Source: https://regulations.justia.com/regulations/fedreg/2018/12/27/2018-27922.html
Timestamp: 2019-10-21 10:38:32
Document Index: 450113455

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 660', '§ 660', '§ 660', '§ 660', '§ 660', 'art 660', '§ 660', 'art 660', 'art 660', '§ 660', '§ 660', '§ 660', '§ 660', '§ 660', 'art 660', 'art 660', '§660', '§660', '§660', '§660', '§ 660', '§ 660', 'art 660', 'art 660', 'art 660', '§660', '§660', '§660', '§660', 'art 660', 'art 660', 'art\n660', 'art 660', 'art\n660', 'art 660']

Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2019-2020 Biennial Specifications and Management Measures; Correction, 66638-66643 [2018-27922] :: National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration :: Department Of Commerce :: Regulation Tracker :: Justia
Justia Regulation Tracker Department Of Commerce National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2019-2020 Biennial Specifications and Management Measures; Correction, 66638-66643 [2018-27922]
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2019-2020 Biennial Specifications and Management Measures; Correction, 66638-66643 [2018-27922]
Download as PDF 66638 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 247 / Thursday, December 27, 2018 / Rules and Regulations (2) Limited entry groundfish nontrawl, Shorebased IFQ Program, (3) Limited entry midwater trawl, non-whiting Shorebased IFQ Program, (4) Limited entry midwater trawl, Pacific whiting Shorebased IFQ Program, (5) Limited entry midwater trawl, Pacific whiting catcher/processor sector, (6) Limited entry midwater trawl, Pacific whiting mothership sector (catcher vessel or mothership), (7) Limited entry bottom trawl, Shorebased IFQ Program, not including demersal trawl, (8) Limited entry demersal trawl, Shorebased IFQ Program, (9) Non-groundfish trawl gear for pink shrimp, (10) Non-groundfish trawl gear for ridgeback prawn, (11) Non-groundfish trawl gear for California halibut, (12) Non-groundfish trawl gear for sea cucumber, (13) Open access longline gear for groundfish, (14) Open access Pacific halibut longline gear, (15) Open access groundfish trap or pot gear, (16) Open access Dungeness crab trap or pot gear, (17) Open access prawn trap or pot gear, (18) Open access sheephead trap or pot gear, (19) Open access line gear for groundfish, (20) Open access HMS line gear, (21) Open access salmon troll gear, (22) Open access California Halibut line gear, (23) Open access Coastal Pelagic Species net gear, (24) Other, or (25) Tribal trawl. (26) Open access California gillnet complex gear. * * * * * ■ 2. On page 62277, in amendatory instruction 8, in the second column, paragraph (c)(2)(iii) is corrected to read as follows: khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with RULES § 660.130 [Corrected] (c) * * * (2) * * * (iii) The use of small footrope trawl, other than selective flatfish trawl gear, is prohibited inside the Klamath River Salmon Conservation Zone (defined at § 660.131(c)(1)) and the Columbia River Salmon Conservation Zone (defined at § 660.131(c)(2)). * * * * * ■ 3. On page 62277, in amendatory instruction 8, in the second column, VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:19 Dec 26, 2018 Jkt 247001 paragraph (c)(4)(i)(A) is corrected to read as follows: § 660.130 [Corrected] (c) * * * (4) * * * (i) * * * (A) A vessel may not have both groundfish trawl gear and nongroundfish trawl gear on board simultaneously. A vessel may have more than one type of midwater groundfish trawl gear on board, either simultaneously or successively, during a cumulative limit period. A vessel may have more than one type of limited entry bottom trawl gear on board (large or small footrope, including selective flatfish trawl), either simultaneously or successively, during a cumulative limit period except between 42° N latitude and 40°10′ N latitude and shoreward of the trawl RCA. Between 42° N latitude and 40°10′ N latitude and shoreward of the trawl RCA, vessels are prohibited from having any type of small footrope trawl gear other than selective flatfish trawl gear on board when fishing. * * * * * 4. On page 62277, in amendatory instruction 8, in the third column, paragraph (c)(4)(ii)(A) is corrected to read as follows: ■ § 660.130 [Corrected] (c) * * * (4) * * * (ii) * * * (A) A vessel may not have both groundfish trawl gear and nongroundfish trawl gear onboard simultaneously. A vessel may have more than one type of midwater groundfish trawl gear on board, either simultaneously or successively, during a cumulative limit period. A vessel may have more than one type of limited entry bottom trawl gear on board (large or small footrope, including selective flatfish trawl), either simultaneously or successively, during a cumulative limit period. * * * * * Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: December 19, 2018. Donna S. Wieting, Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018–27921 Filed 