Source: https://regulations.justia.com/regulations/fedreg/2005/05/04/05-8695.html
Timestamp: 2020-01-22 23:48:30
Document Index: 517186940

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 2', 'ART 15', 'art 15', '§ 15', 'art 15', 'art 15', 'art 15', 'art 660', 'art 660', 'art 660', 'art 300', 'art 300', '§ 660', '§ 660', '§ 660', '§ 660', '§ 660', '§ 660', 'art 660', 'art 660', 'art 660', 'art 660', 'ART 660', 'art 660', '§ 660', '§ 660', '§ 660', '§ 660', 'art 660', '§ 660', '§ 660', '§ 660', '§ 660', '§ 660', 'art 660', 'art 660', 'art 300', 'art 660', 'art 660', 'art 660', 'art 660']

Fisheries Off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Specifications and Management Measures; Inseason Adjustments; Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Corrections, 23040-23053 [05-8695] :: National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration :: Department Of Commerce :: Regulation Tracker :: Justia
Justia Regulation Tracker Department Of Commerce National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Specifications and Management Measures; Inseason Adjustments; Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Corrections, 23040-23053 [05-8695]
Fisheries Off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Specifications and Management Measures; Inseason Adjustments; Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Corrections, 23040-23053 [05-8695]
Download as PDF 23040 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 85 / Wednesday, May 4, 2005 / Rules and Regulations (12) An application for certification of a software defined radio must include the information required by § 2.944. * * * * * (c) * * * (18) An application for certification of a software defined radio must include the information required by § 2.944. * * * * * 8. Section 2.1043 is amended by revising paragraph (b)(3) to read as follows: I § 2.1043 Changes in certificated equipment. * * * * * (b) * * * (3) A Class III permissive change includes modifications to the software of a software defined radio transmitter that change the frequency range, modulation type or maximum output power (either radiated or conducted) outside the parameters previously approved, or that change the circumstances under which the transmitter operates in accordance with Commission rules. When a Class III permissive change is made, the grantee shall supply the Commission with a description of the changes and test results showing that the equipment complies with the applicable rules with the new software loaded, including compliance with the applicable RF exposure requirements. The modified software shall not be loaded into the equipment, and the equipment shall not be marketed with the modified software under the existing grant of certification, prior to acknowledgement by the Commission that the change is acceptable. Class III changes are permitted only for equipment in which no Class II changes have been made from the originally approved device. Note to paragraph (b)(3): Any software change that degrades spurious and out-ofband emissions previously reported to the Commission at the time of initial certification would be considered a change in frequency or modulation and would require a Class III permissive change or new equipment authorization application. * * * * * PART 15—RADIO FREQUENCY DEVICES 9. The authority citation of part 15 continues to read as follows: I Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 302, 303, 304, 307, 336, and 544. 10. Section 15.202 is added to read as follows: I VerDate jul<14>2003 13:01 May 03, 2005 Jkt 205001 § 15.202 range Certified operating frequency Client devices that operate in a master/client network may be certified if they have the capability of operating outside permissible part 15 frequency bands, provided they operate on only permissible part 15 frequencies under the control of the master device with which they communicate. Master devices marketed within the United States must be limited to operation on permissible part 15 frequencies. Client devices that can also act as master devices must meet the requirements of a master device. For the purposes of this section, a master device is defined as a device operating in a mode in which it has the capability to transmit without receiving an enabling signal. In this mode it is able to select a channel and initiate a network by sending enabling signals to other devices. A network always has at least one device operating in master mode. A client device is defined as a device operating in a mode in which the transmissions of the device are under control of the master. A device in client mode is not able to initiate a network. [FR Doc. 05–8808 Filed 5–3–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 660 [Docket No. 040830250–5062–03; I.D. 042205C] Fisheries Off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Specifications and Management Measures; Inseason Adjustments; Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Corrections National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Inseason adjustments to management measures; announcement of incidental halibut retention allowance; corrections; request for comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: NMFS announces changes to management measures in the commercial and recreational Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries. NMFS also announces regulations for the retention of Pacific halibut landed incidentally in the limited entry longline primary sablefish fishery north of Pt. Chehalis, PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 WA (46°53.30′ N. lat.). This document also contains notification of a voluntary closed area (also called an ‘‘area to be avoided’’) off Washington for salmon trollers. These actions, which are authorized by the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP), will allow fisheries to access more abundant groundfish stocks while protecting overfished and depleted stocks. This action also corrects the trawl gear regulatory language for chafing gear and selective flatfish trawl gear. DATES: Effective 0001 hours (local time) May 1, 2005, except that the amendments to 50 CFR 660.381 (b)(5)(i) are effective June 3, 2005. Comments on this rule will be accepted through June 3, 2005. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by 042205C, by any of the following methods: • E-mail: GroundfishInseason2.nwr@noaa.gov. Include I.D. number in the subject line of the message. • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Fax: 206–526–6736, Attn: Carrie Nordeen. • Mail: D. Robert Lohn, Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, Attn: Carrie Nordeen, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115–0070. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jamie Goen or Carrie Nordeen (Northwest Region, NMFS), phone: 206– 526–6140; fax: 206–526–6736; and email: carrie.nordeen@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Electronic Access This Federal Register document is available on the Government Printing Office′s website at: www.gpoaccess.gov/ fr/index.html. Background information and documents are available at the NMFS Northwest Region website at: www.nwr.noaa.gov/1sustfsh/ gdfsh01.htm and at the Pacific Fishery Management Council′s website at: www.pcouncil.org. Background The Pacific Coast Groundfish FMP and its implementing regulations at title 50 in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), part 660, subpart G, regulate fishing for over 80 species of groundfish off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. Groundfish specifications and management measures are developed by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council), and are implemented by E:\FR\FM\04MYR1.SGM 04MYR1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 85 / Wednesday, May 4, 2005 / Rules and Regulations NMFS. The specifications and management measures for 2005–2006 were codified in the CFR (50 CFR part 660, subpart G) and published in the Federal Register as a proposed rule on September 21, 2004 (69 FR 56550), and as a final rule on December 23, 2004 (69 FR 77012). The final rule was subsequently amended on March 18, 2005 (70 FR 13118) and March 30, 2005 (70 FR 16145). The Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 (16 U.S.C. 773–773k) (Halibut Act) and its implementing regulations at 50 CFR part 300, subpart E, regulate fishing for Pacific Halibut in U.S. Convention waters. The Halibut Act also authorizes the Pacific Council to develop regulations governing the Pacific halibut catch in waters off of Washington, Oregon, and California that are in addition to, but not in conflict with, regulations of the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC). Accordingly, the Pacific Council has developed, and NMFS has approved, a catch sharing plan (CSP) to allocate the total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific halibut between treaty Indian and nonIndian harvesters, and among nonIndian commercial and sport fisheries in IPHC statistical Area 2A (off Washington, Oregon, and California). The CSP, as implemented at 50 CFR part 300, provides for retention of halibut landed incidentally in the limited entry, longline primary sablefish fishery north of Pt. Chehalis, WA (46°53.30′ N. lat.) in years when the Area 2A TAC is above 900,000 lb (408.2 mt). Because the Area 2A TAC is above 900,000 lb (408.2 mt) in 2005, NMFS is establishing an allowance for incidental halibut retention in the primary sablefish fishery in 2005. The following changes to current groundfish management measures were recommended by the Pacific Council, in consultation with Pacific Coast Treaty Indian Tribes and the States of Washington, Oregon, and California, at its April 3–8, 2005, meeting in Tacoma, WA. The changes recommended by the Pacific Council include: (1) changes to the limited entry trawl trip limits, (2) changes to the trawl RCA for limited entry trawl fisheries and open access non-groundfish trawl fisheries, (3) a clarification to the trawl gear language in 50 CFR 660.381 regarding chafing gear and selective flatfish trawl gear, (4) an incidental catch allowance for halibut in the limited entry primary sablefish fishery north of Pt. Chehalis, WA, (5) a voluntary area closure off Washington for salmon trollers and (6) changes to California′s recreational groundfish fishery seasons and Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCAs). Pacific VerDate jul<14>2003 13:01 May 03, 2005 Jkt 205001 Coast groundfish landings will be monitored throughout the year, and further adjustments to trip limits or management measures will be made as necessary to allow achievement of, or to avoid exceeding, optimum yields (OYs). Limited Entry Trawl Limit Adjustments and RCA Changes The trawl RCAs and limited entry trawl trip limits for Dover sole, ‘‘other flatfish,’’ petrale sole, English sole, arrowtooth flounder, minor slope rockfish, darkblotched rockfish and splitnose rockfish are adjusted based on updated trawl model projections and current fish ticket landings data from the Pacific Fisheries Information Network database (PacFIN). The trawl model used to project trawl catch of target groundfish species and bycatch of overfished species was updated by the NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center for the April Pacific Council meeting. The trawl model was updated to include new fishticket, logbook and observer data, as well as other minor changes such as separating English sole from ‘‘other flatfish’’ in the trawl model. Previously, the trawl model had used a weighted average of fishticket data from 2000 through 2003 to document the amount of target species landings for each limited entry trawl vessel participating in the fishery. For the updated model, fishticket data from 2004 replaced the data from 2000. The updated model continues to use a weighted average for 2001 through 2004 data, with greater weight given to more recent year′s data. Similarly, the trawl