Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2003/03/07/03-5171/pacific-halibut-fisheries-catch-sharing-plan
Timestamp: 2017-10-24 02:53:03
Document Index: 38851852

Matched Legal Cases: ['ART 300', '§\u2009300', 'art 300', 'art 300', 'art 904', 'art 679', 'art 679', 'art 300']

A Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 03/07/2003
The amendment to Sec. 300.63(a)(3)(ii) is effective March 1, 2003. The final rule for the annual management measures for Pacific halibut fisheries and approval of catch sharing plan is effective March 1, 2003.
68 FR 10989
10989-11003 (15 pages)
03-5171
Technical Correction to Halibut Regulations
2003 Pacific Halibut Fishery Regulations
20. Retention of Tagged Halibut
PART 300—INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES REGULATIONS, SUBPART E—PACIFIC HALIBUT FISHERIES
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/03-5171 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/03-5171
Final rule; annual management measures for Pacific halibut fisheries and approval of catch sharing plan, and final rule; changes to the Catch Sharing Plan and to sport fishing management.
The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), on behalf of the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), publishes annual management measures promulgated as regulations by the IPHC and approved by the Secretary of State governing the Pacific halibut fishery. The AA also announces modifications to the Catch Sharing Plan (CSP) for Area 2A and implementing regulations for 2003. These actions are intended to enhance the conservation of Pacific halibut and further the goals and objectives of the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC).
The amendment to § 300.63(a)(3)(ii) is effective March 1, 2003. The final rule for the annual management measures for Pacific halibut fisheries and approval of catch sharing plan is effective March 1, 2003.
Copies of the CSP and the environmental assessment/regulatory impact review (EA/RIR) are available at NMFS Northwest Region, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115-0070 The CSP is also available on the Northwest Region home page at http://www.nwr.noaa.gov.
This final rule also is accessible via the Internet at the Office of the Federal Register's Web site at http://www.access.gpo.gov/​su--docs/​aces/​aces140.htm.
The IPHC has promulgated regulations governing the Pacific halibut fishery in 2003 under the Convention between the United States and Canada for the Preservation of the Halibut Fishery of the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea (Convention), signed at Ottawa, Ontario, on March 2, 1953, as amended by a Protocol Amending the Convention (signed at Washington, DC, on March 29, 1979). The IPHC regulations have been approved by the Secretary of State of the United States under section 4 of the Northern Pacific Halibut Act (Halibut Act, 16 U.S.C. 773-773k). Pursuant to regulations at 50 CFR 300.62, the approved IPHC regulations setting forth the 2003 IPHC annual management measures are published in the Federal Register to provide notice of their effectiveness, and to inform persons subject to the regulations of the restrictions and requirements. These management measures are effective until superceded by the 2004 management measures that NMFS will publish in the Federal Register.
The IPHC held its annual meeting in Victoria, British Columbia, on January 21-24, 2003, and adopted regulations for 2003. The substantive changes to the previous IPHC regulations (67 FR 12885, March 20, 2002) include:
1. New commercial fishery opening date of March 1;
2. New commercial fishery closing date of November 15;
3. Exemption from clearance requirements in Area 4 for those vessel operators using a NMFS-approved vessel monitoring system and complying with the requirements of 50 CFR 679.28(f)(3), (f)(4), and (f)(5); receiving a confirmation number from NOAA Enforcement prior to fishing; and transmitting until all halibut caught are landed;
4. Opening dates for the Area 2A commercial directed halibut fishery;
5. Revising the term “vessel” to “harvesting vessel” for purposes of allowing fillets from legally landed and retained fish to be possessed only aboard a vessel, in port, up to 1800 hours local time on the calendar day following the offload;
6. Using the term “landed” halibut rather than “delivered” halibut for purposes of meeting the requirement of retaining records by vessel operators;
7. Updating coordinates for the Cape Spencer light used for the Area 2C-3A boundary (58°11′54″ N, 136°38′24″ W) to agree with the U.S. Coast Guard light list;
8. Allowing Area 4D Community Development Quota (CDQ) harvest to be taken in Area 4E;
9. Adoption of the revised Area 2A CSP;
10. New depth-based closed areas for the Area 2A commercial directed halibut fishery, and;
11. Season dates for the Area 2A tribal fishery.
The IPHC recommended to the governments of Canada and the United States catch limits for 2003 totaling 74,920,000 lb, identical to the regulatory area catch limits in 2002. The IPHC staff reported on the assessment of the Pacific halibut stock in 2002. Some significant changes occurred in the assessment as a result of changes in the underlying data being analyzed and the persistence of smaller sizes at the same age in the central part of the halibut range. These changes created some uncertainty about differences in the biomass of the stock estimated from the current and the previous assessment. Analyses were conducted for the 2002 assessment to ensure that the stock is not in any danger of being overharvested. However, the staff needs to resolve these technical issues of the assessment over the next year. In addition, IPHC staff is investigating a new harvest policy that may result in greater stability in the yield from the fishery and insulate the process of setting catch limits from technological changes in the assessment. This harvest policy will also need to be reviewed by the IPHC. The resolution of the technical issues of the assessment may indicate a larger estimate of biomass in the central region of the stock distribution, but application of the proposed harvest policy might dictate slightly lower yields. Because these two processes may be somewhat counterbalancing, the staff wishes to complete its investigations before recommending any changes to present catch limits or the harvest policy. While the trajectory of the halibut stock biomass is downward, the biomass is still above the long-term average level and is expected to remain above this level for the next several years.