12–26–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P PO 00000 Frm 00082 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 660 [Docket No. 180625576–8999–03] RIN 0648–BH93 Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2019–2020 Biennial Specifications and Management Measures; Correction National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Final rule; correction. AGENCY: NMFS published a final rule on December 12, 2018, to establish the 2019–2020 harvest specifications and management measures for groundfish taken in the U.S. exclusive economic zone off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. That rule included modifications to depth contour coordinates used for area management, trip limits for a variety of fleets, and allocations to different fisheries within the Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries. This action corrects the order of two waypoints for the 150 fathom (274 m) depth line, corrects the trip limits for the limited entry fixed gear and open access fleets for Minor Nearshore Rockfish south of 42° North latitude (N), and corrects the Shorebased Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) allocations for 2019 and 2020 for canary rockfish and shortspine thornyheads north of 34°27′ N latitude. These corrections are necessary so that the implementing regulations are accurate and implement the action as intended by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council). DATES: This correction is effective on January 1, 2019. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keeley Kent, phone: 206–526–4655, fax: 206–526–6736, or email: Keeley.Kent@ noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS published a final rule on December 12, 2018 (83 FR 63970), that established the 2019–2020 harvest specifications and management measures for groundfish taken in the U.S. exclusive economic zone off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. That final rule is effective January 1, 2019. SUMMARY: Need for Correction The December 12, 2018, final rule adjusted the waypoints (latitude and longitude coordinates) for the 150 E:\FR\FM\27DER1.SGM 27DER1 khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with RULES Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 247 / Thursday, December 27, 2018 / Rules and Regulations fathom (274 m) depth contour at § 660.73(h). Two of these waypoints were inadvertently swapped. When mapped, this erroneous coordinates create a cross-over in the line. In order to properly approximate the 150 fathom (274 m) contour in this area, paragraphs (282) and (283) will be switched. Additionally, in the December 12, 2018, final rule, the trip limits for both the limited entry fixed gear (LEFG) fisheries north of 40°10′ N latitude and the open access (OA) fisheries north of 40°10′ N latitude, the sublimit within the Minor Nearshore Rockfish stock complex trip limit was mistakenly modified from those in the proposed rule by adding blue/deacon rockfish to the sublimit south of 42° N latitude (83 FR 47416; September 19, 2018). This mistake was connected to changes to other trip limits due to the new stock complex for Oregon black, blue/deacon rockfish. The preamble to the final rule correctly notes that this stock complex is only off of Oregon, so the correct southern extent is 42° N latitude, not 40°10′ N latitude. This action reverts the sublimits to what was originally proposed, correcting Table 12 (page 63978) and Table 13 (page 63980) in the preamble, and Table 2 North to Part 660, Subpart E and Table 3 North to Part 660, Subpart F in the regulations. For the LEFG fisheries between 42° and 40°10′ N latitude, no more than 1,200 pounds may be species other than black rockfish every two months within the Minor Nearshore Rockfish trip limit. Similarly, for the OA fisheries, between 42° and 40°10′ N latitude, no more than 1,200 pounds may be species other than black rockfish every two months within the Minor Nearshore Rockfish trip limit. There is no additional sublimit for blue/ deacon rockfish south of 42° N latitude. Finally, the December 12, 2018, final rule and the September 19, 2018, proposed rule (47416) included incorrect allocations to the Shorebased IFQ Program at § 660.140(d)(1)(ii)(D). These mistakes were also in Table 9 of the final rule preamble (page 63975). The 2019 and 2020 allocations for canary rockfish and for shortspine thornyhead north of 34°27′ N lat. were incorrect in the table in this paragraph. For canary rockfish, the deductions for exempted fishing permits from the ACL were calculated incorrectly, and when corrected result in slightly larger allocation for the Shorebased IFQ Program. The December 12, 2018, final rule set the allocations for canary VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:19 Dec 26, 2018 Jkt 247001 rockfish in 2019 at 946.9 mt and in 2020 at 887.8 mt. This action correctly sets these allocations at 953.6 mt for 2019 and 894.3 mt for 2020. For shortspine thornyhead north