. The resulting OFL for the area 

north of 46°16′ N. lat. is 421 mt and is 

97 percent of the OFL from the assessed 

area based on the area distribution of 

historical catch. The ABC of 402 mt for 

the north is a 4.4 percent reduction from 

the OFL (s=0.36/P*=0.45) as it’s a 

category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal 

to the ABC since the stock is above its 

target biomass of B40%. 14 mt is 

deducted from the ACL to accommodate 

the Tribal fishery, resulting in a fishery 

HG of 388 mt. 

m/ Cabezon (California). A cabezon 

stock assessment was conducted in 

2009. The cabezon spawning biomass in 

waters off California was estimated to be 

at 48.3 percent of its unfished biomass 

in 2009. The OFL of 161 mt is 

calculated using an FMSY proxy of F45%. 

The ABC of 154 mt is based on a 4.4 

percent reduction from the OFL 

(s=0.36/P*=0.45) as it’s a category 1 

stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC 

because the stock is above its target 

biomass of B40%. There are no 

deductions from the ACL so the fishery 

HG is equal to the ACL of 154 mt. 

n/ Cabezon (Oregon). A cabezon 

stock assessment was conducted in 

2009. The cabezon spawning biomass in 

waters off Oregon was estimated to be 

at 52 percent of its unfished biomass in 

2009. The OFL of 49 mt is calculated 

using an FMSY proxy of F45≠. The ABC 

of 47 mt is based on a 4.4 percent 

reduction from the OFL (s=0.36/ 

P*=0.45) as it’s a category 1 species. The 

ACL is set equal to the ABC because the 

stock is above its target biomass of B40≠. 

There are no deductions from the ACL 

so the fishery HG is also equal to the 

ACL of 47 mt. 

o/ California scorpionfish was 

assessed in 2005 and was estimated to 

be at 79.8 percent of its unfished 

biomass in 2005. The OFL of 119 mt is 

projected in the 2005 assessment using 

an FMSY harvest rate proxy of F50%. The 

ABC of 114 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction 

from the OFL (s=0.36/P*=0.45) as it’s a 

category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal 

to the ABC because the stock is above 

its target biomass of B40%. 2 mt is 

deducted from the ACL to accommodate 

the incidental open access fishery, 

resulting in a fishery HG of 112 mt. 

p/ Chilipepper. The coastwide 

chilipepper stock was assessed in 2007 

and estimated to be at 70 percent of its 

unfished biomass in 2006. Chilipepper 

are managed with stock-specific harvest 

specifications south of 40°10 N. lat. and 

within the Minor Shelf Rockfish 

complex north of 40°10′ N. lat. Projected 

OFLs are stratified north and south of 

40°10′ N. lat. based on the average 

1998–2008 assessed area catch, which is 

93 percent for the area south of 40°10′ 

N. lat. and 7 percent for the area north 

of 40°10′ N. lat. The OFL of 1,703 mt for 

the area south of 40°10′ N. lat. is 

projected in the 2007 assessment using 

an FMSY proxy of F50%. The ABC of 

1,628 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from 

the OFL (s=0.36/P*=0.45) as it’s a 

category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal 

to the ABC because the stock is above 

its target biomass of B40%. 24 mt is 

deducted from the ACL to accommodate 

the incidental open access fishery (5 

mt), EFP fishing (10 mt), and research 

catch (9 mt), resulting in a fishery HG 

of 1,604 mt. 

q/ Dover sole. A 2011 Dover sole 

assessment estimated the stock to be at 

83.7 percent of its unfished biomass in 

2011. The OFL of 66,871 mt is projected 

in the 2011 stock assessment using an 

FMSY proxy of F30%. The ABC of 63,929 

mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the 

OFL (s=0.36/P*=0.45) as it’s a category 

1 stock. The ACL could be set equal to 

the ABC because the stock is above its 

target biomass of B25%. However, the 

ACL of 50,000 mt is set at a level below 

the ABC and higher than the maximum 

historical landed catch. 1,594 mt is 

deducted from the ACL to accommodate 

the Tribal fishery (1,497 mt), the 

incidental open access fishery (55 mt), 

and research catch (41.9 mt), resulting 

in a fishery HG of 48,406 mt. 

r/ English sole. A 2013 stock 

assessment was conducted, which 

estimated the stock to be at 88 percent 

of its unfished biomass in 2013. The 

OFL of 10,792 mt is projected in the 

2013 assessment using an FMSY proxy of 

F30%. The ABC of 9,853 mt is an 8.7 

percent reduction from the OFL 

(s=0.72/P*=0.45) as it is a category 2 

stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC 

because the stock is above its target 

biomass of B25%. 213 mt is deducted 

from the ACL to accommodate the 

Tribal fishery (200 mt), the incidental 

open access fishery (7 mt) and research 

catch (5.8 mt), resulting in a fishery HG 

of 9,640 mt. 

s/ Lingcod north. A lingcod stock 

assessment was conducted in 2009. The 

lingcod spawning biomass off 

Washington and Oregon was estimated 

to be at 62 percent of its unfished 

biomass in 2009. The OFL for 

Washington and Oregon of 1,898 mt is 

calculated using an FMSY proxy of F45%. 

The OFL is re-apportioned by adding 

48% of the OFL from California, 

resulting in an OFL of 3,010 mt for the 

area north of 40°10′ N. lat. The ABC of 

2,830 mt is based on a 4.4 percent 

reduction from the OFL (s=0.36/ 

P*=0.45) for the area north of 42° N. lat. 

as it’s a category 1 stock, and an 8.7 

percent reduction from the OFL 

(s=0.72/P*=0.45) for the area between 

42° N. lat. and 40°10′ N. lat. as it’s a 

category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal 

to the ABC. 278 mt is deducted from the 

ACL for the Tribal fishery (250 mt), the 

incidental open access fishery (16 mt), 

EFP catch (0.5 mt) and research catch 

(11.7 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 

2,552 mt. 

t/ Lingcod south. A lingcod stock 

assessment was conducted in 2009. The 

lingcod spawning biomass off California 

was estimated to be at 74 percent of its 

unfished biomass in 2009. The OFL for 

California of 2,317 mt is projected in the 

assessment using an FMSY proxy of 

F45%. The OFL is re-apportioned by 

subtracting 48% of the OFL, resulting in 

an OFL of 1,205 mt for the area south 

of 40°10′ N. lat. The ABC of 1,004 mt 

is based on a 16.7 percent reduction 

from the OFL (s=0.72/P*=0.40) as it’s a 

category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal 

to the ABC since the stock is above its 

target biomass of B40%. 9 mt is deducted 

from the ACL to accommodate the 

incidental open access fishery (7 mt), 

EFP fishing (1 mt), and research catch 

(1.1 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 995 

mt. 

u/ Longnose skate. A stock 

assessment was conducted in 2007 and 

the stock was estimated to be at 66 

percent of its unfished biomass. The 

OFL of 2,449 mt is derived from the 

2007 stock assessment using an FMSY

proxy of F50%. The ABC of 2,341 mt is 

a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL 

(s=0.36/P*=0.45) as it’s a category 1 

stock. The ACL of 2,000 mt is a fixed 

harvest level that provides greater 

access to the stock and is less than the 


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ABC. 73 mt is deducted from the ACL 

to accommodate the Tribal fishery (56 

mt), incidental open access fishery (3.8 

mt), and research catch (13.2 mt), 

resulting in a fishery HG of 1,927 mt. 

v/ Longspine thornyhead. A 2013 

longspine thornyhead coastwide stock 

assessment estimated the stock to be at 

75 percent of its unfished biomass in 

2013. A coastwide OFL of 5,007 mt is 

projected in the 2013 stock assessment 

using an F50% FMSY proxy. The ABC of 

4,171 mt is a 16.7 percent reduction 

from the OFL (s=0.72/P*=0.40) as it’s a 

category 2 stock. For the portion of the 

stock that is north of 34°27′ N. lat., the 

ACL is 3,170 mt, and is 76 percent of 

the coastwide ABC based on the average 

swept-area biomass estimates (2003– 

2012) from the NMFS NWFSC trawl 

survey. 47 mt is deducted from the ACL 

to accommodate the Tribal fishery (30 

mt), the incidental open access fishery 

(3 mt), and research catch (13.5 mt) 

resulting in a fishery HG of 3,124 mt. 

For that portion of the stock south of 

34°27′ N. lat. the ACL is 1,001 mt and 

is 24 percent of the coastwide ABC 

based on the average swept-area 

biomass estimates (2003–2012) from the 

NMFS NWFSC trawl survey. 3 mt is 

deducted from the ACL to accommodate 

the incidental open access fishery (2 

mt), and research catch (1 mt) resulting 

in a fishery HG of 998 mt. 

w/ Pacific cod. The 3,200 mt OFL is 

based on the maximum level of historic 

landings. The ABC of 2,221 mt is a 30.6 

percent reduction from the OFL 

(s=1.44/P*=0.40) as it’s a category 3 

stock. The 1,600 mt ACL is the OFL 

reduced by 50 percent as a 

precautionary adjustment. 509 mt is 

deducted from the ACL to accommodate 

the Tribal fishery (500 mt), research 

catch (7 mt), and the incidental open 

access fishery (2.0 mt), resulting in a 

fishery HG of 1,091 mt. 

x/ Pacific whiting. Pacific whiting are 

assessed annually. The final 

specifications will be determined 

consistent with the U.S.-Canada Pacific 

Whiting Agreement and will be 

announced after the Council’s April 

2015 meeting. 

y/ Sablefish north. A coastwide 

sablefish stock assessment was 

conducted in 2011. The coastwide 

sablefish biomass was estimated to be at 

33 percent of its unfished biomass in 

2011. The coastwide OFL of 7,857 mt is 

projected in the 2011 stock assessment 

using an FMSY proxy of F45%. The ABC 

of 7,173 mt is an 8.7 percent reduction 

from the OFL (s=0.36/P*=0.40). The 40– 

10 adjustment is applied to the ABC to 

derive a coastwide ACL value because 

the stock is in the precautionary zone. 

This coastwide ACL value is not 

specified in regulations. The coastwide 

ACL value is apportioned north and 

south of 36° N. lat., using the 2003–2010 

average estimated swept area biomass 

from the NMFS NWFSC trawl survey, 

with 73.6 percent apportioned north of 

36° N. lat. and 26.4 percent apportioned 

south of 36° N. lat. The northern ACL 

is 4,793 mt and is reduced by 479 mt for 

the tribal allocation (10 percent of the 

ACL north of 36° N. lat.). The 479 mt 

Tribal allocation is reduced by 1.6 

percent to account for discard mortality. 

Detailed sablefish allocations are shown 

in Table 1c. 

z/ Sablefish south. The ACL for the 

area south of 36° N. lat. is 1,719 mt (26.4 

percent of the calculated coastwide ACL 

value). 5 mt is deducted from the ACL 

to accommodate the incidental open 

access fishery (2 mt) and research catch 

(3 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,714 

mt. 

aa/ Shortbelly rockfish. A nonquantitative shortbelly rockfish 

assessment was conducted in 2007. The 

spawning stock biomass of shortbelly 

rockfish was estimated to be 67 percent 

of its unfished biomass in 2005. The 

OFL of 6,950 mt is based on the 

estimated MSY in the 2007 stock 

assessment. The ABC of 5,789 mt is a 

16.7 percent reduction of the OFL 

(s=0.72/P*=0.40) as it’s a category 2 

stock. The 500 mt ACL is set to 

accommodate incidental catch when 

fishing for co-occurring healthy stocks 

and in recognition of the stock’s 

importance as a forage species in the 

California Current ecosystem. 2 mt is 

deducted from the ACL to accommodate 

research catch, resulting in a fishery HG 

of 498 mt. 

bb/ Shortspine thornyhead. A 2013 

coastwide shortspine thornyhead stock 

assessment estimated the stock to be at 

74.2 percent of its unfished biomass in 

2013. A coastwide OFL of 3,203 mt is 

projected in the 2013 stock assessment 

using an F50% FMSY proxy. The 

coastwide ABC of 2,668 mt is a 16.7 

percent reduction from the OFL 

(s=0.72/P*=0.40) as it’s a category 2 

stock. For the portion of the stock that 

is north of 34°27′ N. lat., the ACL is 

1,745 mt. The northern ACL is 65.4 

percent of the coastwide ABC based on 

the average swept-area biomass 

estimates (2003–2012) from the NMFS 

NWFSC trawl survey. 59 mt is deducted 

from the ACL to accommodate the 

Tribal fishery (50 mt), the incidental 

open access fishery (2 mt), and research 

catch (7 mt) resulting in a fishery HG of 

1,686 mt for the area north of 34°27′ N. 

lat. For that portion of the stock south 

of 34°27′ N. lat. the ACL is 923 mt. The 

southern ACL is 35.6 percent of the 

coastwide ABC based on the average 

swept-area biomass estimates (2003– 

2012) from the NMFS NWFSC trawl 

survey. 42 mt is deducted from the ACL 

to accommodate the incidental open 

access fishery (41 mt) and research 

catch (1 mt), resulting in a fishery HG 

of 881 mt for the area south of 34°27′ N. 

lat. 

cc/ Spiny dogfish. A coastwide spiny 

dogfish stock assessment was conducted 

in 2011. The coastwide spiny dogfish 

biomass was estimated to be at 63 

percent of its unfished biomass in 2011. 

The coastwide OFL of 2,523 mt is 

derived from the 2011 assessment using 

an FMSY proxy of F50%. The coastwide 

ABC of 2,101 mt is a 16.7 percent 

reduction from the OFL (s=0.72/ 

P*=0.40) as it’s a category 2 stock. The 

ACL is set equal to the ABC because the 

stock is above its target biomass of B40%. 

338 mt is deducted from the ACL to 

accommodate the Tribal fishery (275 

mt), the incidental open access fishery 

(49.5 mt), EFP catch (1 mt), and research 

catch (12.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG 

of 1,763 mt. 

dd/ Splitnose rockfish. A splitnose 

rockfish coastwide assessment was 

conducted in 2009 that estimated the 

stock to be at 66 percent of its unfished 

biomass in 2009. Splitnose rockfish in 

the north is managed in the Minor Slope 

Rockfish complex and with speciesspecific harvest specifications south of 

40°10′ N. lat. The coastwide OFL is 

projected in the 2009 assessment using 

an FMSY proxy of F50%. The coastwide 

OFL is apportioned north and south of 

40°10′ N. lat. based on the average 

1916–2008 assessed area catch resulting 

in 64.2 percent of the coastwide OFL 

apportioned south of 40°10′ N. lat., and 

35.8 percent apportioned for the 

contribution of splitnose rockfish to the 

northern Minor Slope Rockfish 

complex. The southern OFL of 1,794 mt 

results from the apportionment 

described above. The southern ABC of 

1,715 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from 

the southern OFL (s=0.36/P*=0.45) as 

it’s a category 1 stock. The ACL is set 

equal to the ABC because the stock is 

estimated to be above its target biomass 

of B40%. 10.5 mt is deducted from the 

ACL to accommodate research catch (9 

mt) and EFP catch (1.5 mt), resulting in 

a fishery HG of 1,705 mt. 

ee/ Starry Flounder. The stock was 

assessed in 2005 and was estimated to 

be above 40 percent of its unfished 

biomass in 2005 (44 percent in 

Washington and Oregon, and 62 percent 

in California). The coastwide OFL of 

1,841 mt is derived from the 2005 

assessment using an FMSY proxy of F30%. 