model had previously used a weighted average of trawl logbook data from 2000 through 2003 to develop a baseline of each vessel’s target catch among depth zones. Where possible, 2004 logbook data replaced data from 2000. However, logbook data are often incomplete early in the year. For the updated trawl model, a large portion of Oregon’s 2004 logbook data and California’s logbook data from the last six months of 2004 are still not available. Therefore, for periods where data are not complete for 2004, a weighted average from 2001 through 2003 was used in the updated model. As logbook data for 2004 becomes available from Oregon and California, the trawl model will be updated during 2005. Due to the inability to include the 2004 Oregon logbook data, concerns over the effect of higher fuel prices on fleet depth distribution, and possible impacts on canary rockfish, an overfished groundfish species, inseason adjustments were modeled assuming a higher likelihood that vessels will fish PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 23041 shoreward of the trawl rockfish conservation area (RCA) than was modeled in 2004. New observer data from September 2003 through August 2004 was also used to update the trawl model. NMFS West Coast Groundfish Observer Program (WCGOP) reports are available online: http://www.nwfsc.noaa.gov/ research/divisions/fram/observer/. The trawl model was adjusted to account for the new 2005 requirement to use selective flatfish trawl gear shoreward of the trawl RCA north of 40°10′ N. lat. In addition to updating the trawl model, fishticket landings data from PacFIN for the first cumulative limit period (January through February) in 2005 were reviewed and compared to trawl model projections for 2005. Landings for petrale sole, trawl sablefish, longspine, arrowtooth, and Dover sole were higher than what had been projected for that period in the trawl model, while landings of slope rockfish, including darkblotched rockfish and splitnose rockfish, were substantially below initial model projections. The higher landings of petrale and Dover sole are of particular concern, because access to flatfish stocks are substantially more liberal than in recent years, and these species were initially modeled to achieve their respective OYs. Therefore, flatfish trip limits were reduced in order to slow the catch of flatfish species. Current slope rockfish landings are tracking slower than projected for 2005; however, the Pacific Council was reluctant to increase trip limits for these species based on its concern over the results from management actions in 2004. In May 2004, the Pacific Council had recommended trawl management measures that affected the catch rate of darkblotched rockfish. Specifically, the trawl slope rockfish cumulative limit was increased (from 4,000 lbs (1.8 mt) to 8,000 lbs (3.6 mt) per 2 months north of 40°10′N. lat.) and the seaward trawl RCA boundary was moved from 200 fm (366 m) to 150 fm (274 m) (north of 40°′N. lat.). Targeting on slope rockfish increased after the May 2004 inseason action, and industry members reported that there was a size-related market discard factor for small darkblotched rockfish that was independent of trip limit size. The combination of these factors contributed to an increased darkblotched encounter rate, and potentially the discard rate. In September 2004, the Pacific Council made a recommendation to drastically slow the catch of darkblotched rockfish based on PacFIN fishticket landings data and, for nonwhiting trawl, on a preliminary E:\FR\FM\04MYR1.SGM 04MYR1 23042 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 85 / Wednesday, May 4, 2005 / Rules and Regulations estimated discard proportion measured by information collected from the WCGOP from the 2003 fishery when the slope rockfish limit was 1,800 lbs (816 mt) per 2–months. NMFS implemented reduced trip limits and RCA changes to bring the catch of darkblotched rockfish to near zero for the remainder of 2004 through an inseason action published in the Federal Register on October 6, 2004 (69 FR 59816). In the preamble to the final rule to implement the 2005–2006 groundfish specifications and management measures (69 FR 77012, December 23, 2004), NMFS stated that, based on data available at that time, it believed that the 2004 darkblotched rockfish acceptable biological catch/OY had been exceeded by September 2004. NMFS is in the process of reviewing the updated 2004 catch data using the updated trawl model. Also in response to the higher darkblotched rockfish mortalities, the Pacific Council recommended and NMFS implemented more restrictive limited entry trawl management measures for the beginning of 2005 as a precautionary measure until new observer data were available. Specifically, in the area north of 40°10′ N. lat, the RCA boundary scheduled for Period 1 (January through February) was moved from a boundary line approximating the 150–fm (274–m) depth contour to one approximating the 200–fm (366–m) depth contour, modified to allow fishing in petrale areas, and the slope rockfish trip limits were reduced to 4,000 lbs (1.8 mt) per 2 months (i.e., the same trip limit that was in place in Period 1 of 2004). These RCA boundaries and trip limits were also adopted for the area between 40E10′ N. lat and 38E N. lat. due to uncertainty in darkblotched encounter rates for that area. At that time, the Pacific Council anticipated that these RCA boundaries and/or trip limits would then be adjusted inseason in April 2005 as more discard information became available from the 2004 Observer Program. At its April 2005 meeting, the Pacific Council recommended liberalizing the seaward trawl RCA boundary for 2005 from a boundary line approximating the 200–fm (366–m) depth contour back to one approximating the 150–fm (274–m) depth in this area, and increasing the minor slope rockfish and splitnose limits from 4,000 lbs (1.8) mt) per 2 months to 8,000 lbs (3.6 mt) per 2 months for the following reasons: (1) the darkblotched rockfish encounter rate for the area south of 40°10′N. lat. is much lower than the encounter rate for the area north of 40°10′ N. lat. and, therefore, is expected to result in a VerDate jul<14>2003 13:01 May 03, 2005 Jkt 205001 minimal increased amount of darkblotched catch, and; (2) the area between 40°10′ N. lat. and 38° N. lat. was overly constrained through action taken in September 2004, as a temporary precautionary measure, until NMFS Observer Program data were available. In general, using the encounter rates based on information from the NMFS Observer Program, as used in the trawl model, produced an anticipated total catch estimate of darkblotched rockfish for all fisheries combined of 172.3 mt (as compared to a 2005 OY of 269 mt). Therefore, while the Pacific Council recommended moving the RCA boundary and increasing the slope rockfish trip limits between 40°10′ N. lat. and 38° N. lat., they recommended a precautionary approach to the magnitude of adjustment (i.e., only increasing limits to 8,000 lbs (3.6 mt) per 2 months, rather than increasing them to a higher limit) at this time. Therefore, the Pacific Council recommended and NMFS is implementing the following inseason adjustments: (1) Decrease Dover sole trip limits with large and small footrope trawl gear from 69,000 lbs (31.3 mt) per 2 months to 22,000 lbs (10.0 mt) per 2 months in Period 6 (November through December) north of 40°10′ N. lat. ; (2) Decrease Dover sole trip limits with selective flatfish trawl gear from 50,000 lbs (22.7 mt) per 2 months to 35,000 lbs (15.9 mt) per 2 months (15.9 mt) in Periods 3 through 5 (May through October) and from 20,000 lbs (9.1 mt) per 2 months (9.1 mt) to 8,000 lbs (3.6 mt) per 2 months on Period 6 north of 40°10′ N. lat.; (3) Decrease petrale sole sub-trip limit in the other flatfish and English sole trip limit with large and small footrope trawl gear from 42,000 lbs (19.1 mt) per 2 months (19.1 mt) to 40,000 lbs (18.1 mt) per 2 months (18.1 mt) in Periods 3 through 5 north of 40°10′ N. lat.; (4) In Period 6 decrease the other flatfish and english sole trip limit from 110,000 lbs (49.9 mt) per 2 months (49.9 mt) to 80,000 lbs (36.3 mt) per 2 months north of 40°10′ N. lat., make petrale sole a sublimit and decrease it from ‘‘not limited’’ to 60,000 lbs (27.2 mt) per 2 months (27.2 mt); (5) Decrease the other flatfish, English and petrale sole trip limits with selective flatfish trawl gear from 100,000 lbs per (45.4 mt) per 2 months to 90,000 lbs (40.8 mt) per 2 months in Periods 3 through 5 north of 40°10′ N. lat.; (6) In period 6 decrease the other flatfish, English and petrale sole trip limits with selective flatfish trawl gear from 100,000 lbs (45.4 mt) per 2 months (45.4 mt) to 75,000 lbs (34.0 mt) per 2 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 months (34.0 mt) and the petrale sole sublimit from 25,000 lbs (11.3 mt) per 2 months (11.3 mt) to 15,000 lbs (6.8 mt) per 2 months (6.8 mt) north of 40°10′ N. lat.; (7) Decrease arrowtooth flounder trip limits with large and small footrope trawl gear from ‘‘not limited’’ to 80,000 lbs per (36.3 mt) per 2 months in Period 6 north of 40°10′ N. lat.; (8) Decrease Dover sole trip limits from 50,000 lbs (22.7 mt) per 2 months to 40,000 lbs (18.1 mt) per 2 months in Periods 3 through 5 and from 50,000 lbs (22.7 mt) per 2 months to 35,000 lbs (15.9 mt) per 2 months in Period 6 south of 40°10′ N. lat.; (9) In Period 6 make petrale sole a sub-trip limit of other flatfish and English sole and decrease it from ‘‘not limited’’ to 100,000 lbs (45.4 mt) 2 months south of 40°10′ N. lat.; (10) Decrease arrowtooth flounder trip limits in Period 6 from ‘‘not limited’’ to 20,000 lbs (9.1 mt) 2 months south of 40°10′ N. lat.; (11) Increase minor slope rockfish and darkblotched and splitnose rockfish trip limits from 4,000 lbs (1.8 mt) per 2 months to 8,000 lbs (3.6 mt) per 2 months in Periods 3 through 6 between 40°10′ N. lat. and 38° N. lat.; (12) Move the seaward boundary of the trawl RCA for limited entry trawl and open access non-groundfish trawl from a boundary line approximating the 200–fm (366–m) depth contour to a boundary line approximating the 150– fm (274–m) depth contour in Periods 3 through 6 between 40°10′ N. lat. and 38° N. lat. [Note: North of 40°10′ N. lat., multiple bottom trawl gear trip limits are adjusted to match trip limits for the most restrictive gear type for that species in the trip limits table, Table 3 (North).] Retention of Incidental Halibut Catch in the Primary Sablefish Fishery North of Pt. Chehalis, WA The Pacific halibut CSP and implementing regulations at 50 CFR 300.63(b)(3) provide for retention of halibut landed incidentally in the limited entry, longline primary sablefish fishery north of Pt. Chehalis, WA (46°53.30′ N. lat.) in years when the Area 2A TAC is above 900,000 lb (408.2 mt). The 2005 Area 2A TAC is 1,330,000 lb (603 mt). According to IPHC and Federal regulations, Pacific halibut may not be taken by gear other than hook-and-line gear. Only vessels registered for use with sablefish-endorsed limited entry permits may participate in the primary fixed gear sablefish fishery specified for halibut retention in the CSP. Vessels must also carry IPHC commercial E:\FR\FM\04MYR1.SGM 04MYR1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 85 / Wednesday, May 4, 2005 / Rules and Regulations halibut licenses in order to retain and land halibut. Incidental halibut retention in the primary sablefish fishery is only available to vessels operating north of Pt. Chehalis, WA (46°53.30′ N. lat.). Under Pacific halibut regulations at 50 CFR 300.63, halibut taken and retained in the primary sablefish fishery may not be possessed or landed south of Pt. Chehalis, WA (46°53.30′ N. lat.). Similar to 2004, halibut caught incidentally in the primary sablefish fishery may be retained by appropriately licensed longline vessels. In 2005, the amount of incidental halibut retained in the primary sablefish fishery is capped at 70,000 lb (31.8 mt), to ensure that the