of 34°27′ N lat., improper application of the formula for dividing the trawl allocation resulted in an error in the Shorebased IFQ Program allocations. Under Amendment 21 to the Groundfish Fishery Management Plan, once the harvest guideline for this species is determined, a formula is applied to split that catch limit between trawl and nontrawl fisheries. The trawl allocation is then split by deducting the at-sea set asides, and the remainder is allocated to the Shorebased IFQ Program. For 2019– 2020, the at-sea set aside amount for shortspine thornyhead north of 34°27′ N lat. was increased from 25 to 30 mt, which should have been deducted from the allocation to the Shorebased IFQ Program. In the December 12, 2018, final rule, the Shorebased IFQ Program allocation did not reflect this 5 mt increase. This action corrects this mistake by reducing the Shorebased IFQ Program allocation by 5 mt (0.3 percent of the total allocation). For 2019, the allocation is now 1,506.8 mt and for 2020, the allocation is now 1,493.5 mt. All of these corrections are consistent with the Council action for the 2019– 2020 groundfish harvest specifications and are minor corrections to correctly implement the Council intent in their final action from June 2018. Classification Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries (AA) finds there is good cause to waive prior notice and an opportunity for public comment on this action, as notice and comment would be unnecessary and contrary to public interest. Notice and comment are unnecessary and contrary to the public interest because this action corrects inadvertent errors in the December 12, 2018, final rule. Immediate notice of the errors and correction is necessary to prevent confusion among participants in the fishery that could result in issues with enforcement of area management, as well as to allow the correct issuance of quota to the Shorebased IFQ Program for shortspine thornyheads and canary rockfish. To effectively correct the errors, the changes in this action must be effective on January 1, 2019, which is the effective date of the December 12, 2018, final rule. Thus, there is not PO 00000 Frm 00083 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 66639 sufficient time for notice and comment due to the imminent effective date of the December 12, 2018, final rule. In addition, notice and comment is unnecessary because this notice makes only minor changes to correct the final rule. These corrections will not affect the results of analyses conducted to support management decisions in the Pacific coast groundfish fishery. For the same reasons stated above, the AA has determined that good cause exists to waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d). This notice makes only minor corrections to the final rule which will be effective January 1, 2019. Delaying effectiveness of these corrections would result in conflicts in the regulations and confusion among fishery participants. Because prior notice and an opportunity for public comment are not required to be provided for this rule by 5 U.S.C. 553, or any other law, the analytical requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., are not applicable. Accordingly, no Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is required for this rule and none has been prepared. This final rule is not significant under Executive Order 12866. Corrections Effective January 1, 2019, in FR. Doc. 2018–26602 at 83 FR 63970 in the issue of December 12, 2018: ■ 1. On page 63994, in amendatory instruction 9, in the second column, § 660.73(h)(282) and (283) are corrected to read as follows: § 660.73 [Corrected] * * * * * (h) * * * (282) 34°09.00′ N lat., 120°18.40′ W long.; (283) 34°11.07′ N lat., 120°25.03′ W long.; * * * * * ■ 2. On page 64002, in amendatory instruction 14, in the third column, § 660.140(d)(1)(ii)(D) is corrected to read as follows: § 660.140 [Corrected] * * * * * (d) * * * (1) * * * (ii) * * * (D) For the trawl fishery, NMFS will issue QP based on the following shorebased trawl allocations: E:\FR\FM\27DER1.SGM 27DER1 66640 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 247 / Thursday, December 27, 2018 / Rules and Regulations IFQ species Area Arrowtooth flounder ...................................................... Bocaccio ....................................................................... Canary rockfish ............................................................. Chilipepper .................................................................... COWCOD ..................................................................... Darkblotched rockfish ................................................... Dover sole .................................................................... English sole .................................................................. Lingcod ......................................................................... Lingcod ......................................................................... Longspine