This action also implements the CSP for regulatory Area 2A. This plan was developed by the PFMC under authority of the Halibut Act. Section 5 of the Halibut Act (16 U.S.C. 773c) provides the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) with general responsibility to carry out the Convention and to adopt such regulations as may be necessary to implement the purposes and objectives of the Convention and the Halibut Act. The Secretary's authority has been delegated to the AA. Section 5 of the Halibut Act (16 U.S.C. 773c(c)) also authorizes the Regional Fishery Management Council having authority for the geographic area concerned to develop regulations governing the Pacific halibut catch in United States Convention waters that are in addition to, but not in conflict with, regulations of the IPHC. Pursuant to this authority, NMFS requested that the PFMC allocate halibut catches should such allocation be necessary.
The PFMC's Area 2A CSP allocates the halibut catch limit for Area 2A among treaty Indian, non-treaty commercial, and non-treaty sport fisheries in and off Washington, Oregon, and California. Under the CSP, 35 percent of the Area 2A total allowable catch (TAC) is allocated to Washington treaty Indian tribes in Subarea 2A-1, and 65 percent is allocated to non-treaty fisheries in Area 2A. Treaty fisheries are divided into commercial fisheries, and ceremonial and subsistence fisheries. The allocation to non-treaty fisheries is divided into three shares, with the Washington sport fishery (north of the Columbia River) receiving 36.6 percent, the Oregon/California sport fishery receiving 31.7 percent, and the commercial fishery receiving 31.7 percent. The non-treaty commercial allocation is further divided between a directed halibut longline fishery (85 percent) and an incidental catch allowance in the salmon troll fishery (15 percent). The directed commercial fishery in Area 2A is confined to southern Washington (south of 46°53′18″ N. lat.), Oregon and California. North of Point Chehalis, WA (46°53′18″ N. lat.), halibut may be retained by longline vessels participating in the limited entry, primary sablefish fishery. Incidental halibut retention in the primary sablefish fishery is only allowable when the overall Area 2A TAC is above Start Printed Page 10991900,000 lb (408.2 mt), which it is in 2003. [NOTE: New for 2003, regulations for the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery require participants in the primary sablefish fishery in which halibut may be retained to follow depth-based management restrictions (i.e., closed areas) as described in a proposed rule published in the Federal Register on January 7, 2003 (68 FR 936). The final rule for the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery, including depth-based management measures, will publish in the Federal Register. The CSP also divides the sport fisheries into seven geographic areas each with separate allocations, seasons, and bag limits.
For 2003, PFMC recommended changes to the CSP to modify the Pacific halibut fisheries in Area 2A in 2003 and beyond pursuant to recommendations from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). These changes to the CSP will implement closed areas for the Washington North Coast sport fishery subarea and the nontreaty commercial halibut fishery to protect yelloweye rockfish, allocate subarea halibut quota between the May and June sport seasons in Washington's North Coast subarea, cap the incidental halibut retention allocation for the primary sablefish fishery at 70,000 lb (31.8 kg) when halibut is available to that fishery, move the season ending date for Oregon sport fisheries in the North Central and South Central areas from September 30 to October 31, provide more flexibility for inseason sport fishery management, and revise the names of Oregon sport seasons.
A complete description of the PFMC recommended changes to the CSP, notice of a draft Environmental Assessment and Regulatory Impact Review (EA/RIR), and proposed sport fishery management measures were published in the Federal Register on February 6, 2003 (68 FR 6103) with a request for public comments by February 18, 2003. No public comments were received. Therefore, NMFS has finalized the EA/RIR, made a finding of no significant impact, and approved the changes to the CSP as proposed. Copies of the complete CSP for Area 2A as modified and the final EA/RIR are available from the NMFS Northwest Regional Office (see ADDRESSES).
The ODFW held public workshops (after the IPHC set the Area 2A quota) in early February 2003, to develop recommendations on the opening dates of the sport fisheries. WDFW did not hold public meetings after the IPHC annual meeting in 2003 because the catch limit and season structure are the same as in 2002. The WDFW and ODFW sent letters to NMFS providing the following recommendations on the opening dates and season structure for managing the sport fisheries consistent with the CSP.
WDFW recommended a May 8 to July 18 season for eastern Puget Sound and a May 22 to August 1 season for western Puget Sound, 5 days per week (closed Tuesday and Wednesday). The recommended number of fishing days is based on an analysis of past harvest patterns in this fishery and meets the requirements of the CSP for the overall Puget Sound sport fishery subarea. For the Washington North Coast subarea, WDFW has recommended a season opening May 1 and continuing until the May sub-quota is taken, 5 days per week (closed Sunday and Monday), and a second season opening June 18 and continuing until the remaining quota is projected to be taken, 5 days per week (closed Sunday and Monday). WDFW also recommended changing the North Coast subarea's closed area to a “C-shaped” area, known as the Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area, in accordance with (f)(1)(ii) of the CSP (see ADDRESSES). This change in the size and shape of the closed area is intended to protect yelloweye rockfish, an overfished groundfish species that coexists with Pacific halibut. The “C-shaped” area has been determined to be an area with high interception of yelloweye rockfish in recreational fisheries. This area will be closed to recreational groundfish and halibut fishing. For the Washington South Coast subarea, WDFW has recommended a season opening May 1 and continuing until the quota is taken, 5 days per week (closed Friday and Saturday) in the offshore area and 7 days per week in the nearshore area. WDFW recommendations for the Puget Sound, North Coast and South Coast Washington subareas meet the requirements of the CSP.