fishery is maintained as an incidental and not as a directed fishery. The objective for setting annual landing restrictions is to reach the halibut quota for this fishery at about the same time as the primary sablefish season ends, October 31, and to ensure an equitable sharing of the halibut landings among the fishers. To achieve this objective, incidental halibut retention in the sablefish fishery over the past few years has been structured as a ratio of halibut landings permitted in relation to sablefish landings. Therefore, the Pacific Council recommended, and NMFS is implementing the following: Beginning May 1, 2005, and continuing until the halibut quota (70,000 lbs or 31.8 mt) is taken, longliners eligible to participate in the primary sablefish fishery north of Pt. Chehalis, WA (46°53.30′ N. lat.) (see 50 CFR 660.372(a)) with appropriate IPHC licenses may retain incidental halibut landings up to 100 lbs (45 kg) (dressed weight) of halibut for every 1,000 lbs (454 kg) (dressed weight) of sablefish landed and up to two additional halibut in excess of the 100 lb (45 kg) per 1,000 lb (454 kg) ratio per landing. Halibut may not be on board a vessel that has any gear other than longline gear on board (e.g., pot or trawl gear). Voluntary ‘‘C-shaped’’ Closure off Washington for Salmon Troll Fisheries Since 2003, NMFS has implemented a ‘‘C-shaped’’ Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA) off the Washington coast to protect yelloweye rockfish, an overfished species (see 50 CFR 660.390(a)). For 2005, the ‘‘Cshaped’’ YRCA is a mandatory closed area for recreational groundfish and recreational Pacific halibut fishing. In addition, the ‘‘C-shaped’’ YRCA has been designated as an area to be avoided (a voluntary closure) by commercial fixed gear groundfish fishermen at §§ 660.382(c)(1) and 660.383(c)(1). VerDate jul<14>2003 13:01 May 03, 2005 Jkt 205001 Much of the YRCA is already closed to commercial groundfish fixed gear fishermen by the non-trawl RCA, which extends from the Washington shoreline to specific latitude and longitude coordinates that approximate the 100– fm (183–m) depth contour. To further protect yelloweye rockfish, the Pacific Council has recommended that the ‘‘C-shaped’’ YRCA in the North Coast subarea (Washington Marine Area 3) also be designated as an area to be avoided (a voluntary closure) by salmon trollers to protect yelloweye rockfish. California’s Recreational Groundfish Fishery Seasons and RCAs At the March 2005 Pacific Council meeting, the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) provided an Informational Report that summarized the California Recreational Fisheries Survey (CRFS) program implementation and validation process, and provided recreational groundfish catch and effort estimates by mode for 2004. CRFS results showed that California recreational harvest guidelines or allocations for overfished species were not exceeded in 2004. Initially, California′s 2005 recreational fishery was structured with a more restrictive season than the 2004 fishery, based on the Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics Survey (MRFSS) data through 2003. Based on the CRFS catch results from 2004, in conjunction with the improved ability for real-time inseason catch monitoring through CRFS, the Pacific Council conveyed its willingness to consider CRFS estimates to support inseason adjustments to California’s recreational fishery in 2005. CDFG reviewed the uncertainties and risks associated with using the CRFS data including: (1) identification of technical errors in CRFS during its first year of operation; (2) the tracking of uncalibrated 2004 CRFS data against harvest targets set for unassessed and assessed stocks; and (3) impacts on fishing opportunities of other fisheries and sectors. As with any new program involving sampling and expansions, there is the risk that technical errors may be identified during implementation. The RecFIN Statistical Sub-committee (RecFIN SSC) met recently and evaluated the data inputs from the first year of the CRFS sampling program including errors that could potentially affect the catch estimates generated for 2004. The RecFIN SSC′s findings primarily focused on sampling errors in the Angler License Database (ALD) survey. Specifically, the RecFIN SSC noted that licensed anglers were kept in the sample population for only one sample period (month) following PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 23043 entry into the angler license database, instead of being retained for the remainder of the calendar year. Sampling errors such as this one can cause statistical problems and biases in the estimate. However, further discussion highlighted the fact that ALD effort estimates are only used to estimate catch for modes of fishing that cannot be observed directly in the field. This includes beach/bank anglers, private access boats, and night-time fishing components of the private/ rental, man-made, and beach/bank modes. Considering that only about 10 percent of the overall catch and effort for all sportfishing in California comes from these anglers, of which the majority are beach and bank anglers, and that anglers fishing from beach and banks do not catch significant numbers of groundfish, the Pacific Council concluded that the impact of this error on the estimates for groundfish species of concern should be minimal. CDFG also summarized their plans for tracking inseason take, instituting closures, and providing regulation and educational information to the public. CDFG staff will review recreational catch estimates on a monthly basis for inseason tracking and provide these estimates to the Pacific Council’s Groundfish Management Team. In addition, as 2005 monthly catch estimates become available, CDFG will replace the projected catches with the estimates for that month and will use these along with the remaining projected impacts to evaluate whether harvest targets will be met as scheduled. If catches are projected to exceed specific harvest targets specified in Federal regulations, then the Director of CDFG can take action to restrict the fishery to slow the harvest or close the fishery when warranted. This state action becomes effective 10 days after the state has issued public notice on the action. To keep anglers informed and assist with rapid distribution of concerns or requests to slow fishing, CDFG has established a communication network with charter/party boat fishing vessel operators and approximately 20 recreational angling associations and clubs (this network successfully stopped the targeting of widow rockfish in Southern California waters during 2004). At the Pacific Council’s April 2005 meeting and using the 2004 recreational groundfish fishing regulations as a starting point, CDFG recommended modifying the Federal fishing season in 2005 to liberalize the fishing seasons and RCAs based on new information. Primary considerations in adjusting the season were minimizing the canary and E:\FR\FM\04MYR1.SGM 04MYR1 23044 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 85 / Wednesday, May 4, 2005 / Rules and Regulations minor nearshore rockfish catch and distributing the fishing effort over a greater depth range to avoid concentrating the fishing effort on the nearshore groundfish species by using a combination of open seasons and allowable depths of fishing. In all areas, California regulations will allow divers and shore anglers to take groundfish, except lingcod in December, during the season closures. The impacts of this action on overfished species and on other groundfish species are projected to remain within the harvest targets and OYs for those species. Therefore, the Pacific Council recommended and NMFS is implementing changes to California’s recreational groundfish fishery as follows: (1) From the California/Oregon border to 40°10′ N. lat., extend the season for all species from July through October to May through December, except that lingcod is closed in December and ‘‘other flatfish’’ remains status quo; (2) From the California/Oregon border to 40°10′ N. lat., restrict the recreational RCA from open shoreward of a boundary line approximating the 40–fm (73–m) depth contour to open shoreward of a boundary line approximating the 30 fm (55 m) depth contour (except the ‘‘other flatfish’’ remains exempt from the RCA); (3) Between 40°10′ N. lat. to 36° N. lat., extend the season for all species (except lingcod and ‘‘other flatfish’’ remain status quo) from July through November to July through December; (4) Between 36° N. lat. to 34°27′ N. lat., liberalize the recreational RCA from open between boundary lines approximating the 20–fm (37–m) and 40–fm (73–m) depth contours to open shoreward of a boundary line approximating the 40 fm (73 m) depth contour for all species (except ‘‘other flatfish’’ remains status quo); (5) South of 34°27′ N. lat., extend the season for nearshore rockfish, California sheephead, cabezon, greenlings, ocean whitefish and shelf rockfish from March through September to March through December; (6) South of 34°27′ N. lat., extend the season for lingcod from April through September to April through November; (7) South of 34°27′ N. lat., the season for California scorpionfish and the season and RCA exemption for ‘‘other flatfish’’ remains status quo; (8) South of 34°27′ N. lat., liberalize the recreational RCA from open between boundary lines approximating the 30– fm (55–m) and 60 fm (110 m) depth contours from April through June, shoreward of a boundary line approximating the 40–fm (73–m) depth VerDate jul<14>2003 13:01 May 03, 2005 Jkt 205001 contour from July through August and November, and shoreward of the 20–fm (37–m) depth contour in December to open shoreward of a boundary line approximating the 60–fm (110–m) depth contour from April through August and November through December (the recreational RCA for March remains status quo, open between boundary lines approximating the 30–fm (55–m) through 60–fm (110- m) depth contours); (9) South of 34°27′ N. lat., restrict the recreational RCA from open shoreward of a boundary line approximating the 40 fm (73 m) depth contour from September through October to open shoreward of a boundary line approximating the 30 fm (55 m) depth contour from September through October. The Pacific Council also recommended that NMFS use its authority to take action similar to that taken by CDFG between Council meetings, if needed to restrict the fisheries. Corrections and Clarifications The following corrections and clarifications are being made to the 2005–2006 management measures. Limited entry trawl chafing gear language in Federal regulations at 50 CFR 660.381(b)(3) is clarified to include the chafing gear requirements for small footrope trawl gear (currently found in § 660.381(b)(5) and referenced in the chafing gear requirements at § 660.381(b)(3)) with all other chafing gear requirements. Chafing gear requirements at § 660.381(b)(3) currently read as follows: Chafing gear may encircle no more than 50 percent of the net′s circumference, except as provided in paragraph (b)(5) of this section. No section of chafing gear may be longer than 50 meshes of the net to which it is attached. Except at the corners, the terminal end of each section of chafing gear must not be connected to the net. (The terminal end is the end farthest from the mouth of the net.) Chafing gear must be attached outside any riblines and restraining straps. There is no limit on the number of sections of chafing gear on a net. In addition, chafing gear requirements for small footrope trawl gear are mentioned in § 660.381(b)(5) as follows: Chafing gear may be used only on the last 50 meshes of a small footrope trawl, measured from the terminal (closed) end of the codend. To clarify the chafing gear language and keep all chafing gear requirements in one location in the regulations, the Pacific Council recommended and NMFS will modify the regulations to read as follows: Chafing gear may encircle no more than 50 