thornyhead .................................................. Minor Shelf Rockfish complex ...................................... Minor Shelf Rockfish complex ...................................... Minor Slope Rockfish complex ..................................... Minor Slope Rockfish complex ..................................... Other Flatfish complex ................................................. Pacific cod .................................................................... Pacific ocean perch ...................................................... Pacific whiting ............................................................... Petrale sole ................................................................... Sablefish ....................................................................... Sablefish ....................................................................... Shortspine thornyhead ................................................. Shortspine thornyhead ................................................. Splitnose rockfish ......................................................... Starry flounder .............................................................. Widow rockfish ............................................................. YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH ............................................ Yellowtail rockfish ......................................................... Coastwide ..................................................................... South of 40°10′ N lat .................................................... Coastwide ..................................................................... South of 40°10′ N lat .................................................... South of 40°10′ N lat .................................................... Coastwide ..................................................................... Coastwide ..................................................................... Coastwide ..................................................................... North of 40°10′ N lat .................................................... South of 40°10′ N lat .................................................... North of 34°27′ N lat .................................................... North of 40°10′ N lat .................................................... South of 40°10′ N lat .................................................... North of 40°10′ N lat .................................................... South of 40°10′ N lat .................................................... Coastwide ..................................................................... Coastwide ..................................................................... North of 40°10′ N lat .................................................... Coastwide ..................................................................... Coastwide ..................................................................... North of 36° N; lat ........................................................ South of 36° N lat ......................................................... North of 34°27′ N lat .................................................... South of 34°27′ N lat .................................................... South of 40°10′ N lat .................................................... Coastwide ..................................................................... Coastwide ..................................................................... Coastwide ..................................................................... North of 40°10′ N lat .................................................... 3. On page 64008, in amendatory instruction 20, Table 2 (North) to Part ■ 660, Subpart E is corrected to read as follows: 2019 Shorebased trawl allocation (mt) 2020 Shorebased trawl allocation (mt) 12,735.10 800.7 953.6 1,838.30 2.2 658.4 45,979.20 9,375.10 2,051.90 462.5 2,420.00 1,155.20 188.6 1,248.80 456.00 5,603.70 1,034.10 3,697.30 TBD 2,453.00 2,581.30 834 1,506.8 50 1,646.70 211.6 9,928.80 3.4 4,305.80 10,052.30 767.1 894.3 1,743.80 2.2 703.4 45,979.20 9,417.90 1,903.40 386 2,293.60 1,151.60 188.6 1,237.50 455.4 5,192.40 1,034.10 3,602.20 TBD 2,393.20 2,636.80 851.7 1,493.5 50 1,628.70 211.6 9,387.10 3.4 4,048.00 Table 2 (North) to Part 660, Subpart E— Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation Areas and Trip Limits for Limited Entry Fixed Gear North of 40≥10′ N Lat. [Corrected] khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with RULES BILLING CODE 3510–22–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:19 Dec 26, 2018 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00084 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\27DER1.SGM 27DER1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 247 / Thursday, December 27, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 66641 ITable 2 (North) to Part 660, Subpart E -- Non-Trawl RockfiSh Conservation Areas and Trip Limits for Limited Entry Fixed Gear North of 40°10' N. lat. I IOther limits and requirements apply-- Read §§660.1 0 through 660.399 before using this tabl~ MAR-APR JAN-FEB I ~ co""'N'""" ,...