The ABC of 1,534 mt is a 16.7 percent 

reduction from the OFL (s=0.72/ 

P*=0.40) as it’s a category 2 stock. The 


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ACL is set equal to the ABC because the 

stock is estimated to be above its target 

biomass of B25%. 10.3 mt is deducted 

from the ACL to accommodate the 

Tribal fishery (2 mt), and the incidental 

open access fishery (8.3 mt), resulting in 

a fishery HG of 1,524 mt. 

ff/ Widow rockfish. The widow 

rockfish stock was assessed in 2011 and 

was estimated to be at 51.1 percent of 

its unfished biomass in 2011. The OFL 

of 4,137 mt is projected in the 2011 

stock assessment using an F50% FMSY

proxy. The ABC of 3,929 mt is a 5 

percent reduction from the OFL 

(s=0.41/P*=0.45). A unique sigma of 

0.41 was calculated for widow rockfish 

since the variance in estimated biomass 

was greater than the 0.36 used as a 

proxy for other category 1 stocks. The 

ACL could be set equal to the ABC 

because the stock is above its target 

biomass of B40%. However, the ACL of 

2,000 mt is less than the ABC due to 

high uncertainty in estimated biomass, 

yet this level of allowable harvest will 

allow access to healthy co-occurring 

species, such as yellowtail rockfish. 

120.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to 

accommodate the Tribal fishery (100 

mt), the incidental open access fishery 

(3.3 mt), EFP catch (9 mt), and research 

catch (7.9 mt), resulting in a fishery HG 

of 1,880 mt. 

gg/ Yellowtail rockfish. A 2013 

yellowtail rockfish stock assessment 

was conducted for the portion of the 

population north of 40°10′ N. lat. The 

estimated stock depletion is 69 percent 

of its unfished biomass in 2013. The 

OFL of 7,218 mt is projected in the 2013 

stock assessment using an FMSY proxy of 

F50%. The ABC of 6,590 mt is an 8.7 

percent reduction from the OFL 

(s=0.72/P*=0.45) as it is a category 2 

stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC 

because the stock is above its target 

biomass of B40%. 1,029.6 mt is deducted 

from the ACL to accommodate the 

Tribal fishery (1,000 mt), the incidental 

open access fishery (3 mt), EFP catch 

(10 mt), and research catch (16.6 mt), 

resulting in a fishery HG of 5,560 mt. 

hh/ Minor Nearshore Rockfish north. 

The OFL for Minor Nearshore Rockfish 

north of 40°10′ N. lat. of 88 mt is the 

sum of the OFL contributions for the 

component species managed in the 

complex. The ABCs for the minor 

rockfish complexes are based on a sigma 

value of 0.72 for category 2 stocks (i.e., 

blue rockfish in California, brown 

rockfish, China rockfish, and copper 

rockfish) and a sigma value of 1.44 for 

category 3 stocks (all others) with a P* 

of 0.45. The resulting ABC of 77 mt is 

the summed contribution of the ABCs 

for the component species. The ACL of 

69 mt is the sum of contributing ABCs 

of healthy assessed stocks and 

unassessed stocks plus the ACL 

contributions for blue rockfish in 

California and China rockfish where the 

40–10 adjustment was applied to the 

ABC contributions for these two stocks, 

because those stocks are in the 

precautionary zone. No deductions are 

made to the ACL, thus the fishery HG 

is equal to the ACL, which is 69 mt. 

Between 40°10′ N. lat. and 42° N. lat. the 

Minor Nearshore Rockfish complex 

north has a harvest guideline of 23.7 mt. 

Blue rockfish south of 42° N. lat. has a 

species-specific HG, described in 

footnote kk/. 

ii/ Minor Shelf Rockfish north. The 

OFL for Minor Shelf Rockfish north of 

40°10′ N. lat. of 2,209 mt is the sum of 

the OFL contributions for the 

component species within the complex. 

The ABCs for the minor rockfish 

complexes are based on a sigma value 

of 0.72 for category 2 stocks (i.e., 

greenspotted rockfish between 40°10′ 

and 42° N. lat. and greenstriped 

rockfish) and a sigma value of 1.44 for 

category 3 stocks (all others) with a P* 

of 0.45. The resulting ABC of 1,944 mt 

is the summed contribution of the ABCs 

for the component species. The ACL of 

1,944 mt is the sum of contributing 

ABCs of healthy assessed stocks and 

unassessed stocks, plus the ACL 

contribution of greenspotted rockfish in 

California where the 40–10 adjustment 

was applied to the ABC contribution 

because the stock is in the precautionary 

zone (the ACL is slightly less than the 

ABC but rounds to the ABC value). 72 

mt is deducted from the ACL to 

accommodate the Tribal fishery (30 mt), 

the incidental open access fishery (26 

mt), EFP catch (3 mt), and research 

catch (13.4 mt), resulting in a fishery HG 

of 1,872 mt. 

jj/ Minor Slope Rockfish north. The 

OFL for Minor Slope Rockfish north of 

40°10′ N. lat. of 1,831 mt is the sum of 

the OFL contributions for the 

component species within the complex. 

The ABCs for the Minor Slope Rockfish 

complexes are based on a sigma value 

of 0.39 for aurora rockfish, a sigma value 

of 0.36 for other category 1 stocks (i.e., 

splitnose rockfish), a sigma value of 0.72 

for category 2 stocks (i.e., rougheye 

rockfish, blackspotted rockfish and 

sharpchin rockfish), and a sigma value 

of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others) 

with a P* of 0.45. A unique sigma of 

0.39 was calculated for aurora rockfish 

since the variance in estimated 

spawning biomass was greater than the 

0.36 used as a proxy for other category 

1 stocks. The resulting ABC of 1,693 mt 

is the summed contribution of the ABCs 

for the component species. The ACL is 

set equal to the ABC because all the 

assessed component stocks are above 

the target biomass of B40%. 64 mt is 

deducted from the ACL to accommodate 

the Tribal fishery (36 mt), the incidental 

open access fishery (19 mt), EFP catch 

(1 mt), and research catch (8.1 mt), 

resulting in a fishery HG of 1,629 mt. 

kk/ Minor Nearshore Rockfish south. 

The OFL for the Minor Nearshore 

Rockfish complex south of 40°10′ N. lat. 

of 1,313 mt is the sum of the OFL 

contributions for the component species 

within the complex. The ABC for the 

southern Minor Nearshore Rockfish 

complex is based on a sigma value of 

0.36 for category 1 stocks (i.e., gopher 

rockfish north of 34°27′ N. lat.), a sigma 

value of 0.72 for category 2 stocks (i.e., 

blue rockfish north of 34°27′ N. lat., 

brown rockfish, China rockfish, and 

copper rockfish), and a sigma value of 

1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others) 

with a P* of 0.45. The resulting ABC of 

1,169 mt is the summed contribution of 

the ABCs for the component species. 

The ACL of 1,114 mt is the sum of 

contributing ABCs of healthy assessed 

stocks and unassessed stocks, plus the 

ACL contribution for blue rockfish north 

of 34°27′ N. lat. where the 40–10 

adjustment was applied to the ABC 

contribution for this stock because it is 

in the precautionary zone. 4 mt is 

deducted from the ACL to accommodate 

the incidental open access fishery (1.4 

mt) and research catch (2.6 mt), 

resulting in a fishery HG of 1,110 mt. 

Blue rockfish south of 42° N. lat. has a 

species-specific HG set equal to the 40– 

10-adjusted ACL for the portion of the 

stock north of 34°27′ N lat. (133.6 mt) 

plus the ABC contribution for the 

unassessed portion of the stock south of 

34°27′ N lat. (60.8 mt). The California 

(i.e., south of 42° N. lat.) blue rockfish 

HG is 194.4 mt. 

ll/ Minor Shelf Rockfish south. The 

OFL for the Minor Shelf Rockfish 

complex south of 40°10′ N. lat. of 1,918 

mt is the sum of the OFL contributions 

for the component species within the 

complex. The ABCs for the southern 

Minor Shelf Rockfish complex is based 

on a sigma value of 0.72 for category 2 

stocks (i.e., greenspotted and 

greenstriped rockfish) and a sigma value 

of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others) 

with a P* of 0.45. The resulting ABC of 

1,625 mt is the summed contribution of 

the ABCs for the component species. 

The ACL of 1,624 mt is the sum of 

contributing ABCs of healthy assessed 

stocks and unassessed stocks, plus the 

ACL contribution of greenspotted 

rockfish in California where the 40–10 

adjustment was applied to the ABC 

contribution for this stock because it is 

in the precautionary zone. 49 mt is 

deducted from the ACL to accommodate 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS3
718 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules 

the incidental open access fishery (9 

mt), EFP catch (30 mt), and research 

catch (9.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG 

of 1,575 mt. 

mm/ Minor Slope Rockfish south. 

The OFL for the Minor Slope Rockfish 

complex south of 40°10′ N. lat. of 813 

mt is the sum of the OFL contributions 

for the component species within the 

complex. The ABC for the southern 

Minor Slope Rockfish complex is based 

on a sigma value of 0.39 for aurora 

rockfish, a sigma value of 0.72 for 

category 2 stocks (i.e., blackgill rockfish, 

rougheye rockfish, blackspotted 

rockfish, and sharpchin rockfish), and a 

sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks 

(all others) with a P* of 0.45. A unique 

sigma of 0.39 was calculated for aurora 

rockfish since the variance in estimated 

biomass was greater than the 0.36 used 

as a proxy for other category 1 stocks. 

The resulting ABC of 705 mt is the 

summed contribution of the ABCs for 

the component species. The ACL of 693 

mt is the sum of contributing ABCs of 

healthy assessed stocks and unassessed 

stocks, plus the ACL contribution of 

blackgill rockfish where the 40–10 

adjustment was applied to the ABC 

contribution for this stock because it is 

in the precautionary zone. 20 mt is 

deducted from the ACL to accommodate 

the incidental open access fishery (17 

mt), EFP catch (1 mt), and research 

catch (2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG 

of 673 mt. Blackgill rockfish has a 

species-specific HG set equal to the 

species’ contribution to 40–10-adjusted 

ACL. The blackgill rockfish HG is 114 

mt. 

nn/ Other Flatfish. The Other Flatfish 

complex is comprised of flatfish species 

managed in the PCGFMP that are not 

managed with species-specific OFLs/ 

ABCs/ACLs. Most of the species in the 

Other Flatfish complex are unassessed 

and include butter sole, curlfin sole, 

flathead sole, Pacific sanddab (assessed 

in 2013 but the assessment results were 

too uncertain to inform harvest 

specifications), rock sole, sand sole, and 

rex sole (assessed in 2013). The Other 

Flatfish OFL of 11,453 mt is based on 

the sum of the OFL contributions of the 

component stocks. The ABC of 8,749 mt 

is based on a sigma value of 0.72 for 

category 2 stocks (i.e., rex sole) and a 

sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks 

(all others) with a P* of 0.40. The ACL 

is set equal to the ABC since all of the 

assessed stocks (i.e., Pacific sanddabs 

and rex sole) were above their target 

biomass of B25%. 204 mt is deducted 

from the ACL to accommodate the 

Tribal fishery (60 mt), the incidental 

open access fishery (125 mt), and 

research catch (19 mt), resulting in a 

fishery HG of 8,545 mt. 

oo/ Other Fish. The Other Fish 

complex is comprised of kelp greenling 

coastwide, cabezon off Washington, and 

leopard shark coastwide. These species 

are unassessed. The OFL of 291 mt is 

the sum of the OFL contributions for 

kelp greenling off California (the SSC 

has not approved methods for 

calculating the OFL contributions for 

kelp greenling off Oregon and 

Washington), cabezon off Washington, 

and leopard shark coastwide. The ABC 

of 242 mt is the sum of ABC 

contributions for kelp greenling off 

California, cabezon off Washington and 

leopard shark coastwide calculated by 

applying a P* of 0.45 and a sigma of 

1.44 to the OFL contributions for those 

stocks. The ACL is set equal to the ABC. 

There are no deductions from the ACL 

so the fishery HG is equal to the ACL 

of 242 mt. 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–P 


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tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS3EP06JA15.002</GPH>

Table lb to Part 660, Subpart C- 2015, Allocations by Species or Species Group. (Weight in 

Metric Tons) 

Fishery HG Trawl Non-trawl 

Species Area or ACT % Mt % Mt 

BOCACCIO a/ s of 40'10' N. lat. 340.7 N/A 81.9 N/A 258.8 

CANARY ROCKFISH a/ b/ Coast wide 106.8 N/A 56.9 N/A 49.9 

COW COD a/ c/ s of 40'10' N. lat. 4.0 N/A 1.4 N/A 2.6 

DARKBLOTCHED ROCKFISH d/ Coast wide 317.2 95% 301.3 5% 15.9 

PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH e/ N of 40'10' N. lat. 143.0 95% 135.9 5'' 7.2 

PETRALE SOLE a/ Coast wide 2,579.4 N/A 2,544.4 N/A 35.0 

YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH a/ Coast wide 12.2 N/A 1.0 N/A 11.2 

Arrowtooth flounder Coast wide 3,410 95% 3,239 5% 170 

Chilipepper s of 40'10' N. lat. 1,604 75% 1, 203 25% 401 

Dover sole Coast wide 48,406 95% 45,986 5% 2,420 

English sole Coast wide 9,640 95% 9,158 5% 482 

Lingcod N of 40'10' N. lat. 2,552 45% 1,148 SS% 1,404 

Lingcod s of 40'10' N. lat. 995 45% 448 55% 547 

Longnose skate a/ Coast wide 1,927 90% 1,734 lO% 193 

Longspine thornyhead N of 34'27' N. lat. 3,124 95% 2,967 5% 156 

Pacific cod Coast wide 1,091 95% 1,036 5% 55 

Pacific whiting Coast wide TBD 100% TBD 0% TED 

Sablefish N of 36' N. lat. 0 See Table 1 c 

Sablefish s of 36° N. lat. 1,714 42% 720 58% 994 

Shcrtspinf' thornyhf'ad N of 34'27' N. lat. 1,686 95% 1,601 5% 84 

Short spine thorny head s of 34'27' N. lat. 881 NA 50 NA 831 

Splitnose s of 40'10' N. lat. 1,705 95% 1,619 5% 85 

Starry flounder Coast wide 1,524 50% 762 50% 762 

Widow rockfish f/ Coast wide 1,880 91% 1, 711 9% 169 

Yellowtai: rockfish N of 40'10' N. lat. 5,560 88% 4' 893 12% 667 

Minor She~f Rockfish complex a/ N of 40°10' N. lat. 1,872 60.2% 1,127 39.8%- 745 

~linor Shelf Rockfish complex a/ s of 40'10' N. lat. 1,575 12.2% 192 87.8%- 1,383 

Minor Slope Rockfish complex N of 40'10' N. lat. 1,629 81% 1, 319 19% 309 

Minor Slope Rockfish complex s of 40'10' N. lat. 673 63% 424 37% 249 

Other Flatfish complex Coast wide 8,545 90% 7,691 10% 855 

a/ Allocations decided through the biennial specification process. 

b/ 13.7 mt of the total trawl allocation of canary rockfish is allocated to the at-sea whiting 

fisheries, as follows: 5.7 mt tor the mothership fishery, and 8.0 mt for the catcher/processor 

fishery. 

c/ The cowcod fishery harvest guideline is further reduced to an ACT of 4.0 mt. 

d/ Consistent with regulations at §660.~~(c), 9 percent (27.1 mt) of the total trawl allocation 

for darkblotched rockfish is allocated to the whiting fisheries, as follows: 11.4 mt for the 

shorebased IFQ fishery, 6.5 mt for the mothership fishery, and 9.2 mt for the 

catcher/processor fishery. The tonnage calculated here for the whiting portion of the 

shorebased IFQ fishery contributes to the total shorebased trawl allocation, which is tound at 

660.140(d) (1) (ii) (D). 

e/ Consistent with regulations at §660.55(c), 30 mt of the total trawl allocation for POP is 

allocated to the whiting fisheries, as follows: 12.6 mt for Lhe shorebased IFQ fishery, 7.2 mt 

for the mothership fishery, and 10.2 mt for the catcher/processor fishery. The tonnage 

calculated here for the whiting portion of the shorebased IFQ fishery contributes to the total 

shorebased trawl allocation, which is found at 660.140 (d) (1) (ii) (D). 

f/ Consistent with regulations at §660.~S(c), ~00 mt of the LOtal trawl allocation for widow 

rockfish is allocated to the whiting fisheries, as follows: 210 mt for the shorebased IFQ 

fishery, 120 mt for the mothership fishery, and 170 mt for the catcher/processor fishery. The 

tonnage calculated here for the whiting portion of the shorebased lFQ fishery contributes to 

the total shorebased trawl allocation, which is found at 660.140 (d) (l) (ii) (D). 