percent of the net′s circumference. No section of chafing gear may be longer than 50 meshes PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 of the net to which it is attached. Chafing gear may be used only on the last 50 meshes of a small footrope trawl, measured from the terminal (closed) end of the codend. Except at the corners, the terminal end of each section of chafing gear on all trawl gear must not be connected to the net. (The terminal end is the end farthest from the mouth of the net.) Chafing gear must be attached outside any riblines and restraining straps. There is no limit on the number of sections of chafing gear on a net. Limited entry selective flatfish trawl gear language in Federal regulations at 50 CFR 660.381(b)(5)(i) is modified to preserve the original intent of the gear requirement. Buoy placement on selective flatfish trawl gear can alter the size and shape of the trawl mouth. Selective flatfish trawl gear regulations are intended to require that the net’s mouth be a flattened oval shape, much wider than it is tall. Changing the shape of the selective flatfish trawl mouth might result in an increased take of rockfish, thus changing the encounter rates of rockfish in targeted flatfish trips with this gear. Trip limits for species taken with selective flatfish gear were previously set for 2005 based on assumptions of incidental rockfish catch with this gear. The Pacific Council′s Groundfish Advisory Subpanel alerted the Groundfish Management Team and Enforcement Consultants that some flatfish participants were modifying the shape of the selective flatfish trawl net mouth through strategic placement of buoys on the net′s upper edge. Increasing the take of rockfish by modifying the gear with buoy placement from its original configuration is not accounted for by the trawl model used to set 2005 trip limits and may, therefore, result in achieving rockfish OYs more quickly than anticipated. The purpose of this modification to selective flatfish trawl gear requirements is to specify allowable buoy placement and the number of riblines to preserve the original intent of the gear requirement. Selective flatfish trawl gear requirements at § 660.381(b)(5)(i) currently read as follows: The selective flatfish trawl net must be a two-seamed net and its breastline may not be longer than 3 ft (0.92 m) in length. There may be no floats along the center third of the selective flatfish trawl net’s headrope and the headrope must be at least 30 percent longer in length than the footrope. Selective flatfish trawl gear may not have a footrope that is longer than 105 ft (32.26 m) in length. An explanatory diagram of a selective flatfish trawl net is provided as Figure 1 of part 660, subpart G. The Pacific Council recommended and NMFS will modify the selective flatfish trawl gear requirement to read as follows: E:\FR\FM\04MYR1.SGM 04MYR1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 85 / Wednesday, May 4, 2005 / Rules and Regulations The selective flatfish trawl net must be a two-seamed net with no more than two riblines, excluding the codend. The breastline may not be longer than 3 ft (0.92 m) in length. There may be no floats along the center third of the headrope or attached to the top panel except on the riblines. The footrope must be less than 105 ft (32.26 m) in length. The headrope must be not less than 30 percent longer than the footrope. An explanatory diagram of a selective flatfish trawl net is provided as Figure 1 of part 660, subpart G. Classification These actions are authorized by the Pacific Coast groundfish FMP, the Halibut Act, and their implementing regulations and are based on the most recent data available. The aggregate data upon which these actions are based are available for public inspection at the Office of the Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, (see ADDRESSES) during business hours. Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), there is good cause to waive prior notice and an opportunity for public comment on the management measures and the selective flatfish trawl gear requirements, as notice and comment would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest. The data upon which these recommendations were based was provided to the Pacific Council and the Pacific Council made its recommendations at its April 3–8, 2005, meeting in Tacoma, WA. There was not sufficient time after that meeting to draft this document and undergo proposed and final rulemaking before these actions need to be in effect at the start of the next cumulative limit period, May 1, 2005, as explained below. For the actions in this notice, prior notice and opportunity for comment would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest because affording the time necessary for prior notice and opportunity for public comment would impede the Agency’s function of managing fisheries using the best available science to approach without exceeding the OYs for federally managed species. The adjustments to management measures in this document include changes to the commercial and recreational groundfish fisheries, including corrections and clarifications. Changes to the trawl RCA and the limited entry trawl trip limits must be implemented in a timely manner by May 1, 2005, so that harvest of groundfish, including overfished species, stays within the harvest levels projected for 2005 based on modeling and the most current catch projections available. Changes to the limited entry fixed gear primary sablefish fishery to VerDate jul<14>2003 13:01 May 03, 2005 Jkt 205001 allow the retention of Pacific halibut must be implemented by May 1, 2005, in order to provide an opportunity for participants in this fishery to catch the available quota projected to be taken based on the ratio of halibut to sablefish landings set. Changes to California’s recreational fishery management measures for seasons and recreational RCAs must be implemented as soon as possible and no later than May 1, 2005, the next recreational fishery management month, in order to conform Federal and state recreational regulations, to protect overfished groundfish species, to keep the harvest of other groundfish species within the harvest levels projected for 2005, and to allow an opportunity for anglers to harvest the available harvest guidelines. Delaying any of these changes would result in management measures that fail to use the best available science and, in some cases, could lead to early closures of the fishery if harvest of groundfish exceeds levels projected for 2005. This would be contrary to the public interest because it would impair achievement of one of the Pacific Coast Groundfish FMP objectives of providing for year-round harvest opportunities or extending fishing opportunities as long as practicable during the fishing year. Delaying these changes would also be contrary to the public’s interest in protecting overfished species and other groundfish species from overfishing. NMFS has also provided clarifications to Federal regulations that clarify the limited entry trawl gear requirement for chafing gear. Affording an opportunity for prior notice and comment on this clarification is unnecessary because it is not a substantive change to the regulations and is contrary to the public interest because it clarifies regulations that might otherwise be confusing to the public. For these reasons, good cause also exists to waive the 30 day delay in effectiveness requirement under 5 U.S.C. 553 (d)(3) for all actions taken in this notice except the clarification to the selective flatfish trawl gear language. The clarification to selective flatfish trawl gear language may require some fishermen to move buoys and/or riblines on their trawl nets to conform with the originally intended selective flatfish trawl gear configuration. In order to provide fishermen adequate time to reconfigure their trawl gear, the modified language for the selective flatfish trawl gear will take effect 30 days after publication in the Federal Register, June 3, 2005. These actions are taken under the authority of 50 CFR 300.63(b)(3)and PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 23045 660.370(c) and are exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660 Administrative practice and procedure, American Samoa, Fisheries, Fishing, Guam, Hawaiian Natives, Indians, Northern Mariana Islands, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Dated: April 26, 2005. Ann M. Lange, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 660 is amended as follows: I PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES AND IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC 1. The authority citation for part 660 continues to read as follows: I Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq., and 16 U.S.C. 773–773k 2. In § 660.372, paragraph (b)(3)(iv) is added to read as follows: I § 660.372 Fixed gear sablefish fishery management. * * * * * (b) * * * (3) * * * (iv) Incidental halibut retention north of Pt. Chehalis, WA (46°53.30′ N. lat.). Vessels authorized to participate in the primary sablefish fishery, licensed by the International Pacific Halibut Commission for commercial fishing in Area 2A (waters off Washington, Oregon, California), and fishing with longline gear north of Pt. Chehalis, WA (46°53.30′ N. lat.) may land up to the following cumulative limits: 100 lb (45 kg) dressed weight of halibut per 1,000 lb (454 kg) dressed weight of sablefish, plus up to two additional halibut per fishing trip in excess of this ratio. ‘‘Dressed’’ halibut in this area means halibut landed eviscerated with their heads on. Halibut taken and retained in the primary sablefish fishery north of Pt. Chehalis may only be landed north of Pt. Chehalis and may not be possessed or landed south of Pt. Chehalis. * * * * * I 3. In § 660.381, paragraphs (b)(3), (b)(5) Introductory text and (b)(5)(i) are revised to read as follows: § 660.381 Limited entry trawl fishery management measures. * * * * * (b) * * * (3) Chafing gear. Chafing gear may encircle no more than 50 percent of the net’s circumference. No section of chafing gear may be longer than 50 E:\FR\FM\04MYR1.SGM 04MYR1 23046 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 85 / Wednesday, May 4, 2005 / Rules and Regulations meshes of the net to which it is attached. Chafing gear may be used only on the last 50 meshes of a small footrope trawl, measured from the terminal (closed) end of the codend. Except at the corners, the terminal end of each section of chafing gear on all trawl gear must not be connected to the net. (The terminal end is the end farthest from the mouth of the net.) Chafing gear must be attached outside any riblines and restraining straps. There is no limit on the number of sections of chafing gear on a net. * * * * * (5) Small footrope trawl gear. Small footrope gear is bottom trawl gear with a footrope diameter of 8 inches (20 cm) or smaller (including rollers, bobbins or other material encircling or tied along the length of the footrope). Other lines or ropes that run parallel to the footrope may not be augmented with material encircling or tied along their length such that they have a diameter larger than 8 inches (20 cm). For enforcement purposes, the footrope will be measured in a straight line from the outside edge to the opposite outside edge at the widest part on any individual part, including any individual disk, roller, bobbin, or any other device. (i) Selective flatfish trawl gear is a type of small footrope trawl gear. The selective flatfish trawl net must be a two-seamed net with no more than two riblines, excluding the codend. The breastline may not be longer than 3 ft (0.92 m) in length. There may be no floats along the center third of the headrope or attached to the top panel except on the riblines. The footrope must be less than 105 ft (32.26 m) in length. The headrope must be not less than 30 percent longer than thefootrope. An explanatory diagram of a selective flatfish trawl