(RC~", MAY-JUN I I JUL-AUG I I I I I SEP-OCT I NOV-DEC 101012019 shoreline- 100 fm line11 h of 46 16' N. lat. 6' N. lat. - 4i 00' N. lat. 30fm line11 -100fm line11 0' N. lat. - 40'1 0' N. lat. 30fm line11 -100fm line11 I See §§660.60 and 660.230 for additional gear, trip limit and conservation area requirements and restrictions. See §§660.70-660.74 and §§660.76-660.79 for conservation area descriptions and coordinates (including RCAs, YRCAs, CCAs, Farallon Islands, Cordell Banks, and EFHCAs). I State trip limits and seasons may be more restrictiw than Federal trip limits or seasons, particular1y in waters off Oregon and California. 4 5 Minor Slope Rockfish 21 & Darkblotched rockfish 4,000 lb/2 month 1,800 lb/2 months Pacific ocean perch 1,300 lblweek, not to exceed 3,900 lb/2 months Sablefish Longspine thornyhead 10,000 lb/2 months Dover sole, arrowtooth flounder, petrale sole, English sole, starry flounder, Other Flatfish31 lt7 Ita I 2,000 lb/2 months Shortspine thornyhead 2,500 lb/2 months 5,000 lbl month -1 South of 42° N. lat., when fishing for "other flatfish," vessels using hook-and-line gear w~h no more than 12 hooks per line, using hooks no larger than "Number 2" hooks, which measure 0.44 in (11 mm) point to shank, and up to two 1 lb (0.45 kg) weights per line, are not subject to the RCAs. )> Whiting 10,000 lb/trip Minor Shelf Rockfish 21 , Shortbelly, & Widow rockfish 200 lbl month r- m 1,000 lbl month Yellowtail rockfish Canary rockfish N 300 lbl 2 months ~f'~~~~ - CLOSED Minor Nearshore Rockfish, Washington Black rockfish & Oregon Black/blue/deacon rockfish 21 North of 42°00' N. lat. z 5,000 lb/2 months, no more than 1,200 lb of which may be species other than black rockfish or blue/deacon rockfish 41 8,500 lb/2 months, no more than 1,200 lb of 4i 00' N. lat. - 40'10' N. lat. which maybe species other than black rockfish 22 aJ 0 .., -::::r 7,000 lb/2 months, no more than 1,200 lb of which may be species other than black rockfish Lingcod 51 North of 42°00' N. lat. 2,000 lb/2 months 1,400 lb/2 months 42'00' N. lat. - 40.10' N. lat. Pacific cod 1,000 lb/2 months Spiny dogfish 200,000 lb/2 months 1 150,000 lb/2 months I 100,000 lb/2 months Unlimited 28 Longnose skate ~Other Fish 61& Cabezon in California Unlimited Oregon Cabezon/Kelp Greenling Unlimited h contour boundary south of 42 N. lat.), and the boundary lines that define the RCA may close areas that are deeper or shallower :;;;:;:: ~the depth contour. Vessels that are subject to RCA restrictions may not fish in the RCA, or operate in the RCA for any purpose ~r than transiting. ~~io, chili pepper and cowcod are included in the trip limits for Minor Shelf Rockfish and splitnose rockfish is included in the p imits for Minor Slope Rockfish. 3/ "Other flatfish" are defined at § 660.11 and include butter sole, curlfin sole, flathead sole, Pacific sanddab, rex sole, rock sole, and sand sole. 4/ For black rockfish north of Cape Alava (48°09.50' N. lat.), and between Destruction Is. (47°40' N. lat.) and Leadbetter Pnt. (46°38.17' N. lat.), ~e is an additional limit of 100 lb or 30 percent by weight of all fish on boar?, whichever is greater, per vessel, per fishing trip. • 51 The minimum size limit f~od is 22 inches (56~~~~~~~~r of 42 N. lat. and 24 inches (61 em) total length South of 42 N. lat. ITo convert pounds to kilograms, divide by 2.20462, the number of pounds in one kilogram. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:19 Dec 26, 2018 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00085 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4725 E:\FR\FM\27DER1.SGM 27DER1 ER27DE18.042 khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with RULES Unlimited Big skate 1/ The Rockfish Conservation Area is an area closed to fishing by particular gear types, bounded by lines specifically defined by latitude =~~ongitude coordinates set out at_§§ 660.71-660.74. This RCA is not defined by depth contours (with the exception of the 20-fm 66642 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 247 / Thursday, December 27, 2018 / Rules and Regulations Table 3 (North) to Part 660, Subpart F— Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation Areas and Trip Limits for Open Access Gears North of 40≥10′ N Lat. [Corrected] 4. On page 64011, in amendatory instruction 23, Table 3 (North) to Part 660, Subpart F is corrected to read as follows: ■ Table 3 (North) to Part 660, Subpart F -- Non-Trawl RockfiSh Conservation Areas and Trip Limits for Open Access Gears North of 40°10' N. lat. Other limits and requirements apply-- Read §§660.1 0 through 660.399 before using this table JAN-FEB I MAR-APR I I I I I Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA) 11 : IIIIAY-JUN I JUL-AUG I SEP-OCT I NOV-DEC I I I I I I I shoreline - 100 fm line 11 1 North of 46° 16' N. lat. 2 46°16' N. lat.