EP06JA15.003</GPH>tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS3

Table lc. to Part 660, Subpart C- Sablefish North of36° N.lat. Allocations, 2015 

Set-asides Limited Ent

Recreational Commercial 

Year ACL Tribal a/ Research Estimate EFP HG % 

2015 4,793 479 26 6.1 1 4,281 90.6% 3

Limited Entry Trawl c/ Limited Entry F

Year LE All ALL Trawl At-sea Whiting Shorebased IFQ ALL FG Primary 

2015 3,878 2,249 50 2,199 1,629 1,385 

a/ The tribal allocation is further reduced by 1.6% for discard mortality resulting in 471.6 mt in 2

b/ The open access HG is taken by the incidental OA fishery and the directed OA fishery. 

c/ The trawl allocation is 58% of the limited entry HG. 

d/ The limited entry fixed gear allocation is 42% of the limited entry HG. 
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules 721 

* * * * * 

■ 10. Tables 2a through 2d, Subpart C, 

are revised to read as follows: 

■ 10. Tables 2a through 2d, Subpart C, 

are revised to read as follows: 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS3EP06JA15.050</GPH>

Table ld. to Part 660, Subpart C-At-Sea Whiting Fishery Annual Set-Asides, 2015 

Set Aside 

Species or Species Complex Area (mt) 

BOCACCIO Is. of 40°10 N. lat. NA 

CANARY ROCKFISH a/ Coast wide Allocation 

COW COD s. of 40°10 N. lat. NA 

DARKBLOTCHED ROCKFISH a/ Coast wide Allocation 

PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH a/ N. of 40°10 N. lat. Allocation 

PETRALE SOLE Coastwide 5 

YELLOWEYE Coast wide 0 

Arrowtooth Flounder Coast wide 45 

Chili pepper s. of 40°10 N. lat. NA 

Dover Sole Coast wide 5 

English Sole Coast wide 5 

Lingcod N. of 40°10 N. lat. 15 

Lingcod s. of 40°10 N. lat. NA 

Longnose Skate Coastwide 5 

Long spine Thornyhead N. of 34°27 N. lat. 5 

Long spine Thornyhead s. of 34°27 N. lat. NA 

Minor Nearshore Rockfish N. of 40°10 N. lat. NA 

Minor Nearshore Rockfish s. of 40°10 N. lat. NA 

Minor Shelf Rockfish N. of 40°10 N. lat. 35 

Minor Shelf Rockfish s. of 40°10 N. lat. NA 

Minor Slope Rockfish N. of 40°10 N. lat. 100 

Minor Slope Rockfish s. of 40°10 N. lat. NA 

Other Fish Coast wide NA 

Other Flatfish Coast wide 20 

Pacific Cod Coastwide 5 

Pacific Halibut b/ Coast wide 10 

Pacific Whiting Coast wide Allocation 

Sable fish N. of 36° N. lat. 50 

Sable fish s. of 36° N. lat. NA 

Short spine Thornyhead N. of 34°27 N. lat. 20 

Short spine Thornyhead Is. of 34°27 N. lat. NA 

Starry Flounder Coast wide 5 

Widow Rockfish a/ Coast wide Allocation 

Yellowtail N. of 40°10 N. lat. 300 

a/ See Table 1.b., to Subpart C, for the at-sea whiting allocations for 

these species. 

b/ As stated in §660.55 (m), the Pacific halibut set-aside is 10 mt, to 

accommodate bycatch in the at sea Pacific whiting fisheries and in the 

shorebased trawl sector south of 40°10 N. lat. (estimated to 5 mt each). 
722 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS3ep06ja15.054</GPH>

Table 2a. to Part 660, Subpart C- 2016, and Beyond, Specifications of OFL, ABC, ACL, ACT 

and Fishery harvest guidelines (weights in metric tons). 

Fishery 

OFL ABC ACLa/ HGb/ 

BOCACCIO S. of 40°10' N. lat. c/ 1,351 1,291 362 354 

CANARY ROCKFISH d/ 729 697 125 110 

COWCOD S. of40°10' N. lat. e/ 68 62 10 8 

DARKBLOTCHED ROCKFISH f/ 580 554 346 325 

PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH f!) 850 813 164 149 

PETRALE SOLE h/ 3,044 2,910 2910 2,673 

YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH il 52 43 19 13 

Arrowtooth flounder j/ 6,396 5,328 5,328 3,241 

Black rockfish (OR-CA) k/ 1,183 1,131 1,000 999 

Black rockfish (WA) v 423 404 404 390 

Cabezon (CA) m/ 158 151 151 151 

Cabezon (OR) nl 49 47 47 47 

California scorpionfish o/ 117 Ill 111 109 

Chilipepper S. of 40°1 0' N. lat. p/ 1,694 1,619 1,619 1,595 

Dover sole q/ 59,221 56,615 50,000 48,406 

English sole r/ 7,890 7,204 7,204 6,991 

Lingcod N. of 40°1 0' N. lat. s/ 2,891 2,719 2,719 2,441 

Lingcod S. of 40°1 0' N. lat. tl 1,136 946 946 937 

Longnose skate ul 2,405 2,299 2,000 1,927 

Longs pine thorny head ( coastwide) v/ 4,763 3,968 NA NA 

Longspine thornyhead N. of34°27' N. lat. NA NA 3,015 2,969 

Longspine thornyhead S. of 34°27' N. lat. NA NA 952 949 

Pacific Cud w/ 3,200 2,221 1,600 1,091 

Pacific whiting xl x/ xl xl x/ 

SabletJSh ( coastwide) 8,526 7,784 NA NA 

See Table 

SabletJSh N. of 36° N. lat. y/ NA NA 5,241 2c 

SabletJSh S. of 36° N. lat. zl NA NA 1,880 1,875 

Shortbelly a a/ 6,950 5,789 500 498 

Shorts pine thorny head ( coastwide) bb/ 3,169 2,640 NA NA 

Shortspine thornyhead N. of34°27' N. lat. NA NA 1,726 1,667 

Shortspine thornyhead S. of 34°27' N. lat. NA NA 913 871 

Spiny dogfish eel 2,503 2,085 2,085 1,747 

Splitnose S. of 40° I 0' N. lat. dd/ 1,826 1,746 1,746 1 736 

Starry flounder ee/ 1,847 1,539 1,539 

Widow rocktJSh ff/ 3,990 3,790 2,000 

Yellowtail N. of 40° 10' N. lat. gg/ 6,949 6,344 6,344 5,314 

Minor Nearshore Rockfish N. of 40°10' N. lat. hh/ 88 77 69 69 

Minor Shelf Rockfish N. of 40°1 0' N. lat. iii 2,218 1,953 1,952 1,880 

Minor Slope RocktJSh N. of 40°10' N. lat. jj/ 1,844 1,706 1,706 1,642 

Minor Nearshore Rockfish S. of 40°10' N. lat. kk/ 1,288 1,148 1,006 1,002 

Minor Shelf Rockfish S. of 40°10' N. lat. ll/ 1,919 1,626 1,625 1,576 

Minor Slope Rockfish S. of 40°10' N. lat. mm/ 814 705 695 675 

Other Flatfish nn/ 9,645 7,243 7,243 7,039 

Other Fish oo/ 291 243 243 243 
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules 723 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–P 

aAnnual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch 

targets (ACTs) and harvest guidelines (HGs) 

are specified as total catch values. bFishery harvest guidelines means the 

harvest guideline or quota after subtracting 

Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribes allocations 

and projected catch, projected research catch, 

deductions for fishing mortality in nongroundfish fisheries, and deductions for EFPs 

from the ACL or ACT. cBocaccio. A bocaccio stock assessment 

update was conducted in 2013 for the 

bocaccio stock between the U.S.-Mexico 

border and Cape Blanco. The stock is 

managed with stock-specific harvest 

specifications south of 40°10′ N. lat. and 

within the Minor Shelf Rockfish complex 

north of 40°10′ N. lat. A historical catch 

distribution of approximately 6 percent was 

used to apportion the assessed stock to the 

area north of 40°10′ N. lat. The bocaccio 

stock was estimated to be at 31.4 percent of 

its unfished biomass in 2013. The OFL of 

1,351 mt is projected in the 2013 stock 

assessment using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The 

ABC of 1,291 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction 

from the OFL (s=0.36/P*=0.45) as it’s a 

category 1 stock. The 362 mt ACL is based 

on the current rebuilding plan with a target 

year to rebuild of 2022 and an SPR harvest 

rate of 77.7 percent. 8.3 mt is deducted from 

the ACL to accommodate the incidental open 

access fishery (0.7 mt), EFP catch (3.0 mt) 

and research catch (4.6 mt), resulting in a 

fishery HG of 353.7 mt. The California 

recreational fishery has an HG of 185.6 mt. dCanary rockfish. A canary rockfish stock 

assessment update was conducted in 2011 

and the stock was estimated to be at 23.2 

percent of its unfished biomass coastwide in 

2011. The coastwide OFL of 729 mt is 

projected in the 2011 rebuilding analysis 

using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The ABC of 697 

mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL 

(s=0.36/P*=0.45) as it’s a category 1 stock. 

The ACL of 125 mt is based on the current 

rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild 

of 2030 and an SPR harvest rate of 88.7 

percent. 15.2 mt is deducted from the ACL 

to accommodate the Tribal fishery (7.7 mt), 

the incidental open access fishery (2 mt), EFP 

catch (1.0 mt) and research catch (4.5 mt) 

resulting in a fishery HG of 109.8 mt. 

Recreational HGs are: 3.5 mt (Washington); 

12.0 mt (Oregon); and 25.0 mt (California). eCowcod. A stock assessment for the 

Conception Area was conducted in 2013 and 

the stock was estimated to be 33.9 percent of 

its unfished biomass in 2013. The 

Conception Area OFL of 56.4 mt is projected 

in the 2013 rebuilding analysis using an FMSY

proxy of F50%. The OFL of 12.0 mt for the 

unassessed portion of the stock in the 

Monterey area is based on depletion-based 

stock reduction analysis. The OFLs for the 

Monterey and Conception areas were 

summed to derive the south of 40°10′ N. lat. 

OFL of 68.4 mt. The ABC for the area south 

of 40°10′ N. lat. is 61.5 mt. The assessed 

portion of the stock in the Conception Area 

is considered category 2, with a Conception 

Area contribution to the ABC of 51.5 mt, 

which is an 8.7 percent reduction from the 

Conception area OFL (s=0.72/P*=0.45). The 

unassessed portion of the stock in the 

Monterey area is considered a category 3 

stock, with a contribution to the ABC of 10.0 

mt, which is a 17 percent reduction from the 

Monterey area OFL (s=1.44/P*=0.45). A 

single ACL of 10.0 mt is being set for both 

areas combined. The ACL of 10.0 mt is based 

on the rebuilding plan with a target year to 

rebuild of 2020 and an SPR harvest rate of 

82.7 percent, which is equivalent to an 

exploitation rate (catch over age 11+ biomass) 

of 0.007. 2.0 mt is deducted from the ACL to 

accommodate EFP fishing (less than 0.02 mt) 

and research activity (2.0 mt), resulting in a 

fishery HG of 8.0 mt. Any additional 

mortality in research activities will be 

deducted from the ACL. A single ACT of 4.0 

mt is being set for both areas combined. f Darkblotched rockfish. A 2013 stock 

assessment estimated the stock to be at 36 

percent of its unfished biomass in 2013. The 

OFL of 580 mt is projected in the 2013 stock 

assessment using an FMSY proxy of F50%.The 

ABC of 554 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction 

from the OFL (s=0.36/P*=0.45) as it’s a 

category 1 stock. The ACL of 346 mt is based 

on the current rebuilding plan with a target 

year to rebuild of 2025 and an SPR harvest 

rate of 64.9 percent. 20.8 mt is deducted from 

the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery 

(0.2 mt), the incidental open access fishery 

(18.4 mt), EFP catch (0.1 mt) and research 

catch (2.1 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 

325.2 mt. gPacific Ocean Perch. A POP stock 

assessment was conducted in 2011 and the 

stock was estimated to be at 19.1 percent of 

its unfished biomass in 2011. The OFL of 850 

mt for the area north of 40°10′ N. lat. is 

projected in the 2011 rebuilding analysis 

using an F50% FMSY proxy. The ABC of 850 

mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL 

(s=0.36/P*=0.45) as it’s a category 1 stock. 

The ACL of 164 mt is based on the current 

rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild 

of 2051 and an SPR harvest rate of 86.4 

percent. 15 mt is deducted from the ACL to 

accommodate the Tribal fishery (9.2 mt), the 

incidental open access fishery (0.6 mt), and 

research catch (5.2 mt), resulting in a fishery 

HG of 149.0 mt. h Petrale sole. A 2013 stock assessment 

estimated the stock to be at 22.3 percent of 

its unfished biomass in 2013. The OFL of 

3,044 mt is projected in the 2013 assessment 

using an F30% FMSY proxy. The ABC of 2,910 

mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL 

(s=0.36/P*=0.45) as it’s a category 1 stock. 

The ACL is based on the 25–5 harvest control 

rule specified in the current rebuilding plan; 

since the stock is projected to be rebuilt at 

the start of 2014, the ACL is set equal to the 

ABC. 236.6 mt is deducted from the ACL to 

accommodate the Tribal fishery (220 mt), the 

incidental open access fishery (2.4 mt), and 

research catch (14.2 mt), resulting in a fishery 

HG of 2,673.4 mt. i Yelloweye rockfish. A stock assessment 

update was conducted in 2011. The stock 

was estimated to be at 21.4 percent of its 

unfished biomass in 2011. The 52 mt 

coastwide OFL was projected in the 2011 

rebuilding analysis using an FMSY proxy of 

F50%. The ABC of 43 mt is a 16.77 percent 

reduction from the OFL (s=0.72/P*=0.40) as 

it’s a category 2 stock. The 19 mt ACL is 

based on the current rebuilding plan with a 

target year to rebuild of 2074 and an SPR 

harvest rate of 76.0 percent. 5.8 mt is 

deducted from the ACL to accommodate the 

Tribal fishery (2.3 mt), the incidental open 

access fishery (0.2 mt), EFP catch (0.03 mt) 

and research catch (3.3 mt) resulting in a 

fishery HG of 13.2 mt. Recreational HGs are 

being established: 3.1 mt (Washington); 2.8 

mt (Oregon); and 3.7 mt (California). 

jArrowtooth flounder. The arrowtooth 

flounder stock was last assessed in 2007 and 

was estimated to be at 79 percent of its 

unfished biomass in 2007. The OFL of 6,396 

mt is derived from the 2007 assessment using 

an F30% FMSY proxy. The ABC of 5,328 mt is 

a 16.7 percent reduction from the OFL 

(s=0.72/P*=0.40) as it’s a category 2 stock. 