Both WDFW and ODFW have recommended opening the Columbia River subarea on May 1 and continuing the season until the quota has been reached, 7 days per week. This recommended season meets the requirements of the CSP.
ODFW recommended starting the nearshore fishery in the Oregon Central Coast and South Coast subareas, on May 1 and continuing the season until the sub-quota for that fishery is taken, 7 days per week. For the all-depth fisheries in those subareas, ODFW recommended a 6 day spring season of May 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, and 17, based on an analysis of past harvest rates. ODFW further recommended a 4-day summer all-depth season of August 1, 2, 8, and 9. If the spring season does not take the entire spring sub-quota for these subareas, ODFW recommended these additional potential opening dates: June 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, and 28. If the summer season does not take the entire summer sub-quota for these subareas, ODFW recommended these additional potential opening dates: August 22 and 23, September 5, 6, 19, and 20, October 17 and 18. These recommendations meet the requirements of the CSP for these subareas.
For the southernmost subarea, south of Humbug Mountain, Oregon, ODFW recommended opening this subarea on May 1 and continuing the season until September 30, 7 days per week. This recommended season meets the requirements of the CSP.
NMFS is implementing sport fishing management measures in Area 2A based on recommendations from the states in accordance with the CSP.
With this rule, NMFS will revise the Federal halibut regulations at 50 CFR 300.63, which authorize vessels with IPHC licenses that are operating in the primary sablefish longline fishery north of Pt. Chehalis to land halibut taken incidentally in that fishery. The technical correction will alter the regulations to more clearly state that no halibut taken in this fishery may be landed south of Pt. Chehalis. This is a minor clarification and has no substantive effect on the environment or the regulated community because it only clarifies where halibut taken incidentally in the primary sablefish longline fishery may be landed.
The annual management measures that follow for the 2003 Pacific halibut fishery are identical to those recommended by the IPHC and approved by the Secretary of State.
Regulations respecting the Convention Between Canada and the United States of America for the Preservation of the Halibut Fishery of the Northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea.
(1) These Regulations apply to persons and vessels fishing for halibut Start Printed Page 10992in, or possessing halibut taken from the maritime area as defined in Section 3.
(3) Sections 7 to 21 apply to commercial fishing for halibut.
(4) Section 22 applies to the United States treaty Indian fishery in subarea 2A-1.
(5) Section 23 applies to customary and traditional fishing in Alaska.
(6) Section 24 applies to sport fishing for halibut.
(7) These Regulations do not apply to fishing operations authorized or conducted by the Commission for research purposes.
(d) Commercial fishing means fishing, other than treaty Indian ceremonial and subsistence fishing as referred to in section 22, and customary and traditional fishing as referred to in section 23 and defined by and regulated pursuant to National Marine Fisheries Service regulations published at 50 CFR Code of Federal Regulations Part 300, the resulting catch of which is sold or bartered; or is intended to be sold or bartered;
(q) Sport fishing means all fishing other than commercial fishing, treaty Indian ceremonial and subsistence fishing as referred to in section 22, and customary and traditional fishing as referred to in section 23 and defined in and regulated pursuant to National Marine Fisheries Service regulations published in 50 Code of Federal Regulations Part 300;
(12) Licenses issued under this section shall be valid only during the year in which they are issued. Start Printed Page 10993
(15) The United States may suspend, revoke, or modify any license issued under this section under policies and procedures in Title 15, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 904.
(2) A person may retain halibut taken with setline gear in Area 4E CDQ and 4D CDQ fishery that are smaller than the size limit specified in section 13, Start Printed Page 10994provided that no person may sell or barter such halibut.
(2) Each fishing period in the Area 2A directed fishery [2] shall begin at 0800 hours and terminate at 1800 hours local time on June 25, July 9, July 23, August 6, August 20, September 3, and September 17 unless the Commission specifies otherwise.
(5) The fishing period in Areas 2B, 2C, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E shall begin at 1200 hours local time on March 1 and terminate at 1200 hours local time on November 15, unless the Commission specifies otherwise.
2B 11,750,0 5,328.8
2C 8,500,00 3,854.9
3A 22,630,0 10,263.0
3B 17,130,0 7,768.7
4A 4,970,00 2,254.0
4B 4,180,00 1,895.7
4C 2,030,00 920.6
4D 2,030,00 920.6
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), regulations pertaining to the division of the Area 2A catch limit between the directed commercial fishery and the incidental catch fishery as described in paragraph (4) of section 8 will be promulgated by the National Marine Fisheries Service and published in the Federal Register.
(4) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), Area 2B will close only when all Individual Vessel Quotas assigned by Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans are taken, or November 15, whichever is earlier.
(5) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), Areas 2C, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E will each close only when all Individual Fishing Quotas and all Community Development Quotas issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service have been taken, or November 15, whichever is earlier:
(8) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the total allowable catch of halibut that may be taken in the Area 4E directed commercial fishery is equal to the combined annual catch limits specified Start Printed Page 10995for the Area 4D and Area 4E Community Development Quotas. The annual Area 4D CDQ catch limit will decrease by the equivalent amount of halibut CDQ taken in Area 4E in excess of the annual Area 4E CDQ catch limit.