- 42"00' N. lat. 30 fm line 11 - 100 fm line11 3 42"00' N. lat.- 40° 10' N. lat. 30 fm line 11 - 100 fm line11 See §§660.60, 660.330 and 660.333 for additional gear, trip limit and conservation area requirements and restrictions. See §§660.70660.74 and §§660.76-660.79 for conservation area descriptions and coordinates (including RCAs, YRCAs, CCAs, Farallon Islands, Cordell Bank, and EFHCAs). State trip limits and seasons may be more restricti;e than Federal trip limits or seasons, particularly in waters off Oregon and California. Minor Slope Rockfish 21 & Darkblotched rockfish 500 pounds/month 5 Pacific ocean perch 1oo lbl month 6 Sablefish 7 Shortpine thornyheads 8 Longspine thornyheads 300 lb/ day; or one landing per week up to 1,200 lb, not to exceed 2,400 lb/ 2 months 50 lb/ month 50 lb/ month Dover sole, arrowtooth flounder, petrale sole, English sole, starry flounder, Other Flatfish 31 3,000 lb/ month, no more than 300 lb of which may be species other than Pacific sanddabs. -1 )> South of 42° N. lat., when fishing for "Other Flatfish," vessels using hook-and-line gear with no more than 12 hooks per line, using hooks no larger than "Number 2" hooks, which measure 0.44 in (11 mm) point to shank, and up to two 1 lb (0.45 kg) weights per line are not subject to the RCAs. DJ iting Minor Shelf Rockfish21, Shortbelly rockfish, & Widow rockfish 200 lb/ month w Yellowtail rockfish 500 lbl month -z Canary rockfish 300 lb/ 2 months Yelloweye rockfish CLOSED 0 Minor Nearshore Rockfish, Washington Black rockfish, & Oregon Black/Blue/Deacon rockfish 1 5,000 lb/2 months, no more than 1,200 lb of which may be species other than black rockfish or blue/deacon rockfish North of 42" 00' N. lat. 22 8,500 lb/2 months, no more than 1,200 lb of which maybe species other than black rockfish 42" 00' N. lat. - 40° 10' N. lat. Lingcod51 7,000 lb/2 months, no more than 1,200 lb of which may be species other than black rockfish INorth of4iOO' N. lat. 600 lb/ month 1,000 lb/2 months 200,000 lb/2 months Spiny dogfish khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with RULES - 900 lb/ month Pacific cod I 150,000 lb/2 months I Longnose skate Unlimited Big skate Unlimited Other Fish 61 & Cabezon in California Unlimited Oregon Cabezon/Kelp Greenling Unlimited 16:19 Dec 26, 2018 ""' ..... ::::r 42" 00' N. lat. - 40° 10' N. lat. VerDate Sep<11>2014 0 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00086 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4725 100,000 lb/2 months E:\FR\FM\27DER1.SGM 27DER1 ER27DE18.043 - r m 300 lbl month Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 247 / Thursday, December 27, 2018 / Rules and Regulations Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. 66643 Dated: December 19, 2018. Donna S. Wieting, Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018–27922 Filed 12–26–18; 8:45 am] VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:19 Dec 26, 2018 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00087 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\27DER1.SGM 27DER1 ER27DE18.044 khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with RULES BILLING CODE 3510–22–C
[Pages 66638-66643]
[FR Doc No: 2018-27922]
[Docket No. 180625576-8999-03]
Management Measures; Correction
SUMMARY: NMFS published a final rule on December 12, 2018, to establish
the 2019-2020 harvest specifications and management measures for
groundfish taken in the U.S. exclusive economic zone off the coasts of
Washington, Oregon, and California. That rule included modifications to
depth contour coordinates used for area management, trip limits for a
variety of fleets, and allocations to different fisheries within the
Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries. This action corrects the order of
two waypoints for the 150 fathom (274 m) depth line, corrects the trip
limits for the limited entry fixed gear and open access fleets for
Minor Nearshore Rockfish south of 42[deg] North latitude (N), and
corrects the Shorebased Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) allocations for
2019 and 2020 for canary rockfish and shortspine thornyheads north of
34[deg]27' N latitude. These corrections are necessary so that the
implementing regulations are accurate and implement the action as
intended by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council).
DATES: This correction is effective on January 1, 2019.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keeley Kent, phone: 206-526-4655, fax:
206-526-6736, or email: Keeley.Kent@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS published a final rule on December 12,
2018 (83 FR 63970), that established the 2019-2020 harvest
specifications and management measures for groundfish taken in the U.S.
exclusive economic zone off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and
California. That final rule is effective January 1, 2019.