The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the 

stock is above its target biomass of B25%. 

2,087 mt is deducted from the ACL to 

accommodate the Tribal fishery (2,041 mt), 

the incidental open access fishery (30 mt), 

and research catch (16.4 mt), resulting in a 

fishery HG of 3,241 mt. kBlack rockfish south (Oregon and 

California). A stock assessment was 

conducted for black rockfish south of 45°46′ 

N. lat. (Cape Falcon, Oregon) to Central 

California (i.e., the southern-most extent of 

black rockfish, Love et al. 2002) in 2007. The 

biomass in the south was estimated to be at 

70 percent of its unfished biomass in 2007. 

The OFL from the assessed area is derived 

from the 2007 assessment using an FMSY

harvest rate proxy of F50% plus 3 percent of 

the OFL from the stock assessment 

conducted for black rockfish north of 45°46′ 

N. lat., to cover the portion of the stock 

occurring off Oregon north of Cape Falcon 

(the 3% adjustment is based on historical 

catch distribution). The resulting OFL for the 

area south of 46°16′ N. lat. is 1,183 mt. The 

ABC of 1,131 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction 

from the OFL (s=0.36/P*=0.45) as it’s a 

category 1 stock. The 2016 ACL is 1,000 mt, 

which maintains the constant catch strategy 

designed to keep the stock above its target 

biomass of B40%. 1 mt is deducted from the 

ACL to accommodate EFP catch, resulting in 

a fishery HG of 999 mt. The black rockfish 

ACL, in the area south of 46°16′ N. lat. 

(Columbia River), is subdivided with 

separate HGs for waters off Oregon (579 mt/ 

58 percent) and for waters off California (420 

mt/42 percent). lBlack rockfish north (Washington). A 

stock assessment was conducted for black 

rockfish north of 45°46′ N. lat. (Cape Falcon, 

Oregon) in 2007. The biomass in the north 

was estimated to be at 53 percent of its 

unfished biomass in 2007. The OFL from the 

assessed area is derived from the 2007 

assessment using an FMSY harvest rate proxy 

of F50%. The resulting OFL for the area north 

of 46°16′ N. lat. is 423 mt and is 97 percent 

of the OFL from the assessed area based on 

the area distribution of historical catch. The 

ABC of 404 mt for the north is a 4.4 percent 

reduction from the OFL (s=0.36/P*=0.45) as 

it’s a category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal 

to the ABC since the stock is above its target 

biomass of B40%. 14 mt is deducted from the 

ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery, 

resulting in a fishery HG of 390 mt. m Cabezon (California). A cabezon stock 

assessment was conducted in 2009. The 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS3
724 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules 

cabezon spawning biomass in waters off 

California was estimated to be at 48.3 percent 

of its unfished biomass in 2009. The OFL of 

158 mt is calculated using an FMSY proxy of 

F45%. The ABC of 151 mt is based on a 4.4 

percent reduction from the OFL (s=0.36/

P*=0.45) as it’s a category 1 stock. The ACL 

is set equal to the ABC because the stock is 

above its target biomass of B40%. There are no 

deductions from the ACL so the fishery HG 

is equal to the ACL of 151 mt. nCabezon (Oregon). A cabezon stock 

assessment was conducted in 2009. The 

cabezon spawning biomass in waters off 

Oregon was estimated to be at 52 percent of 

its unfished biomass in 2009. The OFL of 49 

mt is calculated using an FMSY proxy of F45%. 

The ABC of 47 mt is based on a 4.4 percent 

reduction from the OFL (s=0.36/P*=0.45) as 

it’s a category 1 species. The ACL is set equal 

to the ABC because the stock is above its 

target biomass of B40%. There are no 

deductions from the ACL so the fishery HG 

is also equal to the ACL of 47 mt. oCalifornia scorpionfish was assessed in 

2005 and was estimated to be at 79.8 percent 

of its unfished biomass in 2005. The OFL of 

117 mt is projected in the 2005 assessment 

using an FMSY harvest rate proxy of F50%. The 

ABC of 111 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction 

from the OFL (s=0.36/P*=0.45) as it’s a 

category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the 

ABC because the stock is above its target 

biomass of B40%. 2 mt is deducted from the 

ACL to accommodate the incidental open 

access fishery, resulting in a fishery HG of 

109 mt. pChilipepper. The coastwide chilipepper 

stock was assessed in 2007 and estimated to 

be at 70 percent of its unfished biomass in 

2006. Chilipepper are managed with stockspecific harvest specifications south of 40°10′ 

N. lat. and within the Minor Shelf Rockfish 

complex north of 40°10′ N. lat. Projected 

OFLs are stratified north and south of 40°10′ 

N. lat. based on the average 1998–2008 

assessed area catch, which is 93 percent for 

the area south of 40°10′ N. lat. and 7 percent 

for the area north of 40°10′ N. lat. The OFL 

of 1,694 mt for the area south of 40°10′ N. 

lat. is projected in the 2007 assessment using 

an FMSY proxy of F50%. The ABC of 1,619 mt 

is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL 

(s=0.36/P*=0.45) as it’s a category 1 stock. 

The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the 

stock is above its target biomass of B40%. 24 

mt is deducted from the ACL to 

accommodate the incidental open access 

fishery (5 mt), EFP fishing (10 mt), and 

research catch (9 mt), resulting in a fishery 

HG of 1,595 mt. q Dover sole. A 2011 Dover sole assessment 

estimated the stock to be at 83.7 percent of 

its unfished biomass in 2011. The OFL of 

59,221 mt is projected in the 2011 stock 

assessment using an FMSY proxy of F30%. The 

ABC of 56,615 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction 

from the OFL (s=0.36/P*=0.45) as it’s a 

category 1 stock. The ACL could be set equal 

to the ABC because the stock is above its 

target biomass of B25%. However, the ACL of 

50,000 mt is set at a level below the ABC and 

higher than the maximum historical landed 

catch. 1,594 mt is deducted from the ACL to 

accommodate the Tribal fishery (1,497 mt), 

the incidental open access fishery (55 mt), 

and research catch (41.9 mt), resulting in a 

fishery HG of 48,406 mt. rEnglish sole. A 2013 stock assessment was 

conducted, which estimated the stock to be 

at 88 percent of its unfished biomass in 2013. 

The OFL of 7890 mt is projected in the 2013 

assessment using an FMSY proxy of F30%. The 

ABC of 7,204 mt is an 8.7 percent reduction 

from the OFL (s=0.72/P*=0.45) as it is a 

category 2 stock. The ACL could be set equal 

to the ABC because the stock is above its 

target biomass of B25%. 213 mt is deducted 

from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal 

fishery (200 mt), the incidental open access 

fishery (7 mt) and research catch (5.8 mt), 

resulting in a fishery HG of 6,991 mt. sLingcod north. A lingcod stock 

assessment was conducted in 2009. The 

lingcod spawning biomass off Washington 

and Oregon was estimated to be at 62 percent 

of its unfished biomass in 2009. The OFL for 

Washington and Oregon of 1,842 mt is 

calculated using an FMSY proxy of F45%. The 

OFL is re-apportioned by adding 48% of the 

OFL from California, resulting in an OFL of 

2,891 mt for the area north of 40°10′ N. lat. 

The ABC of 2,719 mt is based on a 4.4 

percent reduction from the OFL (s=0.36/

P*=0.45) for the area north of 42° N. lat. as 

it’s a category 1 stock, and an 8.7 percent 

reduction from the OFL (s=0.72/P*=0.45) for 

the area between 42° N. lat. and 40°10′ N. 

lat., as it’s a category 2 stock. The ACL is set 

equal to the ABC since the stock is above its 

target biomass of B40%. 278 mt is deducted 

from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal 

fishery (250 mt), the incidental open access 

fishery (16 mt), EFP catch (0.5 mt) and 

research catch (11.7 mt), resulting in a fishery 

HG of 2,441 mt. tLingcod south . A lingcod stock 

assessment was conducted in 2009. The 

lingcod spawning biomass off California was 

estimated to be at 74 percent of its unfished 

biomass in 2009. The OFL for California of 

2,185 mt is projected in the assessment using 

an FMSY proxy of F45%. The OFL is reapportioned by subtracting 48% of the OFL, 

resulting in an OFL of 1,136 mt for the area 

south of 40°10′ N. lat. The ABC of 946 mt is 

based on a 16.7 percent reduction from the 

OFL (s=0.72/P*=0.40) as it’s a category 2 

stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC since 

the stock is above its target biomass of B40%. 

9 mt is deducted from the ACL to 

accommodate the incidental open access 

fishery (7 mt), EFP fishing (1 mt), and 

research catch (1.1 mt), resulting in a fishery 

HG of 937 mt. u Longnose skate. A stock assessment was 

conducted in 2007 and the stock was 

estimated to be at 66 percent of its unfished 

biomass. The OFL of 2,405 mt is derived 

from the 2007 stock assessment using an 

FMSY proxy of F50%. The ABC of 2,299 mt is 

a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL 

(s=0.36/P*=0.45) as it’s a category 1 stock. 

The ACL of 2,000 mt is a fixed harvest level 

that provides greater access to the stock and 

is less than the ABC. 73 mt is deducted from 

the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery 

(56 mt), incidental open access fishery (3.8 

mt), and research catch (13.2 mt), resulting in 

a fishery HG of 1,927 mt. vLongspine thornyhead. A 2013 longspine 

thornyhead coastwide stock assessment 

estimated the stock to be at 75 percent of its 

unfished biomass in 2013. A coastwide OFL 

of 4,763 mt is projected in the 2013 stock 

assessment using an F50% FMSY proxy. The 

ABC of 3,968 mt is a 16.7 percent reduction 

from the OFL (s=0.72/P*=0.40) as it’s a 

category 2 stock. For the portion of the stock 

that is north of 34°27′ N. lat., the ACL is 

3,015 mt, and is 76 percent of the coastwide 

ABC based on the average swept-area 

biomass estimates (2003–2012) from the 

NMFS NWFSC trawl survey. 46 mt is 

deducted from the ACL to accommodate the 

Tribal fishery (30 mt), the incidental open 

access fishery (3 mt), and research catch (13.5 

mt) resulting in a fishery HG of 2,969 mt. For 

that portion of the stock south of 34°27′ N. 

lat. the ACL is 952 mt and is 24 percent of 

the coastwide ABC based on the average 

swept-area biomass estimates (2003–2012) 

from the NMFS NWFSC trawl survey. 3 mt 

is deducted from the ACL to accommodate 

the incidental open access fishery (2 mt), and 

research catch (1 mt) resulting in a fishery 

HG of 949 mt. w Pacific cod. The 3,200 mt OFL is based 

on the maximum level of historic landings. 

The ABC of 2,221 mt is a 30.6 percent 

reduction from the OFL (s=1.44/P*=0.40) as 

it’s a category 3 stock. The 1,600 mt ACL is 

the OFL reduced by 50 percent as a 

precautionary adjustment. 509 mt is 

deducted from the ACL to accommodate the 

Tribal fishery (500 mt), research catch (7 mt), 

and the incidental open access fishery (2.0 

mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,091 mt. xPacific whiting. Pacific whiting are 

assessed annually. The final specifications 

will be determined consistent with the U.S.- 

Canada Pacific Whiting Agreement and will 

be announced after the Council’s April 2016 

meeting. ySablefish north. A coastwide sablefish 

stock assessment was conducted in 2011. The 

coastwide sablefish biomass was estimated to 

be at 33 percent of its unfished biomass in 

2011. The coastwide OFL of 8,526 mt is 

projected in the 2011 stock assessment using 

an FMSY proxy of F45%. The ABC of 7,784 mt 

is an 8.7 percent reduction from the OFL 

(s=0.36/P*=0.40). The 40–10 adjustment was 

applied to the ABC to derive a coastwide 

ACL value because the stock is in the 

precautionary zone. This coastwide ACL 

value is not specified in regulations. The 

coastwide ACL value is apportioned north 

and south of 36° N. lat., using the 2003–2010 

average estimated swept area biomass from 

the NMFS NWFSC trawl survey, with 73.6 

percent apportioned north of 36° N. lat. and 

26.4 percent apportioned south of 36° N. lat. 

The northern ACL is 5,241 mt and is reduced 

by 524 mt for the tribal allocation (10 percent 

of the ACL north of 36° N. lat.). The 524 mt 

Tribal allocation is reduced by 1.6 percent to 

account for discard mortality. Detailed 

sablefish allocations are shown in Table 1c. zSablefish south. The ACL for the area 

south of 36° N. lat. is 1,880 mt (26.4 percent 

of the calculated coastwide ACL value). 5 mt 

is deducted from the ACL to accommodate 

the incidental open access fishery (2 mt) and 

research catch (3 mt), resulting in a fishery 

HG of 1,875 mt. aaShortbelly rockfish. A non-quantitative 

shortbelly rockfish assessment was 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS3
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules 725 

conducted in 2007. The spawning stock 

biomass of shortbelly rockfish was estimated 

to be 67 percent of its unfished biomass in 

2005. The OFL of 6,950 mt is based on the 

estimated MSY in the 2007 stock assessment. 

The ABC of 5,789 mt is a 16.7 percent 

reduction of the OFL (s=0.72/P*=0.40) as it’s 

a category 2 stock. The 500 mt ACL is set to 

accommodate for incidental catch when 

fishing for co-occurring healthy stocks and in 

recognition of the stock’s importance as a 

forage species in the California Current 

ecosystem. 2 mt is deducted from the ACL to 

accommodate research catch, resulting in a 

fishery HG of 498 mt. bbShortspine thornyhead. A 2013 

coastwide shortspine thornyhead stock 

assessment estimated the stock to be at 74.2 

percent of its unfished biomass in 2013. A 

coastwide OFL of 3,169 mt is projected in the 

2013 stock assessment using an F50% FMSY

proxy. The coastwide ABC of 2,640 mt is a 

16.7 percent reduction from the OFL (s=0.72/ 

P*=0.40) as it’s a category 2 stock. For the 

portion of the stock that is north of 34°27′ N. 

lat., the ACL is 1,726 mt. The northern ACL 

is 65.4 percent of the coastwide ABC based 

on the average swept-area biomass estimates 

(2003–2012) from the NMFS NWFSC trawl 

survey 59 mt is deducted from the ACL to 

accommodate the Tribal fishery (50 mt), the 

incidental open access fishery (2 mt), and 

research catch (7 mt) resulting in a fishery 

HG of 1,667 mt for the area north of 34°27′ 

N. lat. For that portion of the stock south of 

34°27′ N. lat. the ACL is 913 mt. The 

southern ACL is 35.6 percent of the 

coastwide ABC based on the average sweptarea biomass estimates (2003–2012) from the 

NMFS NWFSC trawl survey. 42 mt is 

deducted from the ACL to accommodate the 

incidental open access fishery (41 mt) and 

research catch (1 mt), resulting in a fishery 

HG of 871 mt for the area south of 34°27′ N. 

lat. ccSpiny dogfish. A coastwide spiny 

dogfish stock assessment was conducted in 

2011. The coastwide spiny dogfish biomass 

was estimated to be at 63 percent of its 

unfished biomass in 2011. The coastwide 

OFL of 2,503 mt is derived from the 2011 

assessment using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The 

coastwide ABC of 2,085 mt is a 16.7 percent 

reduction from the OFL (s=0.72/P*=0.40) as 

it’s a category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal 

to the ABC because the stock is above its 

target biomass of B40%. 338 mt is deducted 

from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal 

fishery (275 mt), the incidental open access 

fishery (49.5 mt), EFP catch (1 mt), and 

research catch (12.5 mt), resulting in a fishery 

HG of 1,747 mt. dd Splitnose rockfish. A splitnose rockfish 

coastwide assessment was conducted in 2009 

that estimated the stock to be at 66 percent 

of its unfished biomass in 2009. Splitnose 

rockfish in the north is managed in the Minor 

Slope Rockfish complex and with speciesspecific harvest specifications south of 40°10′ 