(a) Of halibut cheeks cut from halibut caught by persons authorized to process the halibut on board in accordance with NMFS regulations published at Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 679; and
(b) Of fillets from halibut that have been offloaded in accordance with section 17 may be possessed on board the harvesting vessel in the port of landing up to 1800 hours local time on the calendar day following the offload.[4]
(1) The operator of any vessel that fishes for halibut in Areas 4A, 4B, 4C, or 4D must obtain a vessel clearance before fishing in any of these areas, and before the landing of any halibut caught in any of these areas, unless specifically exempted in paragraphs (10), (13), (14), (15), (16), or (17).Start Printed Page 10996
(1) The operator of any U.S. vessel fishing for halibut that has an overall length of 26 feet (7.9 meters) or greater shall maintain an accurate log of halibut fishing operations in the Groundfish/Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Daily Fishing Longline and Pot Gear Logbook provided by NMFS, or Alaska hook-and-line logbook provided by Petersburg Vessel Owners Association or Alaska Longline Fisherman's Association, or the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) longline-pot logbook, or the logbook provided by IPHC.
(e) Kept on board the vessel when engaged in halibut fishing, during Start Printed Page 10997transits to port of landing, and until the offlanding of all halibut is completed.
(5) The operator of any Canadian vessel fishing for halibut shall maintain an accurate log recorded in the British Columbia Halibut Fishery logbook provided by DFO.
(2) No person shall offload halibut from a vessel unless the gills and entrails have been removed prior to offloading.[5]
(4) A registered buyer (as that term is defined in regulations promulgated by the National Marine Fisheries Service and codified at Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 679) who receives halibut harvested in Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) and Community Development Quota (CDQ) fisheries in Areas 2C, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E, directly from the vessel operator that harvested such halibut must weigh all the halibut received and record the following information on Federal catch reports: date of offload; name of vessel; vessel number; scale weight obtained at the time of offloading, including the weight (in pounds) of halibut purchased by the registered buyer, the weight (in pounds) of halibut offloaded in excess of the IFQ or CDQ, the weight of halibut (in pounds) retained for personal use or for future sale, and the weight (in pounds) of halibut discarded as unfit for human consumption.
(6) The master or operator of a Canadian vessel that was engaged in halibut fishing must weigh and record all halibut on board said vessel at the time offloading commences and record on Provincial fish tickets or Federal catch reports the date, locality, name of vessel, the name(s) of the person(s) from whom the halibut was purchased; and the scale weight obtained at the time of offloading of all halibut on board the vessel including the pounds purchased; pounds in excess of Individual Vessel Quotas (IVQs); pounds retained for personal use; and pounds discarded as unfit for human consumption.
(a) Has a NMFS-certified observer on board when required by NMFS regulations [6] published at title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, section 679.7(f)(4); and
(b) Can identify the regulatory area in which each halibut on board was caught by separating halibut from different areas in the hold, tagging halibut, or by other means.Start Printed Page 10998
(a) The vessel's name;
(b) The vessel's state license number; or
(c) The vessel's registration number.
(11) Notwithstanding any other provision in these regulations, a person may retain and possess, but not sell or barter, halibut taken with trawl gear only as authorized by the Prohibited Species Donation regulations of the National Marine Fisheries Service.
(1) Nothing contained in these Regulations prohibits any vessel at any time from retaining and landing a halibut that bears a Commission tag at the time of capture, if the halibut with the tag still attached is reported at the time of landing and made available for examination by a representative of the Commission or by an authorized officer.
(b) May be sold if it complies with the provisions of section 13.
(1) Halibut fishing in subarea 2A-1 by members of United States treaty Indian tribes located in the State of Washington shall be regulated under regulations promulgated by the National Marine Fisheries Service and published in the Federal Register.
(4) Commercial fishing for halibut in subarea 2A-1 is permitted with hook and line gear from March 1 through November 15, or until 456,500 lb (207.0 mt) is taken, whichever occurs first.
(5) Ceremonial and subsistence fishing for halibut in subarea 2A-1 is permitted with hook and line gear from January 1 through December 31, and is estimated to take 27,000 pounds (12.2 metric tons).
(3) Section 23 is in effect only when National Marine Fisheries Service publishes subsistence (customary and traditional use) regulations in 50 CFR part 300.
(a) The total allowable catch of halibut shall be limited to 232,499 lb (105.4 mt) in waters off Washington and 262,001 pounds (118.8 metric tons) in waters off California and Oregon;Start Printed Page 10999
(i) In Puget Sound and the U.S. waters in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, east of a line extending from 48°17′30″ N. lat., 124°23′70″ W. long. north to 48°24′10″ N. lat., 124°23′70″ W. long., there is no quota. This area is managed by setting a season that is projected to result in a catch of 63,278 lb (29 mt).
(A) The fishing season in eastern Puget Sound (east of 123°49′30″ W. long.) is May 8 through July 18 and the fishing season in western Puget Sound (west of 123°49′30″ W. long.) is May 22 through August 1, 5 days a week (Thursday through Monday).
(ii) In the area off the north Washington coast, west of the line described in paragraph (4)(b)(i) of this section and north of the Queets River (47°31′42″ N. lat.), the quota for landings into ports in this area is 113,915 lb (52 mt).
(1) Commencing May 1 and continuing 5 days a week (Tuesday through Saturday) until 82,019 lb (37 mt) are estimated to have been taken and the season is closed by the Commission.
(2) From June 18, and continuing thereafter for 5 days a week (Tuesday through Saturday) until the overall area quota of 113,915 lb (52 mt) are estimated to have been taken and the area is closed by the Commission, or until September 30, whichever occurs first.