net is provided as Figure 1 of part 660, subpart G. * * * * * I 4. In § 660.384, paragraphs (c)(3)(i)(A)(1), (3) and (4); (c)(3)(ii)(A)(1), (2) and (4); (c)(3)(iii)(A)(1) and (4); and (c)(3)(v)(A)(1) are revised to read as follows: § 660.384 Recreational fishery management measures. * * * * * (c) * * * (3) * * * (i) * * * (A) * * * (1) Between 42° N. lat. (California/ Oregon border) and 40°10.00′ N. lat., VerDate jul<14>2003 13:01 May 03, 2005 Jkt 205001 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 30–fm (55–m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from May 1 through December 31; and is closed entirely from January 1 through April 30 (i.e., prohibited seaward of the shoreline). Coordinates for the boundary line approximating the 30–fm (55–m) depth contour are specified in § 660.391. * * * * * (3) Between 36° N. lat. and 34°27.00′ N. lat., 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 May 1 through September 30; and is closed entirely from January 1 through April 30 and from October 1 through December 31 (i.e., prohibited seaward of the shoreline). Coordinates for the boundary line approximating the 40–fm (73–m) depth contour are specified in § 660.391. (4) South of 34°27.00′ N. lat., recreational fishing for all groundfish (except California scorpionfish as specified below in this paragraph and in paragraph (v) and ‘‘other flatfish’’ as specified in paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this section) is prohibited shoreward of a boundary line approximating the 30–fm (55–m) depth contour and seaward of a boundary line approximating the 60–fm (110–m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from March 1 through April 15; is prohibited seaward of a boundary line approximating the 60–fm (110–m) depth contour from April 16 through August 30 and November 1 through December 31; and is prohibited seaward of a boundary line approximating the 30–fm (55–m) depth contour from September 1 through October 31; 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 ‘‘other flatfish’’) is closed entirely from January 1 through February 29 (i.e., prohibited seaward of the shoreline). Recreational fishing for California scorpionfish south of 34°27.00′ N. lat. is prohibited PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 seaward of a boundary line approximating the 30–fm (55–m) depth contour from October 1 through October 31, and seaward of the 60–fm (110–m) depth contour from November 1 through December 31, except in the CCAs where fishing is prohibited seaward of the 20– fm (37–m) depth contour when the fishing season is open. Recreational fishing for California scorpionfish south of 34°27.00′ N. lat. is closed entirely from January 1 through September 30 (i.e., prohibited seaward of the shoreline). Coordinates for the boundary line approximating the 30–fm (55–m) and 60–fm (110–m) depth contours are specified in §§ 660.391 and 660.392. * * * * * (ii) * * * (A) * * * (1) North of 40°10.00′ N. lat., recreational fishing for the RCG Complex is open from May 1 through December 31. (2) Between 40°10.00′ N. lat. and 36° N. lat., recreational fishing for the RCG Complex is open from July 1 through December 31 (i.e., it′s closed from January 1 through June 30). * * * * * (4) South of 34°27.00′ N. lat., recreational fishing for the RCG Complex is open from March 1 through December 31 (i.e., it′s closed from January 1 through February 29). * * * * * (iii) * * * (A) * * * (1) North of 40°10.00′ N. lat., recreational fishing for lingcod is open from May 1 through November 30. * * * * * (4) South of 34°27.00′ N. lat., recreational fishing for lingcod is open from April 1 through November 30 (i.e., it′s closed from January 1 through March 31 and from December 1 through December 31). * * * * * (v) * * * (A) * * * (1) Between 40°10.00′ N. lat. and 36° N. lat., recreational fishing for California scorpionfish is open from July 1 through December 31 (i.e., it′s closed from January 1 through June 30). * * * * * I 5. In part 660, subpart G, Tables 3 (North and South) and Table 5 (South) are revised to read as follows: BILLING CODE 3510–22–S E:\FR\FM\04MYR1.SGM 04MYR1 VerDate jul<14>2003 13:01 May 03, 2005 Jkt 205001 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4725 E:\FR\FM\04MYR1.SGM 04MYR1 23047 ER04MY05.080 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 85 / Wednesday, May 4, 2005 / Rules and Regulations VerDate jul<14>2003 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 85 / Wednesday, May 4, 2005 / Rules and Regulations 13:01 May 03, 2005 Jkt 205001 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4725 E:\FR\FM\04MYR1.SGM 04MYR1 ER04MY05.081 23048 VerDate jul<14>2003 13:01 May 03, 2005 Jkt 205001 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4725 E:\FR\FM\04MYR1.SGM 04MYR1 23049 ER04MY05.082 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 85 / Wednesday, May 4, 2005 / Rules and Regulations VerDate jul<14>2003 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 85 / Wednesday, May 4, 2005 / Rules and Regulations 13:01 May 03, 2005 Jkt 205001 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4725 E:\FR\FM\04MYR1.SGM 04MYR1 ER04MY05.083 23050 VerDate jul<14>2003 13:01 May 03, 2005 Jkt 205001 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4725 E:\FR\FM\04MYR1.SGM 04MYR1 23051 ER04MY05.084 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 85 / Wednesday, May 4, 2005 / Rules and Regulations VerDate jul<14>2003 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 85 / Wednesday, May 4, 2005 / Rules and Regulations 13:01 May 03, 2005 Jkt 205001 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4725 E:\FR\FM\04MYR1.SGM 04MYR1 ER04MY05.085 23052 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 85 / Wednesday, May 4, 2005 / Rules and Regulations 23053 [FR Doc. 05–8695 Filed 4–29–05; 12:05 pm] VerDate jul<14>2003 13:01 May 03, 2005 Jkt 205001 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\04MYR1.SGM 04MYR1 ER04MY05.086 BILLING CODE 3510–22–C
[Pages 23040-23053]
[FR Doc No: 05-8695]
[Docket No. 040830250-5062-03; I.D. 042205C]
Measures; Inseason Adjustments; Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Corrections
ACTION: Inseason adjustments to management measures; announcement of
incidental halibut retention allowance; corrections; request for
commercial and recreational Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries. NMFS
also announces regulations for the retention of Pacific halibut landed
incidentally in the limited entry longline primary sablefish fishery
north of Pt. Chehalis, WA (46[deg]53.30' N. lat.). This document also
contains notification of a voluntary closed area (also called an ``area
to be avoided'') off Washington for salmon trollers. These actions,
Plan (FMP), will allow fisheries to access more abundant groundfish
stocks while protecting overfished and depleted stocks. This action
also corrects the trawl gear regulatory language for chafing gear and
selective flatfish trawl gear.
DATES: Effective 0001 hours (local time) May 1, 2005, except that the
amendments to 50 CFR 660.381 (b)(5)(i) are effective June 3, 2005.
Comments on this rule will be accepted through June 3, 2005.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by 042205C, by any of
E-mail: GroundfishInseason2.nwr@noaa.gov. Include I.D.
NMFS, Attn: Carrie Nordeen, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115-
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jamie Goen or Carrie Nordeen
(Northwest Region, NMFS), phone: 206-526-6140; fax: 206-526-6736; and
e-mail: carrie.nordeen@noaa.gov.
Council (Pacific Council), and are implemented by
[[Page 23041]]
NMFS. The specifications and management measures for 2005-2006 were
codified in the CFR (50 CFR part 660, subpart G) and published in the
final rule was subsequently amended on March 18, 2005 (70 FR 13118) and
March 30, 2005 (70 FR 16145).
NMFS has approved, a catch sharing plan (CSP) to allocate the total
allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific halibut between treaty Indian and non-
Indian harvesters, and among non-Indian commercial and sport fisheries
in IPHC statistical Area 2A (off Washington, Oregon, and California).
The CSP, as implemented at 50 CFR part 300, provides for retention of
halibut landed incidentally in the limited entry, longline primary
sablefish fishery north of Pt. Chehalis, WA (46[deg]53.30' N. lat.) in
years when the Area 2A TAC is above 900,000 lb (408.2 mt). Because the
Area 2A TAC is above 900,000 lb (408.2 mt) in 2005, NMFS is
establishing an allowance for incidental halibut retention in the
primary sablefish fishery in 2005.
California, at its April 3-8, 2005, meeting in Tacoma, WA. The changes
recommended by the Pacific Council include: (1) changes to the limited
entry trawl trip limits, (2) changes to the trawl RCA for limited entry
trawl fisheries and open access non-groundfish trawl fisheries, (3) a
clarification to the trawl gear language in 50 CFR 660.381 regarding
chafing gear and selective flatfish trawl gear, (4) an incidental catch
allowance for halibut in the limited entry primary sablefish fishery
north of Pt. Chehalis, WA, (5) a voluntary area closure off Washington
for salmon trollers and (6) changes to California's recreational
groundfish fishery seasons and Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCAs).
Limited Entry Trawl Limit Adjustments and RCA Changes
The trawl RCAs and limited entry trawl trip limits for Dover sole,
minor slope rockfish, darkblotched rockfish and splitnose rockfish are
adjusted based on updated trawl model projections and current fish
ticket landings data from the Pacific Fisheries Information Network
database (PacFIN).
The trawl model used to project trawl catch of target groundfish
species and bycatch of overfished species was updated by the NMFS
Northwest Fisheries Science Center for the April Pacific Council
meeting. The trawl model was updated to include new fishticket, logbook
and observer data, as well as other minor changes such as separating
English sole from ``other flatfish'' in the trawl model.
Previously, the trawl model had used a weighted average of
fishticket data from 2000 through 2003 to document the amount of target
species landings for each limited entry trawl vessel participating in
the fishery. For the updated model, fishticket data from 2004 replaced
the data from 2000. The updated model continues to use a weighted
average for 2001 through 2004 data, with greater weight given to more
recent year's data.
Similarly, the trawl model had previously used a weighted average
of trawl logbook data from 2000 through 2003 to develop a baseline of
each vessel's target catch among depth zones. Where possible, 2004
logbook data replaced data from 2000. However, logbook data are often
incomplete early in the year. For the updated trawl model, a large
portion of Oregon's 2004 logbook data and California's logbook data
from the last six months of 2004 are still not available. Therefore,
for periods where data are not complete for 2004, a weighted average
from 2001 through 2003 was used in the updated model. As logbook data
for 2004 becomes available from Oregon and California, the trawl model
will be updated during 2005. Due to the inability to include the 2004
Oregon logbook data, concerns over the effect of higher fuel prices on
fleet depth distribution, and possible impacts on canary rockfish, an
overfished groundfish species, inseason adjustments were modeled
assuming a higher likelihood that vessels will fish shoreward of the
trawl rockfish conservation area (RCA) than was modeled in 2004.
New observer data from September 2003 through August 2004 was also
used to update the trawl model. NMFS West Coast Groundfish Observer
Program (WCGOP) reports are available online: http://
www.nwfsc.noaa.gov/research/divisions/fram/observer/. The trawl model
was adjusted to account for the new 2005 requirement to use selective
flatfish trawl gear shoreward of the trawl RCA north of 40[deg]10' N.