N. lat. The coastwide OFL is projected in the 

2009 assessment using an FMSY proxy of 

F50%. The coastwide OFL is apportioned 

north and south of 40°10′ N. lat. based on the 

average 1916–2008 assessed area catch 

resulting in 64.2 percent of the coastwide 

OFL apportioned south of 40°10′ N. lat., and 

35.8 percent apportioned for the contribution 

of splitnose rockfish to the northern Minor 

Slope Rockfish complex. The southern OFL 

of 1,826 mt results from the apportionment 

described above. The southern ABC of 1,746 

mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the 

southern OFL (s=0.36/P*=0.45) as it’s a 

category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the 

ABC because the stock is estimated to be 

above its target biomass of B40%. 110.5 mt is 

deducted from the ACL to accommodate 

research catch (9 mt) and EFP catch (1.5 mt), 

resulting in a fishery HG of 1,736 mt. eeStarry Flounder. The stock was assessed 

in 2005 and was estimated to be above 40 

percent of its unfished biomass in 2005 (44 

percent in Washington and Oregon, and 62 

percent in California). The coastwide OFL of 

1,847 mt is derived from the 2005 assessment 

using an FMSY proxy of F30%. The ABC of 

1,539 mt is a 16.7 percent reduction from the 

OFL (s=0.72/P*=0.40) as it’s a category 2 

stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC 

because the stock is estimated to be above its 

target biomass of B25%. 10.3 mt is deducted 

from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal 

fishery (2 mt), and the incidental open access 

fishery (8.3 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 

1,529 mt. ffWidow rockfish. The widow rockfish 

stock was assessed in 2011 and was 

estimated to be at 51.1 percent of its unfished 

biomass in 2011. The OFL of 3,990 mt is 

projected in the 2011 stock assessment using 

an F50% FMSY proxy. The ABC of 3,790 mt is 

a 5 percent reduction from the OFL (s=0.41/ 

P*=0.45). A unique sigma of 0.41 was 

calculated for widow rockfish since the 

variance in estimated biomass was greater 

than the 0.36 used as a proxy for other 

category 1 stocks. The ACL could be set equal 

to the ABC because the stock is above its 

target biomass of B40%. However, the ACL 

of 2,000 mt is less than the ABC due to high 

uncertainty in estimated biomass, yet this 

level of allowable harvest will allow access 

to healthy co-occurring species, such as 

yellowtail rockfish. 120.2 mt is deducted 

from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal 

fishery (100 mt), the incidental open access 

fishery (3.3 mt), EFP catch (9 mt), and 

research catch (7.9 mt), resulting in a fishery 

HG of 1,880 mt. gg Yellowtail rockfish. A 2013 yellowtail 

rockfish stock assessment was conducted for 

the portion of the population north of 40°10′ 

N. lat. The estimated stock depletion is 69 

percent of its unfished biomass in 2013. The 

OFL of 6,949 mt is projected in the 2013 

stock assessment using an FMSY proxy of 

F50%. The ABC of 6,344 mt is an 8.7 percent 

reduction from the OFL (s=0.72/P*=0.45) as 

it is a category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal 

to the ABC because the stock is above its 

target biomass of B40%. 1,029.6 mt is 

deducted from the ACL to accommodate the 

Tribal fishery (1,000 mt), the incidental open 

access fishery (3 mt), EFP catch (10 mt) and 

research catch (16.6 mt), resulting in a fishery 

HG of 5,314 mt. hhMinor Nearshore Rockfish north. The 

OFL for Minor Nearshore Rockfish north of 

40°10′ N. lat. of 88 mt is the sum of the OFL 

contributions for the component species 

managed in the complex. The ABCs for the 

minor rockfish complexes are based on a 

sigma value of 0.72 for category 2 stocks (i.e., 

blue rockfish in California, brown rockfish, 

China rockfish, and copper rockfish) and a 

sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all 

others) with a P* of 0.45. The resulting ABC 

of 77 mt is the summed contribution of the 

ABCs for the component species. The ACL of 

69 mt is the sum of contributing ABCs of 

healthy assessed stocks and unassessed 

stocks, plus the ACL contributions for blue 

rockfish in California and China rockfish 

where the 40–10 adjustment was applied to 

the ABC contributions for these two stocks 

because they are in the precautionary zone. 

No deductions are made to the ACL, thus the 

fishery HG is equal to the ACL, which is 69 

mt. Between 40°10′ N. lat. and 42° N. lat. the 

Minor Nearshore Rockfish complex north has 

a harvest guideline of 23.7 mt. Blue rockfish 

south of 42° N. lat. has a species-specific HG, 

described in footnote kk/. iiMinor Shelf Rockfish north. The OFL for 

Minor Shelf Rockfish north of 40°10′ N. lat. 

of 2,218 mt is the sum of the OFL 

contributions for the component species 

within the complex. The ABCs for the minor 

rockfish complexes are based on a sigma 

value of 0.72 for category 2 stocks (i.e., 

greenspotted rockfish between 40°10′ and 42° 

N. lat. and greenstriped rockfish) and a sigma 

value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others) 

with a P* of 0.45. The resulting ABC of 1,953 

mt is the summed contribution of the ABCs 

for the component species. The ACL of 1,952 

mt is the sum of contributing ABCs of 

healthy assessed stocks and unassessed 

stocks, plus the ACL contribution of 

greenspotted rockfish in California where the 

40–10 adjustment was applied to the ABC 

contribution for this stock because it is in the 

precautionary zone. 72 mt is deducted from 

the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery 

(30 mt), the incidental open access fishery 

(26 mt), EFP catch (3 mt), and research catch 

(13.4 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,880 

mt. 

jjMinor Slope Rockfish north. The OFL for 

Minor Slope Rockfish north of 40°10′ N. lat. 

of 1,844 mt is the sum of the OFL 

contributions for the component species 

within the complex. The ABCs for the Minor 

Slope Rockfish complexes are based on a 

sigma value of 0.39 for aurora rockfish, a 

sigma value of 0.36 for other category 1 

stocks (i.e., splitnose rockfish), a sigma value 

of 0.72 for category 2 stocks (i.e., rougheye 

rockfish, blackspotted rockfish and sharpchin 

rockfish), and a sigma value of 1.44 for 

category 3 stocks (all others) with a P* of 

0.45. A unique sigma of 0.39 was calculated 

for aurora rockfish since the variance in 

estimated spawning biomass was greater than 

the 0.36 used as a proxy for other category 

1 stocks. The resulting ABC of 1,706 mt is the 

summed contribution of the ABCs for the 

component species. The ACL is set equal to 

the ABC because all the assessed component 

stocks are above the target biomass of B40%. 

64 mt is deducted from the ACL to 

accommodate the Tribal fishery (36 mt), the 

incidental open access fishery (19 mt), EFP 

catch (1 mt), and research catch (8.1 mt), 

resulting in a fishery HG of 1,642 mt. kkMinor Nearshore Rockfish south. The 

OFL for the Minor Nearshore Rockfish 

complex south of 40°10′ N. lat. of 1,288 mt 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS3
726 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules 

is the sum of the OFL contributions for the 

component species within the complex. The 

ABC for the southern Minor Nearshore 

Rockfish complex is based on a sigma value 

of 0.36 for category 1 stocks (i.e., gopher 

rockfish north of 34°27′ N. lat.), a sigma value 

of 0.72 for category 2 stocks (i.e., blue 

rockfish north of 34°27′ N. lat., brown 

rockfish, China rockfish and copper rockfish) 

and a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 

stocks (all others) with a P* of 0.45. The 

resulting ABC of 1,148 mt is the summed 

contribution of the ABCs for the component 

species. The ACL of 1,006 mt is the sum of 

the contributing ABCs of healthy assessed 

stocks and unassessed stocks, plus the ACL 

contribution for blue rockfish north of 34°27′ 

N. lat. where the 40–10 adjustment was 

applied to the ABC contribution for this stock 

because it is in the precautionary zone. 4 mt 

is deducted from the ACL to accommodate 

the incidental open access fishery (1.4 mt) 

and research catch (2.6 mt), resulting in a 

fishery HG of 1,002 mt. Blue rockfish south 

of 42° N. lat. has a species-specific HG set 

equal to the 40–10-adjusted ACL for the 

portion of the stock north of 34ß27′ N lat. 

(137.5) plus the ABC contribution for the 

unassessed portion of the stock south of 

34ß27′ N. lat. (60.8 mt). The California (i.e. 

south of 42° N. lat.) blue rockfish HG is 198.3 

mt. llMinor Shelf Rockfish south. The OFL for 

the Minor Shelf Rockfish complex south of 

40°10′ N. lat. of 1,919 mt is the sum of the 

OFL contributions for the component species 

within the complex. The ABCs for the 

southern Minor Shelf Rockfish complex is 

based on a sigma value of 0.72 for category 

2 stocks (i.e., greenspotted and greenstriped 

rockfish) and a sigma value of 1.44 for 

category 3 stocks (all others) with a P* of 

0.45. The resulting ABC of 1,626 mt is the 

summed contribution of the ABCs for the 

component species. The ACL of 1,625 mt is 

the sum of contributing ABCs of healthy 

assessed stocks and unassessed stocks, plus 

the ACL contribution of greenspotted 

rockfish in California where the 40–10 

adjustment was applied to the ABC 

contribution for this stock because it is in the 

precautionary zone. 49 mt is deducted from 

the ACL to accommodate the incidental open 

access fishery (9 mt), EFP catch (30 mt), and 

research catch (9.6 mt), resulting in a fishery 

HG of 1,576 mt. mmMinor Slope Rockfish south. The OFL 

of 814 mt is the sum of the OFL contributions 

for the component species within the 

complex. The ABC for the southern Minor 

Slope Rockfish complex is based on a sigma 

value of 0.39 for aurora rockfish, a sigma 

value of 0.72 for category 2 stocks (i.e., 

blackgill rockfish, rougheye rockfish, 

blackspotted rockfish, sharpchin rockfish) 

and a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 

stocks (all others) with a P* of 0.45. A unique 

sigma of 0.39 was calculated for aurora 

rockfish since the variance in estimated 

biomass was greater than the 0.36 used as a 

proxy for other category 1 stocks. The 

resulting ABC of 705 mt is the summed 

contribution of the ABCs for the component 

species. The ACL of 695 mt is the sum of the 

contributing ABCs of healthy assessed stocks 

and unassessed stocks, plus the ACL 

contribution of blackgill rockfish where the 

40–10 adjustment was applied to the ABC 

contribution for this stock because it is in the 

precautionary zone. 20 mt is deducted from 

the ACL to accommodate the incidental open 

access fishery (17 mt), EFP catch (1 mt), and 

research catch (2 mt), resulting in a fishery 

HG of 675 mt. Blackgill rockfish has a 

species-specific HG set equal to the species’ 

contribution to the 40–10-adjusted ACL. The 

blackgill rockfish HG is 117 mt. nnOther Flatfish. The Other Flatfish 

complex is comprised of flatfish species 

managed in the PCGFMP that are not 

managed with species-specific OFLs/ABCs/

ACLs. Most of the species in the Other 

Flatfish complex are unassessed, and 

include: butter sole, curlfin sole, flathead 

sole, Pacific sanddab (assessed in 2013, but 

the assessment results were too uncertain to 

inform harvest specifications), rock sole, 

sand sole, and rex sole (assessed in 2013). 

The Other Flatfish OFL of 9,645 mt is based 

on the sum of the OFL contributions of the 

component stocks. The ABC of 7,243 mt is 

based on a sigma value of 0.72 for category 

2 stocks (i.e., rex sole) and a sigma value of 

1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others) with a 

P* of 0.40. The ACL is set equal to the ABC. 

The ACL is set equal to the ABC since all of 

the assessed stocks (i.e., Pacific sanddabs and 

rex sole) were above their target biomass of 

B25%. 204 mt is deducted from the ACL to 

accommodate the Tribal fishery (60 mt), the 

incidental open access fishery (125 mt), and 

research catch (19 mt), resulting in a fishery 

HG of 7,039 mt. ooOther Fish. The Other Fish complex is 

comprised of kelp greenling coastwide, 

cabezon off Washington, and leopard shark 

coastwide. These species are unassessed. The 

OFL of 291 mt is the sum of the OFL 

contributions for kelp greenling off California 

(the SSC has not approved methods for 

calculating the OFL contributions for kelp 

greenling off Oregon and Washington), 

cabezon off Washington, and leopard shark 

coastwide. The ABC of 243 mt is the sum of 

ABC contributions for kelp greenling off 

California, cabezon off Washington and 

leopard shark coastwide calculated by 

applying a P* of 0.45 and a sigma of 1.44 to 

the OFL contributions for those stocks. The 

ACL is set equal to the ABC. There are no 

deductions from the ACL so the fishery HG 

is equal to the ACL of 243 mt. 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS3
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules 727 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS3EP06ja15.004</GPH>

Table 2b. to Part 660, Subpart C- 2016, and Beyond, Allocations by Species or Species Group 

(Weights in Metric Tons). 

Fishery HG Trawl Non-trawl 

Species Area or ACT % Mt % Mt 

BOCACCIO a/ s of 40°10' N. lat. 353.7 N/A 85.0 N/A 268.7 

CANARY ROCKFISH a/ b/ Coast wide 109.8 N/A 58.5 N/A 51.3 

COW COD a/ c/ s of 40°10' N. lat. 4.0 N/A 1.4 N/A 2.6 

DARKBLOTCHED ROCKFISH d/ Coast wide 325.2 95% 308.9 5% 16.3 

PETRALE SOLE a/ Coast wide 2,673.4 N/A 2,638.4 N/A 35.0 

PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH e/ N of 40°10' N. lat. 149.0 95% 141.6 5% 7.5 

YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH a/ Coast wide 13.2 N/A 1.1 N/A 12.1 

Arrowtooth flounder Coast wide 3,241 95% 3,079 5% 162 

Chili pepper s of 40°10' N. lat. 1,595 75% 1,196 25% 399 

Dover sole Coast wide 48,406 95% 45,986 5% 2,420 

English sole Coast wide 6' 991 95% 6,642 5% 350 

Lingcod N of 40'10" N. lat. 2,441 45% 1,098 55% 1,342 

jLingcod s of 40'10" N. lat. 

"'~"' 422 55% 515 

Longnose skate a/ Coast wide 1' 92 7 90% 1,734 10% 193 

Longspine thornyhead N of 34°27' N. lat. 2,969 95% 2,820 5% 148 

Pacific cod Coast wide 1,091 95% 1,036 5% 55 

Pacific whiting Coast wide TBD 100% TBD 0% TBD 

Sablefish N of 36" N. lat. 0 See Table 1 c 

Sablefish s of 36" N. lat. 1,875 42% 788 58% 1,088 

Short spine thornyhead N of 34°27' N. lat. 1,667 95% 1,583 5% 83 

Short spine thornyhead s of 34"27' N. lat. 871 NA 50 NA 821 

Splitnose s of 40"10' N. lat. 1,736 95% 1,649 5% 87 

Starry flounder Coastwide 1,529 50% 764 50% 764 

Widow rockfish f/ Coast wide 1,880 91% 1, 711 9% 169 

Yellowtail rockfish N of 40°10' N. lat. 5,314 88% 4,677 12% 638 

Minor Shelf Rockfish complex a/ N of 40"10' N. lat. 1,880 60.2% 1,132 39.8% 748 

Minor Shelf Rockfish complex a/ s of 40"10' N. lat. 1,576 12.2% 192 87.8% 1,384 

Minor Slope Rockfish complex N of 40"10' N. lat. 1,642 81% 1,330 19% 

Minor Slope Rockfish complex s of 40°10' N. lat. 675 63% 425 37% 

Other Flatfish complex Coast wide 7,039 90% 6,335 10% 

a/ Allocations decided through the biennial specification process. 

b/ 14.0 mt of the total trawl allocation of canary rockfish is allocated to the at-sea whiting 

fisheries, as follows: 5.8 mt for the mothership fishery, and 8.2 mt for the catcher/processor 

fishery. 

c/ The cowcod fishery harvest guideline is further reduced to an ACT of 4.0 mt. 