(C) A portion of this area southwest of Cape Flattery is closed to sport fishing for halibut. The “C-shaped” yelloweye rockfish conservation area that is closed to recreational halibut fishing is defined by the following coordinates in the order listed:
(iii) In the area between the Queets River, WA and Leadbetter Point, WA (46°38′10″ N. lat.), the quota for landings into ports in this area is 48,623 lb (22 mt).
(A) The fishing season commences on May 1 and continues 5 days a week (Sunday through Thursday) in all waters, and commences on May 1 and continues 7 days a week in the area from Queets River south to 47°00′00″ N. lat. and east of 124°40′00″ W. long., until 48,623 lb (22 mt) are estimated to have been taken and the season is closed by the Commission, or until September 30, whichever occurs first.
(iv) In the area between Leadbetter Point, WA and Cape Falcon, OR (45°46′00″ N. lat.), the quota for landings into ports in this area is 11,923 lb (5 mt).
(A) The fishing season commences on May 1, and continues every day through September 30, or until 11,923 lb (5 mt) are estimated to have been taken and the area is closed by the Commission, whichever occurs first.
(B) The daily bag limit is the first halibut taken, per person, of 32 inches (81.3 cm) or greater in length.
(v) In the area off Oregon between Cape Falcon and the Siuslaw River at the Florence north jetty (44°01′08″ N. lat.), the quota for landings into ports in this area is 230,639 lb (104.6 mt).
(1) The first season commences May 1 and continues every day through October 31, in the area inside the 30-fathom (55 m) curve nearest to the coastline as plotted on National Ocean Service charts numbered 18520, 18580, and 18600, or until the combined subquotas of the north central and south central inside 30-fathom fisheries (19,797 lb (9.0 mt)) or any inseason revised subquota is estimated to have been taken and the season is closed by the Commission, whichever is earlier.
(2) The second season is open on May 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, and 17. The projected catch for this season is 156,835 lb (71.1 mt). If sufficient unharvested catch remains for additional fishing days, the season will reopen. Dependent on the amount of unharvested catch available, the potential season reopening dates will be: June 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, and 28. If a decision is made inseason by NMFS to allow fishing on any of these reopening dates, notice of the opening will be announced on the NMFS hotline (206) 526-6667 or (800) 662-9825. No halibut fishing will be allowed on the reopening dates unless the date is announced on the NMFS hotline.
(3) If sufficient unharvested catch remains, the third season will open on August 1, 2, 8, and 9 or until the combined quotas for the all-depth fisheries in the subareas described in paragraphs (v) and (vi) of this section totaling 229,103 lb (103.9 mt) are estimated to have been taken and the area is closed by the Commission, whichever is earlier. An announcement will be made on the NMFS hotline in mid-July as to whether the fishery will be open on August 1, 2, 8, and 9. No halibut fishing will be allowed on these dates unless the dates are announced on the NMFS hotline. If the harvest during this opening does not achieve the 229,103 lb (103.9 mt) quota, the season will reopen. Dependent on the amount of unharvested catch available, the potential season reopening dates will be: August 22 and 23, September 5, 6, 19, and 20, October 17 and 18. If a decision is made inseason to allow fishing on one or more of these reopening dates, notice of the reopening date will be announced on the NMFS hotline (206) 526-6667 or (800) 662-9825. No halibut fishing will be allowed on the reopening dates unless the date is announced on the NMFS hotline.
(vi) In the area off Oregon between the Siuslaw River at the Florence north jetty and Humbug Mountain, Oregon (42°40′30″ N. lat.), the quota for landings into ports in this area is 18,261 lb (8.3 mt).
(1) The first season commences May 1 and continues every day through October 31, in the area inside the 30-fathom (55-m) curve nearest to the coastline as plotted on National Ocean Service charts numbered 18520, 18580, and 18600, or until the combined subquotas of the north central and south central inside 30-fathom fisheries (19,797 lb (9.0 mt)) or any inseason revised subquota is estimated to have been taken and the season is closed by the Commission, whichever is earlier.
(2) The second season is open on May 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, and 17. The projected catch for this season is 14,609 lb (6.6 mt). If sufficient unharvested catch remains for additional fishing days, the season will reopen. Dependent on the amount of unharvested catch available, the potential season reopening dates will be: June 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, and 28. If a decision is made inseason by NMFS to allow fishing on any of these reopening dates, notice of the opening will be announced on the NMFS hotline Start Printed Page 11000(206) 526-6667 or (800) 662-9825. No halibut fishing will be allowed on the reopening dates unless the date is announced on the NMFS hotline.
(vii) In the area south of Humbug Mountain, Oregon (42°40′30″ N. lat.) and off the California coast, there is no quota. This area is managed on a season that is projected to result in a catch of less than 7,860 lb (3.6 mt).
(A) The fishing season will commence on May 1 and continue every day through September 30.
(c) The Commission shall determine and announce closing dates to the public for any area in which the subquotas in this Section are estimated to have been taken.
(10) The possession limit for halibut on land in Area 2A is two daily bag limits.
(b) Actual notice of inseason management actions will be provided by a telephone hotline administered by the Northwest Region, NMFS, at 206-526-6667 or 800-662-9825 (May through September) and by U.S. Coast Guard broadcasts. These broadcasts are announced on Channel 16 VHF-FM and 2182 kHz at frequent intervals. The announcements designate the channel or frequency over which the notice to mariners will be immediately broadcast. Since provisions of these regulations may be altered by inseason actions, sport fishers should monitor either the telephone hotline or U.S. Coast Guard broadcasts for current information for the area in which they are fishing.