In addition to updating the trawl model, fishticket landings data
from PacFIN for the first cumulative limit period (January through
February) in 2005 were reviewed and compared to trawl model projections
for 2005. Landings for petrale sole, trawl sablefish, longspine,
arrowtooth, and Dover sole were higher than what had been projected for
that period in the trawl model, while landings of slope rockfish,
including darkblotched rockfish and splitnose rockfish, were
substantially below initial model projections. The higher landings of
petrale and Dover sole are of particular concern, because access to
flatfish stocks are substantially more liberal than in recent years,
and these species were initially modeled to achieve their respective
OYs. Therefore, flatfish trip limits were reduced in order to slow the
catch of flatfish species.
Current slope rockfish landings are tracking slower than projected
for 2005; however, the Pacific Council was reluctant to increase trip
limits for these species based on its concern over the results from
management actions in 2004. In May 2004, the Pacific Council had
recommended trawl management measures that affected the catch rate of
darkblotched rockfish. Specifically, the trawl slope rockfish
cumulative limit was increased (from 4,000 lbs (1.8 mt) to 8,000 lbs
(3.6 mt) per 2 months north of 40[deg]10'N. lat.) and the seaward trawl
RCA boundary was moved from 200 fm (366 m) to 150 fm (274 m) (north of
40[deg]'N. lat.). Targeting on slope rockfish increased after the May
2004 inseason action, and industry members reported that there was a
size-related market discard factor for small darkblotched rockfish that
was independent of trip limit size. The combination of these factors
contributed to an increased darkblotched encounter rate, and
potentially the discard rate.
In September 2004, the Pacific Council made a recommendation to
drastically slow the catch of darkblotched rockfish based on PacFIN
fishticket landings data and, for non-whiting trawl, on a preliminary
[[Page 23042]]
estimated discard proportion measured by information collected from the
WCGOP from the 2003 fishery when the slope rockfish limit was 1,800 lbs
(816 mt) per 2-months. NMFS implemented reduced trip limits and RCA
changes to bring the catch of darkblotched rockfish to near zero for
the remainder of 2004 through an inseason action published in the
Federal Register on October 6, 2004 (69 FR 59816). In the preamble to
the final rule to implement the 2005-2006 groundfish specifications and
management measures (69 FR 77012, December 23, 2004), NMFS stated that,
based on data available at that time, it believed that the 2004
darkblotched rockfish acceptable biological catch/OY had been exceeded
by September 2004. NMFS is in the process of reviewing the updated 2004
catch data using the updated trawl model.
Also in response to the higher darkblotched rockfish mortalities,
the Pacific Council recommended and NMFS implemented more restrictive
limited entry trawl management measures for the beginning of 2005 as a
precautionary measure until new observer data were available.
Specifically, in the area north of 40[deg]10' N. lat, the RCA boundary
scheduled for Period 1 (January through February) was moved from a
boundary line approximating the 150-fm (274-m) depth contour to one
approximating the 200-fm (366-m) depth contour, modified to allow
fishing in petrale areas, and the slope rockfish trip limits were
reduced to 4,000 lbs (1.8 mt) per 2 months (i.e., the same trip limit
that was in place in Period 1 of 2004). These RCA boundaries and trip
limits were also adopted for the area between 40E10' N. lat and 38E N.
lat. due to uncertainty in darkblotched encounter rates for that area.
At that time, the Pacific Council anticipated that these RCA boundaries
and/or trip limits would then be adjusted inseason in April 2005 as
more discard information became available from the 2004 Observer
At its April 2005 meeting, the Pacific Council recommended
liberalizing the seaward trawl RCA boundary for 2005 from a boundary
line approximating the 200-fm (366-m) depth contour back to one
approximating the 150-fm (274-m) depth in this area, and increasing the
minor slope rockfish and splitnose limits from 4,000 lbs (1.8) mt) per
2 months to 8,000 lbs (3.6 mt) per 2 months for the following reasons:
(1) the darkblotched rockfish encounter rate for the area south of
40[deg]10'N. lat. is much lower than the encounter rate for the area
north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. and, therefore, is expected to result in a
minimal increased amount of darkblotched catch, and; (2) the area
between 40[deg]10' N. lat. and 38[deg] N. lat. was overly constrained
through action taken in September 2004, as a temporary precautionary
measure, until NMFS Observer Program data were available.
In general, using the encounter rates based on information from the
NMFS Observer Program, as used in the trawl model, produced an
anticipated total catch estimate of darkblotched rockfish for all
fisheries combined of 172.3 mt (as compared to a 2005 OY of 269 mt).
Therefore, while the Pacific Council recommended moving the RCA
boundary and increasing the slope rockfish trip limits between
40[deg]10' N. lat. and 38[deg] N. lat., they recommended a
precautionary approach to the magnitude of adjustment (i.e., only
increasing limits to 8,000 lbs (3.6 mt) per 2 months, rather than
increasing them to a higher limit) at this time. Therefore, the Pacific
Council recommended and NMFS is implementing the following inseason
(1) Decrease Dover sole trip limits with large and small footrope
trawl gear from 69,000 lbs (31.3 mt) per 2 months to 22,000 lbs (10.0
mt) per 2 months in Period 6 (November through December) north of
40[deg]10' N. lat. ;
(2) Decrease Dover sole trip limits with selective flatfish trawl
gear from 50,000 lbs (22.7 mt) per 2 months to 35,000 lbs (15.9 mt) per
2 months (15.9 mt) in Periods 3 through 5 (May through October) and
from 20,000 lbs (9.1 mt) per 2 months (9.1 mt) to 8,000 lbs (3.6 mt)
per 2 months on Period 6 north of 40[deg]10' N. lat.;
(3) Decrease petrale sole sub-trip limit in the other flatfish and
English sole trip limit with large and small footrope trawl gear from
42,000 lbs (19.1 mt) per 2 months (19.1 mt) to 40,000 lbs (18.1 mt) per
2 months (18.1 mt) in Periods 3 through 5 north of 40[deg]10' N. lat.;
(4) In Period 6 decrease the other flatfish and english sole trip
limit from 110,000 lbs (49.9 mt) per 2 months (49.9 mt) to 80,000 lbs
(36.3 mt) per 2 months north of 40[deg]10' N. lat., make petrale sole a
sublimit and decrease it from ``not limited'' to 60,000 lbs (27.2 mt)
per 2 months (27.2 mt);
(5) Decrease the other flatfish, English and petrale sole trip
limits with selective flatfish trawl gear from 100,000 lbs per (45.4
mt) per 2 months to 90,000 lbs (40.8 mt) per 2 months in Periods 3
through 5 north of 40[deg]10' N. lat.;
(6) In period 6 decrease the other flatfish, English and petrale
sole trip limits with selective flatfish trawl gear from 100,000 lbs
(45.4 mt) per 2 months (45.4 mt) to 75,000 lbs (34.0 mt) per 2 months
(34.0 mt) and the petrale sole sublimit from 25,000 lbs (11.3 mt) per 2
months (11.3 mt) to 15,000 lbs (6.8 mt) per 2 months (6.8 mt) north of
40[deg]10' N. lat.;
(7) Decrease arrowtooth flounder trip limits with large and small
footrope trawl gear from ``not limited'' to 80,000 lbs per (36.3 mt)
per 2 months in Period 6 north of 40[deg]10' N. lat.;
(8) Decrease Dover sole trip limits from 50,000 lbs (22.7 mt) per 2
months to 40,000 lbs (18.1 mt) per 2 months in Periods 3 through 5 and
from 50,000 lbs (22.7 mt) per 2 months to 35,000 lbs (15.9 mt) per 2
months in Period 6 south of 40[deg]10' N. lat.;
(9) In Period 6 make petrale sole a sub-trip limit of other
flatfish and English sole and decrease it from ``not limited'' to
100,000 lbs (45.4 mt) 2 months south of 40[deg]10' N. lat.;
(10) Decrease arrowtooth flounder trip limits in Period 6 from
``not limited'' to 20,000 lbs (9.1 mt) 2 months south of 40[deg]10' N.
lat.;
(11) Increase minor slope rockfish and darkblotched and splitnose
rockfish trip limits from 4,000 lbs (1.8 mt) per 2 months to 8,000 lbs
(3.6 mt) per 2 months in Periods 3 through 6 between 40[deg]10' N. lat.
and 38[deg] N. lat.;
(12) Move the seaward boundary of the trawl RCA for limited entry
trawl and open access non-groundfish trawl from a boundary line
approximating the 200-fm (366-m) depth contour to a boundary line
approximating the 150-fm (274-m) depth contour in Periods 3 through 6
between 40[deg]10' N. lat. and 38[deg] N. lat. [Note: North of
40[deg]10' N. lat., multiple bottom trawl gear trip limits are adjusted
to match trip limits for the most restrictive gear type for that
species in the trip limits table, Table 3 (North).]
above 900,000 lb (408.2 mt). The 2005 Area 2A TAC is 1,330,000 lb (603
retention in the CSP. Vessels must also carry IPHC commercial
[[Page 23043]]
halibut licenses in order to retain and land halibut. Incidental
halibut retention in the primary sablefish fishery is only available to
vessels operating north of Pt. Chehalis, WA (46[deg]53.30' N. lat.).
Under Pacific halibut regulations at 50 CFR 300.63, halibut taken and
Similar to 2004, halibut caught incidentally in the primary
sablefish fishery may be retained by appropriately licensed longline
vessels. In 2005, the amount of incidental halibut retained in the
primary sablefish fishery is capped at 70,000 lb (31.8 mt), to ensure
that the fishery is maintained as an incidental and not as a directed
fishery. The objective for setting annual landing restrictions is to
reach the halibut quota for this fishery at about the same time as the
primary sablefish season ends, October 31, and to ensure an equitable
sharing of the halibut landings among the fishers. To achieve this
objective, incidental halibut retention in the sablefish fishery over
the past few years has been structured as a ratio of halibut landings
permitted in relation to sablefish landings.
implementing the following: Beginning May 1, 2005, and continuing until
the halibut quota (70,000 lbs or 31.8 mt) is taken, longliners eligible
to participate in the primary sablefish fishery north of Pt. Chehalis,
WA (46[deg]53.30' N. lat.) (see 50 CFR 660.372(a)) with appropriate
IPHC licenses may retain incidental halibut landings up to 100 lbs (45
kg) (dressed weight) of halibut for every 1,000 lbs (454 kg) (dressed
weight) of sablefish landed and up to two additional halibut in excess
of the 100 lb (45 kg) per 1,000 lb (454 kg) ratio per landing. Halibut
may not be on board a vessel that has any gear other than longline gear
on board (e.g., pot or trawl gear).