The December 12, 2018, final rule adjusted the waypoints (latitude
and longitude coordinates) for the 150
fathom (274 m) depth contour at Sec.  660.73(h). Two of these waypoints
were inadvertently swapped. When mapped, this erroneous coordinates
create a cross-over in the line. In order to properly approximate the
150 fathom (274 m) contour in this area, paragraphs (282) and (283)
Additionally, in the December 12, 2018, final rule, the trip limits
for both the limited entry fixed gear (LEFG) fisheries north of
40[deg]10' N latitude and the open access (OA) fisheries north of
40[deg]10' N latitude, the sublimit within the Minor Nearshore Rockfish
stock complex trip limit was mistakenly modified from those in the
proposed rule by adding blue/deacon rockfish to the sublimit south of
42[deg] N latitude (83 FR 47416; September 19, 2018). This mistake was
connected to changes to other trip limits due to the new stock complex
for Oregon black, blue/deacon rockfish. The preamble to the final rule
correctly notes that this stock complex is only off of Oregon, so the
correct southern extent is 42[deg] N latitude, not 40[deg]10' N
latitude. This action reverts the sublimits to what was originally
proposed, correcting Table 12 (page 63978) and Table 13 (page 63980) in
the preamble, and Table 2 North to Part 660, Subpart E and Table 3
North to Part 660, Subpart F in the regulations. For the LEFG fisheries
between 42[deg] and 40[deg]10' N latitude, no more than 1,200 pounds
may be species other than black rockfish every two months within the
Minor Nearshore Rockfish trip limit. Similarly, for the OA fisheries,
Minor Nearshore Rockfish trip limit. There is no additional sublimit
for blue/deacon rockfish south of 42[deg] N latitude.
Finally, the December 12, 2018, final rule and the September 19,
2018, proposed rule (47416) included incorrect allocations to the
Shorebased IFQ Program at Sec.  660.140(d)(1)(ii)(D). These mistakes
were also in Table 9 of the final rule preamble (page 63975). The 2019
and 2020 allocations for canary rockfish and for shortspine thornyhead
north of 34[deg]27' N lat. were incorrect in the table in this
paragraph. For canary rockfish, the deductions for exempted fishing
permits from the ACL were calculated incorrectly, and when corrected
result in slightly larger allocation for the Shorebased IFQ Program.
The December 12, 2018, final rule set the allocations for canary
rockfish in 2019 at 946.9 mt and in 2020 at 887.8 mt. This action
correctly sets these allocations at 953.6 mt for 2019 and 894.3 mt for
For shortspine thornyhead north of 34[deg]27' N lat., improper
application of the formula for dividing the trawl allocation resulted
in an error in the Shorebased IFQ Program allocations. Under Amendment
21 to the Groundfish Fishery Management Plan, once the harvest
guideline for this species is determined, a formula is applied to split
that catch limit between trawl and non-trawl fisheries. The trawl
allocation is then split by deducting the at-sea set asides, and the
remainder is allocated to the Shorebased IFQ Program. For 2019-2020,
the at-sea set aside amount for shortspine thornyhead north of
34[deg]27' N lat. was increased from 25 to 30 mt, which should have
been deducted from the allocation to the Shorebased IFQ Program. In the
December 12, 2018, final rule, the Shorebased IFQ Program allocation
did not reflect this 5 mt increase. This action corrects this mistake
by reducing the Shorebased IFQ Program allocation by 5 mt (0.3 percent
of the total allocation). For 2019, the allocation is now 1,506.8 mt
and for 2020, the allocation is now 1,493.5 mt.
All of these corrections are consistent with the Council action for
the 2019-2020 groundfish harvest specifications and are minor
corrections to correctly implement the Council intent in their final
action from June 2018.
opportunity for public comment on this action, as notice and comment
would be unnecessary and contrary to public interest. Notice and
comment are unnecessary and contrary to the public interest because
this action corrects inadvertent errors in the December 12, 2018, final
rule. Immediate notice of the errors and correction is necessary to
prevent confusion among participants in the fishery that could result
in issues with enforcement of area management, as well as to allow the
correct issuance of quota to the Shorebased IFQ Program for shortspine
thornyheads and canary rockfish. To effectively correct the errors, the
changes in this action must be effective on January 1, 2019, which is
the effective date of the December 12, 2018, final rule. Thus, there is
not sufficient time for notice and comment due to the imminent
effective date of the December 12, 2018, final rule. In addition,
notice and comment is unnecessary because this notice makes only minor
changes to correct the final rule. These corrections will not affect
the results of analyses conducted to support management decisions in
the Pacific coast groundfish fishery.