312 

250 

704 

d/ Consistent with regulations at §660.55(c), 9 percent (27.8 mt) of the total trawl allocation for 

darkblotched rockfish is allocated to the whiting fisheries, as follows: 11.7 mt for the shorebased 

IFQ fishery, 6.7 mt for the mothership fishery, and 9.4 mt for the catcher/processor fishery. The 

tonnage calculated here for the whiting portion of the shorebased IFQ fishery contributes to the 

total shorebased trawl allocation, which is found at 660.140(d) (1) (ii) (D). 

e/ Consistent with regulations at §660.55(c), 30 mt of the total trawl allocation for POP is 

allocated to the whiting fisheries, as follows: 12.6 mt for the shorebased IFQ fishery, 7.2 mt for 

the mothership fishery, and 10.2 mt for the catcher/processor fishery. The tonnage calculated here 

for the whiting portion of the shorebased IFQ fishery contributes to the total shorebased trawl 

allocation, which is found at 660.140(d) (1) (ii) (D). 

f/ Consistent with regulations at §660.55(c), 500 mt of the total trawl allocation for widow 

rockfish is allocated to the whiting fisheries, as follows: 210 mt for the shorebased IFQ fishery, 

120 mt for the mothership fishery, and 170 mt for the catcher/processor fishery. The tonnage 

calculated here for the whiting portion of the shorebased IFQ fishery contributes to the total 

shorebased trawl allocation, which is found at 660.140 (d) (1) (ii) (D). 

ep06ja15.005</GPH>tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS3

Table 2c. to Part 660, Subpart C- Sablefish North of36° N. lat. Allocations, 2016 and Beyond. 

Set-asides Recreational Commercial Limited Ent

Year ACL Tribal a/ Research Estimate EFP HG % 

2016 5,241 524 26 6.1 1 4,684 90.6% 4

Limited Entry Trawl c/ Limited Entry F

Year LE All ALL Trawl At-sea Whiting Shorebased IFQ ALL FG Primary 

2016 4,244 2,461 50 2,411 1,782 1,515 

a/ The tribal allocation is further reduced by 1.6% for discard mortality resulting in 515.7 mt in 2

b/ The open access HG is taken by the incidental OA fishery and the directed OA fishery. 

c/ The trawl allocation is 58% of the limited entry HG 

d/ The limited entry fixed gear allocation is 42% of the limited entry HG 
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules 729 

* * * * * ■ 11. In § 660.130, paragraphs (d)(1)(i) 

and (e)(4)(iv) are revised to read as 

follows: 

§ 660.130 Trawl fishery-management 

measures. 

* * * * * 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS3EP06JA15.051</GPH>

Table 2d. to Part 660, Subpart C-At-Sea Whiting Fishery Annual Set-Asides, 2016 and 

Beyond. 

Set Aside 

Species or Species Complex Area (mt) 

BOCACCIO s. of 40°10 N. lat. NA 

CANARY ROCKFISH a/ Coast wide Allocation 

COW COD s. of 40°10 N. lat. NA 

DARKBLOTCHED ROCKFISH a/ Coast wide Allocation 

PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH a/ N. of 40°10 N. lat. Allocation 

PETRALE SOLE Coast wide 5 

YELLOWEYE Coast wide 0 

Arrowtooth Flounder Coast wide 45 

Chilipepper s. of 40°10 N. lat. NA 

Dover Sole Coastwide 5 

English Sole Coast wide 5 

Lingcod N. of 40°10 N. lat. 15 

Lingcod s. of 40°10 N. lat. NA 

Longnose Skate Coast wide 5 

Long spine Thornyhead N. of 34°27 N. lat. 5 

Long spine Thornyhead s. of 34°27 N. lat. NA 

Minor Nearshore Rockfish N. of 40°10 N. lat. NA 

Minor Nearshore Rockfish s. of 40°10 N. lat. NA 

Minor Shelf Rockfish N. of 40°10 N. lat. 35 

Minor Shelf Rockfish s. of 40°10 N. lat. NA 

Minor Slope Rockfish N. of 40°10 N. lat. 100 

Minor Slope Rockfish s. of 40°10 N. lat. NA 

Other Fish Coast wide NA 

Other Flatfish Coast wide 20 

Pacific Cod Coast wide 5 

Pacific Halibut b/ Coastwide 10 

Pacific Whiting Coast wide Allocation 

Sable fish N. of 36° N. lat. 50 

Sablefish s. of 36° N. lat. NA 

Short spine Thornyhead N. of 34°27 N. lat. 20 

Short spine Thorny head s. of 34°27 N. lat. NA 

Starry Flounder Coast wide 5 

Widow Rockfish a/ Coast wide Allocation 

Yellowtail N. of 40°10 N. lat. 300 

a/ See Table l.b., to Subpart C, for the at-sea whiting allocations for 

these species. 

b/ As stated in §660.55 (m), the Pacific halibut set-aside is 10 mt, to 

accommodate bycatch in the at-sea Pacific whiting fisheries and in the 

shorebased trawl sector south of 40°10 N. lat. (estimated to 5 mt each). 
730 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules 

(d) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(i) Coastwide. Widow rockfish, canary 

rockfish, darkblotched rockfish, 

yelloweye rockfish, shortbelly rockfish, 

black rockfish, blue rockfish, minor 

nearshore rockfish, minor shelf rockfish, 

minor slope rockfish, shortraker 

rockfish, rougheye/blackspotted 

rockfish, shortspine and longspine 

thornyhead, Dover sole, arrowtooth 

flounder, petrale sole, starry flounder, 

English sole, other flatfish, lingcod, 

sablefish, Pacific cod, spiny dogfish, 

other fish, longnose skate, and Pacific 

whiting; 

* * * * * 

(e) * * * 

(4) * * * 

(iv) If a vessel fishes in the trawl RCA, 

it may not participate in any fishing on 

that trip that is prohibited within the 

trawl RCA. Nothing in these Federal 

regulations supersedes any state 

regulations that may prohibit trawling 

shoreward of the fishery management 

area (3–200 nm). 

* * * * * 

■ 12. In § 660.140 paragraph (d)(1)(ii)(D) 

is revised to read as follows: 

§ 660.140 Shorebased IFQ Program. 

* * * * * 

(d) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(ii) * * * 

(D) For the trawl fishery, NMFS will 

issue QP based on the following 

shorebased trawl allocations: 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS3
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules 731 

* * * * * ■ 13. Table 1 (North) and 1 (South) to 

660, subpart D, are revised to read as 

follows: 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–P 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS3EP06JA15.052</GPH>

IFQ Species Management Area 2015 Shorebased 2016 Shorebased 

Trawl Allocation Trawl Allocation 

(mt) (mt) 

Arrowtooth flmmder 3,193.93 3,033.38 

BOCACCIO South of 40°1 0' N. lat. 81.89 85.02 

CANARY ROCKFISH 43.26 44.48 

Chilipepper South of40°10' N. lat. 1,203.00 1,196.25 

COW COD South of 40°1 0' N. lat. 1.44 1.44 

DARKBLOTCHED 285.61 292.81 

ROCKFISH 

Dover sole 45,980.80 45,980.80 

English sole 9,153.19 6,636.64 

Lingcod North of 40° 1 0' N. lat. 1,133.32 1,083.37 

Lingcod South of 40° 1 0' N. lat. 447.71 421.61 

Longspine thornyhead North of34°27' N. lat. 2,962.33 2,815.08 

Minor ShelfRockfish complex North of 40° 1 0' N. lat. 1,091.70 1,096.52 

Minor ShelfRockfish complex South of40°10' N. lat. 192.20 192.32 

Minor Slope Rockfish complex North of 40°1 0' N. lat. 1,219.41 1,229.94 

Minor Slope Rockfish complex South of 40°1 0' N. lat. 423.99 425.25 

Other Flatfish complex 7,670.50 6,315.10 

Pacific cod 1,031.41 1,031.41 

PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH North of 40°1 0' N. lat. 118.45 124.15 

Pacific Whiting - -

PETRALE SOLE 2,539.40 2,633.40 

Sable fish North of36° N. lat. 2,199.37 2,411.24 

Sable fish South of36° N. lat. 719.88 787.50 

Shortspine thornyhead North of34°27' N. lat. 1,581.49 1,563.44 

Shortspine thornyhead South of34°27' N. lat. 50.00 50.00 

Splitnose rockfish Southof40°10' N.lat. 1,619.28 1,648.73 

Starry flounder 756.85 759.35 

Widow rockfish 1,420.62 1,420.62 

YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH 1.00 1.08 

Yellowtail rockfish North of40°1 0' N. lat. 4,593.15 4,376.67 
732 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS3EP06JA15.006</GPH>

Table 1 (North) to Part 660, Subpart D -- Limited Entry Trawl Rockfish Conservation Areas and Landing Allowances for non-IFQ Species 

and Pacific Whiting North of 40°10' N. Lat. 

This table describes Rockfish Conservation Areas for vessels using groundfish trawl gear. This table describes incidental landing allowances for 

vessels registered to a Federal limited entry trawl permit and using groundfish trawl or groundfish non-trawl gears to harvest individual fishing quota 

(IFQ) species. 

Other Limits and Requirements Apply-- Read§ 660.10- § 660.399 before using this table 3/1/15 

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

Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA)1/: 

shore- shoreNorth of 48°1 0' N. lat. modified21 200 shore - 200 fm shore- 150 fm line11 shore- 200 fm 1 modified2/ 200 line 11 line1/ fm line11 fmline11 

2 48°10' N. lat.- 45°46' N. lat. 100fm line11 -150fm line11 

3 45°46' N. lat.- 40°10' N. lat. 100 fm line11 - modified21 200 fm line11 

Selective flatfish trawl gear is required shoreward of the RCA all bottom trawl gear (large footrope, selective flatfish trawl, and small footrope trawl gear) is 

permitted seaward of the RCA Large footrope and small footrope trawl gears (except for selective flatfish trawl gear) are prohibited shoreward of the RCA 

Midwater trawl gear is permitted only for vessels participating in the primary whiting season. Vessels fishing groundfish trawl quota pounds with 

groundfish non-trawl gears, under gear switching provisions at § 660.140, are subject to the limited entrygroundfish trawl fishery landing 

allowances in this table, regardless of the type of fishing gear used. Vessels fishing groundfish trawl quota pounds with groundfish non-trawl 

gears, under gear switching provisions at§ 660.140, are subject to the limited entry fixed gear non-trawl RCA, as described in Tables 2 (North) and 

2 (South) to Part 660, Subpart E. 

See§ 660.60, § 660.130, and§ 660.140 for Additional Gear, Trip Limit, and Conservation Area Requirements and Restrictions. See§§ 660.70-660.74 

and§§ 660.76-660.79 for Conservation Area Descriptions and Coordinates (including RCAs, YRCA, CCAs, Farallon Islands, Cordell Banks, and 

EFHCAs). 

State trip limits and seasons may be more restrictive than federal trip limits, particularly in waters off Oregon and California. 

4 Minor Nearshore Rockfish & Black 

rockfish 300 lb/month 

5 Whiting31 

6 midwater trawl Before the primary whiting season: CLOSED.-- During the primary season: mid-water trawl permitted in 

the RCA See §660.131 for season and trip limit details. -- After the primary whiting season: CLOSED. 

7 large & small footrope gear Before the primary whiting season: 20,000 lb/trip. -- During the primary season: 10,000 lb/trip. --After the 

primary whiting season: 10,000 lb/trip. 

8 Cabezon41 

9 North of 46°16' N. lat. Unlimited 

10 46°16' N. lat.- 40°10' N. lat. 50 lb/ month 

11 Shortbelly Unlimited 

12 Spiny dogfish 60,000 lb/month 

13 Longnose skate Unlimited 

14 Other Fish 41 Unlimited 

1/ The Rockfish Conservation Area is an area closed to fishing by particular gear types, bounded by lines specifically defined by latitude and longitude 

coordinates set out at§§ 660.71-660.74. This RCA is not defined by depth contours, and the boundary lines that define the RCA may close areas 

that are deeper or shallower than the depth contour. Vessels that are subject to the RCA restrictions may not fish in the RCA, or operate in the 

RCA for any purpose other than transiting. 

2/ The "modified" fathom lines are modified to exclude certain petrale sole areas from the RCA 

-1 

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0 

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-

3/ As specificed at §660.131(d), when fishing in the Eureka Area, no more than 10,000 lb of whiting may be taken and retained, possessed, or landed by a vessel that, at 

any time during the fishing trip, fished in the fishery management area shoreward of 100 fm contour. 

4/ "Other Fish" are defined at§ 660.11 and include kelp greenling, leopard shark, and cabezon in Washington 

To convert pounds to kilograms, divide by 2.20462, the number of pounds in one kilogram. 
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules 733 

* * * * * 

■ 14. In § 660.230, paragraph (c)(2)(i) is 

revised to read as follows: 

§ 660.230 Fixed gear fishery— 

management measures. 

* * * * * 

(c) * * * 

(2) * * * 

(i) Coastwide—widow rockfish, 

canary rockfish, darkblotched rockfish, 

yelloweye rockfish, shortbelly rockfish, 

black rockfish, blue rockfish, minor 

nearshore rockfish, minor shelf rockfish, 

minor slope rockfish, shortraker 

rockfish, rougheye/blackspotted 

rockfish, shortspine and longspine 

thornyhead, Dover sole, arrowtooth 

flounder, petrale sole, starry flounder, 

English sole, other flatfish, lingcod, 

sablefish, Pacific cod, spiny dogfish, 

other fish, longnose skate, and Pacific 

whiting; 

* * * * * 

■ 15. In § 660.231 paragraph (b)(3)(i) is 

revised to read as follows: 

§ 660.231 Limited entry fixed gear 

sablefish primary fishery. 

* * * * * 

(b) * * * 

(3) * * * 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS3EP06JA15.007</GPH>
734 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules 

(i) A vessel participating in the 

primary season will be constrained by 

the sablefish cumulative limit 

associated with each of the permits 

registered for use with that vessel. 

During the primary season, each vessel 

authorized to fish in that season under 

paragraph (a) of this section may take, 

retain, possess, and land sablefish, up to 

the cumulative limits for each of the 

permits registered for use with that 

vessel (i.e., stacked permits). If multiple 

limited entry permits with sablefish 

endorsements are registered for use with 

a single vessel, that vessel may land up 

to the total of all cumulative limits 

announced in this paragraph for the 

tiers for those permits, except as limited 

by paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section. 

Up to 3 permits may be registered for 

use with a single vessel during the 

primary season; thus, a single vessel 

may not take and retain, possess or land 

more than 3 primary season sablefish 

cumulative limits in any one year. A 

vessel registered for use with multiple 

limited entry permits is subject to per 

vessel limits for species other than 

sablefish, and to per vessel limits when 

participating in the daily trip limit 

fishery for sablefish under § 660.232. In 

2015, the following annual limits are in 

effect: Tier 1 at 41,175 (18,677 kg), Tier 

2 at 18,716 lb (8,489 kg), and Tier 3 at 

10,695 lb (4,851 kg). For 2016 and 

beyond, the following annual limits are 

in effect: Tier 1 at 45,053 lb (20,436 kg), 

Tier 2 at 20,479 lb (9,289 kg), and Tier 

3 at 11,702 lb (5,308 kg). 