Since 2003, NMFS has implemented a ``C-shaped'' Yelloweye Rockfish
Conservation Area (YRCA) off the Washington coast to protect yelloweye
rockfish, an overfished species (see 50 CFR 660.390(a)). For 2005, the
``C-shaped'' YRCA is a mandatory closed area for recreational
groundfish and recreational Pacific halibut fishing. In addition, the
``C-shaped'' YRCA has been designated as an area to be avoided (a
voluntary closure) by commercial fixed gear groundfish fishermen at
Sec. Sec.  660.382(c)(1) and 660.383(c)(1). Much of the YRCA is already
closed to commercial groundfish fixed gear fishermen by the non-trawl
RCA, which extends from the Washington shoreline to specific latitude
and longitude coordinates that approximate the 100-fm (183-m) depth
California's Recreational Groundfish Fishery Seasons and RCAs
At the March 2005 Pacific Council meeting, the California
Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) provided an Informational Report
that summarized the California Recreational Fisheries Survey (CRFS)
program implementation and validation process, and provided
recreational groundfish catch and effort estimates by mode for 2004.
CRFS results showed that California recreational harvest guidelines or
allocations for overfished species were not exceeded in 2004.
Initially, California's 2005 recreational fishery was structured with a
more restrictive season than the 2004 fishery, based on the Marine
Recreational Fisheries Statistics Survey (MRFSS) data through 2003.
Based on the CRFS catch results from 2004, in conjunction with the
improved ability for real-time inseason catch monitoring through CRFS,
the Pacific Council conveyed its willingness to consider CRFS estimates
to support inseason adjustments to California's recreational fishery in
CDFG reviewed the uncertainties and risks associated with using the
CRFS data including: (1) identification of technical errors in CRFS
during its first year of operation; (2) the tracking of uncalibrated
2004 CRFS data against harvest targets set for unassessed and assessed
stocks; and (3) impacts on fishing opportunities of other fisheries and
sectors. As with any new program involving sampling and expansions,
there is the risk that technical errors may be identified during
implementation. The RecFIN Statistical Sub-committee (RecFIN SSC) met
recently and evaluated the data inputs from the first year of the CRFS
sampling program including errors that could potentially affect the
catch estimates generated for 2004. The RecFIN SSC's findings primarily
focused on sampling errors in the Angler License Database (ALD) survey.
Specifically, the RecFIN SSC noted that licensed anglers were kept in
the sample population for only one sample period (month) following
entry into the angler license database, instead of being retained for
the remainder of the calendar year. Sampling errors such as this one
can cause statistical problems and biases in the estimate. However,
further discussion highlighted the fact that ALD effort estimates are
only used to estimate catch for modes of fishing that cannot be
observed directly in the field. This includes beach/bank anglers,
private access boats, and night-time fishing components of the private/
rental, man-made, and beach/bank modes. Considering that only about 10
percent of the overall catch and effort for all sportfishing in
California comes from these anglers, of which the majority are beach
and bank anglers, and that anglers fishing from beach and banks do not
catch significant numbers of groundfish, the Pacific Council concluded
that the impact of this error on the estimates for groundfish species
of concern should be minimal.
CDFG also summarized their plans for tracking inseason take,
instituting closures, and providing regulation and educational
information to the public. CDFG staff will review recreational catch
estimates on a monthly basis for inseason tracking and provide these
estimates to the Pacific Council's Groundfish Management Team. In
addition, as 2005 monthly catch estimates become available, CDFG will
replace the projected catches with the estimates for that month and
will use these along with the remaining projected impacts to evaluate
whether harvest targets will be met as scheduled. If catches are
projected to exceed specific harvest targets specified in Federal
regulations, then the Director of CDFG can take action to restrict the
fishery to slow the harvest or close the fishery when warranted. This
state action becomes effective 10 days after the state has issued
public notice on the action. To keep anglers informed and assist with
rapid distribution of concerns or requests to slow fishing, CDFG has
established a communication network with charter/party boat fishing
vessel operators and approximately 20 recreational angling associations
and clubs (this network successfully stopped the targeting of widow
rockfish in Southern California waters during 2004).
At the Pacific Council's April 2005 meeting and using the 2004
recreational groundfish fishing regulations as a starting point, CDFG
recommended modifying the Federal fishing season in 2005 to liberalize
the fishing seasons and RCAs based on new information. Primary
considerations in adjusting the season were minimizing the canary and
[[Page 23044]]
minor nearshore rockfish catch and distributing the fishing effort over
a greater depth range to avoid concentrating the fishing effort on the
nearshore groundfish species by using a combination of open seasons and
allowable depths of fishing. In all areas, California regulations will
allow divers and shore anglers to take groundfish, except lingcod in
December, during the season closures. The impacts of this action on
overfished species and on other groundfish species are projected to
remain within the harvest targets and OYs for those species.
changes to California's recreational groundfish fishery as follows:
(1) From the California/Oregon border to 40[deg]10' N. lat., extend
the season for all species from July through October to May through
December, except that lingcod is closed in December and ``other
flatfish'' remains status quo;
(2) From the California/Oregon border to 40[deg]10' N. lat.,
restrict the recreational RCA from open shoreward of a boundary line
approximating the 40-fm (73-m) depth contour to open shoreward of a
boundary line approximating the 30 fm (55 m) depth contour (except the
``other flatfish'' remains exempt from the RCA);
(3) Between 40[deg]10' N. lat. to 36[deg] N. lat., extend the
season for all species (except lingcod and ``other flatfish'' remain
status quo) from July through November to July through December;
(4) Between 36[deg] N. lat. to 34[deg]27' N. lat., liberalize the
recreational RCA from open between boundary lines approximating the 20-
fm (37-m) and 40-fm (73-m) depth contours to open shoreward of a
boundary line approximating the 40 fm (73 m) depth contour for all
species (except ``other flatfish'' remains status quo); (5) South of
34[deg]27' N. lat., extend the season for nearshore rockfish,
California sheephead, cabezon, greenlings, ocean whitefish and shelf
rockfish from March through September to March through December;
(6) South of 34[deg]27' N. lat., extend the season for lingcod from
April through September to April through November;
(7) South of 34[deg]27' N. lat., the season for California
scorpionfish and the season and RCA exemption for ``other flatfish''
remains status quo;
(8) South of 34[deg]27' N. lat., liberalize the recreational RCA
from open between boundary lines approximating the 30-fm (55-m) and 60
fm (110 m) depth contours from April through June, shoreward of a
boundary line approximating the 40-fm (73-m) depth contour from July
through August and November, and shoreward of the 20-fm (37-m) depth
contour in December to open shoreward of a boundary line approximating
the 60-fm (110-m) depth contour from April through August and November
through December (the recreational RCA for March remains status quo,
open between boundary lines approximating the 30-fm (55-m) through 60-
fm (110- m) depth contours); (9) South of 34[deg]27' N. lat., restrict
the recreational RCA from open shoreward of a boundary line
approximating the 40 fm (73 m) depth contour from September through
October to open shoreward of a boundary line approximating the 30 fm
(55 m) depth contour from September through October. The Pacific
Council also recommended that NMFS use its authority to take action
similar to that taken by CDFG between Council meetings, if needed to
restrict the fisheries.
Limited entry trawl chafing gear language in Federal regulations at
50 CFR 660.381(b)(3) is clarified to include the chafing gear
requirements for small footrope trawl gear (currently found in Sec.
660.381(b)(5) and referenced in the chafing gear requirements at Sec.
660.381(b)(3)) with all other chafing gear requirements.
Chafing gear requirements at Sec.  660.381(b)(3) currently read as
Chafing gear may encircle no more than 50 percent of the net's
circumference, except as provided in paragraph (b)(5) of this
section. No section of chafing gear may be longer than 50 meshes of
the net to which it is attached. Except at the corners, the terminal
end of each section of chafing gear must not be connected to the
net. (The terminal end is the end farthest from the mouth of the
net.) Chafing gear must be attached outside any riblines and
restraining straps. There is no limit on the number of sections of
chafing gear on a net.
In addition, chafing gear requirements for small footrope trawl
gear are mentioned in Sec.  660.381(b)(5) as follows:
Chafing gear may be used only on the last 50 meshes of a small
footrope trawl, measured from the terminal (closed) end of the
codend.
To clarify the chafing gear language and keep all chafing gear
requirements in one location in the regulations, the Pacific Council
recommended and NMFS will modify the regulations to read as follows:
circumference. No section of chafing gear may be longer than 50
meshes of the net to which it is attached. Chafing gear may be used
only on the last 50 meshes of a small footrope trawl, measured from
the terminal (closed) end of the codend. Except at the corners, the
terminal end of each section of chafing gear on all trawl gear must
not be connected to the net. (The terminal end is the end farthest
from the mouth of the net.) Chafing gear must be attached outside
any riblines and restraining straps. There is no limit on the number
of sections of chafing gear on a net.
Limited entry selective flatfish trawl gear language in Federal
regulations at 50 CFR 660.381(b)(5)(i) is modified to preserve the
original intent of the gear requirement. Buoy placement on selective
flatfish trawl gear can alter the size and shape of the trawl mouth.
Selective flatfish trawl gear regulations are intended to require that
the net's mouth be a flattened oval shape, much wider than it is tall.
Changing the shape of the selective flatfish trawl mouth might result
in an increased take of rockfish, thus changing the encounter rates of
rockfish in targeted flatfish trips with this gear. Trip limits for
species taken with selective flatfish gear were previously set for 2005
based on assumptions of incidental rockfish catch with this gear. The
Pacific Council's Groundfish Advisory Subpanel alerted the Groundfish
Management Team and Enforcement Consultants that some flatfish
participants were modifying the shape of the selective flatfish trawl
net mouth through strategic placement of buoys on the net's upper edge.
Increasing the take of rockfish by modifying the gear with buoy
placement from its original configuration is not accounted for by the
trawl model used to set 2005 trip limits and may, therefore, result in
achieving rockfish OYs more quickly than anticipated. The purpose of
this modification to selective flatfish trawl gear requirements is to
specify allowable buoy placement and the number of riblines to preserve
the original intent of the gear requirement.