rule which will be effective January 1, 2019. Delaying effectiveness of
Effective January 1, 2019, in FR. Doc. 2018-26602 at 83 FR 63970 in
the issue of December 12, 2018:
1. On page 63994, in amendatory instruction 9, in the second column,
Sec.  660.73(h)(282) and (283) are corrected to read as follows:
Sec.  660.73  [Corrected]
(282) 34[deg]09.00' N lat., 120[deg]18.40' W long.;
(283) 34[deg]11.07' N lat., 120[deg]25.03' W long.;
2. On page 64002, in amendatory instruction 14, in the third column,
Sec.  660.140(d)(1)(ii)(D) is corrected to read as follows:
Sec.  660.140  [Corrected]
(D) For the trawl fishery, NMFS will issue QP based on the
following shorebased trawl allocations:
2019            2020
Shorebased      Shorebased
IFQ species                                 Area                     trawl           trawl
allocation      allocation
Arrowtooth flounder...........................  Coastwide.......................       12,735.10       10,052.30
Bocaccio......................................  South of 40[deg]10' N lat.......           800.7           767.1
Canary rockfish...............................  Coastwide.......................           953.6           894.3
Chilipepper...................................  South of 40[deg]10' N lat.......        1,838.30        1,743.80
COWCOD........................................  South of 40[deg]10' N lat.......             2.2             2.2
Darkblotched rockfish.........................  Coastwide.......................           658.4           703.4
Dover sole....................................  Coastwide.......................       45,979.20       45,979.20
English sole..................................  Coastwide.......................        9,375.10        9,417.90
Lingcod.......................................  North of 40[deg]10' N lat.......        2,051.90        1,903.40
Lingcod.......................................  South of 40[deg]10' N lat.......           462.5             386
Longspine thornyhead..........................  North of 34[deg]27' N lat.......        2,420.00        2,293.60
Minor Shelf Rockfish complex..................  North of 40[deg]10' N lat.......        1,155.20        1,151.60
Minor Shelf Rockfish complex..................  South of 40[deg]10' N lat.......           188.6           188.6
Minor Slope Rockfish complex..................  North of 40[deg]10' N lat.......        1,248.80        1,237.50
Minor Slope Rockfish complex..................  South of 40[deg]10' N lat.......          456.00           455.4
Other Flatfish complex........................  Coastwide.......................        5,603.70        5,192.40
Pacific cod...................................  Coastwide.......................        1,034.10        1,034.10
Pacific ocean perch...........................  North of 40[deg]10' N lat.......        3,697.30        3,602.20
Pacific whiting...............................  Coastwide.......................             TBD             TBD
Petrale sole..................................  Coastwide.......................        2,453.00        2,393.20
Sablefish.....................................  North of 36[deg] N; lat.........        2,581.30        2,636.80
Sablefish.....................................  South of 36[deg] N lat..........             834           851.7
Shortspine thornyhead.........................  North of 34[deg]27' N lat.......         1,506.8         1,493.5
Shortspine thornyhead.........................  South of 34[deg]27' N lat.......              50              50
Splitnose rockfish............................  South of 40[deg]10' N lat.......        1,646.70        1,628.70
Starry flounder...............................  Coastwide.......................           211.6           211.6
Widow rockfish................................  Coastwide.......................        9,928.80        9,387.10
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH............................  Coastwide.......................             3.4             3.4
Yellowtail rockfish...........................  North of 40[deg]10' N lat.......        4,305.80        4,048.00
3. On page 64008, in amendatory instruction 20, Table 2 (North) to Part
660, Subpart E is corrected to read as follows:
Table 2 (North) to Part 660, Subpart E--Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation
Areas and Trip Limits for Limited Entry Fixed Gear North of 40[deg]10'
N Lat. [Corrected]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR27DE18.042
4. On page 64011, in amendatory instruction 23, Table 3 (North) to Part
660, Subpart F is corrected to read as follows:
Table 3 (North) to Part 660, Subpart F--Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation
Areas and Trip Limits for Open Access Gears North of 40[deg]10' N Lat.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR27DE18.043
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR27DE18.044
[FR Doc. 2018-27922 Filed 12-26-18; 8:45 am]