(5) Availability of data. The Regional Administrator will compile, in aggregate form, all data and other information relevant to the action being taken and Start Printed Page 11001will make them available for public review during normal office hours at the Northwest Regional Office, NMFS, Sustainable Fisheries Division, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA.
Non-treaty commercial vessels operating in the directed commercial fishery for halibut in Area 2A are required to fish outside of a closed area, known as the Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA), that extends along the coast from the U.S./Canada border south to 40°10′ N. lat. The closed area follows approximate depth contours. Coordinates for the specific boundaries that approximate the depth contours are as follows:
(2) Between 46°16′ N. lat. and 40°10′ N. lat., the RCA is defined along an eastern, inshore boundary approximating 27 fm (49 m). The 27 fm depth contour used between 46°16′ N. lat. and 40°10′ N. lat. as an eastern boundary for the RCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated:
(1) 46°16.00′ N. lat., 124°12.39′ W. long.;
(2) 46°14.85′ N. lat., 124°12.39′ W. long.;
(3) 46°3.95′ N. lat., 124°3.64′ W. long.;
(4) 45°43.14′ N. lat., 124°0.17′ W. long.;
(5) 45°23.33′ N. lat., 124°1.99′ W. long.;
(6) 45°9.54′ N. lat., 124°1.65′ W. long.;
(7) 44°39.99′ N. lat., 124°8.67′ W. long.;
(8) 44°20.86′ N. lat., 124°10.31′ W. long.;
(9) 43°37.11′ N. lat., 124°14.91′ W. long.;
(10) 43°27.54′ N. lat., 124°18.98′ W. long.;
(11) 43°20.68′ N. lat., 124°25.53′ W. long.;
(12) 43°15.08′ N. lat., 124°27.17′ W. long.;
(13) 43°6.89′ N. lat., 124°29.65′ W. long.;
(14) 43°1.02′ N. lat., 124°29.70′ W. long.;
(15) 42°52.67′ N. lat., 124°36.10′ W. long.;
(16) 42°45.96′ N. lat., 124°37.95′ W. long.;
(17) 42°45.80′ N. lat., 124°35.41′ W. long.;
(18) 42°38.46′ N. lat., 124°27.49′ W. long.;
(19) 42°35.29′ N. lat., 124°26.85′ W. long.;
(20) 42°31.49′ N. lat., 124°31.40′ W. long.;
(21) 42°29.06′ N. lat., 124°32.24′ W. long.;
(22) 42°14.26′ N. lat., 124°26.27′ W. long.;
(23) 42°4.86′ N. lat., 124°21.94′ W. long.;
(24) 42°0.10′ N. lat., 124°20.99′ W. long.;
(25) 42°0.00′ N. lat., 124°21.03′ W. long.;
(26) 41°56.33′ N. lat., 124°20.34′ W. long.;
(27) 41°50.93′ N. lat., 124°23.74′ W. long.;
(28) 41°41.83′ N. lat., 124°16.99′ W. long.;
(29) 41°35.48′ N. lat., 124°16.35′ W. long.;
(30) 41°23.51′ N. lat., 124°10.48′ W. long.;
(31) 41°4.62′ N. lat., 124°14.44′ W. long.;
(32) 40°54.28′ N. lat., 124°13.90′ W. long.;
(33) 40°40.37′ N. lat., 124°26.21′ W. long.;
(34) 40°34.03′ N. lat., 124°27.36′ W. long.;
(35) 40°28.88′ N. lat., 124°32.41′ W. long.;
(36) 40°24.82′ N. lat., 124°29.56′ W. long.;
(37) 40°22.64′ N. lat., 124°24.05′ W. long.;
(38) 40°18.67′ N. lat., 124°21.90′ W. long.;
(39) 40°14.23′ N. lat., 124°23.72′ W. long.; and
(40) 40°10.00′ N. lat., 124°17.22′ W. long.;
(10) 48°01.08′ N. lat., 125°24.53′ W. long.;
(21) 48°19.98′ N. lat., 125°13.24′ W. long.;
(22) 48°22.95′ N. lat., 125°10.79′ W. long.;
(23) 48°21.61′ N. lat., 125°02.54′ W. long.; Start Printed Page 11002
(24) 48°23.00′ N. lat., 124°49.34′ W. long.;
(25) 48°17.00′ N. lat., 124°56.50′ W. long.;
(26) 48°06.00′ N. lat., 125°00.00′ W. long.;
(27) 48°04.62′ N. lat., 125°01.73′ W. long.;
(28) 48°04.84′ N. lat., 125°04.03′ W. long.;
(29) 48°06.41′ N. lat., 125°06.51′ W. long.;
(30) 48°06.00′ N. lat., 125°08.00′ W. long.;
(31) 48°07.28′ N. lat., 125°11.14′ W. long.;
(32) 48°03.45′ N. lat., 125°16.66′ W. long.;
(33) 47°59.50′ N. lat., 125°18.88′ W. long.;
(34) 47°58.68′ N. lat., 125°16.19′ W. long.;
(35) 47°56.62′ N. lat., 125°13.50′ W. long.;
(36) 47°53.71′ N. lat., 125°11.96′ W. long.;
(37) 47°51.70′ N. lat., 125°09.38′ W. long.;
(38) 47°49.95′ N. lat., 125°06.07′ W. long.;
(39) 47°49.00′ N. lat., 125°03.00′ W. long.;
(40) 47°46.95′ N. lat., 125°04.00′ W. long.;
(41) 47°46.58′ N. lat., 125°03.15′ W. long.;
(42) 47°44.07′ N. lat., 125°04.28′ W. long.;
(43) 47°43.32′ N. lat., 125°04.41′ W. long.;
(44) 47°40.95′ N. lat., 125°04.14′ W. long.;
(45) 47°39.58′ N. lat., 125°04.97′ W. long.;
(46) 47°36.23′ N. lat., 125°02.77′ W. long.;
(47) 47°34.28′ N. lat., 124°58.66′ W. long.;
(48) 47°32.17′ N. lat., 124°57.77′ W. long.;
(49) 47°30.27′ N. lat., 124°56.16′ W. long.;