* * * * * 

■ 16. Tables 2 (North) and 2 (South) to 

part 660, subpart E, are revised to read 

as follows: 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–P 


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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules 735 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS3EP06JA15.008</GPH>

Table 2 (North) to Part 660, Subpart E --Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation Areas and Trip Limits for Limited Entry Fixed Gear North of40°10' 

N.lat. 

Other limits and requirements apply-- Read §§660.10 through 660.399 before using this table 3/1/15 

JAN-FEB I 1\MR-APR I 1\AAY-JUN I JUL-AUG I SEP-OCT I NOV-DEC 

Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA)11: 

1 North of 46.16' N. lat. shoreline - 100 fm line 11 

2 46. 16' N. lat. - 42' 00' N. lat. 30 fm line11 - 100 fm line11 

3 4i 00' N. lat. - 40. 10' N. lat. 30 fm line11 - 100 fm line11 

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

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

State trip limits and seasons may be more restricti-.e than Federal trip limits or seasons, particularly in waters off Oregon and California. 

4 Minor Slope Rockfish21 & 4,000 lb/2 months Darkblotched rockfish 

5 Pacific ocean perch 1,800 lb/2 months 

6 Sablefish71 1 ,0251b/ week. not to exceed 3,075 lb/2 months -t 7 Longspine thornyhead 10,000 lb/2 months 

8 Shortspine thornyhead 2.000 lb/2 months I 2,500 lb/ 2 months )> 9 OJ 10 5,000 lb/ month 

11 Dover sole, arrowtooth flounder, 

petrale sole, English sole, starry South of 42' N. lat., when fishing for "other flatfish," vessels using hook-and-line gear with no more than 12 r- 12 flounder, Other Flatfish31 hooks per line, using hooks no larger than "Number 2" hooks, which measure 0.44 in (11 mm) point to shank, m 13 and up to two 1 lb (0.45 kg) weights per line, are not subject to the RCAs. 

14 

15 Whiting 10,000 lb/ trip 1\,) 

16 Minor Shelf Rockfish21, Shortbelly, 

Widow & Yellowtail rockfish 200 lb/ month 

17 Canary rockfish CLOSED -

z 18 Yelloweye rockfish CLOSED 0 

19 Minor Nearshore Rockfish & Black 

rockfish '""' ··~--

-:::r 20 North of 42, 00' N. lat. 5,000 lb/2 months, no more than 1,200 lb of which may be species other than black rockfish or blue rockfish41 

- 21 4iOO' N.lat. -40.10' N.lat. 8,500 lb/2 months, of which no more than 1.200 lb of which may be species other than black rockfish 

22 Lingcod51 200 lb/2 months I 1,200 lb/2 months I 600 lb/ 

1

200 lb/ 

month month 

23 Pacific cod 1,000 lb/2 months 

24 Spiny dogfish 200,000 lb/ 2 months I 

150,000 lb/2 

I 100,000 lb/2 months months 

25 Longnose skate Unlimited 

26 Other Fish61& Cabezon in Oregon Unlimited and California 

1/ The Rockfish Conservation Area is an area closed to fishing by particular gear types, bounded by lines specifically defined by latitude 

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

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

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

other than transiting. 

2/ Bocaccio, chilipepper and cowcod are included in the trip limits for Minor Shelf Rockfish and splitnose rockfish is included in the 

trip limits for Minor Slope Rockfish. 

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

4/ For black rockfish north of Cape Alava (48"09.50' N. lat.), and between Destruction Is. (47"40' N. lat.) and Leadbetter Pnt. (46'38.17' N. lat.), 

there is an additional limit of 100 lb or 30 percent by weight of all fish on board, whichever is greater, per vessel, per fishing trip. 

51 The minimum size limit for lingcod is 22 inches (56 em) total length North of 4i N. lat. and 24 inches (61 em) total length South of 42' N. lat. 

61 "Other Fish" are defined at§ 660.11 and include kelp greenling, leopard shark, and cabezon in Washington. 

71 Beginning on January 1, 2016, the following trip limits are in effect for sablefish north of 36. N. lat. from January through December 1,275 lb/week, not to exceed 3,375 lb/2 

months 

To convert pounds to kilograms, divide by 2.20462, the number of pounds in one kilogram. 
736 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS3EP06JA15.009</GPH>

I 

Table 2 (South) to Part 660, Subpart E --Non-Trawl RockfiSh Conservation Areas and Trip Limits for Limited Entry Fixed Gear South of 40.10' 

N. lat. 

Other limits and requirements apply-- Read §§660.10 through 660.399 before using this table 

JAN-FEB I 1\MR-APR I 1\NW-JUN I JUL-AUG I SEP-OCT I NOV-DEC 

Rockfish Conservation kea (RCA)11: 

1 40°10' N. lat.- 34°27' N. lat. '~;~" Iince~'-~~~~----~----------~---~! 60 fm line11 - 150 fm line' 1 2 South of 34.27' N. lat. (also appli~s around islands) 

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

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

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

State trip limits and seasons may be more restricti-.e than Federal trip limits or seasons, particularly in waters off Oregon and California. 

Minor Slope rockfish21 & 

Darkblotched rockfish 

Splitnose rockfish 

40,000 lbl 2 months, of which no more than 1 ,3751b may be blackgill rockfish 

40,000 lbl 2 months 

00·-r----------------------------------------------------------------; 

40. 10' N. lat.- 36°00' N. lat. 

South of 36 ° 00' N. lat. 

Longspine thornyhead 

40°10' N. lat.- 34°27' N. lat. 

South of 34' 27' N. lat. 

Dover sole, arrowtooth flounder, 

petrale sole, English sole, starry 

flounder, Other Flatfish31 

1 ,0251bl week, not to exceed 3,075 lbl 2 months 

2,000 lbl week 

10,000 lbl 2 months 

2,000 lbl 2 months I 2,500 lbl 2 months 

3,000 lbl 2 months 

5,000 lbl month 

South of 4i N. lat., when fishing for "other flatfish," vessels using hook-and-line gear with no more than 12 hooks 

per line, using hooks no larger than "Number 2" hooks, which measure 0.44 in (11 mm) point to shank, and up to 

two 1 lb (0.45 kg) weights per line, are not subject to the RCAs. 

Whiting 10,000 lbl trip 

Minor Shelf Rockfish21 , Shortbelly, Widow rockfish (including Bocaccio and ............. between 40'10'- 34.27' N.lat.) 

-- -- - . ------- -~-- • -- - Mnor shelf rockfish, shortbelly, widow rockfish, bocaccio & chilipepper: 2,500 lbl 2 months, of which no mor~-

40, 10' N. lat.· 34,27' N. lat. than 500 lb may be any species other than chilipepper. 

South of 34.27' N. lat. 4

·

000 lbl 2 I CLOSED I 4,000 lbl 2 months months 

_£hilii'J!'!'J>El..':.. ........... _______ ~----- -----------------·---·----------·------------------------------------.. 

40° 10s' ~u:~t ~ ~~:~~: ~: ::: Chilipepper included under minor shelf rockfish, sho~belly, widow rockfish and bocaccio limits-- See_."_~~ 

2,000 lbl 2 months, this opportunity only available seaward of the non-trawl RCA 

Canary rockfish CLOSED 

26 Yelloweye rockfish CLOSED 

CLOSED 

CLOSED 

27 Cowcod 

28 Bronzespotted rockfish 

29 

30 

31 

311115 

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rm 

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-
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules 737 

■ 17. In § 660.330, paragraphs (c)(2)(i) 

and (d)(13)(iii) are revised to read as 

follows: 

§ 660.330 Open access fishery— 

management measures. 

* * * * * 

(c) * * * 

(2) * * * 

(i) Coastwide—widow rockfish, 

canary rockfish, darkblotched rockfish, 

yelloweye rockfish, shortbelly rockfish, 

black rockfish, blue rockfish, minor 

nearshore rockfish, minor shelf rockfish, 

minor slope rockfish, shortraker 

rockfish, rougheye/blackspotted 

rockfish, shortspine and longspine 

thornyhead, Dover sole, arrowtooth 

flounder, petrale sole, starry flounder, 

English sole, other flatfish, lingcod, 

sablefish, Pacific cod, spiny dogfish, 

longnose skate, other fish, Pacific 

whiting, and Pacific sanddabs; 

* * * * * 

(d) * * * 

(13) * * * 

(iii) The non-groundfish trawl RCA 

restrictions in this section apply to 

vessels taking and retaining or 

possessing groundfish in the EEZ, or 

landing groundfish taken in the EEZ. 

Unless otherwise authorized by Part 

660, it is unlawful for a vessel to retain 

any groundfish taken on a fishing trip 

for species other than groundfish that 

occurs within the non-groundfish trawl 

RCA. If a vessel fishes in a nongroundfish fishery in the nongroundfish trawl RCA, it may not 

participate in any fishing on that trip 

that is prohibited within the nongroundfish trawl RCA. Nothing in these 

Federal regulations supersedes any state 

regulations that may prohibit trawling 

shoreward of the fishery management 

area (3–200 nm). 

* * * * * 

■ 18. Tables 3 (North) and 3 (South) to 

part 660, subpart F, are revised to read 

as follows: 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–P 


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738 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS3EP06JA15.011</GPH>

Table 3 (North) to Part 660, Subpart F --Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation Areas and Trip Limits for Open Access Gears North of 40.10' N. lat. 

Other limits and requirements apply-- Read §§660.10 through 660.399 before using this table 3/1/15 

JAN-FEB I MA.R-APR I MA.Y-JUN I JUL-AUG I SEP-OCT I NOV-DEC 

Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA)11: 

1 North of 46.16' N. lat. shoreline- 100 fm line 11 

2 46.16' N.lat.- 4z'OO' N.lat. 30 fm line11 - 100 fm line11 

3 42'00' N. lat.- 40.10' N. lat. 30 fm line11 - 100 fm line11 

See §§660.60, 660.330 and 660.333 for additional gear, trip limit and conservation area requirements and restrictions. See §§660.70-660.74 and §§660.76-

660.79 for conservation area descriptions and coordinates (including RCAs, YRCAs, CCAs, Farallon Islands, Cordell Banks, and EFHCAs). 

State trip limits and seasons may be more restrictive than Federal trip limits or seasons, particularly in waters off Oregon and California. 

4 Minor Slope Rockfish' & Per trip, no more than 25% of weight of the sablefish landed Darkblotched rockfish -1 5 Pacific ocean perch 1 00 lb/ month 

6 Sablefish71 300 lb/ day, or 1 landing per week of up to 900 lb, not to exceed 1 ,800 lb/2 months )> 

7 Shortpine thornyheads and CLOSED m 

longspine thornyheads .-- 8 3,000 lb/ month, no more than 300 lb of which may be species other than Pacific sanddabs. m 9 

10 Dover sole, arrowtooth flounder, 

11 petrale sole, English sole, starry South of 42° N. lat., when fishing for "other flatfish," vessels using hook-and-line gear with no more than 12 hooks per 

flounder, Other Flatfish" line, using hooks no larger than "Number 2" hooks. which measure 0.44 in (11 mm) point to shank, and up to two 1 lb (...) 

12 

13 (0.45 kg) weights per line are not subject to the RCAs. 

14 Whiting 300 lb/ month 

15 Minor Shelf Rockfish", Shortbelly, - Widow & Yellowtail rockfish 200 lb/ month z 16 Canary rockfish CLOSED 0 

17 Yelloweye rockfish CLOSED .., 

18 Minor 

Black rockfish 

Nearshore Rockfish & -:::::r 

19 North of 42,00' N. lat. 5,000 lb/2 months, no more than 1,200 lb of which may be species other than black rockfish - 20 4iOO' N. lat. - 40' 10' N. lat. 8,500 lb/2 months, of which no more than 1,200 lb may be species other than black rockfish 

21 Lingcod51 100 lb/ month I 600 lb/ month j, 100 lb/month 

22 Pacific cod 1.000 lb/2 months 

23 Spiny dogfish 200,000 lb/2 months I 

150,000 lb/2 

I 100,000 lb/2 months months 

24 Longnose skate Unlimited 

25 Other Fish61 & Cabezon in Oregon 

and California Unlimited 
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules 739 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS3EP06JA15.012</GPH>

Table 3 (North) Continued 

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

26 SALMON TROLL (subject to RCAs IM?en retaining all species of groundfish, except for yel/oiMail rockfish and lingcod, as described be/ov.j 

27 North 

Salmon trollers may retain and land up to 1 lb of yellowtail rockfish for every 2 !bs of salmon landed, with a cumulatiw limit of200 

lb/month, both within and outside of the RCA_ This limit is within the 200 lb per month combined limit for minor shelf rockfish, widow 

rockfish and yellowtail rockfish, and not in addition to that limit Salmon trollers may retain and land up to 1 lingcod per 15 Chinook 

per trip, plus 1 lingcod per trip, up to a trip limit of 10 lingcod, on a trip where any fishing occurs within the RCA This limit only 

applies during times when lingcod retention is allowed, and is not "CLOSED." This limit is within the per month limit for lingcod 

described in the table abo...e, and not in addition to that limit All grouncffish species are subject to the open access limits, seasons, 

size limits and RCA restrictions listed in the table abo...e, unless otherwise stated here. 

28 PINK SHRIMP NON-GROUNDFISH TRAWL (not subject to RCAs) 

29 North 

Effective April1 -October 31: Groundfish: 500 lblday, multiplied by the number of days of the trip, not to exceed 1,500 lb/trip, 

The following subhmlts also apply and are counted toward the o...erall 500 fb/day and 1,500 tb/trlp grouncffish limits: lingcod 300 

tb/month (minimum 24 inch size limit); sabtefish 2.000 tb/month; canary, thornyheads and ye!foweye rockfish are PROHIBITED. Alt 

other groundfish species taken are managed under the o\oeraH 500 tb/day and 1,500 tbltrip groundfish limits. Landings of these 

species count toward the per day and per trip grouncffish limits and do not ha-...e species-specific limits. The amount of groundfish 

landed may not exceed the amount of pink shrimp landed. 

1/ The Rockfish Conservation Area is an area closed to fishing by particular gear types, bounded by lines specifically defined by latitude 

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

depth contour boundary south of 4i N. lat), and the boundary lines that define the RCA may close areas that are deeper or shallower 

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

other than transiting. 

21 Bocaccio, chilipepper and cowcod rockfishes are included in the trip limits for Mnor Shelf Rockfish. 

Splitnose rockfish is included in the trip limits for minor slope rockfish. 

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

41 For black rockfish north of Cape Alava (48°09.50' N. lat.), and between Destruction Is. (4r40' N. lat.) and Leadbetter Pnt (46°38.17' N. lat.), 

there is an additional limit of 100 lbs or 30 percent by weight of all fish on board, whichever is greater, per vessel, per fishing trip. 

5/ The minimum size limit for lingcod is 22 inches (56 em) total length North of 42° N. lat. and 24 inches (61 em) total length South of 42° N. lat. 

61 "Other fish" are defined at§ 660.11 and include kelp greenling, leopard shark, and cabezon in Washington. 

-1 

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71 Beginning on January 1, 2016, the following trip limts are in effect for sablefish north of 36, N. lat 300 lb/ day, or 1 landing per week of up to 1,000 lb, not to exceed 2,000 lb/2 

months. 