Selective flatfish trawl gear requirements at Sec.
660.381(b)(5)(i) currently read as follows:
The selective flatfish trawl net must be a two-seamed net and
its breastline may not be longer than 3 ft (0.92 m) in length. There
may be no floats along the center third of the selective flatfish
trawl net's headrope and the headrope must be at least 30 percent
longer in length than the footrope. Selective flatfish trawl gear
may not have a footrope that is longer than 105 ft (32.26 m) in
length. An explanatory diagram of a selective flatfish trawl net is
provided as Figure 1 of part 660, subpart G.
The Pacific Council recommended and NMFS will modify the selective
flatfish trawl gear requirement to read as follows:
[[Page 23045]]
The selective flatfish trawl net must be a two-seamed net with
no more than two riblines, excluding the codend. The breastline may
not be longer than 3 ft (0.92 m) in length. There may be no floats
along the center third of the headrope or attached to the top panel
except on the riblines. The footrope must be less than 105 ft (32.26
m) in length. The headrope must be not less than 30 percent longer
than the footrope. An explanatory diagram of a selective flatfish
trawl net is provided as Figure 1 of part 660, subpart G.
the Halibut Act, and their implementing regulations and are based on
the most recent data available. The aggregate data upon which these
actions are based are available for public inspection at the Office of
the Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, (see ADDRESSES) during
notice and an opportunity for public comment on the management measures
and the selective flatfish trawl gear requirements, as notice and
comment would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest. The
data upon which these recommendations were based was provided to the
April 3-8, 2005, meeting in Tacoma, WA. There was not sufficient time
after that meeting to draft this document and undergo proposed and
final rulemaking before these actions need to be in effect at the start
of the next cumulative limit period, May 1, 2005, as explained below.
For the actions in this notice, prior notice and opportunity for
comment would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest
because affording the time necessary for prior notice and opportunity
for public comment would impede the Agency's function of managing
fisheries using the best available science to approach without
exceeding the OYs for federally managed species.
The adjustments to management measures in this document include
changes to the commercial and recreational groundfish fisheries,
including corrections and clarifications. Changes to the trawl RCA and
the limited entry trawl trip limits must be implemented in a timely
manner by May 1, 2005, so that harvest of groundfish, including
overfished species, stays within the harvest levels projected for 2005
based on modeling and the most current catch projections available.
Changes to the limited entry fixed gear primary sablefish fishery to
allow the retention of Pacific halibut must be implemented by May 1,
2005, in order to provide an opportunity for participants in this
fishery to catch the available quota projected to be taken based on the
ratio of halibut to sablefish landings set. Changes to California's
recreational fishery management measures for seasons and recreational
RCAs must be implemented as soon as possible and no later than May 1,
2005, the next recreational fishery management month, in order to
conform Federal and state recreational regulations, to protect
overfished groundfish species, to keep the harvest of other groundfish
species within the harvest levels projected for 2005, and to allow an
opportunity for anglers to harvest the available harvest guidelines.
Delaying any of these changes would result in management measures that
fail to use the best available science and, in some cases, could lead
to early closures of the fishery if harvest of groundfish exceeds
levels projected for 2005. This would be contrary to the public
during the fishing year. Delaying these changes would also be contrary
to the public's interest in protecting overfished species and other
groundfish species from overfishing.
NMFS has also provided clarifications to Federal regulations that
clarify the limited entry trawl gear requirement for chafing gear.
Affording an opportunity for prior notice and comment on this
clarification is unnecessary because it is not a substantive change to
the regulations and is contrary to the public interest because it
clarifies regulations that might otherwise be confusing to the public.
taken in this notice except the clarification to the selective flatfish
trawl gear language. The clarification to selective flatfish trawl gear
language may require some fishermen to move buoys and/or riblines on
their trawl nets to conform with the originally intended selective
flatfish trawl gear configuration. In order to provide fishermen
adequate time to reconfigure their trawl gear, the modified language
for the selective flatfish trawl gear will take effect 30 days after
publication in the Federal Register, June 3, 2005.
2. In Sec.  660.372, paragraph (b)(3)(iv) is added to read as follows:
(46[deg]53.30' N. lat.). Vessels authorized to participate in the
primary sablefish fishery, licensed by the International Pacific
Halibut Commission for commercial fishing in Area 2A (waters off
Washington, Oregon, California), and fishing with longline gear north
of Pt. Chehalis, WA (46[deg]53.30' N. lat.) may land up to the
following cumulative limits: 100 lb (45 kg) dressed weight of halibut
per 1,000 lb (454 kg) dressed weight of sablefish, plus up to two
additional halibut per fishing trip in excess of this ratio.
``Dressed'' halibut in this area means halibut landed eviscerated with
their heads on. Halibut taken and retained in the primary sablefish
fishery north of Pt. Chehalis may only be landed north of Pt. Chehalis
and may not be possessed or landed south of Pt. Chehalis.
3. In Sec.  660.381, paragraphs (b)(3), (b)(5) Introductory text and
(b)(5)(i) are revised to read as follows:
(3) Chafing gear. Chafing gear may encircle no more than 50 percent
of the net's circumference. No section of chafing gear may be longer
[[Page 23046]]
only on the last 50 meshes of a small footrope trawl, measured from the
terminal (closed) end of the codend. Except at the corners, the
terminal end of each section of chafing gear on all trawl gear must not
be connected to the net. (The terminal end is the end farthest from the
mouth of the net.) Chafing gear must be attached outside any riblines
and restraining straps. There is no limit on the number of sections of
(5) Small footrope trawl gear. Small footrope gear is bottom trawl
gear with a footrope diameter of 8 inches (20 cm) or smaller (including
rollers, bobbins or other material encircling or tied along the length
of the footrope). Other lines or ropes that run parallel to the
footrope may not be augmented with material encircling or tied along
their length such that they have a diameter larger than 8 inches (20
cm). For enforcement purposes, the footrope will be measured in a
(i) Selective flatfish trawl gear is a type of small footrope trawl
gear. The selective flatfish trawl net must be a two-seamed net with no
more than two riblines, excluding the codend. The breastline may not be
longer than 3 ft (0.92 m) in length. There may be no floats along the
center third of the headrope or attached to the top panel except on the
riblines. The footrope must be less than 105 ft (32.26 m) in length.
The headrope must be not less than 30 percent longer than thefootrope.
An explanatory diagram of a selective flatfish trawl net is provided as
Figure 1 of part 660, subpart G.
4. In Sec.  660.384, paragraphs (c)(3)(i)(A)(1), (3) and (4);
(c)(3)(ii)(A)(1), (2) and (4); (c)(3)(iii)(A)(1) and (4); and
(c)(3)(v)(A)(1) are revised to read as follows:
40[deg]10.00' N. lat., 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 30-
fm (55-m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands and
offshore seamounts from May 1 through December 31; and is closed
entirely from January 1 through April 30 (i.e., prohibited seaward of
the shoreline). Coordinates for the boundary line approximating the 30-
fm (55-m) depth contour are specified in Sec.  660.391.
(3) Between 36[deg] N. lat. and 34[deg]27.00' N. lat., recreational
fishing for all groundfish (except ``other flatfish'' as specified in
boundary line approximating the 40-fm (73-m) depth contour along the
mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from May 1
through September 30; and is closed entirely from January 1 through
April 30 and from October 1 through December 31 (i.e., prohibited
seaward of the shoreline). Coordinates for the boundary line
approximating the 40-fm (73-m) depth contour are specified in Sec.
(4) South of 34[deg]27.00' N. lat., recreational fishing for all
groundfish (except California scorpionfish as specified below in this
paragraph and in paragraph (v) and ``other flatfish'' as specified in
paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this section) is prohibited shoreward of a
boundary line approximating the 30-fm (55-m) depth contour and seaward
of a boundary line approximating the 60-fm (110-m) depth contour along
the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from March
1 through April 15; is prohibited seaward of a boundary line
approximating the 60-fm (110-m) depth contour from April 16 through
August 30 and November 1 through December 31; and is prohibited seaward
of a boundary line approximating the 30-fm (55-m) depth contour from
season is open (see paragraph (c)(3)(i)(B) of this section).
Recreational fishing for all groundfish (except ``other flatfish'') is
closed entirely from January 1 through February 29 (i.e., prohibited
seaward of the shoreline). Recreational fishing for California
scorpionfish south of 34[deg]27.00' N. lat. is prohibited seaward of a
boundary line approximating the 30-fm (55-m) depth contour from October
1 through October 31, and seaward of the 60-fm (110-m) depth contour
from November 1 through December 31, except in the CCAs where fishing
is prohibited seaward of the 20-fm (37-m) depth contour when the
fishing season is open. Recreational fishing for California
scorpionfish south of 34[deg]27.00' N. lat. is closed entirely from
January 1 through September 30 (i.e., prohibited seaward of the
shoreline). Coordinates for the boundary line approximating the 30-fm
(55-m) and 60-fm (110-m) depth contours are specified in Sec. Sec.
660.391 and 660.392.
(1) North of 40[deg]10.00' N. lat., recreational fishing for the
RCG Complex is open from May 1 through December 31.
(2) Between 40[deg]10.00' N. lat. and 36[deg] N. lat., recreational
fishing for the RCG Complex is open from July 1 through December 31
(i.e., it's closed from January 1 through June 30).
(4) South of 34[deg]27.00' N. lat., recreational fishing for the
RCG Complex is open from March 1 through December 31 (i.e., it's closed
from January 1 through February 29).
(1) North of 40[deg]10.00' N. lat., recreational fishing for
lingcod is open from May 1 through November 30.
(4) South of 34[deg]27.00' N. lat., recreational fishing for
lingcod is open from April 1 through November 30 (i.e., it's closed
from January 1 through March 31 and from December 1 through December
(1) Between 40[deg]10.00' N. lat. and 36[deg] N. lat., recreational
fishing for California scorpionfish is open from July 1 through
December 31 (i.e., it's closed from January 1 through June 30).
5. In part 660, subpart G, Tables 3 (North and South) and Table 5
(South) are revised to read as follows:
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[FR Doc. 05-8695 Filed 4-29-05; 12:05 pm]