(50) 47°30.60′ N. lat., 124°54.80′ W. long.;
(51) 47°29.26′ N. lat., 124°52.21′ W. long.;
(52) 47°28.21′ N. lat., 124°50.65′ W. long.;
(53) 47°27.38′ N. lat., 124°49.34′ W. long.;
(54) 47°25.61′ N. lat., 124°48.26′ W. long.;
(55) 47°23.54′ N. lat., 124°46.42′ W. long.;
(56) 47°20.64′ N. lat., 124°45.91′ W. long.;
(57) 47°17.99′ N. lat., 124°45.59′ W. long.;
(58) 47°18.20′ N. lat., 124°49.12′ W. long.;
(59) 47°15.01′ N. lat., 124°51.09′ W. long.;
(60) 47°12.61′ N. lat., 124°54.89′ W. long.;
(61) 47°08.22′ N. lat., 124°56.53′ W. long.;
(62) 47°08.50′ N. lat., 124°54.95′ W. long.;
(63) 47°01.92′ N. lat., 124°57.74′ W. long.;
(64) 47°01.14′ N. lat., 124°59.35′ W. long.;
(65) 46°58.48′ N. lat., 124°57.81′ W. long.;
(66) 46°56.79′ N. lat., 124°56.03′ W. long.;
(67) 46°58.01′ N. lat., 124°55.09′ W. long.;
(68) 46°55.07′ N. lat., 124°54.14′ W. long.;
(69) 46°59.60′ N. lat., 124°49.79′ W. long.;
(70) 46°58.72′ N. lat., 124°48.78′ W. long.;
(71) 46°54.45′ N. lat., 124°48.36′ W. long.;
(72) 46°53.99′ N. lat., 124°49.95′ W. long.;
(73) 46°54.38′ N. lat., 124°52.73′ W. long.;
(74) 46°52.38′ N. lat., 124°52.02′ W. long.;
(75) 46°48.93′ N. lat., 124°49.17′ W. long.;
(76) 46°41.50′ N. lat., 124°43.00′ W. long.;
(77) 46°34.50′ N. lat., 124°28.50′ W. long.;
(78) 46°29.00′ N. lat., 124°30.00′ W. long.;
(79) 46°20.00′ N. lat., 124°36.50′ W. long.;
(80) 46°18.00′ N. lat., 124°38.00′ W. long.;
(81) 46°17.52′ N. lat., 124°35.35′ W. long.;
(82) 46°17.00′ N. lat., 124°22.50′ W. long.;
(83) 46°15.02′ N. lat., 124°23.77′ W. long.;
(84) 46°12.00′ N. lat., 124°35.00′ W. long.;
(85) 46°10.50′ N. lat., 124°39.00′ W. long.;
(86) 46°8.90′ N. lat., 124°39.11′ W. long.;
(87) 46°0.97′ N. lat., 124°38.56′ W. long.;
(88) 45°57.04′ N. lat., 124°36.42′ W. long.;
(89) 45°54.29′ N. lat., 124°40.02′ W. long.;
(90) 45°47.19′ N. lat., 124°35.58′ W. long.;
(91) 45°41.75′ N. lat., 124°28.32′ W. long.;
(92) 45°34.16′ N. lat., 124°24.23′ W. long.;
(93) 45°27.10′ N. lat., 124°21.74′ W. long.;
(94) 45°17.14′ N. lat., 124°17.85′ W. long.;
(95) 44°59.51′ N. lat., 124°19.34′ W. long.;
(96) 44°49.30′ N. lat., 124°29.97′ W. long.;
(97) 44°45.64′ N. lat., 124°33.89′ W. long.;
(98) 44°33.00′ N. lat., 124°36.88′ W. long.;
(99) 44°28.20′ N. lat., 124°44.72′ W. long.;
(100) 44°13.16′ N. lat., 124°56.36′ W. long.;
(101) 43°56.34′ N. lat., 124°55.74′ W. long.;
(102) 43°56.47′ N. lat., 124°34.61′ W. long.;
(103) 43°42.73′ N. lat., 124°32.41′ W. long.;
(104) 43°30.92′ N. lat., 124°34.43′ W. long.;
(105) 43°17.44′ N. lat., 124°41.16′ W. long.;
(106) 43°7.04′ N. lat., 124°41.25′ W. long.;
(107) 43°3.45′ N. lat., 124°44.36′ W. long.;
(108) 43°3.90′ N. lat., 124°50.81′ W. long.;
(109) 42°55.70′ N. lat., 124°52.79′ W. long.;
(110) 42°54.12′ N. lat., 124°47.36′ W. long.;
(111) 42°43.99′ N. lat., 124°42.38′ W. long.;
(112) 42°38.23′ N. lat., 124°41.25′ W. long.;
(113) 42°33.02′ N. lat., 124°42.38′ W. long.;
(114) 42°31.89′ N. lat., 124°42.04′ W. long.;
(115) 42°30.08′ N. lat., 124°42.67′ W. long.;
(116) 42°28.27′ N. lat., 124°47.08′ W. long.;
(117) 42°25.22′ N. lat., 124°43.51′ W. long.;
(118) 42°19.22′ N. lat., 124°37.92′ W. long.;
(119) 42°16.28′ N. lat., 124°36.11′ W. long.;
(120) 42°5.65′ N. lat., 124°34.92′ W. long.;
(121) 42°0.00′ N. lat., 124°35.27′ W. long.;
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(123) 41°47.04′ N. lat., 124°27.64′ W. long.;
(124) 41°32.92′ N. lat., 124°28.79′ W. long.;
(125) 41°24.17′ N. lat., 124°28.46′ W. long.;
(126) 41°10.12′ N. lat., 124°20.50′ W. long.;
(127) 40°51.41′ N. lat., 124°24.38′ W. long.;
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(130) 40°37.35′ N. lat., 124°29.05′ W. long.;
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(133) 40°32.44′ N. lat., 124°39.58′ W. long.;
(134) 40°24.82′ N. lat., 124°35.12′ W. long.;
(135) 40°23.30′ N. lat., 124°31.60′ W. long.;
(136) 40°23.52′ N. lat., 124°28.78′ W. long.;
(137) 40°22.43′ N. lat., 124°25.00′ W. long.;
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(139) 40°21.87′ N. lat., 124°27.96′ W. long.;
(140) 40°21.40′ N. lat., 124°28.74′ W. long.;
(141) 40°19.68′ N. lat., 124°28.49′ W. long.;
(142) 40°17.73′ N. lat., 124°25.43′ W. long.;
(143) 40°18.37′ N. lat., 124°23.35′ W. long.;
(144) 40°15.75′ N. lat., 124°26.05′ W. long.;