To convert pounds to kilograms, divide by 2.20462, the number of pounds in one kilogram, 
740 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS3EP06JA15.013</GPH>

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

Other limits and requirements apply-- Read §§660 10 through 660 399 before using this table 3/1/15 

JAN-FEB I M'\R-APR I M'\Y-JUN I JUL-AUG I SEP-OCT I NOV-DEC 

Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA)11: 

1 40'10' N. lat.- 34'27' N. lat. 30 fm line11 - 150 fm line11 

2 South of 34'27' N. lat. 60 fm line11 • 150 fm line11 (also applies around islands) 

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

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

State trip limits and seasons may be more restrictive than Federal trip limits or seasons. particularly in waters off Oregon and California. 

3 Minor Slope Rockfish21 & 10,000 lb/2 months, of which no more than 4751b may be blackgill rockfish Darkblotched rockfish -1 4 Splitnose rockfish 200 lb/ month )> 5 Sablefish61 

6 40.10' N. lat.- 36.00' N. lat. 300 lb/ day, or 1 landing per week of up to 900 lb, not to exceed 1 ,800 lb/ 2 months 0:1 

r 7 South of 36.00' N. lat. 300 lb/ day, or 1 landing per week of up to 1,600 lb. not to exceed 3,200 lb/ 2 months m 8 Shortpine thornyheads and 

longspine thornyheads 

9 40.10' N. lat. - 34'27' N. lat. CLOSED w 

10 So~th ot34;27'N.I~t 50 lb/ day, no more than 1,000 lb/2 months 

11 3,000 lb/ month, no more than 300 lb of which may be species other than Pacific sanddabs. 12 Dover sole, arrowtooth flounder, -(/) 13 

14 petrale sole, English sole, starry South of 42' N. lat., when fishing for "other flatfish," vessels using hook-and-line gear with no more than 12 hooks per 0 flounder, Other Flatfish" line, using hooks no larger than "Number 2" hooks, which measure 0.44 in (11 mm) point to shank, and up to two 1 lb 15 (0.45 kg) weights per line are not subject to the RCAs. c 16 

17 Whiting 

Minor Shelf Rockfish21, Shortbelly, 

300 lb/ month 

-::r 18 

19 

Widow rockfish 

40.10' 

and 

N. lat.-

Chilipepper 

34.27' N. lat. 300 lb/2 months I - I 200 lb/2 months I 300 lb/2 months 

20 South of 34'27' N. lat. 1500 lb/2 months I CLOSED 

I 1500 lb/2 months 

21 Canary rockfish CLOSED 

22 Yelloweye rockfish CLOSED 

23 Cowcod CLOSED 

24 Bronzespotted rockfish CLOSED I 25 Bocaccio I 26 40,10' N.lat.- 34.27' N.lat. 200 lb/ 2 months I CLOSED I 100 lb/2 months I ~·"··~". . .... " ·~ -""'' ..... 250 lb/ 2 months I 27 South of 34.27' N. I I lat. 250 lb/2 months 
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules 741 

■ 19. In § 660.360, paragraphs 

(c)(1)(i)(D)(1) through (3), (c)(1)(iii)(B), 

(c)(1)(iv)(A) and (B), (c)(2)(iii)(A), (D) 

and (E), (c)(3)(i)(A)(2) through (5), 

(c)(3)(ii)(A)(2) through (4), 

(c)(3)(iii)(A)(2) through (4), (c)(3)(iii)(B), 

and (c)(3)(v)(A)(1) through (4) are 

revised to read as follows: 

§ 660.360 Recreational fisherymanagement measures. 

* * * * * 

(c) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(i) * * * 

(D) * * * 

(1) West of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line 

Between the U.S. border with Canada 

and the Queets River (Washington state 

Marine Area 3 and 4), recreational 

fishing for groundfish is prohibited 

seaward of a boundary line 

approximating the 20 fm (37 m) depth 

contour from May 9 through Labor Day, 

except on days when the Pacific halibut 

fishery is open in this area it is lawful 

to retain, lingcod, Pacific cod and 

sablefish seaward of the 20 fm (37 m) 

boundary. Days open to Pacific halibut 

recreational fishing off Washington are 

announced on the NMFS hotline at 

(206) 526–6667 or (800) 662–9825. 

Coordinates for the boundary line 

approximating the 20 fm (37 m) depth 

contour are listed in § 660.71, subpart C. 

(2) Between the Queets River 

(47°31.70′ N. lat.) and Leadbetter Point 

(46°38.17′ N. lat.) (Washington state 

Marine Area 2), recreational fishing for 

groundfish, is prohibited seaward of a 

boundary line approximating the 30 fm 

(55 m) depth contour from March 15 

through June 15 with the following 

exceptions: Recreational fishing for 

lingcod is permitted within the RCA on 

days that the primary halibut fishery is 

open; recreational fishing for rockfish is 

permitted within the RCA from March 

15 through June 15; recreational fishing 

for sablefish and Pacific cod is 

permitted within the recreational RCA 

from May 1 through June 15. In addition 

to the RCA described above, between 

the Queets River (47°31.70′ N. lat.) and 

Leadbetter Point (46°38.17′ N. lat.) 

(Washington state Marine Area 2), 

recreational fishing for lingcod is 

prohibited year round seaward of a 


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742 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules 

straight line connecting all of the 

following points in the order stated: 

47°31.70′ N. lat., 124°45.00′ W. long.; 

46°38.17′ N. lat., 124°30.00′ W. long. 

with the following exceptions: On days 

that the primary halibut fishery is open 

lingcod may be taken, retained and 

possessed within the lingcod area 

closure. Days open to Pacific halibut 

recreational fishing off Washington are 

announced on the NMFS hotline at 

(206) 526–6667 or (800) 662–9825. For 

additional regulations regarding the 

Washington recreational lingcod fishery, 

see paragraph (c)(1)(iv) of this section. 

Coordinates for the boundary line 

approximating the 30 fm (55 m) depth 

contour are listed in § 660.71. 

(3) Between Leadbetter Point 

(46°38.17′ N. lat.) and the Columbia 

River (Marine Area 1), when Pacific 

halibut are onboard the vessel, no 

groundfish may be taken and retained, 

possessed or landed, except sablefish 

and Pacific cod from May 1 through 

September 30. Except that taking, 

retaining, possessing or landing 

incidental halibut with groundfish on 

board is allowed in the nearshore area 

on days not open to all-depth Pacific 

halibut fisheries in the area shoreward 

of the boundary line approximating the 

30 fathom (55 m) depth contour 

extending from Leadbetter Point, WA 

(46°38.17′ N. lat., 124°15.88′ W. long.) to 

the Columbia River (46°16.00′ N. lat., 

124°15.88′ W. long.) and from there, 

connecting to the boundary line 

approximating the 40 fathom (73 m) 

depth contour in Oregon. Nearshore 

season days are established in the 

annual management measures for 

Pacific halibut fisheries, which are 

published in the Federal Register and 

are announced on the NMFS halibut 

hotline, 1–800–662–9825. Between 

Leadbetter Point (46°38.17′ N. lat.) and 

46°28.00′ N. lat., recreational fishing for 

lingcod is prohibited year round 

seaward of a straight line connecting all 

of the following points in the order 

stated: 46°38.17′ N. lat., 124°21.00′ W. 

long.; and 46°28.00′ N. lat., 124°21.00′ 

W. long. 

* * * * * 

(iii) * * * 

(B) Between 48°10′ N. lat. (Cape 

Alava) and 46°16′ N. lat. (Columbia 

River) (Washington Marine Areas 1–3), 

there is a 2 cabezon per day bag limit. 

* * * * * 

(iv) * * * 

(A) Between the U.S./Canada border 

and 48°10′ N. lat. (Cape Alava) 

(Washington Marine Area 4), 

recreational fishing for lingcod is open, 

for 2015, from April 16 through October 

15, and for 2016, from April 16 through 

October 15. Lingcod may be no smaller 

than 22 inches (61 cm) total length. 

(B) Between 48°10′ N. lat. (Cape 

Alava) and 46°16′ N. lat. (Columbia 

River) (Washington Marine Areas 1–3), 

recreational fishing for lingcod is open 

for 2015, from March 14 through 

October 17, and for 2016, from March 12 

through October 15. Lingcod may be no 

smaller than 22 inches (56 cm) total 

length. 

* * * * * 

(2) * * * 

(iii) * * * 

(A) Marine fish. The bag limit is 10 

marine fish per day, which includes 

rockfish, kelp greenling, cabezon and 

other groundfish species. There is a 1 

fish sub-bag limit per day for canary 

rockfish (of the total marine bag limit, 

no more than 1 fish may be canary) from 

January 1 through December 31. The bag 

limit of marine fish excludes Pacific 

halibut, salmonids, tuna, perch species, 

sturgeon, sanddabs, flatfish, lingcod, 

striped bass, hybrid bass, offshore 

pelagic species and baitfish (herring, 

smelt, anchovies and sardines). The 

minimum size for cabezon retained in 

the Oregon recreational fishery is 16 in 

(41 cm) total length. The minimum size 

for kelp greenling retained in the 

Oregon recreational fishery is 10 in (25 

cm). 

* * * * * 

(D) In the Pacific halibut fisheries. 

Retention of groundfish is governed in 

part by annual management measures 

for Pacific halibut fisheries, which are 

published in the Federal Register. 

Between the Columbia River and 

Humbug Mountain, during days open to 

the ‘‘all-depth’’ sport halibut fisheries, 

when Pacific halibut are onboard the 

vessel, no groundfish may be taken and 

retained, possessed or landed, except 

sablefish and Pacific cod. ‘‘All-depth’’ 

season days are established in the 

annual management measures for 

Pacific halibut fisheries, which are 

published in the Federal Register and 

are announced on the NMFS Pacific 

halibut hotline, 1–800–662–9825. 

(E) Taking and retaining yelloweye 

rockfish is prohibited at all times and in 

all areas. 

* * * * * 

(3) * * * 

(i) * * * 

(A) * * * 

* * * * * 

(2) Between 40°10′ N. lat. and 

38°57.50′ N. lat. (Mendocino 

Management Area), recreational fishing 

for all groundfish (except ‘‘other 

flatfish’’ as specified in paragraph 

(c)(3)(iv) of this section) is prohibited 

seaward of the 20 fm (37 m) depth 

contour along the mainland coast and 

along islands and offshore seamounts 

from May 15 through October 31 

(shoreward of 20 fm is open), and is 

closed entirely from January 1 through 

May 14 and from November 1 through 

December 31. 

(3) Between 38°57.50′ N. lat. and 

37°11′ N. lat. (San Francisco 

Management Area), recreational fishing 

for all groundfish (except ‘‘other 

flatfish’’ as specified in paragraph 

(c)(3)(iv) of this section) is prohibited 

seaward of the boundary line 

approximating the 30 fm (55 m) depth 

contour along the mainland coast and 

along islands and offshore seamounts 

from April 15 through December 31; and 

is closed entirely from January 1 

through April 14. Closures around 

Cordell Banks (see paragraph (c)(3)(i)(C) 

of this section) also apply in this area. 

Coordinates for the boundary line 

approximating the 30 fm (55 m) depth 

contour are listed in § 660.71. 

(4) Between 37°11′ N. lat. and 34°27′ 

N. lat. (Central Management Area), 

recreational fishing for all groundfish 

(except ‘‘other flatfish’’ as specified in 

paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this section) is 

prohibited seaward of a boundary line 

approximating the 40 fm (73 m) depth 

contour along the mainland coast and 

along islands and offshore seamounts 

from April 1 through December 31; and 

is closed entirely from January 1 

through March 31 (i.e. prohibited 

seaward of the shoreline). Coordinates 

for the boundary line approximating the 

40 fm (73 m) depth contour are 

specified in § 660.71. 

(5) South of 34°27′ N. lat. (Southern 

Management Area), recreational fishing 

for all groundfish (except California 

scorpionfish as specified below in this 

paragraph and in paragraph (c)(3)(v) of 

this section and ‘‘other flatfish’’ as 

specified in paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this 

section) is prohibited seaward of a 

boundary line approximating the 60 fm 

(109.7 m) depth contour from March 1 

through December 31 along the 

mainland coast and along islands and 

offshore seamounts, except in the CCAs 

where fishing is prohibited seaward of 

the 20 fm (37 m) depth contour when 

the fishing season is open (see 

paragraph (c)(3)(i)(B) of this section). 

Recreational fishing for all groundfish 

(except California scorpionfish and 

‘‘other flatfish’’) is closed entirely from 

January 1 through February 28 (i.e., 

prohibited seaward of the shoreline). 

Recreational fishing for California 

scorpionfish south of 34°27′ N. lat. is 

prohibited seaward of a boundary line 

approximating the 60 fm (109.7 m) 

depth contour from January 1 through 

December 31, except in the CCAs where 


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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Proposed Rules 743 

fishing is prohibited seaward of the 20 

fm (37 m) depth contour when the 

fishing season is open. 

* * * * * 

(ii) * * * 

(A) * * * 

* * * * * 

(2) Between 40°10′ N. lat. and 

38°57.50′ N. lat. (Mendocino 

Management Area), recreational fishing 

for the RCG Complex is open from May 

15 through October 31 (i.e., it’s closed 

from January 1 through May 14 and 

November 1 through December 31). 

(3) Between 38°57.50′ N. lat. and 

37°11′ N. lat. (San Francisco 

Management Area), recreational fishing 

for the RCG complex is open from April 

15 through December 31 (i.e. it’s closed 

from January 1 through April 14). 

(4) Between 37°11′ N. lat. and 34°27′ 

N. lat. (Central Management Area), 

recreational fishing for the RCG 

complex is open from April 1 through 

December 31 (i.e. it’s closed from 

January 1 through March 31). 

* * * * * 

(iii) * * * 

(A) * * * 

(2) Between 40°10′ N. lat. and 

38°57.50′ N. lat. (Mendocino 

Management Area), recreational fishing 

for lingcod is open from May 15 through 

October 31 (i.e., it’s closed from January 

1 through May 14 and November 1 

through December 31). 

(3) Between 38°57.50′ N. lat. and 

37°11′ N. lat. (San Francisco 

Management Area), recreational fishing 

for lingcod is open from April 15 

through December 31 (i.e. it’s closed 

from January 1 through April 14). 

(4) Between 37°11′ N. lat. and 34°27′ 

N. lat. (Central Management Area), 

recreational fishing for lingcod is open 

from April 1 through December 31 (i.e. 

it’s closed from January 1 through 

March 31). 

* * * * * 

(B) Bag limits, hook limits. In times 

and areas when the recreational season 

for lingcod is open, there is a limit of 

2 hooks and 1 line when fishing for 

lingcod. The bag limit is 3 lingcod per 

day. Multi-day limits are authorized by 

a valid permit issued by California and 

must not exceed the daily limit 

multiplied by the number of days in the 

fishing trip. 

* * * * * 

(v) * * * 

(A) * * * 

(1) Between 40°10′ N. lat. and 

38°57.50′ N. lat. (Mendocino 

Management Area), recreational fishing 

for California scorpionfish is open from 

May 15 through October 31 (i.e., it’s 

closed from January 1 through May 14 

and from November 1 through 

December 31). 

(2) Between 38°57.50′ N. lat. and 

37°11′ N. lat. (San Francisco 

Management Area), recreational fishing 

for California scorpionfish is open from 

April 15 through December 31 (i.e., it’s 

closed from January 1 through April 14). 

(3) Between 37°11′ N. lat. and 34°27′ 

N. lat. (Central Management Area), 

recreational fishing for California 

scorpionfish is open from April 1 

through December 31 (i.e., it’s closed 

from January 1 through March 31). 

(4) South of 34°27′ N. lat. (Southern 

Management Area), recreational fishing 

for California scorpionfish is open from 

January 1 through December 31. 

* * * * * 

[FR Doc. 2014–30114 Filed 1–5–15; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–P 


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