(145) 40°16.75′ N. lat., 124°33.71′ W. long.;
(146) 40°16.29′ N. lat., 124°34.36′ W. long.; and
(147) 40°10.00′ N. lat., 124°21.12′ W. long.
Because approval by the Secretary of State of the IPHC regulations is a foreign affairs function, the notice-and-comment and delay-in-effective date requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), 5 U.S.C. 553, do not apply to this notice of the effectiveness and content of the IPHC regulations, 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(1). Because prior notice and an opportunity for public comment are not required to be provided for these portions of 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.
An EA/RIR was prepared on the proposed changes to the CSP. NMFS has determined that the proposed changes to the CSP and the management measures implementing the CSP contained in these regulations will not significantly affect the quality of the human environment, and the preparation of an environmental impact statement on the final action is not required by 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act or its implementing regulations.
At the proposed rule stage, the Chief Counsel for Regulation, Department of Commerce, certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration that this action will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. No comments were received on this certification or on the economic impacts of the rule. No regulatory flexibility analysis has been prepared.
The AA finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide a 30-day delay in effectiveness (5 U.S.C. 553(d)) because it is contrary to the public interest to delay the effectiveness date of this rule for 30 days. This rule must be made effective for the opening of the 2003 Pacific halibut fishing season on March 1, 2003. Delaying the opening of the fishing season is contrary to the public interest because it would cause unnecessary economic burden on fishery participants due to loss of fishing opportunity. Because the annual quotas and management measures are ultimately determined by an international commission, the IPHC, the AA is constrained and cannot respond by publishing the final rule until after the IPHC has adopted the annual quotas and management measures for the year. NMFS's implementation of changes to the CSP could not begin until after January 24, 2003, when the IPHC adopted annual quotas and management measures for 2003. There was not enough time between when the IPHC adopted the annual quotas and management measures for 2003 and the scheduled March 1, 2003, start of the fishing season to publish the regulations in the Federal Register with enough time for a 30-day delay in effectiveness. In addition, good cause exists to waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness for the minor technical amendment to 50 CFR 300.63 pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) because this amendment only clarifies the regulatory language and does not include a substantive change to the regulations.
2. Section 300.63, paragraph (a)(3)(ii) is revised to read as follows:
(ii) It is unlawful for any person to possess or land halibut south of 46°53′18″ N. lat. that were taken and retained as incidental catch authorized by this section in the directed longline sablefish fishery.
2. The directed fishery is restricted to waters that are south of Point Chehalis, Washington (46°53′18″ N. lat.) under regulations promulgated by the National Marine Fisheries Service and published in the Federal Register.
3. The incidental fishery during the directed, fixed gear sablefish season is restricted to waters that are north of Point Chehalis, Washington (46°53′18″ N. lat. under regulations promulgated by the National Marine Fisheries Service and published in the Federal Register.
4. DFO has more restrictive regulations therefore section 13(2)b does not apply to fish caught in Area 2B or landed in British Columbia.
5. DFO did not adopt this regulation therefore section 17 paragraph 2 does not apply to fish caught in Area 2B.
6. Without an observer, a vessel cannot have on board more halibut than the IFQ for the area that is being fished even if some of the catch occurred earlier in a different area.
[FR Doc. 03-5171 Filed 3-3-03; 3:18 pm]